In 2015, we've come to expect much the hip hop we hear to be either very aggressive, very dancey, or both. With few exceptions, we're not consuming very chill hip hop in large quantities at the moment on the popular level.
Rather, most artists and producers build lulls of energy into their albums by integrating a few more relaxed songs into the track listings at key points-- or even just a quick interlude to cut the tension.
But there was a time when the relaxing tracks were the whole album-- when you were meant to start it at the beginning, play it through, and chill.
So what happened? Well, by and large, audiences' tastes have gravitated toward party music and gangsta rap. There's no question: some hip hop is for partying and other hip hop is clearly not.
Some of it's for kickin' it on a Sunday. Some of it's for getting you through that 45 minute subway ride without losing your mind.
Sure, we love our high-energy, danceable and or aggressive hip-hop like every other head, but it has a time and a place. So we're running down a list of some of our favorite laid back hip hop albums from the birthplace of the genre: New York City. The list is alphabetized. We're not ranking these albums.
Now as the Teacher KRS-One would say, "Let us begin..."
1. A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory (1991)
smullion This album here is forever a classic #atribecalledquest #lowendtheory #thelowendtheory #classic. What u got on ur Playlist
Tribe's a special thing to a lot of people. There is perhaps no hip hop group ever in history that struck the same nerve as Quest. Not only are their lyrics poignant, playful, and reflective of realities the members face, but the beats are incredible.
Featuring famed jazz bassist Ron Carter throughout the album, his instrumental work helps unite the sonic themes on Low End much the same way Thundercat's contribution to Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly. Some strong points are "Vibes and Stuff," "Buggin' Out," and "What?"
2. Boogie Down Productions - Criminal Minded (1987)
via RapReviews.com
Criminal Minded is the seminal album by foundational Bronx hip-hop trailblazers BDP, generated by Scott La Rock, Ced-Gee, and of course KRS-One. If you didn't know why they call it "Boogie Down Bronx," BDP is the reason why.
The album is a classic and has influenced countless intellectual hip hop heads, as it is one of the primary sources for education through the art form of hip hop. It's mainly pretty chill, by today's standards,
3. Company Flow - Funcrusher Plus (1997)
joey_jam_on_it Soon you'll see, as I flow fluently to frequently, another mc, will drop off the face of this Earth, for what it's worth, I've been the nastiest one since birth. #tbt #throwbackthursday #coflow #funcrusherplus #instagood
Company Flow was a semi-underground Brooklyn outfit comprised of El-P, Mr. Len, and Big Jus. Company Flow is unabashedly laid back, though they will definitely make your head bob.
Along with Rawkus label mate Mos Def, Company Flow was one NYC force of downtempo hip hop for a number of years. For more laid back beats, check out their instrumental album, Little Johnny from the Hospitul.
4. Digable Planets - Beyond the Spectrum - The Creamy Spy Chronicles
nickvparis Ultimate Chill Hop #DigablePlanets #BeyondTheSpectrumTheCreamySpyChronicles killed off all neighbourhood soundclash competition #90sHipHop #HipHopJazz
When it comes to NYC chill hip hop, there aren't many better examples of a consistently relaxing vibe than Digable Planets. Hailing from Brooklyn, the trio released two albums and gained lots of underground acclaim before parting ways in 1995 due to creative differences.
Ten years later though, they reunited to release Beyond the Spectrum. Beyond is a compilation of previously released material, deep cuts and B-sides that any Planets lover would appreciate. You can still catch Doodlebug doing his thing under the name Cee Knowledge.
,5. Eric B & Rakim - Paid in Full
You know that "This is a journey into sound" sample? Yeah, that's the first sound you hear on Eric B & Rakim's groundbreaking album Paid in Full. It wasn't just a trail blazer for laid back hip hop, but for hip hop overall and their influence on the world cannot be understated.
Eric B's beats are, if nothing else, drastically influential. Some people don't feel it, we don't understand why. The entire album is considered a cornerstone of the golden age of hip hop, and part of that title is being able to articulate the feeling of the City while you're kicked back, which they do perfectly.
6. Mos Def & Talib Kweli - Black Star
via Black Star
The work of Mos Def and Talib Kweli together as Black Star is another example of hip hop playing a positive role in people's lives. While lyrical content on Black Star is often a confrontation of social issues, Mos and Talib inspire individuals to conquer whatever problems plague them.
Most tracks on Black Star are pretty laid back, but they, like Company Flow, have the special ability to make your head bob without making you want to get up and deck people in the face. There's a large grey area between those two vibes and it's all too often ignored these days.
7. HONORABLE MENTION: Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
When it comes to the ladies of hip hop, there are few on the level of Lauryn Hill. Most women, with some notable exceptions (namely Jean Grae), who have attempted making a splash in the community usually fall on the sex symbol side of the equation. But not Lauryn.
Hill's internationally recognized as a gifted singer and rapper-- something most people can't do. Her album, Miseducation, was her first foray into a solo career after the success of The Fugees, and is a symbol and source of strength, intellect, and pride for lots of people. Plus, it's pretty chill.
We know. She's from Jersey. South Orange. We know. You can't talk about NYC hip hop without reaching across the river and tapping on Lauryn Hill's shoulder. It wouldn't make sense.
Other Honorable Mentions: Brand Nubian - One for All (New Rochelle), The Fugees - The Score (New Jersey)
Check out 10 Best NYC Hip Hop Artists Not Named Jay-Z.
[Feature Image Courtesy Ric'Diculous']