Top 10 Hip-Hop Albums for People Who Don’t Like Hip-Hop

the genre of hip hop beholds a variety

the genre of hip hop beholds a variety of sounds and influences and yet still

of sounds and influences and yet still

of sounds and influences and yet still some people refuse to open their minds

some people refuse to open their minds

some people refuse to open their minds let me work kid

let me work kid

let me work kid dang been everywhere sick welcome to

dang been everywhere sick welcome to

dang been everywhere sick welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’ll be

watchmojo.com and today we’ll be

watchmojo.com and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the top 10

counting down our picks for the top 10

counting down our picks for the top 10 hip hop albums for people who don’t like

hip hop albums for people who don’t like

hip hop albums for people who don’t like hip hop for this list we’re looking at

hip hop for this list we’re looking at

hip hop for this list we’re looking at the albums that could most appeal to hip

the albums that could most appeal to hip

the albums that could most appeal to hip hop haters keep in mind we’re not

hop haters keep in mind we’re not

hop haters keep in mind we’re not counting down the best hip hop albums of

counting down the best hip hop albums of

counting down the best hip hop albums of all time

all time

all time such as nauseas Illmatic before when I

such as nauseas Illmatic before when I

such as nauseas Illmatic before when I take out my foot’s then I start the

take out my foot’s then I start the

take out my foot’s then I start the front net effect beyond a man but rather

front net effect beyond a man but rather

front net effect beyond a man but rather those albums that can easily draw in

those albums that can easily draw in

those albums that can easily draw in that uninformed friend through their use

that uninformed friend through their use

that uninformed friend through their use of elements from outside genres as well

of elements from outside genres as well

of elements from outside genres as well as a refusal to adhere to the typical

as a refusal to adhere to the typical

as a refusal to adhere to the typical hip hop cliches continueto

many people associate hip-hop with

many people associate hip-hop with inner-city America and street lifestyle

inner-city America and street lifestyle

inner-city America and street lifestyle but m.i.a Escala reminds of a collective

but m.i.a Escala reminds of a collective

but m.i.a Escala reminds of a collective world beat it’s a dance record at its

world beat it’s a dance record at its

world beat it’s a dance record at its core but the fusion of cultural music

core but the fusion of cultural music

core but the fusion of cultural music creates a sound that’s more heritage and

creates a sound that’s more heritage and

creates a sound that’s more heritage and less about typical rap cliches

a catchy track like Paper Planes

a catchy track like Paper Planes brilliantly sampled The Clash and it

brilliantly sampled The Clash and it

brilliantly sampled The Clash and it became a cultural phenomenon by way of

became a cultural phenomenon by way of

became a cultural phenomenon by way of pineapple Express

pineapple Express

pineapple Express perhaps appealing to a STONER

perhaps appealing to a STONER

perhaps appealing to a STONER demographic intellectually and

demographic intellectually and

demographic intellectually and artistically m.i.a demonstrates a

artistically m.i.a demonstrates a

artistically m.i.a demonstrates a connection to our past while providing a

connection to our past while providing a

connection to our past while providing a musical aesthetic that one can easily

musical aesthetic that one can easily

musical aesthetic that one can easily move their body to and if you don’t feel

move their body to and if you don’t feel

move their body to and if you don’t feel that perhaps you just have a difficult

that perhaps you just have a difficult

that perhaps you just have a difficult time feeling music in general this my

time feeling music in general this my

time feeling music in general this my recital I think it’s very fight number

recital I think it’s very fight number

recital I think it’s very fight number nine raising hell Run DMC now this is

nine raising hell Run DMC now this is

nine raising hell Run DMC now this is the album that first exemplified how the

the album that first exemplified how the

the album that first exemplified how the genres of rock and rap can intermix

genres of rock and rap can intermix

genres of rock and rap can intermix featuring a variety of old-school

featuring a variety of old-school

featuring a variety of old-school classics including an iconic

classics including an iconic

classics including an iconic collaboration with Aerosmith

raising hell lays down the fundamental

raising hell lays down the fundamental core of hip-hop beats rhymes and bravado

core of hip-hop beats rhymes and bravado

core of hip-hop beats rhymes and bravado but you don’t need to inherently connect

