10 Hip-Hop Albums Every New Fan Should Listen To
The best and most important hip-hop albums in the history of the genre.
Since its humble beginnings on the streets of New York City, the hip-hop genre has evolved from street chants and simple freestyles, to a multi-million dollar industry that draws from genres such as funk, jazz, rock and more. It has spread from Brooklyn to the West Coast, and from Atlanta to Detroit and now reaches an immensely diverse audience. This provides hip-hop connoisseurs with an almost unlimited source of music, but for the beginner that mass of content can be somewhat unnerving.
Where do you even start, what sub-genre, what era, which artist should you listen to first? That's why we compiled this list of essential rap albums every fan should listen to. Spanning eras, artists and genres this list aims to give an overview of what makes hip-hop great. A mix of innovators, founding fathers, and future stars, this list aims to give a wide look at the rap genre that benefits those just starting to like hip-hop and those who have listened to rap their entire lives.
In the end most hip-hop fans find the artists and genres they love and there are very few people that listen to everything, but for those who haven't found what they love yet, its best to start with the essentials.
10. Good Kid - M.A.A.D City
The Album: Though his talent had been heralded for years (check out Rigamortus on Section.80) Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City was Kendrick Lamar's grand entrance to the mainstream of hip-hip and announced him as the next great rapper.
On the album Kendrick demonstrates his story-telling ability (on a level unseen since Nas's Illmatic) and lyrical genius well beyond his years. It follows Kendrick's life as a teenager trying to survive in Compton.
It's a beautiful mix of technical prowess (Backseat Freestyle) and honest introspective narrative that deserves its title of a "modern classic" and its place as the most recent album on this list.
Standout Track: Backseat Freestyle (Honorable Mention: Swimming Pools, Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZW7et3tPuQ
If You Dig This, Check Out: To Pimp a Butterfly-His funkier but just as brilliant follow-up.