Amp Fiddler, known for his innovative mix of genres, passed away at age 65. The legendary Detroit musician has sadly succumbed to cancer.
R.I.P. Amp
Amp Fiddler, whose real name was Joseph Anthony Fiddler, succumbed to cancer on Dec. 18.
In December 2022, his brother Joseph Fiddler launched a GoFundMe for the artist, who at the time was recovering from an unknown surgery and spent months in the hospital. The fundraiser surpassed its goal of $75,000.
On his Instagram page, his family shared a statement on his death.
“We face the insurmountable responsibility of sharing the passing of Joseph ‘Amp’ Fiddler,” reads the statement. “Our beloved ‘Amp’ Fiddler, Detroit’s own world-renowned ambassador of funk, soul, and electronic music, keyboardist, producer, Afro-futurist, and guiding force of light for so many, has transitioned at the age of 65.”
Fiddler, who gained recognition as a keyboardist, producer, and Afro-futurist, began his musical journey as a member of the band Enchantment in the 1970s. However, he made his mark as a key member of the legendary funk band Parliament-Funkadelic from the 1980s to the 1990s.
Influenced by the vibrant Detroit music scene, Fiddler’s talent extended beyond funk and soul, working with icons such as Prince, Raphael Saadiq, Maxwell, and others.
One of Fiddler’s notable contributions was his impact on the hip-hop community. He played a pivotal role in mentoring the late producer J Dilla, guiding him in production tactics and introducing him to A Tribe Called Quest leader Q-Tip, which paved the way for Dilla’s successful career. Fiddler’s influence transcended generations, connecting musicians and scenes from all corners of the globe.
Fellow Artists Pay Their Respects
Some notable members of the rap community shared their condolences and reacted to Fiddler’s death. The Roots drummer Questlove posted on Instagram:
“Rest easy brother Amp. For all those talks during the Pfunk tour. For all the music. Especially of course mentoring the one who mentored us (Dilla)——thank you brother.”
British DJ Gilles Peterson also reacted by saying:
“Waking up to the desperately sad news that our dear friend Amp Fiddler has passed… from George Clinton to Dilla to Moodyman … Detroit royalty … a huge influence on musicians from all sides of the globe – he connected generations and scenes… a mentor to so many.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to cover the funeral costs, allowing fans and supporters to contribute to honoring the late musician’s legacy.
Clarence Avant: Another Tragic Loss
Another recent loss in the music industry was Clarence Avant, the legendary music executive who passed away in August at the age of 92. Avant, known as the “Black Godfather,” managed artists from various genres, including soul and hip-hop, and served as the former chairman of Motown Records.
Q-Tip and the remaining surviving members of A Tribe Called Quest recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of their classic third album, 1993’s Midnight Marauders. The album is widely considered the group’s greatest album, featuring some of Q-Tip’s best verses. As rap fans look back at Tribe’s prolific history, they also hope for new music from The Abstract.
While Q-Tip has been relatively quiet on the music front, he teased three entire albums worth of material back in 2020. While none of those releases have seen the light of day, that has not stopped him from collaborating with others. Q-Tip often brings the best out of the artists he works with, so we are highlighting some of his best collaborations. Here are 7 of Q-Tip’s hottest hip hop collabs. Take a look at the list below.
Busta Rhymes – “Ill Vibe” (1996)
Busta Rhymes is one of Q-Tip’s closest and most frequent collaborators. The two have worked together throughout their careers in different capacities. Early on, they appeared on posse cuts with A Tribe Called Quest and Leaders of the New School together and later featured on each other’s solo albums. One of Busta Rhymes and Q-Tip’s earliest and hottest collabs is “Ill Vibe” from Busta’s debut solo album, The Coming. The laidback boom bap classic was produced by The Ummah, Tip’s production collective with Ali Shaheed Muhammad and J Dilla. “Ill Vibe” contains Q-Tip’s smooth flow and Busta’s animated delivery, making for one of their most iconic collabs.
This highlight from The Roots’ classic Illadelph Halflife album sees Black Thought and Q-Tip trading bars back and forth. The funky instrumental lends itself to both of their rap styles, as well as their musical chemistry. The two each take their own unique approach to rapping, but they blend their styles together on “Ital.” Black Thought is known for outshining other rappers on most tracks, but he and Q-Tip work together for a skillful exchange of bars.