but you don’t need to inherently connect

but you don’t need to inherently connect with the lyrics to fully appreciate the

with the lyrics to fully appreciate the

with the lyrics to fully appreciate the album as the accessible party rock

album as the accessible party rock

album as the accessible party rock nature means that anybody can press play

nature means that anybody can press play

nature means that anybody can press play and just kick of course the delivery of

and just kick of course the delivery of

and just kick of course the delivery of the lyrics can potentially reel in the

the lyrics can potentially reel in the

the lyrics can potentially reel in the uneducated hater of hip-hop considering

uneducated hater of hip-hop considering

uneducated hater of hip-hop considering the style of a track like it’s tricky

all in all the album progressed the art

all in all the album progressed the art form of rap in the mid-1980s breaking

form of rap in the mid-1980s breaking

form of rap in the mid-1980s breaking down barriers and opening minds in the

down barriers and opening minds in the

down barriers and opening minds in the process you be good morning

process you be good morning

process you be good morning number 8 graduation Kanye West wake up

number 8 graduation Kanye West wake up

number 8 graduation Kanye West wake up mr. West mr. West mr. Frantz mr. by his

mr. West mr. West mr. Frantz mr. by his

mr. West mr. West mr. Frantz mr. by his selfie so impressed in the age of the

selfie so impressed in the age of the

selfie so impressed in the age of the Kardashians Kanye West is a recognized

Kardashians Kanye West is a recognized

Kardashians Kanye West is a recognized figure of pop culture of course not

figure of pop culture of course not

figure of pop culture of course not everyone may understand why he became a

everyone may understand why he became a

everyone may understand why he became a celebrity with the release of his third

celebrity with the release of his third

celebrity with the release of his third album graduation Kanye embraced a larger

album graduation Kanye embraced a larger

album graduation Kanye embraced a larger sound most notably for the anthemic

sound most notably for the anthemic

sound most notably for the anthemic stronger

it’s a perfect starting point for anyone

it’s a perfect starting point for anyone hoping to learn about the artistry of

hoping to learn about the artistry of

hoping to learn about the artistry of Kanye West as it’s not quite reflective

Kanye West as it’s not quite reflective

Kanye West as it’s not quite reflective of his more bombastic side but rather of

of his more bombastic side but rather of

of his more bombastic side but rather of someone inventing his craft by exploring

someone inventing his craft by exploring

someone inventing his craft by exploring various genres that everybody get the

various genres that everybody get the

various genres that everybody get the game figured out all wrong I guess you

game figured out all wrong I guess you

game figured out all wrong I guess you never know what you got til it’s gone

never know what you got til it’s gone

never know what you got til it’s gone taking inspiration from indie music the

taking inspiration from indie music the

taking inspiration from indie music the lyrical themes of existentialism

lyrical themes of existentialism

lyrical themes of existentialism transcend above culture identity and

transcend above culture identity and

transcend above culture identity and musical tastes and if it feels right

musical tastes and if it feels right

musical tastes and if it feels right then it only makes sense to graduate to

then it only makes sense to graduate to

then it only makes sense to graduate to Yeezys masterpiece My Beautiful Dark

Yeezys masterpiece My Beautiful Dark

Yeezys masterpiece My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy runaway fast as you can

