There was a time when you heard a Hip Hop beat and it was a one of a kind. The list below represents some of the best Hip Hop beats of all time. These are iconic beats. Most of these are minimalistic. They don’t have the benefit of synths or state of the art digital software; however, they’ll be known and respected forever. Even if you don’t know these tracks by name, when you hear the beat, you’ve probably heard it in a mix, or maybe even sampled into your favorite songs. Many of these are two decades old and have lasted the test of time. If you’re a beatmaker, don’t try making a track that’s as hot as something you hear on the radio. Make something that’s so distinctive that know you haven’t heard anything like it before. Create something that will get people trying to emulate you. Make a track that will be around forever. Ask yourself, “can my beat be relevant in 20 years?” Can it be iconic.
1. RUN DMC- Sucker MCs
2. Soulsonic Force- Planet Rock
3. LL Cool J- Rock the Bells
4. MC Shan- The Bridge
5. A Tribe Called Quest- Electric Relaxation
6. Pete Rock and CL Smooth- TROY
7. Jeru Da Damaja- Come Clean
8. A Tribe Called Quest and Leaders of the New School- Scenario
9. Audio 2- Top Billin’
10. Ultramagnetic MCs- Ego Trippin’
11. Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick- The Show
12. Big Daddy Kane- Raw
13. Public Enemy- Rebel Without A Pause
14. Run DMC- Together Forever
15. Gangstarr- DWICK
16. Slick Rick- Children’s Story
17. Boogie Down Productions- Still #1
18. Dr. Dre- Still Dre
19. Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock- It Takes Two
20. Black Moon- How Many Emcees