One of Q-Tip’s hottest collabs is the remix of Missy Elliott’s 1999 single, “Hot Boyz.” The remix features an all-star lineup, including Missy, Tip, Nas, Eve, and Lil Mo. An eclectic mix of hip hop artists, each rapper gets their moment to shine over the Timbaland-produced beat. The “Hot Boyz” remix was massively successful, spending 18 weeks atop the Hot Rap Singles chart and breaking the record for most weeks at No. 1 on the R&B chart at the time. While “Hot Boyz” stands out as one of Missy’s greatest works, its remix is a standout collaboration between various artists, including Q-Tip.
Q-Tip and Slum Village were a perfect match on “Hold Tight.” He kicks off the relaxed song with a smooth verse, commenting on the state of the rap game. Tip raps, “N****s in the game is getting too slimy / Liable to make this peace turn grimy,” passing the torch to Slum Village. In his verse, Q-Tip voices his frustrations with greedy industry executives and places his faith in his musical peers. He shouts out each member of Slum Village, along with D’Angelo, Busta Rhymes, and his fellow members of A Tribe Called Quest. He sets the tone for J Dilla, T3, and Baatin to spit their verses, resulting in a standout track from Fantastic, Vol. 2.
Busta Rhymes feat. Q-Tip, Lil Wayne, & Kanye West – “Thank You” (2013)
Q-Tip and Busta Rhymes have remained close throughout their careers, eventually teaming up for a collaborative mixtape, 2013’s The Abstract & The Dragon. The project compiled old classics from their group and solo careers, as well as new material like “Thank You.” The song samples Alicia Myers’s “I Wanna Thank You.” Lil Wayne and Kanye West briefly make appearances, symbolizing a truce between the Young Money and G.O.O.D. Music labels, to which Busta and Tip were respectively signed. Over the groovy instrumental, Busta Rhymes and Q-Tip display their longtime chemistry, effortlessly flowing to match the fast guitar sample. The two match each other’s skills, standing out as one of both Busta Rhymes and Q-Tip’s best songs. It is also one of Q-Tip’s biggest hip hop collabs, going silver in the UK.
James BKS, Q-Tip, Idris Elba, & Little Simz – “New Breed” (2019)
In 2019, French musician James BKS recruited Q-Tip, Little Simz, and Idris Elba for “New Breed,” a standalone single that captured elements of hip hop and dance music worldwide. Over a festive and joyous instrumental, Q-Tip slides across the beat, Idris Elba excites, and Simz dazzles with her verse. The French, American, and British artists each rap about their African heritage and what it means to them. Each rapper provides their own unique style to the celebratory song, embracing Africa through the lens of their different nationalities.
Eminem, Royce Da 5’9”, Black Thought, Q-Tip, & Denaun – “Yah Yah” (2020)
“Yah Yah” is one of Q-Tip’s hottest collabs as his catchy hook serves as the centerpiece for an explosive banger. The song sees Eminem, Black Thought, and Royce Da 5’9” spit rapid flows with complex rhyme schemes at a high energy. The song serves as an ode to the golden era of hip hop that inspired each artist, as emphasized by each verse and the hook from Q-Tip. The collaboration between Eminem, Royce, Black Thought, Q-Tip, and Denaun is a prime example of top-tier lyricists spitting a high caliber, paying homage to their hip hop idols. “Yah Yah” is one of Q-Tip’s most memorable collabs in recent memory, leaving fans yearning for more music.
On this day in 1970, the second lyrical half of A Tribe Called Quest, Phife Dawg was born. Born Malik Isaac Taylor in Queens, New York, Phife was one-fourth of one of the most influential groups in Hip-Hop culture; A Tribe Called Quest. It’s been almost four years since Phife lost his battle with diabetes, however, his music will live on for eternity.
On many of ATCQ’s tracks, fans have always rightfully celebrated Q-Tip’s lyricism, but rarely gave Phife Dawg his proper due. In the posthumous honor of his birthday, we have put together a list of his top five hottest verses to shine a light on the unsung lyrical phenom that is Phife Dawg.