number seven be common remember we saw

number seven be common remember we saw corners with the poses of moles lots of

corners with the poses of moles lots of

corners with the poses of moles lots of the sore for the role sake

the sore for the role sake

the sore for the role sake straightforward show boost by commons

straightforward show boost by commons

straightforward show boost by commons fellows Chicago and Kanye West this

fellows Chicago and Kanye West this

fellows Chicago and Kanye West this album reflects the latter’s creative

album reflects the latter’s creative

album reflects the latter’s creative ascetic pre-graduation for comment

ascetic pre-graduation for comment

ascetic pre-graduation for comment it allowed him to re-emerge as a

it allowed him to re-emerge as a

it allowed him to re-emerge as a prominent lyricist complemented by a

prominent lyricist complemented by a

prominent lyricist complemented by a more focused and somewhat commercial

more focused and somewhat commercial

more focused and somewhat commercial sound the judge jail for order for

sound the judge jail for order for

sound the judge jail for order for reporter making a were shorter his

reporter making a were shorter his

reporter making a were shorter his Gloria sat next to him you see on the

Gloria sat next to him you see on the

Gloria sat next to him you see on the Shroud with a vaccum given the context

Shroud with a vaccum given the context

Shroud with a vaccum given the context of Kanye’s willingness to explore a more

of Kanye’s willingness to explore a more

of Kanye’s willingness to explore a more social groove be can easily be enjoyed

social groove be can easily be enjoyed

social groove be can easily be enjoyed by the non-believer as the inherent

by the non-believer as the inherent

by the non-believer as the inherent message of the title urges want to be

message of the title urges want to be

message of the title urges want to be happy with themselves we make love in

happy with themselves we make love in

happy with themselves we make love in and laugh anyway got more than I can

and laugh anyway got more than I can

and laugh anyway got more than I can happen then there’s go which features an

happen then there’s go which features an

happen then there’s go which features an appearance from singer-songwriter John

appearance from singer-songwriter John

appearance from singer-songwriter John Mayer highlighting the idea that some

Mayer highlighting the idea that some

Mayer highlighting the idea that some hip-hop music relies heavily on musical

hip-hop music relies heavily on musical

hip-hop music relies heavily on musical and personal ideology rather than

and personal ideology rather than

and personal ideology rather than adhering to perceived genre restrictions

line it eBay my kid number six acid rap

line it eBay my kid number six acid rap chance the rapper

chance the rapper

chance the rapper 10:07 zone fuli’s Dada all you know my

10:07 zone fuli’s Dada all you know my

10:07 zone fuli’s Dada all you know my haters kind of get on more wave common

haters kind of get on more wave common

haters kind of get on more wave common and Kanye border on the line of old

and Kanye border on the line of old

and Kanye border on the line of old school and the new this album definitely

school and the new this album definitely

school and the new this album definitely represents a modern train of thought

represents a modern train of thought

represents a modern train of thought what’s important to understand is that

what’s important to understand is that

what’s important to understand is that chance rapper is truly independent as

chance rapper is truly independent as

chance rapper is truly independent as acid rap is a mixtape not an official

acid rap is a mixtape not an official

acid rap is a mixtape not an official studio release nice to see five new year

studio release nice to see five new year

studio release nice to see five new year Venga uncle Samuel should in depth

Venga uncle Samuel should in depth

Venga uncle Samuel should in depth waited I say Hagen’s name for birthday

waited I say Hagen’s name for birthday

waited I say Hagen’s name for birthday candles as a result the experimental

candles as a result the experimental

candles as a result the experimental instrumentals and mind-opening versus

instrumentals and mind-opening versus

instrumentals and mind-opening versus produce a free-flowing musical

produce a free-flowing musical

produce a free-flowing musical experience almost like a conversation in

experience almost like a conversation in

experience almost like a conversation in fact it’s been called gospel rap which

fact it’s been called gospel rap which

fact it’s been called gospel rap which communicates the inherent positive

communicates the inherent positive

communicates the inherent positive nature of the overall message I just got

nature of the overall message I just got

nature of the overall message I just got back with vino

back with vino

back with vino I got a bitch but she knows it and most

I got a bitch but she knows it and most

I got a bitch but she knows it and most importantly it’s a documentation of

importantly it’s a documentation of

importantly it’s a documentation of timely issues insinuating that perhaps

timely issues insinuating that perhaps

timely issues insinuating that perhaps labels aren’t as important as

labels aren’t as important as

labels aren’t as important as understanding who you are as a person so

understanding who you are as a person so

understanding who you are as a person so if you want to feel good and maybe look

if you want to feel good and maybe look

if you want to feel good and maybe look inward as well this album is as good as

inward as well this album is as good as

inward as well this album is as good as a way as any white dudes Harlem shake

