10 Most Underrated Hip-Hop Albums Of All Time

One of the most distinctive British emcees of his era, Tricky found fame as a member of Massive Attack, but when he stripped back the Bristol group’s lush instrumentation to push his sandpaper vocals to the front of the mix, the music became bizarre, twisted, and utterly brilliant.

It’ll be clear whether or not this is for you from seconds into the first track, “Vent”, with a wobbly, disorienting beat that sets the tone going forward. “Christiansands” gives the first real taste of Tricky’s amazing voice, which crackles with menace while staying perfectly measured. His growl is contrasted brilliantly by collaborator Martina Topley-Bird’s detached, cooing vocals.

“Tricky Kid” sees the rapper snarling at the press, for whom he’d become a frequent target around this time, and by “Bad Things” he’s discarded percussion altogether, rapping in a sinister mutter over stabs of distorted guitar and a watery bassline.

The record ends with “Piano”, by which point Tricky has receded into the background. It’s elevated by what sounds like a breathing apparatus sighing over the track. Disconcerting but inspired stuff.