5. “Electric Relaxation” On this standout track from the album Midnight Marauders, Phife and The Abstract went toe to toe, trading off verse without a hook until the song ended, with standout bars like, “Let me hit it from the back, girl I won’t catch a hernia/Bust off on your couch, now you got Seaman’s Furniture..”and let’s not forget, “I like ‘em brown, yellow, Puerto Rican or Haitian/Name is Phife Dawg from the Zulu Nation..”
4. “La Schmoove” This was a featured verse from Phife Dawg on a track by Brooklyn rap tongue twisters Fu Schnickens. On this track, Phife had the third verse, yet opened it like it was his own song saying,
“Now here I go, once again with the ill flow/Other MC’s that rap, their style is so-so..”
3. “Scenario” Being one of the most popular songs on A Tribe Called Quest’s Low End Theory album, Phife Dawg’s opening verse is one that rings in the ears of many rap fans.
“Ayo, Bo knows this, and Bo knows that/ But bo don’t know jack cause Bo can’t rap//Well what do you know, the Di-Dawg, is first up to bat/No batteries included and no strings attached.”
2. “Award Tour” Another cut from Midnight Marauders, Award Tour was a huge success for A Tribe Called Quest. It also houses some of Phife Dawg’s strongest metaphors. “I have a quest to have a mic in my hand/without that, it’s like Kryptonite and Superman/So Shaheed come in with the sugar cuts//Phife Dawg’s my name, but on stage, call me Dynomut..t”
“So, next time that you think you want something here/Make something dope or take that garbage to St.Elsewhere..”
1. “Buggin Out” Coming from their most popular album, this is regarded as Phife’s illest bars. Phife Dawg spits two of the hardest verses on the album on this one record. “Yo microphone check one, two, what is this?/The five foot assassin with the roughneck business/I float like gravity, never had a cavity/Got more rhymes than the Winans got family..”
“You soar off to another world, deep in your mind/But people seem to take that, as being unkind/’Oh yo he’s acting stank,’ really on the regal?/a man of the fame not a man of the people/believe that if you want but I tell you this much/riding on the train with no dough, sucks..”
On this day in Hip Hop history A Tribe Called Quest Released their third studio album Midnight Marauders. As the group’s most popular work, this album marked the height of Hip Hop’s Afrocentric/hippie movement.
Aside from content, this album’s cover is it’s most distinctive quality. It features a full frontal portrait of the same black, green, and red woman from the The Low End Theory cover as well as head shots of some of the more well known rappers of the time, including: Dr. Dre, Afrika Bambaataa, Busta Rhymes, Chuck D, Ice-T, Kool Moe Dee, MC Lyte, Del the Funky Homosapien, P. Diddy, Heavy D, Too $hort, The Pharcyde, The Beastie Boys, and more.
With this album, Tribe took a slight step away their heavy jazz influence to perpetuate a funkier vibe. Ali Shaheed Muhammad‘s production sounded more on this album like something you would hear on the radio in the early 90’s (with a Tribe twist of course). The largest change however came in the realm of lyricism. Over their four year quest, Q-Tip and Phife Dawg picked up linguistic skills that come full circle on this album. Their cadence, flow, and diction all show signs of improvement along with the length and depth of their metaphors. Although this album features less subject specific tracks than their previous work, the two show that they have finally figured out how to intrigued the minds of both the Hip Hop faithful and everyday music listener.
Commercially, Midnight Marauders is the A Tribe Called Quest’s highest selling album. The album sold over 1,000,000 copies within it’s first year, making it a platinum hit. It also peaked #70 on the UK album charts, #8 on the Billboard 200, and took the top spot Top R&B/Hip Hop chart.
A lot of the album’s success is due to its timeless classic of a single “Award Tour” which peaked at #47 on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s influence has spanned decades with the track being referenced by the likes of Wale, Kanye West, Common, Azealia Banks, and Justin Timberlake.
