5 Must-hear albums for a hip-hop newbie?

abdullah424 · 12-24-2009, 12:25 AM

I'm going to avoid mentioning the albums already recommended

Kanye West - College Dropout
Mos Def & Talib Kweli - Blackstar
The Goodie Mob - Still Standing
Method Man - Tical (Classic right here)
Black Eyed Peas - Elephunk

SATCHMO · 12-24-2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abdullah424

I'm going to avoid mentioning the albums already recommended

Kanye West - College Dropout
Mos Def & Talib Kweli - Blackstar
The Goodie Mob - Still Standing
Method Man - Tical (Classic right here)
Black Eyed Peas - Elephunk

yes,Those two especially are definitely classics that shouldn't be avoided.

I agree wholeheartedly with most people's lists. I'll add some of my own favorites.

Kool Keith - Black Elvis
Raekwon - Only Built for Cuban Links
Blackalicious - Nia
Gang Starr - Moment of Truth
Gravediggaz - 6 Feet Deep
Pharcyde - Bizarre ride II: The Pharcyde
Eric B & Rakim - Paid in Full
LL Cool J - Radio
KRS One - Return of the Boom Bap

jackhammer · 12-25-2009, 02:05 PM

Here's some from me that are not neccessarily must hear re:education but show different sides of the genre:

Dalek - Absence
Cunnylinguists - Will Rap For Food
Ice - Bad Blood
Nujabes - Modal Soul
Cadence Weapon - Breaking Kayfabe.

A few albums in this thread that I need to checkout too.

simplephysics · 12-25-2009, 02:19 PM

3 Feet High and Rising, if you listen to it just right it will change your outlook on life.

TechN9ne · 12-25-2009, 02:37 PM

Love the shoutout for Illmatic album. Got to love it.

Encore - Eminem (basically all his old **** is good)

I can't wait for his Relapse2 album as well as 'Elevator', 'Hell Breaks Loose', 'Music Box'.

Meph1986 · 12-25-2009, 03:23 PM

As much as I enjoy Aesop Rock, I wouldn't recommend it for those looking to start off listening to hip hop. IMO, he's an acquired taste.

Other than that, most of the stuff presented in this thread is great.

Here are some more:

Edan - Beauty and the Beat (2005)

Gangstarr - Hard to Earn (1994)

GZA - Liquid Swords (1995)

Redman - Whut? Thee Album (1992)

lucifer_sam · 12-25-2009, 03:56 PM

1. Cannibal Ox - The Cold Vein
2. O.C. - Word...Life
3. Mos Def & Talib Kweli - Black Star
4. Souls of Mischief - 93 'til Infinity
5. Company Flow - Funcrusher Plus

should be in everybody's iPod at all times.

Meph1986 · 12-25-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucifer_sam

1. Cannibal ox - the cold vein
2. O.c. - word...life
3. Mos def & talib kweli - black star
4. Souls of mischief - 93 'til infinity
5. Company flow - funcrusher plus

should be in everybody's ipod at all times.

qft

LoathsomePete · 12-25-2009, 05:11 PM

Well considering jackhammer already mentioned Will Rap For Food by Cunninlynguists I won't bother to add one on my list because it's probably the best place to start with them. Anyhow here's my list with a little explanation for my reasons:

Blackalicious - Blazing Arrows

This is definitely one of the best albums of this decade. It's one of those rare hip hop albums that gets appraisal from both independent and mainstream magazines. Gift of Gab is just starting to really show his true talent and potential as a wicked MC. Chief Xcel does a great job at mixing old jazz, soul, and R&B sounds with hip-hop beats. An amazing album that really doesn't get mentioned a lot on here, much to my annoyance.

Aesop Rock - Labor Days

Yeah... nothing this guy has done so far has topped this monolith of an album. Some amazingly abstract lyrics but with a fierce and intricate delivery that makes him easily distinguishable from any other white hip hop artist out there (because they all sound the same, honkeys...)

MF Grimm - The Downfall of Ibilyis: A Ghetto Opera

The album that MF Grimm recorded in a day while out on $100,000 dollar day bail for a life sentence. It features lyrics that you'd figure would be on a gangsta-rap album, yet it's different. It's hard to describe because his sincerity seems so weird after most gangsta hip hop artists.

