Music Banter - View Single Post - 5 Must-hear albums for a hip-hop newbie?

Roygbiv · 04-27-2010, 08:35 PM

A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instictive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm

Why you should start here: This album still sounds like nothing else in hip-hop today. Super smooth beats and shockingly conscious / humble lyrics. It's an album about self-reliance and individuality, and how it can be balanced by depending on the right people with the right state of mind.

Nas - Illmatic

Why you should start here: It's hip-hop's most concise recording - no filler, no skits, no gimmicks - but also its most seminal. Instead of finger pointing, Nas is cool and reflective, smoothly spitting rhymes about living with adversity at every corner. Its production and its style is unmatched, really. And that's no snob talk.

Ghostface Killah - Supreme Clientele

Why you should start here: Get high and listen to this beast, you'll get why I picked it.

Jay Dee J Dilla - Donuts

Why you should start here: Yeah, it's not really truly hip-hop thanks to each joint being instrumental, but still. When I want to explain the energy, the soul, and the magic of hip-hop to people, I point them to this album. Each instrumental is made up of samples, some barely untouched and others unrecognizable. It's alive from beginning to end, and if you skip it you're a fool.

Madvillain - Madvillainy

Why you should start here: The album comes and goes quickly, thanks to most songs being at the 2 minute mark. It's about 46 minutes long, so it's one of modern hip-hop's most concise statements, and it's entertaining as hell. Fat beats, hilarious rhymes, and an attitude that's completely their own. It's short length (relatively) also means you'll have an easier time getting through it on your first couple listens.

Happy listening!

04-27-2010, 08:35 PM	#88 (permalink)
Roygbiv marquee moon Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 759	A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instictive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm Why you should start here: This album still sounds like nothing else in hip-hop today. Super smooth beats and shockingly conscious / humble lyrics. It's an album about self-reliance and individuality, and how it can be balanced by depending on the right people with the right state of mind. Nas - Illmatic Why you should start here: It's hip-hop's most concise recording - no filler, no skits, no gimmicks - but also its most seminal. Instead of finger pointing, Nas is cool and reflective, smoothly spitting rhymes about living with adversity at every corner. Its production and its style is unmatched, really. And that's no snob talk. Ghostface Killah - Supreme Clientele Why you should start here: Get high and listen to this beast, you'll get why I picked it. Jay Dee J Dilla - Donuts Why you should start here: Yeah, it's not really truly hip-hop thanks to each joint being instrumental, but still. When I want to explain the energy, the soul, and the magic of hip-hop to people, I point them to this album. Each instrumental is made up of samples, some barely untouched and others unrecognizable. It's alive from beginning to end, and if you skip it you're a fool. Madvillain - Madvillainy Why you should start here: The album comes and goes quickly, thanks to most songs being at the 2 minute mark. It's about 46 minutes long, so it's one of modern hip-hop's most concise statements, and it's entertaining as hell. Fat beats, hilarious rhymes, and an attitude that's completely their own. It's short length (relatively) also means you'll have an easier time getting through it on your first couple listens. Happy listening! __________________ Roygbiv's Review Revue LATEST REVIEW SILENT SHOUT BY THE KNIFE Last edited by Roygbiv; 04-27-2010 at 08:42 PM.