The albums that define
alternative hip-hop.
Our picks for where to start with alternative hip-hop — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
Top alternative hip-hop artists
Start with one of these.
The alternative hip-hop essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
Lil Peep
Hellboy
A haunting blend of emo rap and lo-fi beats that encapsulates raw vulnerability and youthful angst.
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Kendrick Lamar
Untitled Unmastered
A raw and introspective collection of unfinished thoughts blending jazz, hip-hop, and social commentary.
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Nas
Illmatic
A vivid tapestry of street narratives interwoven with jazz-inflected beats and introspective lyricism.
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Beastie Boys
Licensed to Ill
A raucous blend of punk attitude and hip-hop swagger, bursting with irreverent humor and catchy hooks.
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Lupe Fiasco
Drogas Light
A vibrant blend of introspective lyrics and eclectic production that reflects Lupe's artistic evolution.
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De La Soul
3 Feet High and Rising
A playful fusion of eclectic samples and clever wordplay that redefined hip-hop's creative boundaries.
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Earl Sweatshirt
I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside: An Album By Earl Sweatshirt
Introspective and raw, this album fuses abstract hip-hop with sparse, haunting production and emotionally charged lyricism.
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Playboi Carti
Music
A vibrant collage of eclectic beats and catchy hooks that push the boundaries of contemporary rap.
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Kendrick Lamar
The Kendrick Lamar EP
A raw and reflective blend of West Coast hip-hop infused with introspective lyrics and diverse beats.
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Black Eyed Peas
Behind the Bridge to Elephunk
A vibrant mix of hip-hop and pop that fuses infectious grooves with socially conscious lyrics.
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Black Eyed Peas
Behind the Front
A vibrant fusion of hip-hop and funk, underscored by engaging rhythms and infectious melodies.
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Nas
It Was Written
A cinematic tapestry of vivid storytelling layered over smooth, soulful beats and incisive lyricism.
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Twenty One Pilots
Breach
A genre-blurring exploration of anxiety and resilience, blending eclectic beats with introspective lyrics.
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Twenty One Pilots
Trench
A vibrant blend of alternative rock and hip-hop infused with introspective lyrics and dynamic production.
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Lil Peep
Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 1
Emo-inflected melodies intertwine with raw, confessional lyrics and lo-fi production, creating an intimate sonic landscape.
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Jovanotti
OYEAH
An eclectic blend of hip-hop, folk, and world music rhythms that radiate positivity and vibrancy.
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Jovanotti
Lorenzo 2002 – Il quinto mondo
A vibrant fusion of pop, hip-hop, and world music, imbued with introspective lyrics and infectious rhythms.
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Common
Black America Again
A soulful tapestry of reflective lyricism and jazz-infused beats that confronts systemic injustices.
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Common
Nobody's Smiling
A raw exploration of urban struggle infused with jazzy instrumentals and introspective lyricism.
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Kelis
Kelis Was Here
A bold fusion of hip-hop and R&B, layered with Kelis' distinctively fierce vocals and eclectic production.
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Kelis
Flesh Tone
A vibrant fusion of electronic beats and soulful melodies that exude empowerment and liberation.
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Kid Cudi
Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven
A raw blend of introspective lyrics and lo-fi instrumentation, merging alternative rock with Kid Cudi's signature hip-hop style.
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Kid Cudi
Indicud
A genre-blending odyssey of introspective lyrics and eclectic production that showcases Cudi's unique artistry.
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A Tribe Called Quest
Midnight Marauders
A smooth blend of jazz-infused beats and conversational lyricism that epitomizes early '90s hip-hop innovation.
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