[Hip-Hop Classics] Timeless HIPHOP / Golden Oldies
Hip-hop hadn’t been very popular in Japan for a long time, but it’s recently started getting attention, thanks in part to the spread of MC battles.
That said, even if people know recent tracks, many might not be familiar with the older ones.
So this time, we’ve picked out some classic hip-hop tracks recommended for those listeners.
We’ve mainly chosen songs from the 1980s to the 2000s, so you can also get a sense of hip-hop’s history.
Please take your time and enjoy.
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- [Western music] Classic upbeat hip-hop tracks
[Hip-Hop Classics] Standard HIPHOP / Timeless Masterpieces (71–80)
JuicyThe Notorious B.I.G.
A genius born in Brooklyn.
A burly rapper who used to hustle on the streets was one day recognized by the hip-hop magazine The Source.
After being featured on Mary J.
Blige’s classic “Real Love” and getting a hook-up from his close ally P.
Diddy, he finally arrived at his release.
His rapping is excellent.
Also pay attention to the outstanding track-making by DJ Premier.
TemptationJoey Bada$$
It may be a bit early to call this a classic, but it will likely become a song that’s passed down for years to come.
This track addresses anti-Black racism.
Although it was released in 2017 and is relatively new, the retro vibe of the music video is captivating.
Be sure to check out the lyrics, too.
Old Town Road (Official Movie) ft. Billy Ray CyrusLil Nas X
The 2019 trend: crossovers with country.
Crossovers with hip-hop and R&B feel very fresh.
The country legend Billy Ray Cyrus is portrayed in the music video almost like cosplay.
The movie-style MV is highly compelling.
The punchy jokes you hear are cool, too.
Nights Like This (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)Kehlani
Released in January 2019, this track has been rapidly gaining popularity.
It’s from Kehlani’s mixtape “While We Wait.” It features Ty Dolla $ign, a buzzworthy rapper whose talent was also recognized by Wiz Khalifa.
In contrast to the cyber-tinged vibe of the music video, the song itself is modern R&B.
A MilliLil Wayne
He is a rapper from New Orleans, Louisiana, who calls himself “the best rapper alive” and performs under that persona.
Fans have long affectionately called him Weezy.
This work is a track released in 2008, produced solely by Lil Wayne, and it became a major hit.
At the time, it was a hip-hop song that incorporated the then-uncommon style of bass music, earning widespread acclaim and generating significant buzz.
Me Myself and IDe La Soul
The New York–born 3-MC group De La Soul is often said to have had a major impact on modern hip-hop.
In a scene where it was once standard to use funk and disco tracks, they actively incorporated jazz and electronica, and instead of sampling only existing recordings, they built music by sampling live performances—pioneering many practices that are now commonplace.
On “Me Myself and I,” they sample a track by the legendary psychedelic funk group Funkadelic.
Southern Hospitality (feat. Pharrell Williams)Ludacris
Ludacris is not only a popular rapper but also active as an actor.
“Southern Hospitality,” included on his 2000 release and blockbuster album Back for the First Time, is one of the iconic tracks that ushered in 2000s hip-hop.
Of course, it was a hit for Ludacris himself, but it’s also worth noting that the producer was The Neptunes, who were on an unstoppable roll at the time.
For younger music fans, it may be easier to recognize them as the producer team that includes Pharrell Williams, who created the 2013 smash hit “Happy.” It’s a song you can enjoy from the perspective of a masterpiece crafted in the early days by talented musicians.
