I’m not saying all these are classics, though many are. I’m not saying that some of these are even the best releases by these artists. I am saying that these are some of the most important independent hip-hop releases of all-time, in my opinion. These 36 albums, many of which are still influential to this day, helped define the genre.
This isn’t a definitive list and I know there are plenty more that deserve a spot, but these are my selections (no order). Indie hip-hop is the foundation. There is no major without it. I hope many of you have listened to most of these, because they are the very reason we still invest in the music today. I could easily have made this into 50+ with The Best Part, Time Waits For No Man, Movies For The Blind, Beauty And The Beat, Champion Sound, A Piece of Strange, Revolutionary Vol. 1- 2, Leak Bros, the list can go on and on. I’d love to hear your picks, please post them on our Facebook or Instagram or in the comment section below. –Philaflava