ESSENTIALS: 8 HIP-HOP ALBUMS THAT YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO.
PSA: Be sure to check out the first episode of 8-Tracks coming out April 20th!
Welcome to ESSENTIALS, a new subseries of the blog where I break down the tracks and records that have shaped me, the ones I consider absolutely essential to my life, identity, and music library.
For the first edition, I’m starting with something deeply personal: Hip-Hop. This genre has been a part of my life since I was about 11 years old, and ever since it’s been more than just music, it’s been a voice, a guide, and a source of inspiration. From storytelling and lyricism to rhythm and expressive production, Hip-Hop taught me how to be myself, how to navigate the world, and how to stay grounded in my truth. It has granted me comfort at some of the lowest lows in my life and gave me the courage to never stop trying, to never give up, to never falter in the face of challenge.
I’m honored to share this list with you, not just as a fan, but as someone who owes a lot to this culture. These albums aren’t just collections of songs; they’re stories of a movement that forever changed the music industry and forever changed the world.
Also quick note: I only allowed myself to pick one record per artist to keep things interesting.
So without further ado and in no particular order, these are my 8 Essential Hip-Hop Albums.
1. MM..FOOD - MF DOOM
Where do I even begin when talking about the man known as “your favorite rapper's favorite rapper,” MF DOOM? His influence runs deep, inspiring a generation of creatives who are thriving today, including Tyler, The Creator, The Weeknd, Drake, Earl Sweatshirt, Griselda, and JPEGMAFIA. His presence in music is felt far beyond his discography.
MM..FOOD is the fifth studio album released by DOOM, and the title itself is an anagram of his name. DOOM described the project as a concept album that blends the things you’d find at a picnic with the sounds and stories of the street world. On the surface, it’s an album about food, but beneath that, it’s packed with meaning and social commentary.
What makes MM..FOOD so special is the sheer amount of clever wordplay and double entendres that run through the entire project. Every track is packed with punchlines and metaphors, yet it never feels gimmicky or forced. DOOM balances humor, intellect, and rhythm with such ease that even the most outrageous references feel intentional and sharp. The result is an album that offers more than just entertainment, it gives you something to chew on long after the last track fades out.
Let’s use the track “Hoe Cakes” as an example. Hoecakes are a traditional African American food dating back to the 19th century, originally made by cooking a pancake-like batter on the flat side of a field hoe over an open fire. In the South, the term is still used today to refer to pancakes. On the surface, the track is full of playful food references of hoecakes, butter, nuts, and batter, but beneath that lies a complex web of double entendres. DOOM uses these food metaphors to cleverly allude to themes of lust, seduction, and the transactional nature of relationships, particularly drawing parallels to pimp culture. It’s a prime example of how he blends humor, history, and street commentary into a fun, food-for-thought listening experience.
All of this and I haven’t even begun to talk about the production. Most of this album is produced by DOOM himself with a couple of the tracks being produced by frequent collaborator Madlib. It is truly a collection of ear candy and jazzy beats.
R.I.P. MF DOOM your contributions to the music world will never be forgotten, thank you for giving us so much gold.
Check out MM..FOOD here.
2. TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY - KENDRICK LAMAR
Kendrick Lamar has been all over the media lately. Between his feud with Drake and that incredible Super Bowl performance, it feels like his name is everywhere right now. But even with all that going on, I don’t think Kendrick’s most powerful work is “Not Like Us” or “HUMBLE.” Honestly, I don’t even think it’s DAMN., the album that won him a Pulitzer Prize. To me, Kendrick’s most powerful message comes from his 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly.
This album is Kendrick’s magnum opus(so far), a fearless, genre-blending exploration of Black identity, systemic oppression, fame, mental health, and the commodification of Black creativity. Through powerful storytelling, a chaotic fusion of jazz, funk, and spoken word that pushes boundaries, Kendrick paints a vivid picture of the world as he sees it, confronting the ways Black artistry is “pimped” by society while also advocating for self-love, resilience, and empowerment.
To Pimp a Butterfly is the second studio album released under a major label and a stark contrast to his previous album good kid m.A.A.d city. Where that record was storytelling of personal experiences held by Kendrick, TPAB is an explosive record of protest, celebration, and therapy all in one.
The opening track “Wesley’s Theory” is a standout for me. You might notice after reading this that I LOVE intro tracks. I often find that if the intro is phenomenal, the rest of the record will be just as strong. It’s like the foundation of a house, if it’s solid, everything else tends to follow. But that’s beside the point.