a way as any white dudes Harlem shake

a way as any white dudes Harlem shake are you laughing you Harlem shake

are you laughing you Harlem shake

are you laughing you Harlem shake I would never fake I was just too good

I would never fake I was just too good

I would never fake I was just too good to be true that’s a wrap we could

to be true that’s a wrap we could

to be true that’s a wrap we could attract you had your chance and Pino

number five the Low End Theory a Tribe

number five the Low End Theory a Tribe Called Quest back in the days on the

Called Quest back in the days on the

Called Quest back in the days on the Bulova a linden we used to kick routines

Bulova a linden we used to kick routines

Bulova a linden we used to kick routines in the presence was written if you like

in the presence was written if you like

in the presence was written if you like jazz chances are you’ll enjoy kicking

jazz chances are you’ll enjoy kicking

jazz chances are you’ll enjoy kicking back to this album released in a time

back to this album released in a time

back to this album released in a time when alternative hip hop wasn’t quite a

when alternative hip hop wasn’t quite a

when alternative hip hop wasn’t quite a thing

thing

thing the low in theory exudes a natural cool

the low in theory exudes a natural cool

the low in theory exudes a natural cool with a tinge of surrealism so raise up

with a tinge of surrealism so raise up

with a tinge of surrealism so raise up Squire adjust your attire we have no

Squire adjust your attire we have no

Squire adjust your attire we have no time to wallow in the Maya that’s

time to wallow in the Maya that’s

time to wallow in the Maya that’s largely in part due to the vocal

largely in part due to the vocal

largely in part due to the vocal delivery of q-tip and his cohorts the

delivery of q-tip and his cohorts the

delivery of q-tip and his cohorts the late five dog listen to the rumpus it’s

late five dog listen to the rumpus it’s

late five dog listen to the rumpus it’s time to make gravy

time to make gravy

time to make gravy if the moves are completed shake shake

if the moves are completed shake shake

if the moves are completed shake shake it baby from the opening track

it baby from the opening track

it baby from the opening track excursions to the concluding Posse cut

excursions to the concluding Posse cut

excursions to the concluding Posse cut that is scenario it’s clear that A Tribe

that is scenario it’s clear that A Tribe

that is scenario it’s clear that A Tribe Called Quest works just outside the box

if you’re that person who places all rap

if you’re that person who places all rap groups in a box

groups in a box

groups in a box well the low-end theory may provide a

well the low-end theory may provide a

well the low-end theory may provide a telling clue as to how the genre evolved

telling clue as to how the genre evolved

telling clue as to how the genre evolved through original artistry and respect

through original artistry and respect

through original artistry and respect for the past

for the past

for the past tribes follow-up album Midnight

tribes follow-up album Midnight

tribes follow-up album Midnight Marauders is also highly recommended for

Marauders is also highly recommended for

Marauders is also highly recommended for that someone looking to feel some good

that someone looking to feel some good

that someone looking to feel some good music here we go yo here we go yo so I

music here we go yo here we go yo so I

music here we go yo here we go yo so I saw so much that scenario

as one of the more iconic groups of the

as one of the more iconic groups of the 1980s the Beastie Boys influence

1980s the Beastie Boys influence

1980s the Beastie Boys influence permeates through pop culture that

permeates through pop culture that

permeates through pop culture that success continued well into the 1990s

success continued well into the 1990s

success continued well into the 1990s with 1998 hello nasty acting as the

with 1998 hello nasty acting as the

with 1998 hello nasty acting as the cherry on top of a decade filled with

cherry on top of a decade filled with

cherry on top of a decade filled with critical acclaim from fight for your

critical acclaim from fight for your

critical acclaim from fight for your right onward The Beastie Boys as music

right onward The Beastie Boys as music

right onward The Beastie Boys as music has always been more about having fun

has always been more about having fun

has always been more about having fun than contemplated verses about the state

than contemplated verses about the state

than contemplated verses about the state of the world and music videos for tracks

of the world and music videos for tracks

of the world and music videos for tracks like intergalactic are part of the

like intergalactic are part of the

like intergalactic are part of the experience as well but if you’re not

experience as well but if you’re not

experience as well but if you’re not convinced by hello nasty then check out

convinced by hello nasty then check out

convinced by hello nasty then check out Licensed to Ill or Paul’s boutique and

Licensed to Ill or Paul’s boutique and

Licensed to Ill or Paul’s boutique and try again when you’re ready number three

try again when you’re ready number three

try again when you’re ready number three how I got over the roots would you

how I got over the roots would you

how I got over the roots would you remember when I when I first asked you

remember when I when I first asked you

remember when I when I first asked you to be the band chances are you’ve seen

to be the band chances are you’ve seen

to be the band chances are you’ve seen The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and if you’re impressed with the house