Missy Elliott, the iconic artist known for her innovative contributions to hip-hop and pop culture, has made history as the first female rapper to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With a mesmerizing performance showcasing her hits, the hip-hop icon demonstrated why she has etched her place in music history. Missy […]
Q-Tip is poised to infuse his musical genius into the forthcoming Muhammad Ali Broadway musical. The rap icon joins as the music producer, co-lyricist, and cast album producer. Q-Tip In Broadway Q-Tip, best known as the lead rapper for A Tribe Called Quest, is set to add his musical prowess to the upcoming Muhammad Ali […]
Alternative hip-hop has always challenged the status quo, and oftentimes, influenced the next generation of artists who came after them. Still, the artistic risks proved fruitful for many who found commercial success without compromising their sound. However, many alternative hip-hop artists are placed in the “underground” category, even in 2023. But, with the power of the internet, they are successful in their own right and have a different connection with their listeners than the chart-topping artists. Alternative hip-hop is a genre that continues to expand as the years go on because there will always be artists who do things their own way. We’ve compiled a list of artists from years past that laid the groundwork for the alternative hip-hop artists of today.
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest was one of the pioneer groups in the alternative hip-hop space. With smooth jazzy samples from producer and rapper Q-Tip, they contrasted the prominent sounds of hardcore hip-hop. Their delivery style was smooth and lined up with their jazz-based production well. However, that’s not to say they didn’t have energy-filled tracks in their repertoire too. “Scenario” comes to mind when fans recall some of their biggest high-energy tracks which boasts a standout verse from Busta Rhymes. Meanwhile, records like “Electric Relaxation” stand as a quintessential Tribe track that pulls its smooth bass line from a sample from “Mystic Brew” by Ronnie Foster. The group transcended generations gaining listeners throughout the 90s all the way to the release of their final album in 2016.
Digable Planets was an alternative hip-hop group that remains criminally underrated. Sure, they are not a household name like some other groups on this list but their impact is undeniable. Their contributions shaped jazz rap and opened the doors for alternative acts that continue to push boundaries. Their lyrical content always had a political edge to it but they doubled down on their second album Blowout Comb.
Although they only released two studio albums, they achieved some commercial success in their time. Their debut project, Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space) was certified gold. Meanwhile, their Grammy-winning single “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” has withstood the test of time and remains a definitive anthem in hip-hop.
De La Soul is a trio that burst onto the alternative hip-hop scene with unique sample choices. They had this impeccable ability to use recognizable samples that you wouldn’t expected. One of the biggest examples of this was “The Magic Number” which samples “Three Is A Magic Number” from the series Schoolhouse Rock. The group used the song to comment on the rap game with playful bars. Another standout was “Eye Know” which sampled “Peg” by Steely Dan and “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding. Audiences labeled them as a “hippie” group due to their lighthearted tones and flower-based imagery – a classification they quickly distanced themselves from as their discography grew.
The Fugees are a unique group in the alternative hip-hop lane who introduced the world to an artist who would continue to be a legend in that lane — Lauryn Hill. The trio only released to albums before disbanding. Their sophomore album, The Score, stands among the greatest bodies of work in hip-hop history.
In comparison to some of the other entries on this list, their sound was mature. They combined melodies with their bars, providing complex layers to their song structures. Moreover, their production combined live instrumentation and samples. There was a certain emotional weight to many songs in their discography especially the hit single “Ready or Not” which member Pras recalled seeing Hill crying while recording her vocals for. One of their more rap-focused singles was “Fu-Gee-La” whose unique production provides the perfect soundscape for their verses.
Gnarls Barkley
Gnarls Barkley was an alternative hip-hop duo that gained critical success despite their alternative status. Some listeners may classify them as more of a pop act but our inclusion of them in our list still stands. Member Cee Lo Green was once a part of Goodie Mob, a hip-hop group from Atlanta. The other half of the duo, Danger Mouse, is a reputable producer who first gained fame with the release of The Grey Album, a mash-up project that combined Jay-Z’s The Black Album and The Beatles’ The White Album. As Gnarls Barkley, their single “Crazy” went Diamond and was Grammy nominated. Their music combined multiple elements of pop, soul, hip-hop, and more which was capitalized on by Cee Lo’s unique vocal style. Their unique approach made them stand out easily from their contemporaries.