“Wesley’s Theory” makes it immediately clear what the album is about. It outlines the exploitation of Black creatives and the Black community as a whole. The song is filled with striking lines like:
“When I get signed, homie, I'ma buy a strap
Straight from the CIA, set it on my lap
Take a few M-16s to the hood
Pass 'em all out on the block, what's good?”
This alludes to the government’s involvement in destabilizing Black communities across the country, from things like the crack epidemic of the 1980s to the influx of illegal firearms in urban neighborhoods. But that’s not the only message here. Kendrick also speaks on how many rappers glorify this lifestyle of crime and how that messaging can influence young people to follow the same path.
This is just one short excerpt from one song, yet it’s incredibly powerful when you understand the context. It resonates with me every time I press play. To Pimp a Butterfly is full of messages just as impactful, if not more. If you haven’t listened to this record, you’re doing yourself a major injustice. This is an album that will have you reflecting on the history of this country and the communities within it long after the needle stops.
Listen to To Pimp a Butterfly here.
3. ILLMATIC - NAS
When I start to think of foundational albums not just for me but for an entire genre itself, Nas’s Illmatic has a special place at the top. This record is not just a classic, it is a blueprint for the genre for generations to come. It feels like a timecapsule that somehow still feels new all the way in 2025, just short 6 days of it turning 31 years old. To this day many try to capture the magic of what Nas accomplished with his debut.
With its 10 tracks, Illmatic is a short-tracked yet concise album, with every moment being as purposeful as the last. It’s a story of Queensbridge, New York, where Nas grew up. The rumble of trains, and the bustle of the city, you can feel and hear everything he had to carry while growing up in that environment. The songs aren’t just reporting the experience, they are actively living it. The lyricism and rhyming on this record are some of the best that Hip-Hop has ever seen. It’s not glamorized, or exaggerated, it’s just honest, unfiltered, and most importantly it’s real.
Think of track two, “N.Y. State of Mind” as an example. This song is a masterclass in storytelling and an exemplary example of conveying the feelings of a community through music. Combined with the haunting yet captivating beat by DJ Premier, it’s a mix of true brilliance. The line
“I never sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin of death”
Is a super standout lyric that has been re-used all over Hip-Hop, not just because it sounds cool, but it’s relatable to anyone who grew up in a dangerous environment like growing up in the projects. It’s the language of survival, that feeling of staying alert, all coming from a young man who knows it just as well as a soldier at war.
What makes Illmatic even more impressive is the production team. It wasn’t just one sound, some of the greatest minds in Hip-Hop production history came together to make this record. DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, Large Professor, and L.E.S. each brought something distinct, yet the album never feels lost or lacking a direction, its a cohesive project through and through.
This record perfectly encapsulates the feeling of Hip-Hop.
Listen to Illmatic here.
4. KANYE WEST - LATE REGISTRATION
When I think about the music that has shaped who I am and the projects that have shifted my relationship with music, Kanye West’s Late Registration is unmovable. Even with the conflict and controversy that surrounds the man who made it, this record’s world-building and scenery are like no other. It’s lush, dramatic, vulnerable, politically forward, and bold all at once. This isn’t just a follow-up to his debut album The College Dropout, it’s a whole new world where he expands his vision of what Hip-Hop could be. It’s a symphony of instruments and harmonics, all without losing the thing that made The College Dropout so phenomenal, the soul.
What makes this record so special even in today’s world is the sheer amount of orchestration involved. Kanye and co-producer Jon Brion, bring in strings, pianos, and a plethora of live instrumentation into this record, something that hadn’t been seen in mainstream Hip-Hop at this point, and yet, despite all of this orchestration, Kanye never abandons the signature sound that made him a star. The chipmunk-soul sampling—the sped-up vocal chops, warm bass lines, and vintage textures, they're all still here, but they’re woven into something grander, more refined. It wasn’t just beat-making anymore; it was composition. Late Registration isn’t just an album, it’s a statement of artistic ambition, a moment when Kanye West pushed Hip-Hop into new territory while staying rooted in its origins.
It’s almost impossible to pick a standout track from this record, but if I had to choose, it would be track nine: “Roses.”
