Branching Out: An Introduction to Classic Hip Hop and Thrash Metal

While many students want to stick with their favorite music genre and stay with what they like, others show interest in branching out into other types of music.

“I am currently listening to night core, but I would definitely like to explore Mongolian rap.. I think it’s kind of my shindig,” sophomore Adam Abdullah said.

I sadly know little about the genre, so I hope to recommend some things a little less…niche.

With this article, I hope to introduce students to some genres of music that some may not have heard extensively before. Variety is the spice of life and the same applies with music. The more genres you can experience, the better! I picked two random genres to show highlights of: Classic Hip Hop and Thrash Metal. Hopefully, there is something here most can get into!

Thrash Metal:

“Master of Puppets” by Metallica

Coming into this album blind, I thought Metallica was an overrated band for old people. After listening to all their classic albums, I can’t believe how wrong I was. If you have any interest in metal or hard rock, their early works are a must-listen. Even if you don’t have interest, you should still give them a try.

While their later albums tend to disappoint, their first four albums are excellent entries into the thrash metal genre. Thrash metal involves fast, repetitive tempos, complex riffs and solos and plenty of distortion. Personally, I chose “Master of Puppets” as my favorite song. I also think it’s the easiest of their old stuff to get into. Tracks are long, complex and packed with detail.  Highlights of the album include “Disposable Heroes” and “Welcome Home.”

“Symbolic” by Death

An all-around masterpiece of death metal, Death’s third album, Symbolic has it all. The band, credited as one of the founders of death metal, delivers killer riffs and solos, great vocals and a blistering pace that grabs the listener and never let’s go. This album manages to be heavy, yet still very catchy. Death’s earlier albums are more thrash centered, but just as good. The variety and complex compositions of this album specifically set it apart from their other work.

For a death metal album, the vocals are surprisingly palatable. Front man Chuck Schuldiner’s raspy and rageful voice fits over the instrumental very well, without seeming too off putting. His vocals are especially explosive on tracks like “1,000 Eyes” and “Without Judgment.”

Next time you are looking for something to get your blood pumping, give this album a listen.

Classic Hip Hop:

“Illmatic” by Nas

Quite possibly one of the greatest debut records of all time, Nas’ Illmatic is a great start for anyone interested in classic hip hop.

I originally got into classic hip hop because I wanted something new. I was getting tired of the lack of innovation and new ideas in the current mainstream rap scene. This album satisfied my interest for a new sound in rap, and maybe it will satisfy yours.

Full of energy and power, the beats of Illmatic were revolutionary in 1994 and still sound great. The instrumentals of “The World Is Yours” and “Memory Lane” are especially timeless. Nas combines lighter piano tones with a booming bass give tracks an excellent, and sometimes eerie, atmosphere.

The rapping itself is excellent. Nas has a consistently great flow on every song. The lyrics are meaningful and show the violence and poverty Nas personally struggled with growing up in the slums of New York City. Although Nas dropped out of school in the 8th grade, his lyrics are extremely thoughtful and complex. Sparse with features, Nas steals the show on every track, cementing himself as an important figure in the history of rap music.

“Stankonia” by OutKast

Legendary southern hip hop duo Outkast released their fourth and most renowned album in the year 2000. While not their deepest album, it’s filled with absolute classics that nearly everyone can enjoy. Even people who have no interest in hip hop or Outkast probably like at least one of the songs on this album. Tracks like “So Fresh, So Clean,” “Bombs over Baghdad,” and “Ms. Jackson” are extremely popular and essential to the rap genre. Beats are complex yet very catchy, incorporating elements of psychedelia and rock on certain tracks. “Stankonia” even won a Grammy for best rap album in 2001.

Andre 3000 and Big Boi provide a variety of pop centered tunes as well as grimier hip hop tracks like “Gasoline Dreams.” It has something for everyone. If you are on the fence on getting into classic hip hop, this album is an extremely accessible and fun listen.

Overall, I hope that some of you reading this will give these albums a try if you haven’t already. Maybe you might find something to spice up your playlist. And Adam, good luck with your dive into Mongolian rap.