The albums that define
jazz rap.
Our picks for where to start with jazz rap — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
Top jazz rap artists
Start with one of these.
The jazz rap essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
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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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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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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Nas
It Was Written
A cinematic tapestry of vivid storytelling layered over smooth, soulful beats and incisive lyricism.
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O.S.T.R.
Ja tu tylko sprzątam
A vibrant blend of jazz-infused beats and sharp, politically charged lyrics that resonate with social consciousness.
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O.S.T.R.
Masz to jak w banku
A vibrant tapestry of jazzy beats and incisive lyrics that reflect Poland's socio-political landscape.
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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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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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A Tribe Called Quest
The Lost Tribes
A vibrant blend of jazzy samples and sharp lyricism that encapsulates the essence of hip-hop's golden age.
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Mac Miller
Watching Movies with the Sound Off
Introspective verses meld with lush instrumentals, creating a dreamlike soundscape that reflects personal struggles and artistic growth.
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Mac Miller
Best Day Ever
Joyful and introspective, blending playful beats with clever wordplay in a celebration of youth.
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De La Soul
De La Soul Is Dead
A vibrant collage of playful samples and introspective lyrics that challenge hip-hop norms.
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m-flo
Square One
A vibrant fusion of hip-hop beats and pop melodies, layered with jazzy instrumentation and catchy hooks.
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m-flo
Neven
A vibrant fusion of J-pop, hip-hop, and house beats driven by infectious rhythms and catchy melodies.
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Fun Lovin' Criminals
Welcome to Poppy's
A vibrant mix of hip-hop grooves, rock energy, and jazzy undertones capturing urban life’s chaos.
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Fun Lovin' Criminals
Bag of Hits
A vibrant blend of hip-hop, funk, and rock that captures the eclectic spirit of urban life.
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Earl Sweatshirt
Some Rap Songs
A collage of fragmented thoughts and ambient soundscapes, blending introspective lyrics with minimalist production.
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The Roots
Phrenology
A genre-blurring exploration of hip-hop, rock, and soul infused with innovative rhythms and introspective lyrics.
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The Roots
The Roots Come Alive
A vibrant fusion of live instrumentation and sharp lyricism, embodying the essence of conscious hip-hop.
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Tyler, the Creator
Igor
A kaleidoscopic blend of hip-hop, R&B, and funk infused with emotional vulnerability and innovative production.
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Tyler, the Creator
Chromakopia
A kaleidoscopic blend of introspective lyrics and eclectic sounds that push hip-hop's boundaries.
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