“Roses” is an incredibly personal yet deeply relatable song about Kanye’s grandmother and her time in the hospital. It captures the emotional whirlwind that comes with having a loved one in critical condition, the uncertainty, the fear, the grief, and how those moments often reveal just as much about the people in the waiting room as the one lying in the bed. Kanye uses the situation to reflect on his family’s dynamics, their strength, and the unspoken bonds that hold them together. The line
“To get there, we run, we fly, we drive
'Cause with my family, we know where home is
So instead of sending flowers, we the roses”
is a simple yet breathtaking metaphor. It captures the idea that his family doesn’t need to show their love through traditional gestures like flowers, that they are the love and the support, and that no matter where or what the problem is, they will be there. They are the roses. It’s a line that resonates long after the track ends. You take this wordplay and add an amazing sample use of Bill Wither’s “Rosie”, and it evolves into something truly impressive.
All I ask after you read this is that you put your personal biases aside and head into this record with an open mind. I know this person has caused a lot of strife and pain with his words as of late, but this album is something different, it’s uplifting, inspiring, and full of positivity, yet still doesn’t shy away from tackling political issues. It is truly one of the most beautiful things I have ever had the privilege of listening to, and has changed my life forever.
Listen to Late Registration here.
5. DONUTS - J DILLA
Released just three days before his tragic passing, Donuts is J Dilla’s final project released during his lifetime. It’s nothing short of a beautiful goodbye, an album created while he was confined to a hospital bed, battling Lupus. Even though much of it was made while he was on his deathbed, it’s full of life. The record feels like a pulse, a heartbeat, something that quietly demands your attention, and even though it’s the only instrumental album on this list, do not sell it short. Donuts remains one of the most emotional and human records I’ve ever listened to.
The album runs 31 tracks deep, each one usually under two minutes, but none of them feel unfinished. Dilla doesn’t waste a single second. His mother has even gone on record saying:
“He got furious when he found out I was listening to his music! He didn’t want me to listen to anything until it was a finished product. He was working in the hospital. He tried to go over each beat and make sure that it was something different and make sure that there was nothing that he wanted to change.”
This was after she had secretly been listening in on him creating it while she was helping take care of him.
His sampling is surgical, slicing up soul, funk, jazz, and psychedelic rock records in ways that feel familiar and alien at the same time. There’s this raw beauty in how he lets imperfections shine. The loops don’t always land exactly where you expect them to. Things fall offbeat, but that’s the magic. It feels like a dance, sometimes you don’t always land on the downbeat but that’s what makes us human, that rhythm of the soul cannot be replicated.
“Don’t Cry” is the standout track from this record for me. Especially when you consider the context of the album’s creation, it becomes absolutely gut-wrenching. It captures the feeling of grief with haunting precision, not just from the perspective of those losing someone, but from the perspective of the one who is dying. Yes, it’s heartbreaking to watch a loved one fade, but imagine how it feels to be the person slipping away. What makes this track so powerful is that it feels like Dilla is comforting his loved ones in the midst of that tragedy. In the face of death, he offers them peace. That kind of grace is nothing short of heroic.
Donuts is one of the most powerful instrumental records of all time, and I am forever grateful for this release. R.I.P. J Dilla, thank you for this collection of breathtaking production.
Listen to Donuts here.
6. BE - COMMON
Be is another record that unapologetically enters my mind when I start thinking about essential Hip-Hop albums, hell it even breaks down the wall when I consider some of my favorite records of all time. In my opinion, it’s one of the best produced Hip-Hop albums ever made. The majority of the production is handled by a young Kanye West, with two standout tracks produced by the late, great J Dilla.
Released in 2005, Be by Common is a record that feels like clarity and a return to home. After experimenting with more abstract sounds on his previous project Electric Circus, Be marked a return to form, but it was more than just a comeback. This album is focused, soulful, and deeply reflective. It’s not just Common rapping well, it’s Common feeling everything he’s saying, and letting the listener feel it too.
With 11 tracks, the record feels concise with each track feeling like it belongs in its place perfectly, it feels like nothing is missing. What’s even more impressive is that Common’s rapping on this album is at an all-time high, feeling like personal journal entries. Songs like “Real People” and “Faithful” dig into topics like Black identity, relationships, and spirituality, all without ever sounding preachy or forced. Yet he still comes across like a preacher giving an amazing sermon, his words are blunt and hit you right in the soul. There’s a gentleness in his delivery, even when the subject matter gets heavy. You can tell this is a man who has lived, questioned, loved, and grown, and he wants to bring you along that journey.
The standout track for me on this record is the intro and title track “Be (Intro)”. A real shocker right?
