As part of our 2023 Annual Report, Consequence is taking a look back at our huge Hip-Hop 50 celebration. The milestone anniversary was a big part of this year's story and there are plenty of other awards, lists and articles about the best music, film and TV of 2023 that you can find here.
Of all the important anniversaries celebrated this year, one is arguably the most culturally important. August marked the 50th anniversary of what is considered the birth of hip-hop and we explore the genre's massive impact throughout our Hip-Hop 50 celebration. We list the best hip-hop albums, songs and mixtapes; spoke with icons like Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC and filmmaker Allen Hughes; reviewed how hip-hop's 25th anniversary changed the game; and even explored the intersection of rap and rock.
For the true fans, we also featured a special edition Crate Digging interview series asking artists from all over the map to name their essential records. The idea was to highlight not only what influenced these MCs from different regions, but also how these different regions influenced hip-hop in general.
Some of our artists, like Big Jade from Texas and Mick Jenkins from Chicago, chose albums entirely from their home areas, while Toronto's Haviah Mighty highlighted some local highlights mixed in with other undeniable classics. Atmosphere's Ant looked at the underrated records that helped define the Minneapolis sound, Cypress Hill's Sen Dog highlighted iconic LPs from Los Angeles and beyond, and Salt-N-Pepa's Cheryl “Salt” James revealed her top influences.
While each interview focused on a specific area, the bottom line is that music, especially hip-hop, is universal. No matter where you're from, whether you're a hip-hop artist, a fan, or a neophyte, these albums are essential to the history of rap music.
Explore all of our Hip-Hop 50 Crate Digging charts by clicking on the artists in the map below. You'll see selections from their individual charts to get a sense of what their respective regions (California, Texas, Minnesota, Illinois, Ontario, and New York) have brought to hip-hop. You can also listen to Sen Dog's full interview as part of our Consequence without cuts podcast series using the player above.
Calm man Ace escape from havana: Innovative, it really opened up the Latin rhyme style, the bilingual rhyme style. He opened many doors for many Latin kids who would support him and leave their mark in this hip-hop industry.
Frost Child – Hispanics causing panic: He represented a lot to their culture…from the whole zoot suit to the lowrider cars to cholo rap and all that. He had the Mellow Man Ace effect; he's bringing the culture to so many other people around the world who maybe haven't seen how it's done in East Los Angeles.
The document – Nobody can do it better: I could only imagine that if he had been able to deliver more records, what a greater contribution he would have made. Because I think he's one of the best rappers to ever come through Dr. Dre's production line. Safely.
Megan Thee Stallion – snow tub: “Big Ole Freak” was one of my favorites. She was talking nonsense. The way she came about, everything slow… being from Beaumont, I'm one of the people who saw her from the beginning.
Z-Ro – The life of Joseph W. Mcvey: “I Hate UB***c” is probably one of my favorites of all. My mom's boyfriend would get mad at her and play that song, and that was my favorite shit. Every time she made me angry, she would just play the song.
KenThe Man – 4 of 304: I love “He'll Be Like.” “The body smokes marijuana / I get that shit from my mom,” you know what I'm saying? She made the city convert with that. I'm from Beaumont, so these are the people I'll be with. I feel.
Time – Time: My favorite band from Minneapolis is The Time. The Time's first self-titled album is the one for me. I mean, pound for pound, Ice Cream Castles might be the best, but the first one is the one with the edge, like most people's music.
Cherelle – Fragile: I love anything by Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam… One of the albums they had was Cherrelle, their first album was called Fragile. Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam producing it is the only thing that really makes it Minneapolis, but it's a Minneapolis sound.
The SOS Band – Just the way you like it: This might be the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis show, now that I think about it, but who cares? You have to [give them props]there's no way around it, and Just the Way You Like It happens to be my favorite.
Do or die – Imagine this: They aren't “unsung” per se, but they are underrated legends. I think everyone in Chicago knows that. But you know, I don't think the rest of the world keeps them that upfront.
Common – Be: This is easily one of the top three hip hop albums for me. Common is one of my favorite artists. I think this era where he worked with Kanye is the best music he ever made, just because you really can't beat that production for someone like Common.
Vic Mensa – Straight up PE: I'm a big Vic Mensa fan. I wasn't rapping when I first heard about Vic Mensa, I saw that project Straight Up and I thought the guy was amazing, he was cold. I'm rocking with that. It wasn't even a question.
Mustafa – When the smoke rises: This is a truly impactful project with a unique perspective for the genre. He has a very nice vocal tone and great lyrics.
Clairmont Second – Lil Mont Avenue: The storytelling is top notch and drives the production. I'm still actively listening to this album.
Mighty Haviah – Crying Crystals: I stand behind my own music and feel like it's pushing the boundaries with lyrics and themes, same with production and expressing hip-hop through different sounds. It's also gender-bending.
Ms. Lauryn Hill – Lauryn Hill's bad education: I thought it was cool that Lauryn Hill could hold her own in this group. [Fugees] with two guys and then she broke up. She always had a really special quality, with a deep spiritual connection and trust.
From the Soul – 3 feet tall and rising: The sound was just different, eclectic. It was very whimsical and it was its own sound. He hates classical music and typical groups, typical rhythms. I think the artists that really impact entertainment are artists that really develop their own sound.
usher – Confessions: There is such a big difference between a moment artist and a legacy artist, like a star. Usher has always been a star. He just dazzles them. He still fascinates me to this day the way that guy can entertain a crowd like he was born to do it.
You can still get your hands on some of our exclusive Hip-Hop 50 merchandise, and proceeds will benefit Chance the Rapper's SocialWorks. See what we have to offer at the Consequence Shop or by using the buy now buttons below.
