[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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[Hip-Hop Classics] Timeless HIPHOP / All-Time Great Tracks (91–100)
Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)Wu Tang Clan
The powerhouse of underground hip-hop, Wu-Tang Clan, reportedly took their group name from a kung fu movie title, and they’ve always drawn attention with their uniquely unconventional activities.
One particularly memorable example is that they created their own original video game.
Has any other hip-hop group ever done something like that, before or since, besides Wu-Tang Clan? Of course, they’re also highly acclaimed musically.
Their sound centers on gritty, dope tracks that are far from pop, characterized by a style that embodies the stoicism of hip-hop.
HIGHEST IN THE ROOMTravis Scott
The track starts off with a dark feel, but as it progresses, the piano and synthesizers come in dramatically, making you feel like you’re watching a film.
It’s a dope, slow-tempo song by American rapper Travis Scott with a heavy, weighty beat.
The low, powerful vocals and bass-driven production build the atmosphere, resulting in a punchy number.
Gone Till NovemberWyclef Jean
A gem of a mid-tempo ballad where an unprecedentedly dazzling strings arrangement melds with a sophisticated hip-hop beat.
Wyclef Jean’s wistful yet powerful vocals brilliantly capture the complex emotions of a man who throws himself into dangerous work for the sake of the one he loves.
Released in November 1997, this work boldly succeeded in its collaboration with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, becoming a major hit that reached No.
7 on the U.S.
Billboard chart and No.
3 in the U.K.
The sweeping orchestration by Sonny Kompanek and the striking music video directed by Francis Lawrence are also highlights.
Anyone who has experienced parting from someone dear will find this universal story resonates deeply.
Paul RevereBeastie Boys
Their most hard-edged classic from the album “Licensed to Ill,” which is regarded as a controversial milestone in HIP HOP history.
It’s an unfading early masterpiece of theirs and has recently been praised as a notable sampling source.
The old-school back-and-forth delivered by the trio—Mike D, King Ad-Rock, and MCA—is fantastic!
Hey Ya!OutKast
Outkast is a group praised for flexibly absorbing a wide range of musical elements—rooted in funk but drawing from pop, rock, and electronic—to build a distinctive sound.
They are also one of the most commercially successful hip-hop groups, and “Hey Ya!” is among the standout hits of the 2000s, blending a breezy beat, tumbling, off-kilter rhymes, and an irresistibly singable melody.