This track is wrapped in beautiful yet simple production that shines and sets the tone for the entire record. As soon as I hear that upright bass line at the beginning, a wave of emotions rushes over me: excitement, anticipation, and most of all, joy. When the sample drops and blends with those warm, natural-sounding synth lines, everything comes together perfectly. It feels like that scene in Ratatouille where flavors combine and the screen bursts with color, except this time, it’s happening in my ears. It’s nothing short of incredible. Above all, Common’s lyrical content is heartwarming enough to melt a solid iceberg.
“The chosen one from the land of the frozen sun
Where drunk nights get remembered more than sober ones
Walk like warriors, we were never told to run
Explored the world to return to where my soul begun
Never looking back, or too far in front of me
The present is a gift, and I just wanna be”
This poetry mixed with the amazing production is what makes this album so essential to me.
Listen to Be here.
7. Whole lotta red - playboi carti
Most of the records in this article are older or considered classics, but something about Playboi Carti’s 2020 album Whole Lotta Red makes it stand out in a completely different way. Filled with chaotic, polarizing fun, this record had to be on my list of personal essentials. It was met with harsh criticism when it first dropped, but I loved it from the moment it hit that Christmas morning. Something about it just clicked with me, and I’m glad to see people have come around to it over time.
This is Carti’s sophomore studio album, and it’s easily his boldest and most experimental up to that point. Gone were the smooth, melodic flows of Die Lit. Whole Lotta Red is abrasive, unfiltered, and wildly energetic. It feels less like a traditional album and more like a punk-infused sonic experiment that throws all expectations out the window. Carti taps into raw chaotic energy through minimalist lyrics, distorted production, and a delivery that borders on unhinged, yet somehow, it works.
Tracks like “On That Time,” “New Tank,” and “Rockstar Made” embody this stripped-down, aggressive aesthetic, while songs like “Sky” and “Over” reach back into the melodic territory that made fans fall in love with Carti in the first place. The album is chaotic, unpredictable, and completely fearless. Whether you love it or hate it, Whole Lotta Red made a statement. It didn’t just push boundaries, it redrew them, paving the way for newer artists to embrace a more raw, confrontational sound and bring that abrasiveness into the mainstream.
The standout track for me has to be “Stop Breathing.” As soon as I hear that 808 kick in and the “Wake up F1lthy” tag, it’s like immediate adrenaline. There’s something about the energy in that beat that feels electrifying, like there’s magic embedded in the audio file. I can’t help but get hyped every time it comes on.
“I just hit a lick with a mask MF DOOM”
That one line says everything. It’s Carti at his most defiant, channeling chaos with a wink to a legend.
All in all, Whole Lotta Red is a bold, experimental record that doesn’t try to explain itself. It just is; loud, brash, and alive. And that’s exactly why I love it.
Listen to Whole Lotta Red here.
8. Creepin on Ah Come Up - bone thugs-n-harmony
Certain albums don’t just introduce a group, they announce them. Creepin on ah Come Up by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is one of those records. Released in 1994, and technically an EP, it hits like a full-length debut. It’s short, sure, but the impact is massive. This was the start of something big, a completely new sound that nobody else was touching at the time. Bone Thugs didn’t sound like anyone else, and honestly, no one’s done it quite like them since.
The magic captured on this project is something special. Their style, rapping fast, harmonizing their flows, and riding the beat in this haunting, melodic way, pulls you in instantly. It is like a mix of street wisdom and something almost spiritual. They rap about struggle, pain, and survival with a smoothness that’s hypnotic, like a cobra swaying to a flute.
The project only has eight tracks (a funny coincidence, considering this series), but it doesn’t need a single song more. It’s short, sharp, and leaves a lasting impression, something I think we could stand to revisit more in today's era of bloated tracklists. “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” and “Foe tha Love of $” are the standouts here.
“Thuggish Ruggish Bone” is the perfect introduction to the Bone Thugs sound. It’s an anthem with an unforgettable hook and the perfect balance of grit and smoothness. It carries a deeper weight, you can feel the pride, the pain, and the identity packed into every bar. It still hits just as hard today as it did the first time I heard it.
“Foe tha Love of $,” featuring Eazy-E, is the track that really helped them break through nationally. The way that beat creeps in, mixed with their melodic flows, locks you in from the start. That eerie, laid-back production paired with razor-sharp delivery created something completely original. It wasn’t just different, it was a hit.
This project laid the foundation for everything that came after and still echoes in today’s melodic rap scene. Creepin on ah Come Up is essential for me because every time I press play, I fall into a trance. It’s one of those records that you feel more than you even realize, and that’s the sign of something timeless.
Listen to Creepin on ah Come Up here.
