Some classic hip-hop albums you should give a spin!
The Chronic – Dr. Dre
“Dr. Dre is the man,” Max Hawks, ‘27, bluntly remarked in reference to The Chronic. The LP marked Dr. Dre’s debut as a solo artist coming out of the cutting-edge hip-hop group N.W.A. Dre served as the group’s primary producer, known for his region-defining sound filled with high-pitched moog synths, punchy drums, and warm bass lines that perfectly encapsulate driving through South Central L.A.’s sunny weather. While not lyrically dense, Dre’s performances and production contribute to a classic that’s vibrant all the way through.
Enter the Wu Tang – Wu Tang Clan
A supergroup of unknowns, the Wu-Tang Clan’s debut record showed the world why they should pay attention to the underdogs from Staten Island. 36 Chambers features the first appearances of many of the most acclaimed rappers of all time, including GZA, Ghostface Killah, ODB, Raekwon, and Method Man, all behind the sparse beauty of RZA’s production. A wide range of styles come together under a storm of old kung-fu movie and soul samples to create a truly singular hip-hop classic.
ATLiens – OutKast
“The South got something to say,” André 3000 declared over a crowd of boos at the 1995 Source Awards after winning Best New Group, just a year before their sophomore LP ATLiens dropped. Among the first southern MCs to break into the mainstream, ATLiens represented the new direction of southern hip-hop that OutKast was pioneering. They focused less on aggression and more on melodic performances and detailed lyrics. Combined with the laidback production and a charming drawl, ATLiens is a classic.
The Infamous – Mobb Deep
If the Queensbridge Projects were distilled into music, The Infamous would be the result. Mobb Deep, made up of Prodigy and Havoc, released The Infamous as their sophomore LP. At only 19, the duo assembled a tracklist rich in eerie and unsettling production, chronicling the crime-riddled life of the young MCs with excruciating detail and unprecedented performances. On top of that, the penultimate track, “Shook Ones Pt. II,” is often regarded as one of, if not the best, hip-hop songs of all time, making The Infamous a must for any fan of hip-hop.
Labcabincalifornia – The Pharcyde
Hailing from South Central L.A., The Pharcyde stood out from their west coast contemporaries, ditching wailing synth lines for equally smooth R&B and Bossa Nova samples. The group’s sophomore LP, Labcabincalifornia, took what made their debut successful and amplified everything with their newfound connections. Oliver Walsh, ‘25, highlighted the album’s production, describing it as “super relaxed but still fun.” Labcabincalifornia is a joy to listen to, detailing love troubles and difficulties growing up through amazing hooks and vocal performances that are a testament to its longevity
