[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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- Popular overseas rappers. Recommended Western/English-language rappers.
[Hip-Hop Classics] Standard Hip-Hop / Timeless Hits (’81–’90)
Peter PiperRun-D.M.C.
A hip-hop classic representing RUN-DMC, the supergroup that brought hip-hop to the masses.
It’s famous for its skillful sampling of Bob James’s masterpiece “Take Me to the Mardi Gras.” And this track itself is such a classic that it has been sampled by others too! If you haven’t heard it yet, this is a must-listen.
La-Di-Da-DiSlick Rick, Doug E. Fresh
An essential old-school classic! The phrase “La-Di-Da-Di, we like to party!” is well-known among the heads.
You’ll hear it when you play this track: the human beatboxing is absolutely off the charts.
It even outshines the breakbeats and scratches! Since it’s a live recording, it even captures the crowd going wild.
I Got 5 on ItLuniz
A classic by the duo The Luniz, hailed as an anthem that symbolizes the marijuana culture coloring the West Coast hip-hop scene.
Michael Marshall’s sweet chorus and the flows of members Yukmouth and Numskull blend beautifully, leaving a memorable melodic line.
Since its release in May 1995, it has secured an unshakable status as a hip-hop classic, and featured on the album Operation Stackola, it gained worldwide acclaim.
In 2019, director Jordan Peele created a uniquely tense orchestral remix for the film Us, bringing out a new appeal.
It’s a track I recommend to anyone looking to enjoy music in a relaxed mood.
Bounce BackBig Sean
A song about learning from mistakes and rising from every setback in life.
It’s a single from American rapper Big Sean’s 2016 album “I Decided,” and it’s been called a soundtrack for underdogs.
Runaway ft. Pusha TKanye West
Controversial or not, Kanye West is undeniably a genius whose name will remain in music history.
He first made his mark as a producer, but since his solo debut he has been a constant presence in the spotlight.
While his words and actions sometimes draw heavy criticism, his musical sensibility is unquestionably genuine.
Rock, techno, electronica, gospel, soul—his ability to absorb it all and forge a radical sonic world is unmatched.
Runaway was so grand in scale that it was even turned into a film.
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.
[Hip-Hop Classics] Timeless HIPHOP / All-Time Great Tracks (91–100)
Rebel Without A PausePublic Enemy
An East Coast hip-hop classic, skillfully built by sampling “The Grunt” by James Brown’s band, The J.
B.
’s—a hip-hop classic in its own right.
The title appears to be a play on the film “Rebel Without a Cause.” Released in 1987, it was later included on the album “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.”