and if you’re impressed with the house

and if you’re impressed with the house band the roots then their 2010 release

band the roots then their 2010 release

band the roots then their 2010 release how I got over will likely make you a

how I got over will likely make you a

how I got over will likely make you a legit man the title itself hints at the

legit man the title itself hints at the

legit man the title itself hints at the subject matter and like so many timeless

subject matter and like so many timeless

subject matter and like so many timeless hip hop artists the roots is

hip hop artists the roots is

hip hop artists the roots is understanding of history and the world

understanding of history and the world

understanding of history and the world around them transfers over into their

around them transfers over into their

around them transfers over into their artistry as musicians I’m in the world

artistry as musicians I’m in the world

artistry as musicians I’m in the world Entertainment and China keep singing man

Entertainment and China keep singing man

Entertainment and China keep singing man same for the play and fan it’s a soul

same for the play and fan it’s a soul

same for the play and fan it’s a soul record at heart however it’s also a

record at heart however it’s also a

record at heart however it’s also a meditation on life and the genre

meditation on life and the genre

meditation on life and the genre influence extends far beyond fundamental

influence extends far beyond fundamental

influence extends far beyond fundamental rap

number two speaker box the love below

number two speaker box the love below outcast ready for action dip it in the

outcast ready for action dip it in the

outcast ready for action dip it in the book we never relax in howcast’s of an

book we never relax in howcast’s of an

book we never relax in howcast’s of an Aston before the release of this double

Aston before the release of this double

Aston before the release of this double album Andre 3000 and Big Boi were known

album Andre 3000 and Big Boi were known

album Andre 3000 and Big Boi were known as visionary figures of hip-hop but

as visionary figures of hip-hop but

as visionary figures of hip-hop but after four landmark albums Outkast

after four landmark albums Outkast

after four landmark albums Outkast produced something entirely original

produced something entirely original

produced something entirely original with speaker box and the love below all

with speaker box and the love below all

with speaker box and the love below all it takes is a few seconds of hey-yah to

it takes is a few seconds of hey-yah to

it takes is a few seconds of hey-yah to dismay any preconceptions about the

dismay any preconceptions about the

dismay any preconceptions about the limits of rap music with each member

limits of rap music with each member

limits of rap music with each member ruling over their own album a beautiful

ruling over their own album a beautiful

ruling over their own album a beautiful fusion of genres and musical concepts

fusion of genres and musical concepts

fusion of genres and musical concepts emerges no you’re back – thank you don’t

emerges no you’re back – thank you don’t

emerges no you’re back – thank you don’t stay put leave and move it closes Pete

stay put leave and move it closes Pete

stay put leave and move it closes Pete Rose’s penis stare like like their

Rose’s penis stare like like their

Rose’s penis stare like like their predecessors A Tribe Called Quest

predecessors A Tribe Called Quest

predecessors A Tribe Called Quest outcast built on the past is zero in on

outcast built on the past is zero in on

outcast built on the past is zero in on a specific sound

before we unveil our number one pick

before we unveil our number one pick here are a few honorable mentions I used

here are a few honorable mentions I used

here are a few honorable mentions I used to be the bubbles they just a demo

to be the bubbles they just a demo

to be the bubbles they just a demo maybe the lovers and runners they can

maybe the lovers and runners they can

maybe the lovers and runners they can funnel psionically Bionic we forget how

funnel psionically Bionic we forget how

funnel psionically Bionic we forget how you feel especially for my lady the rest

number one The Miseducation of Lauryn

number one The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill Lauryn Hill the stalker can often

Hill Lauryn Hill the stalker can often

Hill Lauryn Hill the stalker can often lead people directly to hip hop in the

lead people directly to hip hop in the

lead people directly to hip hop in the case of the missing of Lauryn Hill the

case of the missing of Lauryn Hill the

case of the missing of Lauryn Hill the chorus of the album’s lead single

chorus of the album’s lead single

chorus of the album’s lead single channels classic R&B which can be enough

channels classic R&B which can be enough

channels classic R&B which can be enough to grab the attention of any listener

but the song also beholds a rap

but the song also beholds a rap aesthetic and when combined with Hill’s

aesthetic and when combined with Hill’s

aesthetic and when combined with Hill’s phenomenal vocals the overall feel is

phenomenal vocals the overall feel is

phenomenal vocals the overall feel is simply infectious

it’s the overall depth and the

it’s the overall depth and the perspective of lauren hill’s music that

perspective of lauren hill’s music that

perspective of lauren hill’s music that solidifies the album as a pure classic

furthermore the album progressed the

furthermore the album progressed the hip-hop genre forward into the 21st

hip-hop genre forward into the 21st

hip-hop genre forward into the 21st century as the album became a legitimate

century as the album became a legitimate

century as the album became a legitimate mainstream sensation while the music can

mainstream sensation while the music can

mainstream sensation while the music can be enjoyed with a sense of context or an

be enjoyed with a sense of context or an

be enjoyed with a sense of context or an understanding of hills past with the

understanding of hills past with the

understanding of hills past with the Fugees her subsequent departure from the

Fugees her subsequent departure from the

Fugees her subsequent departure from the music scene makes it even more unique

music scene makes it even more unique

music scene makes it even more unique the bottle so do you agree with our

the bottle so do you agree with our

the bottle so do you agree with our selections what hip-hop albums do you

selections what hip-hop albums do you

selections what hip-hop albums do you recommend to the uninformed for more

recommend to the uninformed for more

recommend to the uninformed for more mind-blowing top 10s published every day

mind-blowing top 10s published every day

mind-blowing top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com