Completionist Indexing Project - Abstract Hip Hop (hip hop in. #1)

Alphabetical index of all abstract hip hop albums I would rate a 7/10 or higher.

(Related indexes: Conscious Hip Hop)

Abstract hip hop is atypical of the parent genre in that lyrics are often cryptic and rely more on metaphor and stream-of-consciousness than shock value and hedonism. These elements can still be present, but the unique songwriting and lyrics lend a distinct flavor. Abstract hip hop is often paired with other primary genres.

1. Aesop Rock - The Impossible Kid  ||  Abstract Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop  ||  2016  ||  cryptic, complex, conscious  ||  USA  ||  9/10

    Key tracks: Blood Sandwich, Shrunk, Rings

2. Ağaçkakan - Uyuyan Adam  ||  Abstract Hip Hop, Experimental Hip Hop, Industrial Hip Hop  ||  2013  ||  anxious, rhythmic, suspenseful  ||  Turkey  ||  9/10

    Key tracks: Palto ve Kozmos, Prusya Mavisi, Sıkboğas

3. Armand Hammer - We Buy Diabetic Test Strips  ||  Experimental Hip Hop, Abstract Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop  ||  2023  ||  abstract, avant-garde, atmospheric  ||  USA  ||  8/10

    Key tracks: When It Doesn't Start With a Kiss, The Gods Must Be Crazy, Switchboard

4. Busdriver - Temporary Forever  ||  Abstract Hip Hop, West Coast Hip Hop, Experimental Hip Hop  ||  2002  ||  quirky, humorous, playful  || USA  ||  7/10

    Key tracks: Imaginary Places

5. Cannibal Ox - The Cold Vein  ||  Abstract Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop, Experimental Hip Hop, Conscious Hip Hop  ||  2001  ||  futuristic, cold, urban ||  USA  ||  9.5/10

    Key tracks: Iron Galaxy, Pigeon, Ox Out the Cage

6. Crizin da Z.O. - Acelero  ||  Funk brasileiro, Industrial Hip Hop, Abstract Hip Hop  ||  2024  ||  avant-garde, eclectic, raw  ||  Brazil  ||  7.5/10

    Key tracks: Demônio do Rio da Prata, O fim um, Acelerado

7. Dälek - From Filthy Tongue of Gods and Griots  ||  Industrial Hip Hop, Abstract Hip Hop, Experimental Hip Hop  ||  2002  ||  noisy, anti-religious, poetic  ||  USA  ||  9/10

    Key tracks: Spiritual Healing, Speak Volumes, Hold Tight

8. Dälek - Absence  ||  Industrial Hip Hop, Conscious Hip Hop, Abstract Hip Hop, Experimental Hip Hop  ||  2005  ||  noisy, political, atmospheric  ||  USA  ||  10/10

    Key tracks: Culture for Dollars, Distorted Prose, Asylum (Permanent Underclass

9. Dälek - Abandoned Language  ||  Abstract Hip Hop, Experimental Hip Hop, Industrial Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop  ||  2007  ||  dark, sombre, misanthropic  ||  USA || 9/10

    Key tracks: Bricks Crumble, Abandoned Language, (Subversive Script)

10. Dälek - Gutter Tactics  ||  Abstract Hip Hop, Industrial Hip Hop, Experimental Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop  ||  2009  ||  political, conscious, dense  ||  USA  ||  7/10

    Key tracks: Gutter Tactics, Atypical Stereotype, No Question

11. Dälek - Asphalt for Eden  ||  Industrial Hip Hop, Abstract Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop  ||  2016  ||  dark, atmospheric, conscious  ||  USA  ||  7/10

    Key tracks: Shattered, It Just Is, Masked Laughter

12. Death Grips - Government Plates  ||  Industrial Hip Hop, Glitch Hop, Abstract Hip Hop, Deconstructed Club, Experimental Hip Hop  ||  2013  ||  cryptic, manic, futuristic  ||  USA  ||  7.5/10

    Key tracks: Whatever I want (Fuck who's watching), You might think he loves you for your money but I know what..., Two Heavens

13. Death Grips - Bottomless Pit  ||  Industrial Hip Hop, Abstract Hip Hop, Experimental Hip Hop  ||  2016  ||  aggressive, chaotic, manic  ||  USA  ||  7.5/10