Arrested Development
Arrested Development is an alternative hip-hop group that emerged in the 90s. Their lyrics focused on pushing positivity and uplifting their listeners with production that reflected their lyrical tone. In their early years, the group accumulated a few chart-topping singles and albums that performed well commercially too. This led to them winning the Grammy for Best New Artist in 1993. Another one of their big moments in music was creating a song for Spike Lee’s film Malcolm X. Titled “Revolution,” the song has layered lyrics built around the imagery of rain and the unification of Black people.
MF DOOM
MF DOOM might be the most popular alternative hip-hop artist for listeners of this generation. Known as “your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper,” he created an eccentric yet reclusive personality that drew listeners in. Anytime he appeared on camera he would wear a mask heavily inspired by the comic book character Dr. Doom. Sometimes, “clones” of him would perform at live shows, much to fans’ disappointment. MF DOOM also had multiple eccentric qualities in his music, whether it was his unique rhymes and references or sample choices. He released music such as MF DOOM, Viktor Vaughn, and King Geedorah. His collaborative project with Madlib, Madvillainy has been immensely praised. DOOM never attempted to climb in popularity with his career and was content at the level he was at. Even though he passed in 2022, listeners will never forget it’s “all caps when you spell the man’s name.”
Who are some of your favorite alternative hip hop artists? Let us know in the comments section.
There are multiple legends who are rappers from Queens. New York has been a mecca for hip-hop long before the East Coast vs West Coast “war.” The state was the center of the conscious movement in rap music in the 1990s, with artists telling stories about their lives and empowering others. This happened again in the 2010s with the artists from Beast Coast. There’s also a strong underground scene with artists who fit in the “alternative rap” lane. Queens, specifically, is home to several artists who have well-established and ongoing legacies. Some artists are still active today, whether musically or in other endeavors. The state has been producing talents of all kinds for decades.
Run-D.M.C.
Run-D.M.C., a Hip Hop trio, consisted of Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell, Joseph “Run” Simmons, and Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels. Sadly, Jam Master Jay was murdered in 2002, leaving a global fanbase in mourning. However, Rev Run and D.M.C. have performed several times since losing their longtime friend. Recently, the duo closed out Hip Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium in August 2023.
The group’s prominence was in the 1980s as their rock and rap fusion brought something new to listeners from both musical worlds. This was most apparent in their collaboration with Aerosmith, “Walk This Way,” which the band re-recorded with the rap group – instead of them rapping over a sample. Run-D.M.C. had a successful run on the charts, with multiple songs and albums going Gold and Platinum. Their song, “My Adidas,” resulted in them getting an official collaboration with the brand. Their signature Adidas tracksuit look has become a staple in hip-hop fashion.
Cormega
Cormega is an artist with ties to other notable rappers from Queens. These include Capone, Havoc, and Nas. His connection to the latter has been a large part of his career. The two started as collaborators and members of the supergroup, The Firm. However, Cormega was later removed from the group, and the two exchanged tracks across the years, sharing how and why this happened.
Later, Cormega started his own label and released his albums through it. He also released a compilation project for artists on the label. Cormega and Nas settled their differences in public when they performed together in 2006. More recently, Cormega and the rest of the members of The Firm were featured on a track fittingly titled “Full Circle” from Nas’ album King’s Disease.
LL Cool J
LL Cool J has been involved in hip hop for multiple generations. His career started in music in the late ’80s and expanded into the early ’90s. He frequently worked with producer Rick Rubin. As time progressed, LL began diversifying his music portfolio by blending more R&B into his songs. Several of his albums sold millions of copies, his singles charted multiple times, and he became a key figure in the public eye. His diversity in music made him highly successful and accessible to various audiences. LL would go on to also act in multiple roles, write books, and host programs. He’s an excellent example of a rapper becoming even more prominent outside of their music.
Phife Dawg is a member of the rap group A Tribe Called Quest and a rapper from Queens. He passed away in 2016. This was especially heartbreaking for listeners because the group released an album that same year. The album, titled We Got It From Here…Thank You 4 Your Service was worked on secretly by Q-Tip and Phife. The latter also named the album. It was released 18 years after their previous album, The Love Movement.
