Happy holidays WKNC! With the year winding down to a close, I thought I would take this time to give y’all an updated glimpse into the DJ Mango vinyl collection. Here are 9 more of my favorites!
Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) by Wu-Tang Clan: This 1993 classic changed the landscape of hip-hop forever. Wu-Tang Clan certainly wasn’t the first rap group, as they were preceded by acts like 2 Live Crew and N.W.A, but no one had ever done it like them before.
Choose Your Weapon by Hiatus Kaiyote: A mind-bending odyssey of future-soul, funk and R&B complete with textured synths, odd time signatures and virtuosic performances. Check out my full blog post on Hiatus Kaiyote.
Imperial by Denzel Curry: Denzel Curry’s debut studio albums proves why he is such a force of nature: dizzying flows, cold-blooded bars and unmatched energy. Not to mention that the album’s otherworldly, futuristic production is the perfect accompaniment to Denzel’s paradigm shifting take on SoundCloud rap.
Green Onions by Booker T. & The M.G.’s: In terms of instrumental music, “Green Onions” is one of my favorite songs ever, and the rest of the album has plenty to offer in terms of catchy soul and blues.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles: Sgt. Peppers is often overshadowed by Abbey Road and Revolver, but I think it is their best work. In my opinion, it is the most colorful, kaleidoscopic, and fun listening experience in the Beatles canon.
Kind of Blue by Miles Davis: The release of Kind of Blue was a watershed moment in jazz music. Often cited as the best jazz album of all time, its influence is evident in genres ranging from rock to hip-hop.
We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service by A Tribe Called Quest: ATCQ’s latest release is also their final, as it acts as a send-off for the late Phife Dawg. They proved that even after a nearly 20 year hiatus, they were still capable of crafting ear-grabbing jazz rap.
Illmatic by Nas: Another classic from the golden age of hip-hop, 1994’s Illmatic is arguably what put the East Coast on the map thanks to its grimy boom-bap production and Nas’ street disciple lyricism.
Black Messiah by D’Anglelo and the Vanguard: An excellent addition to D’angelo’s already impeccable discography, Black Messiah finds him pushing his R&B and neo-soul roots to the realms of funk and psych rock. Check out my full review.
– DJ Mango