Videos by According2HipHop
When artists begin their creative process in creating new albums, one of their main goals is to stand out. Having a sound that no one else can duplicate is something that has become invaluable to today’s artist.
Let’s take a look at four projects that sounded like nothing else at the time.
Jay-Z & Kanye West, Watch The Throne
Jay and Kanye’s history is no secret. Kanye started as a producer at Hov’s Roc-a-Fella Records and eventually became a rapper, and together they worked on several hit songs. But this 2011 collab album with Kanye and Jay is hands down the best in their discography. Watch the Throne didn’t just represent an album. It was almost a culture shift. It led to several other collaboration albums in the 2010s, such as Drake and Future’s What a Time to Be Alive, and Gunna and Lil Baby’s Drip Harder. In addition, songs like Otis, H.A.M., and N***as in Paris have become timeless tracks that are still relevant today. Kanye and Jay aren’t as close as they once were, so it’s likely we won’t get a Watch the Throne 2, which makes it even more of a classic.
50 Cent, Eminem & Dr. Dre, Get Rich or Die Trying
If you didn’t grow up in the early 2000s, you probably know 50 Cent as the creator of the Power Universe or the guy who is always trolling on the internet. But make no mistake about it, there was a time when this brother controlled the hip-hop industry. Get Rich or Die Tryin’ was not 50 Cent’s debut album. But it was his first time linking up with legendary producer Dr. Dre and Eminem. And together, that trio made magic. With songs like Wanksta, What Up Gangsta, and Heat running the charts for months, the impact of this album cannot be understated. Both the album and the song In Da Club have been RIAA Diamond certified.
Tupac – All Eyez on Me (1996)
By 1996, Tupac had gone from being a slightly brash artist to a completely loose cannon. Following the shooting at Quad Studios in New York City in 1994, Shakur had turned to Notorious gangster and Death Row CEO Suge Knight for mentorship. That also became apparent in his music. Pac had always been his authentic self as an artist. But when he dropped All Eyez on Me under Death Row Records, it was clear that he was not pulling any punches. Tracks such as Ambitionz as a Rider showed Pac’s darker side, but tracks like California Love also displayed his versatility as an artist. It is considered one of his greatest works as an artist.
Kanye West – 808s & Heartbreaks (2008)
Kanye West is a pioneer and an influencer in a lot of ways. But some of his finest work dates back to his third studio album. West’s 808s & Heartbreak had a much different sound than his previous albums The College Drop Out and Graduation. Instead of showcasing his lyrical skills as an emcee, Kanye introduced a much more melodic sound. And a big part of the switch was the use of the 808 drum. The 808 drum was invented by Ikutaro Kakehashi, the founder of the Roland Corporation. However, it was West who made it popular in the late 2000s. Songs such as Stronger, Heartless, and Love Lockdown are the reason why the 808 drum has become a staple in today’s music.
