r/hiphop201

I recognise that many people dig this style of hip hop, but the almost spoken word flows and drumless beats are not for me.

So what is this sub-category actually called?

People are calling him better than Nas, The Roots, JAŸ-Z, some are even calling albums like *The Forever Story* better than *To Pimp A Butterfly* or even the best of all time. He is currently very overrated.

I was scrolling through Instagram and saw an old head saying these are the albums he thinks were the most culturally impactful to ever come out of New York.

I’ve heard most of these albums and I get why he ranked them this way, but I wasn’t around when they originally dropped (except for the Jay-Z joint) so I don’t really know how people reacted at the time.

Can anyone chime in?

1.) Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

2.) Nas - Illmatic

3.) Wu‑Tang Clan - Enter the Wu‑Tang (36 Chambers)

4.) The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die

5.) Run‑DMC - Raising Hell

6.) Eric B. & Rakim - Paid in Full

7.) Jay‑Z - The Blueprint

8.) Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill

9.) DMX - It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot

10.) Boogie Down Productions - Criminal Minded

Do you think doing a lot of fast raps automatically makes you niche and harder to find a large audience?

Hip-Hop has some of the most legendary branding in music history. Entire eras are encapsulated by a single mark, whether it’s a shape, a font, or a symbol that instantly transports you to a sound, a collective, or a specific moment.

With this said, what are your thoughts?