[2025] A roundup of classic and popular tracks hip-hop beginners should listen to

Born in the late 1970s, hip-hop has now become the biggest genre in the music industry, continually producing timeless songs and albums, as well as stars who transcend the boundaries of hip-hop.

Even within hip-hop, there’s a wide variety of styles, and the approaches differ by era.

So you might be thinking, “I’m interested in Western hip-hop, but I don’t know where to start.”

This article introduces classic hip-hop tracks suitable for beginners, while also weaving in many recent hits.

We’ve chosen songs that are easy to listen to even for those who feel uneasy about rap, and we hope this article can be a starting point that eventually leads you to dive deeper into old-school classics!