Hip hop is an exceptionally varied and interesting genre. It first emerged in the late 1970s, quickly becoming a staple of African American culture and interests. Over time, it evolved and became especially prevalent from the late 1980s to the 1990s. Today it is among the most popular genres of music, not only in African American communities - it has devoted fans across the world. Typical attributes of the music: rhythmic, lyrical (often political), and conscious. A certain level of hedonism is also common. It should be noted that, though spoken word and rhythm are extremely important and vital to the genre, melody is also incorporated in various ways, including background and supporting singers and instrumentals that focus on melody rather than purely rhythm. There are a wide variety of subgenres of hip hop. My favorites include jazz rap, industrial, and experimental hip hop. Below is a ranked list of my 50 favorite hip hop records. If you choose to listen to the playlist on Spot...