Essential psychedelic rap listening

The albums that define psychedelic rap.

Our picks for where to start with psychedelic rap — with a one-line read on why each one matters.

The psychedelic rap essentials

Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.

I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside: An Album By Earl Sweatshirt

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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Cypress X Rusko

Cypress Hill

Cypress X Rusko

A gritty fusion of hip-hop and dubstep that melds Cypress Hill's signature sound with Rusko's electronic intensity.

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Nogatco Rd.

Kool Keith

Nogatco Rd.

A surreal blend of abstract beats and eccentric lyrics that defy conventional hip-hop boundaries.

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Till Death Do Us Part

Cypress Hill

Till Death Do Us Part

A gritty fusion of hardcore rap and Latin influences layered over dark, atmospheric beats.

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Eternal Atake 2

Lil Uzi Vert

Eternal Atake 2

A cosmic blend of trap beats and introspective lyrics, capturing Uzi's signature playful yet profound style.

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The Perfect Luv Tape

Lil Uzi Vert

The Perfect Luv Tape

A vibrant blend of emotive melodies and catchy hooks wrapped in a lo-fi aesthetic.

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Masters of Illusion

Kool Keith

Masters of Illusion

Kool Keith weaves surreal narratives over experimental beats, creating a vivid tapestry of abstract and psychedelic hip-hop.

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Rodeo

Travis Scott

Rodeo

A kaleidoscopic blend of trap beats, atmospheric production, and introspective lyricism that redefined modern hip-hop.

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Utopia

Travis Scott

Utopia

A kaleidoscopic blend of trap rhythms and introspective lyrics, exploring themes of fame and existentialism.

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Live. Love. ASAP

A$AP Rocky

Live. Love. ASAP

A$AP Rocky's debut mixtape melds atmospheric beats with laid-back flows, creating a dreamy yet confident exploration of street life.

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Long. Live. ASAP

A$AP Rocky

Long. Live. ASAP

A$AP Rocky blends atmospheric production with laid-back flows and sharp lyricism, creating a distinctive soundscape that defines modern hip-hop.

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U Know What I'm Sayin?

Danny Brown

U Know What I'm Sayin?

A kaleidoscopic blend of experimental beats and introspective lyrics that push hip-hop boundaries.

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Scaring the Hoes

JPEGMafia

Scaring the Hoes

A chaotic blend of industrial beats, lo-fi textures, and biting satire that challenges conventional hip-hop tropes.

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Sick!

Earl Sweatshirt

Sick!

A fragmented exploration of introspection, weaving dense lyricism through minimalist, jazz-inflected beats.

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Black Ben Carson

JPEGMafia

Black Ben Carson

A raw, chaotic blend of industrial beats and confrontational lyricism reflecting cultural discontent.

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XXX

Danny Brown

XXX

A chaotic blend of raw lyricism and avant-garde production that defies hip-hop conventions.

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Malpractice

Redman

Malpractice

A raucous blend of witty lyricism and frenetic beats, showcasing Redman's unique East Coast hip-hop style.

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Red Gone Wild: Thee Album

Redman

Red Gone Wild: Thee Album

A blend of gritty lyricism and funky beats that showcases Redman's playful yet sharp storytelling.

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Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors

Big Boi

Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors

A genre-blurring exploration of Southern hip-hop infused with psychedelic elements and eclectic collaborations.

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Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty

Big Boi

Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty

A vibrant blend of Southern hip-hop and eclectic beats, showcasing lyrical prowess and playful experimentation.

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