May 20, 2017

Questlove's Top 50 Hip-Hop Tracks (1975-1995)

Questlove of the Roots

"For this top 50 list, I decided to concentrate on 1979-1995, the former being the year I got my first taste of hip-hop, the latter being the year my major-label debut with the Roots made its mark. I wanted to concentrate on the period that I was not professionally involved in the art form. I wanted to celebrate the period that built and led to the influence that got me a record deal." With that said, let's look through the list Questlove made in 2012; multiple tracks from Public Enemy, Run DMC, Doug E. Fresh, Eric B. & Rakim, A Tribe Called Quest & Grandmaster Flash, as well as classic selections by BDP, Ice Cube, Ultra Mag, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, The Pharcyde, Black Sheep, Cypress Hill, Bone Thugs, Common, Wu Tang & lots more. Off top, it's odd to notice that Nas was not included, although Mobb Deep is, and I'd also argue for tracks from Gang Starr, Snoop/Dre and honorable mentions for O.C., Black Moon, Outkast, and 2Pac on MY list, but I understand that not only is it subjective, there is cultural impact and lots of other factors built into his personal selections. His full article and list of tracks can be seen HERE. See the Spotify playlist below.