Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) by Wu-Tang Clan (1993) Listen to this album and you’ll instantly see why Dr Dre is now one of the most respected figures in the music industry. Featuring the then up-and-coming Snoop Dogg on many of the songs, the duo’s smooth approach to rap heralded in a new, mellow era for the genre, with tracks such as “Nuthin’ But A G Thang” and “Lil’ Ghetto Boy” boasting laid-back, funk-infused beats that were a departure from the prevailing sound at the time. Showering his tracks with swirling synths and groovy bass, the G-funk sound that Dre crafted on The Chronic is instantly recognisable and still as irresistible as it was in the 1990s, setting a new benchmark for hip-hop production that is arguably yet to be matched. The Chronic by Dr Dre (1992)īeats to make you bounce are Dr Dre’s speciality and, on his first album after he split from NWA, he does not disappoint. Just as the group’s most famous song, “Can I Kick It?” (from People’s Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm), exudes a witty, relaxed vibe, The Low End Theory takes it even further, with an added layer of sophistication that showcases the group’s growth as artists. The result was a timeless album that stands out not only for its innovation, but also for its commentary on social issues, not least their approach to dealing with misogyny on tracks such as “Infamous Date Rape”, a pre-Me Too (albeit crude) ode to consent. The album that inspired Dr Dre to produce his first solo output, The Chronic, A Tribe Called Quest’s second album, The Low End Theory, took hip-hop to new heights, elevating their laid-back sound with jazz samples engineered by Q-Tip. The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest (1991) From the reggae beats of the group’s biggest single, “Money Mad”, to the menacing production on “Gangster Chronicle”, you can instantly hear how UK hip-hop evolved from this one album in every track, delivering a distinctly British sound that paved the way for artists today. As such, Gangster Chronicle laid down the blueprint for British hip-hop, merging elements of dancehall and ragga that have since become entrenched in our country’s rap output. The first and only record released by UK hip-hop group London Posse, Gangster Chronicle is a landmark album that signals the first time non-American artists contributed to the genre using their own native accents. Gangster Chronicle by London Posse (1990) Bringing a punk sensibility to themes of black empowerment and social injustice, It Takes A Nation is still as much of a galvanising listen today as it was when it was first released, affirming Public Enemy’s status as radical pioneers in the industry. Layering samples for an innovative and arresting sound, the fact that the album was recorded within six weeks is a feat within itself, but it’s made all the more impressive when you take a moment to appreciate the lyrical prowess the group’s lead rapper, Chuck D, displays on its tracks. It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back by Public Enemy (1988)įull of political rage and searing social commentary, Public Enemy’s second album, It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back, is as influential to hip-hop as The Velvet Underground & Nico is to rock music. Turn your speakers up, because these albums deserve to be blasted out. From the early styles from Public Enemy to modern innovation from the likes of Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar, these are records that shaped the genre and influenced those that came after them. With so many subgenres that bend to regional sounds, picking out the best hip-hop albums of all time isn’t an easy task, but if you’re looking for an introduction to the genre or want to refresh your knowledge, these 15 albums aren’t a bad place to start.
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