Busdriver - Fear of a Black Tangent

OK so some people may question my inclusion of Busdriver on this list. True he has some incredible skill when it comes to spitting some hot ass ****, but at the same time it can be quite eclectic and... really really strange. However if you're trying to get in, then it may just be the thing to show to someone with so many options.

Soul Position - 8 Million Stories

Some of the best blend of funky styled "g-funk" without the gangsta lyrics always followed. Awesome sound production all the way through and overall some incredible lyrics.

Alfred · 12-25-2009, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

Dalek - Absence

Seconded. That's some powerful stuff.

12-25-2009, 02:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	Here's some from me that are not neccessarily must hear re:education but show different sides of the genre: Dalek - Absence Cunnylinguists - Will Rap For Food Ice - Bad Blood Nujabes - Modal Soul Cadence Weapon - Breaking Kayfabe. A few albums in this thread that I need to checkout too. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

12-25-2009, 03:23 PM	#16 (permalink)
Meph1986 How High? Join Date: May 2008 Location: FL Posts: 684	As much as I enjoy Aesop Rock, I wouldn't recommend it for those looking to start off listening to hip hop. IMO, he's an acquired taste. Other than that, most of the stuff presented in this thread is great. Here are some more: Edan - Beauty and the Beat (2005) Gangstarr - Hard to Earn (1994) GZA - Liquid Swords (1995) Redman - Whut? Thee Album (1992) __________________ Last edited by Meph1986; 12-25-2009 at 03:52 PM.

12-25-2009, 03:56 PM	#17 (permalink)
lucifer_sam Unrepentant Ass-Mod Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3,921	1. Cannibal Ox - The Cold Vein 2. O.C. - Word...Life 3. Mos Def & Talib Kweli - Black Star 4. Souls of Mischief - 93 'til Infinity 5. Company Flow - Funcrusher Plus should be in everybody's iPod at all times. __________________ first.am

12-25-2009, 05:11 PM	#19 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	Well considering jackhammer already mentioned Will Rap For Food by Cunninlynguists I won't bother to add one on my list because it's probably the best place to start with them. Anyhow here's my list with a little explanation for my reasons: Blackalicious - Blazing Arrows This is definitely one of the best albums of this decade. It's one of those rare hip hop albums that gets appraisal from both independent and mainstream magazines. Gift of Gab is just starting to really show his true talent and potential as a wicked MC. Chief Xcel does a great job at mixing old jazz, soul, and R&B sounds with hip-hop beats. An amazing album that really doesn't get mentioned a lot on here, much to my annoyance. Aesop Rock - Labor Days Yeah... nothing this guy has done so far has topped this monolith of an album. Some amazingly abstract lyrics but with a fierce and intricate delivery that makes him easily distinguishable from any other white hip hop artist out there (because they all sound the same, honkeys...) MF Grimm - The Downfall of Ibilyis: A Ghetto Opera The album that MF Grimm recorded in a day while out on $100,000 dollar day bail for a life sentence. It features lyrics that you'd figure would be on a gangsta-rap album, yet it's different. It's hard to describe because his sincerity seems so weird after most gangsta hip hop artists. Busdriver - Fear of a Black Tangent OK so some people may question my inclusion of Busdriver on this list. True he has some incredible skill when it comes to spitting some hot ass **, but at the same time it can be quite eclectic and... really really strange. However if you're trying to get in, then it may just be the thing to show to someone with so many options. Soul Position** - 8 Million Stories Some of the best blend of funky styled "g-funk" without the gangsta lyrics always followed. Awesome sound production all the way through and overall some incredible lyrics. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

12-24-2009, 12:25 AM	#11 (permalink)
abdullah424 Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 351	I'm going to avoid mentioning the albums already recommended Kanye West - College Dropout Mos Def & Talib Kweli - Blackstar The Goodie Mob - Still Standing Method Man - Tical (Classic right here) Black Eyed Peas - Elephunk

12-25-2009, 02:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
TechN9ne Groupie Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 5	Love the shoutout for Illmatic album. Got to love it. Encore - Eminem (basically all his old **** is good) I can't wait for his Relapse2 album as well as 'Elevator', 'Hell Breaks Loose', 'Music Box'.