[Western Music] A landmark masterpiece in hip-hop history! A fundamental album you should know

Me Myself and I (With Intro)De La Soul

De La Soul – Me Myself and I (With Intro) (Official Music Video) [HD]

Even just looking at the jackets of this well-defined trio, you can feel a cheerful vibe, right? Formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York, De La Soul is a popular hip-hop trio that has long thrived with an unshakable lineup of two MCs and one DJ.

In 2006, they won a Grammy for “Feel Good Inc.,” a collaboration with the UK virtual band Gorillaz, expanding their appeal beyond hip-hop fans to rock enthusiasts as well.

Their landmark debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising, was released in 1989.

A masterpiece that stood apart from hardcore hip-hop, it blended a wide range of styles—rock, pop, jazz, soul, and funk—and built a vivid soundscape through skillful sampling.

It’s said to have influenced later jazz hip-hop and alternative hip-hop, and its timeless gems continue to captivate a broad audience of music lovers.

Unfortunately, due to disputes over sampling rights with their original label, the album still hasn’t been made available on digital platforms.

Even so, we highly recommend picking it up on CD or vinyl rather than waiting for a digital release.

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KOH-1

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All Of The Lights ft. Rihanna, Kid CudiKanye West

Kanye West – All Of The Lights ft. Rihanna, Kid Cudi

Kanye West, a rapper who has remained at the top of the scene from the early 2000s to today.

It might be hard to imagine now, but he actually once collaborated with the Japanese hip-hop group TERIYAKI BOYZ! These days, it’s considered a bit of an embarrassing chapter in his past (lol).

Among his albums, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is especially popular.

Released in 2010, it won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.

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Ryo

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Mama Said Knock You OutLL Cool J

LL COOL J – Mama Said Knock You Out (Official Music Video)

LL Cool J, a rapper from Westchester who received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2017, is also active as an actor and appeared in the 1999 shark-themed film Deep Blue Sea.

Among his albums, the especially popular Mama Said Knock You Out stands out.

As part of the album’s promotion, five songs were released as singles, and remarkably, four of them became hits.

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The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott – The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) [Official Music Video]

When it comes to talking about the late-’90s scene, you can’t ignore Missy Elliott from Virginia.

The futuristic, funky sound she crafted with her close collaborator Timbaland turned conventions on their head.

Her 1997 debut, Supa Dupa Fly, is a historic masterpiece where her talent truly exploded.

Her style—freely moving between singing and rapping over distinctive rhythms—is uniquely cool.

I’m in awe of her knack for turning even strange ambient noises into pure groove.

Debuting at No.

3 on the U.S.

charts—then the highest first-week placement for a female rapper—it went on to have a massive impact on pop music.

If you’re seeking an innovative musical experience, this is an absolute must-listen.

HaJuvenile

Juvenile – Ha

Hailing from New Orleans, the key figure who helped elevate Southern hip-hop to the global stage is Juvenile.

As the flagship artist of Cash Money Records, he released his third album, 400 Degreez, in 1998.

Produced entirely by the genius Manny Fresh, the record sold over four million copies and became a historic classic that introduced the distinctive bounce style to the entire United States.

Its signature flow and sound brimming with Southern heat still feel overwhelmingly powerful today.

While portraying the realities of the streets, the album also carries a celebratory vibe.

In the history of hip-hop, it stands as a pivotal work that cemented the rise of the South—be sure to check it out.