I’m 33, and fairly new to the genre. I have previously only listened to rock/metal. This past year I’ve been listening to more and more rap and hip-hop. I currently only have a small handful of musicians and songs. Mostly Jay-Z and Eminem.
Are there specific artists/albums/songs I must listen to? Thanks for your help.
Gangstarr - Moment of Truth
A Tribe Called Quest - Beats Rhymes and Life
Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers
All of the Wu Tang’s first solo albums, plus Supreme Clientele and Fishscale by the Ghostface Killah and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II from Raekwon
Quality Control and Power by Numbers by Jurassic 5
anything by the Roots
anything by the Hieroglyphics
most of Jay-Z’s stuff
Illmatic by Nas
Black Sunday and Temples of Boom by Cypress Hill
Conversation with a Devil by Andre Nickatina
anything by Gang Starr
the Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest
The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust by Saul Williams
anything by De La Soul
Fear of a Black Planet and It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back by Public Enemy
Back for the First Time by Ludacris
Genesis and Extinction Level Front by Busta Rhymes
The Search Engine by T-Nation
[quote]DBCooper wrote:
The Search Engine by T-Nation[/quote]
Haha.
^Truth
Mobb Deep - The Infamous
Nas - Illmatic
Kool G Rap - 4, 5, 6
Both Dr. Dre CDs
Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride 2
Bone Thugs - E1999 Eternal
Anything by Celph Titled. This guy is the KING of punchlines. Nineteen Ninety Wow, most recent album.
Redman - Malpractice, Muddy Waters
Redman and Method Man - Blackout
Army of the Pharaoahs
Immortal Technique - A MUST. all albums
Pharaohe Monch - Internal Affairs
DB already said Wu-Tang, so I won’t go into it again.
Snoop - DOggystyle
Dr Dre - both Chronics…and Detox whenever the fuck he releases it 
Black Star
Anything from Talib Kweli or Mos Def
Mobb Deep
Gotta have some Biggie and Pac
If u want something really hardcore try Gravediggaz
WU-TANG and most solo albums from members (my fav GZA)
Gangstar
The Roots
Nas
Eric B. & Rakim… start at the top and work your way down.
DEFINITELY this:
hahaha
/hijack&troll
Geto Boys
Pete rock and CL smooth, a long with the majority of what has been said already
Thanks for the list so far gents.
Robert Goulet - Coconut Bangers Ball, It’s a Rap!
You all fail, none of you bothered to mention the best rap album ever created.
Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die
[quote]DBCooper wrote:
The Search Engine by T-Nation[/quote]
I was checking all these off going, yeah, he’s on point with his picks, then this one hit, BOOM.
Good work DB
Since you’re into metal I imagine you’re familiar with the Anthrax/Public Enemy version of Bring the Noise.
Also, Jay Z and Linkin Park did a remix album that you might like.
Hip-hop spans a very broad spectrum of music, lyrics, message, etc. so don’t dismiss any of it based on one track or group.
These are some albums that I like:
Black Sheep - A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
3rd Bass - The Cactus, Derelicts of Dialect
De la Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising
A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory
Porn Theatre Ushers - Taxachusetts
Slick Rick - The Adventures of Slick Rick
Prince Paul - A Prince Among Thieves -He produced a pile of tracks and albums.
Individual tracks you should check out: Dead Prez -Hip Hop, Apathy -It Takes a 7 Nation Army to Hold Us Back, Mac Lethal -Black Widow Spider, Chamillionaire -Hip Hop is Dead
Man, I’ve tried typing this a handful of times now but my comp keeps crashing before I hit submit. Hope this one makes it, 'cause I’m committed to the cause.
De La Soul- Stakes is High
Biggie- Ready to Die
A Tribe Called Quest- Midnight Maruaders
UGK- Ridin’ Dirty
Devin the Dude- Waiting to Inhale
Mobb Deep- The Infamous
Wu-Tang Clan- Enter the 36 Chambers
Eric B and Rakim- Paid in Full
Scarface- The Diary
Mos Def- Black on Both Sides
The Pharcyde- Labcabincalifornia
Dilated Peoples- The Platform
Nas- Illmatic
Paul Wall & Chamillionaire- Get Your Mind Correct
Those are just a handful to get you started. I’d also youtube Big L, AZ, Canibus, The last Emperor, Eyedea, Typical Cats, Big Daddy Kane, KRS-One, the Cunning Lynguists… I know there are tons I’m forgetting but these are who just popped in my head.
I’m going to the Dipset reunion this month. Can’t wait.
2001 - Dr Dre
The Chronic - Dr Dre
Amerikkka’s Most Wanted - Ice Cube
Death Certificate - Ice Cube
The Predator - Ice Cube
Straight Outta Compton - NWA
Illmatic - Nas