Q-Tip, Jarobi, and DJ Ali often included tributes to Phife when they performed songs from the album during their promo run for it. Phife’s verses mirrored the themes of his group members, often discussing socially political themes and fun, creative verses. Phife’s nickname of the “Five Foot Assassin” came from verses that fit the latter. His second solo album, Forever, was released posthumously on the sixth anniversary of his passing.
Roxanne Shanté
Roxanne Shanté is a rapper from Queens who paved the way for multiple women in rap. Her name may not be instantly recognizable by those not well-versed in decades of rap history, but her impact is eternal. She was also a member of the Juice Crew. She built her career on diss records where she called out her targets by name. The most notorious of these started a series of response diss records called the “Roxanne Wars,” which featured a myriad of other artists – including one called “The Real Roxanne.” This series began when she was allegedly only 14 years old. Roxanne Shanté was one of the first women to have her music videos played on platforms like Video Music Box and BET. Shanté soon became the center of attention and was accompanied on tour by another legend in the rap game: Biz Markie.
Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch is an underground rapper from Queens who has a cemented legacy. Multiple rappers have celebrated and studied him. His career began when he was a member of the duo Organized Konfusion with Prince Poetry. They released three projects, and Monch later embarked on a solo career. His biggest hit as a solo artist was “Simon Says,” which was released in 1999. He also contributed to other media, recording a song for the Training Day soundtrack and the theme for Madden 2002. Monch’s unique approach to music through technical skill, creative flows, and subject matter are why he’s held in such high regard. He formed the rap-rock supergroup Th1rt3en in 2019 with guitarist Marcus Machado and drummer Daru Jones. His skill takes on an entirely new meaning when one considers he has had asthma his whole life.
Salt-N-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa is a group of rappers from Queens. As women in the rap game in the late ’80s, they are naturally a part of history. Their debut album, Hot Cool and Vicious, sold one million copies, making them the first female rap group to go Platinum. This album contained the hit single “Push It,” which is still popular and used in media today.
They entered the scene at a time when women in rap were not nearly as common as they are in the present day. They took control of the narrative of how women had been portrayed and spoke for women who agreed with their perspectives. Their style was not aggressive as they rapped confidently over more dance and pop-based hip hop production. They received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2022.
Kool G Rap
Kool G Rap is a legendary rapper from Queens. For many, he was a pioneer for artists who favored writing raps about their lives in the streets. Outside of this, he was also praised for his delivery, flows, and rhyme schemes, which were all equally complex and intricate. His “multisyllabic rhyming” technique is still niche and praised by many audiences.
Additionally, G Rap’s breath control in his verses is key to his delivery. He has been credited as a pioneer for “mafioso rap.” This is a technique where rappers mention and reference various figures from mafia and gangster culture, whether they are fictional or historical figures. They do this through verses, song titles, imagery, and even samples in the music. Artists like Biggie and Jay-Z took this to the next level but took direct inspiration from Kool G Rap.
Q-Tip
Q-Tip is a rapper from Queens who also produces. Many know him for his time with A Tribe Called Quest, but he received praise for his production credits outside the group. Q-Tip uses jazz sample-based production that pairs well with the smooth delivery of him and his group members. The group was integral to creating this soundscape, and other rap groups followed in their path.
Their single, “Electric Relaxation,” is also one of the best examples of this sound and has become a universally celebrated classic. Q-Tip himself has produced for various artists in his career across generations. These production credits range from Nas to Mariah Carey, Solange to Cordae, and many more. His time in the game has garnered him a wealth of respect.
Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep is a duo from Queens comprising rapper Prodigy and producer and rapper Havoc. Prodigy passed away in 2017. The duo is most known for their song “Shook Ones, Part II,” which has also become a classic amongst rap fans from the past and current generations. Mobb Deep’s second album, The Infamous… which went Gold, is their most highly regarded. Mobb Deep’s music had dark and eerie production, which paired well with their subject matter. Most of the production across the duo’s discography came from Havoc, who used creative samples and techniques to craft dynamic soundscapes for the duo. Further, they are regarded as one of the key figures of rap’s “hardcore hip hop” subgenre.
