Recommended hip-hop/rap

Great Black Music: Recommended Masterpieces

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!
Former vocal coach specializing in Western musicRyo
Under the theme of “vocal skills that stand up on the world stage,” I have experience teaching as an online vocal coach specializing in Western music, and I usually listen to genres like nuevo flamenco, bolero, canzone, and R&B. In my teens, I questioned the idea that “foreign music equals English,” and started exploring songs from around the world. My commentary is characterized by a unique perspective shaped by listening to music of every genre, in every language, from every country. I mainly cover world music, so be sure to check it out!

The great achievement of Black music is not only that it gave birth to genres like jazz, blues, gospel, and soul.

It has also been a wellspring of inspiration for legendary songs in the histories of rock and pop, and it is the most influential force on musical genres since the 20th century—an influence that continues unbroken into the 21st century and beyond.

To explore the roots of this magnificent Black music, this time we’re researching classic tracks mainly from the soul and R&B realm spanning the 1960s to the 1990s.

In the latter half, we also introduce more recent songs, so whether you love the latest hip-hop and R&B or aren’t very familiar with Black music, this is a must-check!

Great Black Music: Recommended Classics (51–60)

Ni**as In ParisJAY Z, Kanye West

Jay-Z & Kanye West – Ni**as In Paris (Explicit)

Ni**as In ParisJAY Z, Kanye West

A masterpiece that will go down in hip-hop history has been born.

In this track, Jay-Z and Kanye West proudly rap about their success; released as a single in September 2011, it quickly took the world by storm.

Its appeal lies in lyrics that symbolically depict a lavish life in Paris and a distinctive atmosphere woven from an addictive beat.

Featured on the album Watch the Throne, it won two awards at the 55th Grammys.

It’s the perfect song for getting hyped at clubs and parties.

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Not Like UsKendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us

Not Like UsKendrick Lamar

The West Coast heavyweight Kendrick Lamar’s ambitious work, released this May, stands out with a compelling dance sound infused with elements of jazz and G-funk.

Coupled with a seaside-in-summer groove crafted by producer Mustard, its powerful messages tackling social issues and racial equality have made it a standout track at school festivals and cultural events.

Featured on the album “GNX,” it received a music video on July 4 and earned high marks in Pitchfork’s 100 Best Songs of 2024.

The track is also popular as a backing track for dance performances, resonating especially with younger audiences.

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Land of a Thousand DancesWilson Pickett

Wilson Pickett – Land of a Thousand Dances (HQ)

Land of a Thousand DancesWilson Pickett

This is a gem of a dance number left by American soul legend Wilson Pickett.

With a voice that explodes with emotion and a dynamic sound, it vividly conjures the heat and excitement of a party crowd dancing themselves into a frenzy.

Featured on the album “The Exciting Wilson Pickett,” it became a major hit upon its 1966 release, topping the R&B chart and reaching No.

6 on the pop chart.

The heavy groove laid down by the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and the Memphis Horns underpins Pickett’s powerful vocals.

Featured in the film “The Full Monty” and in Samsung Galaxy commercials, it remains a landmark of dance music beloved across generations.

It’s the perfect track for moments when you want to crank up the energy—at parties, on drives, and beyond.

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Miss youAaliyah

Aaliyah – Miss You (Original Video)

Miss youAaliyah

A masterpiece that is still talked about today and the final work of Aaliyah, the R&B songstress who sadly passed away in a plane crash in 2001.

This music video features close artists who admired her during her lifetime, and DMX’s opening message to her brings tears to my eyes.

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Great Black Music: Recommended Masterpieces (61–70)

Planet RockAfrika Bambaataa & Soul Sonic Force

Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force – Planet Rock (Official Music Video) [HD]

Planet RockAfrika Bambaataa & Soul Sonic Force

This is a quintessential old-school classic—one could say this track helped massively open up the world of hip-hop! It’s a great song that I want not only hip-hop fans but all Black music fans to hear.

Afrika Bambaataa, a father-like figure who named the creative culture of Black people “hip-hop.” Released in 1982, it’s a historically important track said to have influenced all dance music.

The unique groove unleashed by the drum machine feels so good.

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You Don’t Know My NameAlicia Keys

Alicia Keys – You Don’t Know My Name (Official HD Video)

You Don't Know My NameAlicia Keys

This is a song by Alicia Keys, brimming with her talent for piano and vocals.

The beautiful piano melody and Alicia’s soft, husky voice match the slow tempo perfectly.

In the music video, she plays a café waitress, looking cute in her uniform and hat.

The song poignantly expresses the feeling of falling in love with a man who doesn’t even know her name.

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Can’t Let GoAnthony Hamilton

Anthony Hamilton – Can’t Let Go (Official HD Video)

Can't Let GoAnthony Hamilton

Anthony Hamilton is an American singer-songwriter whose rich vocals and sophisticated musicality have earned him high praise from devoted fans of Black music.

He’s considered part of the so-called neo-soul genre, but unlike D’Angelo—one of its emblematic figures—Hamilton’s appeal lies in a sound that retains strong R&B elements.

His track “Can’t Let Go” is widely regarded as one of his signature songs: a memorable number featuring breakup-themed lyrics, a dusky, twilight-tinged track, and weighty, resonant vocals.

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