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

Hip-hop has a long history, and its influence extends not only to other genres but also to culture and fashion.

Here in Japan, there are many examples of outstanding artists achieving commercial success, yet many people may still shy away from the genre due to certain lingering images.

In this article, we’ve compiled a collection of classic albums—centered on epoch-making works from each era—of hip-hop, which is no exaggeration to say has become the core of popular music overseas.

Take this opportunity to savor hip-hop, a musical form that continues to evolve!

Playlist

[Western Music] A landmark masterpiece in hip-hop history! A fundamental album you should know
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	N.Y. State of MindNas		A masterpiece that conveys the essence of hip-hop
2	AlrightKendrick Lamar		Kendrick Lamar’s Musicality and Influence
3	C.R.E.A.MWu Tang Clan		Wu-Tang Clan's explosive debut album
4	HypnotizeThe Notorious B.I.G.		The Notorious B.I.G.’s classic album, a posthumous work that sold 10 million copies.
5	Life Goes On2Pac		The landmark album by the legendary rapper 2Pac
6	AccordionMadvillain		The monochrome photo MF DOOM classic album
7	Stan (ft. Dido)Eminem		Eminem’s seminal work, “The Marshall Mathers LP”
8	Straight Outta ComptonN.W.A		Revolutionary rap by N.W.A that depicted the reality of Black life
9	Last Donut of the NightJ Dilla		The final masterpiece of J Dilla from Detroit.
10	Jazz (We’ve Got) Buggin’ OutA Tribe Called Quest		A jazz rap classic by A Tribe Called Quest
11	SICKO MODE (ft. Drake)Travis Scott		A classic album inspired by Travis Scott’s amusement park
12	Shook Ones, Pt. IIMobb Deep		Mobb Deep’s legendary album “The Infamous”
13	Fuck wit Dre Day (And Everybody’s Celebratin’)Dr. Dre		Dr. Dre’s hallmark G-funk masterpiece
14	Dirt Off Your ShoulderJay Z		Jay-Z’s landmark work, “The Black Album”
15	All Falls Down ft. Syleena JohnsonKanye West		Kanye West’s brilliant debut album
16	Don’t Sweat The TechniqueEric B. & Rakim		Golden Age hip-hop legend
17	Bring The NoisePublic Enemy		Public Enemy's groundbreaking classic
18	Woman (feat. Cleo Sol)Little Simz		Birth of a masterpiece album by Little Simz
19	Walk This WayRun-D.M.C.		The historical fusion of rock and hip-hop
20	Doo-Wop (That Thing)Lauryn Hill		Legendary solo album, a supreme masterpiece
21	Me Myself and I (With Intro)De La Soul		Introduction to De La Soul’s classic albums
22	All Of The Lights ft. Rihanna, Kid CudiKanye West		Introduction to Kanye West’s masterpiece albums
23	Mama Said Knock You OutLL Cool J		LL Cool J’s music career and awards
24	The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)Missy Elliott		Missy Elliott, innovative music
25	HaJuvenile		A landmark of Southern hip-hop: Juvenile’s classic album
26	You Got Me (ft. Erykah Badu)The Roots		The Roots’ landmark album “Things Fall Apart”
27	Take Care ft. RihannaDrake		Drake’s album known for its mellow rap
28	The Mint (ft. Navy Blue)Earl Sweatshirt		Earl Sweatshirt’s introspective masterpiece
29	Stick TalkFUTURE		Future’s seminal trap masterpiece “DS2”
30	No Sleep Till BrooklynBeastie Boys		The Beastie Boys, highly influential in music and subculture
31	Without MeEminem		Eminem: globally renowned for fast rap and iconic hits
32	How’s It Goin’ DownDMX		DMX, a pioneer of innovative hip-hop
33	ApparentlyJ. Cole		A masterpiece that marks J. Cole’s return to his roots—a record overflowing with hometown pride.
34	Crush On You (ft. Lil’ Cease)Lil’ Kim		Lil' Kim, a pioneer of women’s rap
35	Lyte as a RockMc Lyte		MC Lyte paved the way for female rappers.
36	Children’s StorySlick Rick		Slick Rick’s classic album, hugely influential in music
37	RosesOutKast		A Southern hip-hop group that created trap music
38	YonkersTyler, The Creator		Odd Future’s landmark work “Goblin”
39	AmeriKKKa’s Most WantedIce Cube		Ice Cube’s socially critical hip-hop
40	Respiration ft. CommonBlackstar		A masterpiece that portrays the life of the city and the suffering of its people.
41	The Audience’s ListeningCut Chemist		Cut Chemist's innovative musical experience
42	Lose YourselfEminem		Expressing passion for dreams in Eminem's signature song
43	Make MyThe Roots		A profound track fusing jazz and hip-hop
44	Ready or NotThe Fugees		Fugees’ classic of the alternative era: “The Score”
45	Ride Wit Me ft. St. LunaticsNelly		Nelly from Texas: from baseball to rap
46	AntidoteTravis Scott		Innovative hip-hop single becomes a major hit
47	In Da Club50 Cent		A huge success with 50 Cent’s debut album
48	Ghetto Gospel2Pac		Powerful music that confronts social issues
49	Get Rich or Die Tryin’50 Cent		50 Cent’s debut album is a big hit
50	GoblinTyler, The Creator		Tyler’s shocking early solo debut work
51	Anarchy ALbumBusta Rhymes		An innovative hip-hop masterpiece, deeply moving
52	Blue SkyCommon		Common’s classic that portrays faith in dreams and personal growth
53	Life Is Good (The New Track/Video)Mos Def		Soul-stirring, soulful hip-hop by Mos Def
54	In Search OfN.E.R.D		N.E.R.D’s pioneering debut that transcends the boundaries of music
55	Apocalypse 91…The Enemy Strikes BlackPublic Enemy		Public Enemy: a sharp message to society
56	Dry your eyesThe Streets		A masterpiece that portrays the pain of heartbreak, stirring the soul.
57	U Can’t Touch ThisMC Hammer		A chart-topping singer in hip-hop dance
58	La La LaJay Dee		A beat where a genius producer's soul resounds
59	Champion SoundJaylib		As a landmark album in the history of hip-hop, An...
60	Work It Out ft. Dave Matthews BandJurassic 5		Fusion music of jazz and hip-hop
61	Food & LiquorLupe Fiasco		Lupe Fiasco's debut album poetically expresses social issues.
62	5 minutes (ft. Procussions)The Sound Providers		Fusion of jazz and hip-hop
63	Wu-Tang ClanWu Tang Clan		In the ’90s, the legendary Wu-Tang Clan was born.
64	Speakerboxxx / The Love BelowOutKast		A revolutionary hip-hop masterpiece, a fusion of music
65	They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)Pete Rock & CL Smooth		A classic 90s hip-hop track filled with remembrance
66	EardrumTalib Kweli		Talib Kweli’s masterpiece “Eardrum,” with its profound musicality