Nas
Nas is a rapper from Queens that many people have in their Top 5, dead or alive. His debut album, Illmatic, has been called essential listening by multiple generations of hip-hop fans. The album was written by Nas when he was 17 but released when he was 21. His skill level on his debut album showcased he was far above many of his older contemporaries.
Nas has been praised for his storytelling and lyrical skill across the years. However, he’s also tried unique and creative things in his music that received mixed reactions. Recently, he went on a run of releasing several projects since 2020 with producer Hit-Boy. The duo received a GRAMMY for their collab, King’s Disease, in 2020. It seems each project receives more praise than the one that precedes it, showing Nas is still elevating as a lyricist.
Who are some of your favorite rappers from Queens? Let us know in the comments section.
Some classic hip-hop songs will remain timeless no matter when they are played. Whether listeners were alive or not when released, fans know and appreciate their impact on the genre. Many started a new era that evolved, and others are locked in the time capsule they came from. This year marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, and there have been celebrations, documentaries, concerts, and more honoring the genre throughout the year.
With the power of the internet and the passion of our icons passing stories on, hip hop has become the most popular genre in the world. Please note that none of our choices in this article would be possible without songs like “The Message,” “Rapper’s Delight,” and “Planet Rock.” We have omitted them from our list (in no particular order) to leave room for those that will cause little to no debate.
“Protect Ya Neck” – Wu-Tang Clan (1992)
This song is from one of hip hop’s most popular groups. Music lovers who don’t listen to rap know their name, and their logo is iconic. This song showcases several core aspects of the group. This is fitting, considering it was their first single, initially released in 1992. Later, it was re-released in 1993 to much greater fanfare.
The original only brought them success in the underground scene since they released it independently on their own label. The track features RZA’s trademark gritty production as each member brings aggression and wordplay to the dusty drums and minimalist melody. This track helped set the tone for “hardcore” rap and directly contrasted the jazzier outputs from other groups in New York.
“Electric Relaxation” – A Tribe Called Quest (1994)
Multiple generations have celebrated and heard this classic hip hop song. Some know the original track, and others recognize it from the intro for The Wayans Bros. Younger listeners heard its iconic sample from Ronnie Foster’s “Mystic Brew” on ”Forbidden Fruit” by J. Cole feat Kendrick Lamar. No matter when you heard it, the smooth bassline and peaceful melody stuck with you.
Q-Tip and Phife Dawg trade fun and clever verses about interactions with women on the track. The back and forth keeps listeners locked in because they don’t know who will pop in next. Q-Tip produced this one, along with many other songs in their discography. Tracks like this paved the way for artists like Saba, Cordae, Mick Jenkins, and more, who shine on jazz-based hip-hop productions.
“Nuthin But A “G” Thang” – Dr.Dre feat. Snoop Dogg (1993)
Two hip hop titans still active in the rap game today dominated this classic. They gained their titan status by bringing this distinctive West Coast sound to the game. Of course, Dre’s fame origins began in his days as a producer in N.W.A. However, the production of his solo work after that era ended took him to the next level.
Glitzy synthesizers helped lay the groundwork for a new genre called “G-Funk.” Snoop and Dre established a chemistry that would boost their careers. This was their second single together and the first for Dre’s solo debut album, The Chronic. Songs like this paved the way for West Coast artists like Larry June and YG, who take aspects from music and make it work in their favor.
“Straight Outta Compton” – N.W.A (1988)
This is a classic hip hop song that may have reached a new generation through the movie of the same name. N.W.A was a pioneer in the genre of “gangsta rap.” In the song, each group member introduces themselves and details what will happen to those who cross them. The song is abrasive, with production from Dr. Dre and DJ Yella. This track paved the way for aggressive rap artists to say precisely what they wanted, how they wanted.
The early 2000s had many pivotal moments, and Missy was central to several. On this track, she showed how she helped lay the groundwork for women in rap today. While not as explicit as today’s artists, Missy still asserts confidence in her sexuality throughout the song. Her delivery makes the track fun and danceable through her creative delivery, rhymes, and of course, the iconic backmasking used in the song’s chorus. She employs the same technique in the song’s second verse, too. Also, she produced the track with Timbaland. Music moments such as this helped pave the way for artists like Megan Thee Stallion.