    Key tracks: Giving Bad People Good Ideas, Spikes, Hot Head

14. Death Grips - Year of the Snitch  ||  Experimental Hip Hop, Abstract Hip Hop  ||  2018  ||  chaotic, cryptic, surreal  ||  USA  ||  7/10

    Key tracks: Death Grips is Online, Disappointed, The Fear

15. Deltron 3030 - Deltron 3030  ||  West Coast Hip Hop, Abstract Hip Hop, Experimental Hip Hop  ||  2000  ||  science fiction, futuristic, concept album  ||  USA  ||  8/10

    Key tracks: 3030, Time Keeps on Slipping, Memory Loss

16. Earl Sweatshirt - I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside  ||  Abstract Hip Hop, West Coast Hip Hop  ||  2015  ||  depressive, lonely, misanthropic  ||  USA  ||  7/10

    Key tracks: Faucet, AM // Radio, Wool

17. R.A.P. Ferreira - Purple Moonlight Pages  ||  Jazz Rap, Abstract Hip Hop  ||  2020  ||  poetic, introspective, philosophical  ||  USA  ||  7.5/10  

    Key tracks: Cycles, Leaving Hell, Mythical

18. The Freestyle Fellowship - To Whom It May Concern...  ||  Abstract Hip Hop, West Coast Hip Hop, Jazz Rap, Conscious Hip Hop  ||  2020  ||  poetic, introspective, philosophical  ||  USA  ||  7/10

    Key tracks: 7th Seal, Convolutions, We Will Not Tolerate

19. King Geedorah - Take Me to Your Leader  ||  Abstract Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop  ||  Abstract Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop  ||  2004  ||  science fiction, sampling, cryptic  ||  USA  ||  8/10

    Key tracks: Fazers, I Wonder, Anti-Matter

20. Mach-Hommy - #RICHAXXHAITIAN  ||  Abstract Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop  ||  2024  ||  abstract, psychedelic, sampling  ||  USA  ||  7.5/10

    Key tracks: Antonomasia, Copy Cold, Sonje

21. Madvillain - Madvillainy  ||  Abstract Hip Hop  ||  2004  ||  cryptic, humorous, vulgar  ||  USA  ||  10/10

    Key tracks: Meat Grinder, America's Most Blunted, Rhinestone Cowboy

22. MF DOOM - Operation: Doomsday  ||  Abstract Hip Hop  ||  1999  ||  sampling, humorous, playful  ||  USA  ||  7.5/10

    Key tracks: Gas Drawls, Doomsday, Rhymes Like Dimes

23. MF DOOM - MM..FOOD  ||  Abstract Hip Hop  ||  2004  ||  sampling, concept album, playful  ||  USA  ||  8/10

    Key tracks: One Beer, Rapp Snitch Knitches, Vomitspit

24. Plastilina Mosh - Aquamosh  ||  Alternative Dance, Trip Hop, Abstract Hip Hop  ||  1998  ||  urban, sampling, energetic  ||  Mexico  ||  7/10

    Key tracks: Mr. P. Mosh, Niño Bomba, Banano's Bar

25. RiTchie - Triple Digits (112)  ||  Experimental Hip Hop, Abstract Hip Hop  ||  2024  ||  surreal, quirky, eclectic  ||  USA  ||  7/10

    Key tracks: Dizzy, The Keepers, Get a Fade

26. Viktor Vaughn - Vaudeville Villain  ||  Abstract Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop  ||  2003  ||  ominous, sampling, dark  ||  USA  ||  9/10

    Key tracks: Let Me Watch, Vaudeville Villain, Never Dead

27. billy woods - Aethiopes  ||  Abstract Hip Hop, Experimental Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop, Conscious Hip Hop  ||  2022  ||  dark, ominous, poetic  ||  USA  ||  9/10

    Key tracks: Sauvage, Wharves, Remorseless 

28. billy woods & Kenny Segal - Hiding Places  ||  Abstract Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop  ||  2019  ||  abstract, depressive, dark  ||  USA  ||  8/10

    Key tracks: Red Dust, Crawlspace, Songebob

29. billy woods & Kenny Segal - Maps  ||  Abstract Hip Hop, Jazz Rap, Conscious Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop  ||  2023  ||  melancholic, poetic, atmospheric  ||  USA  ||  9.5/10