Top 10 Hip Hop Indie Music Worth a Listen
Check out some of the best indie Hip Hop music from the past decades.
There's something about Hip Hop indie music that just gets your head nodding and feet tapping. Maybe it's the unique beats or the down-to-earth lyrics, but whatever it is, these artists have got it figured out. Here are some of our favorite Hip Hop indie tracks to get you started on your next listening journey. Enjoy!
Rainmen by Deep Puddle Dynamics
Rainmen is an indie Hip Hop song by Deep Puddle Dynamics. It was released on the 2002 reissue of the only album by Deep Puddle Dynamics, "The Taste of Rain... Why Kneel" as a bonus track. This remix produced by Controller 7 is a great revision of the more simple original version. All emcees on this song did their thing and turned this into an instant underground classic.
Better than the best by Murs
"Better than the Best" by Murs is an Hip Hop song that was released in 2009. Even though Murs was signed to a major at the time, Murs was long consider an indie Hip Hop artist. This song is about Murs' journey to becoming a successful rapper and how he had to overcome many obstacles along the way.
The beat is infectious and catchy, and it's clear that Murs put a lot of thought into the song's arrangement. The lyrics are also very well-written, telling a personal story that is relatable and inspiring. Overall, "Better than the Best" is a great example of what indie Hip Hop can be at its best.
Trying to find a balance by Atmosphere
"Atmosphere's Trying to Find a Balance" is an indie Hip Hop song that explores the challenges of trying to keep a healthy lifestyle while also dealing with the everyday stressors of life. The song goes on to explain about how "every day feels like a battle" and how it's hard to survive in an insane world.
Classic Indie Hip Hop is something that all music fans should take a deep dive in.
Rings by Aesop rock
One of the stand-out tracks on the "The Impossible Kid" album is "Rings." It's a dark and atmospheric track that features Aesop Rock's trademark lyrical density. But what makes the song really special is its production. The beats are slow and moody, with plenty of space for Aesop Rock's complex rhymes to breathe. It's a perfect example of how Aesop Rock is always pushing Hip Hop in new and interesting directions.
Put It On - Big L
This song is consider by many as Big L's first foray into the underground Hip Hop scene lime light. Even though Big L's career was cut short by being murdered in early 1999, RIP, he has continued to be revered as one of Hip Hop true and feared lyricists.
This song is chock-full of lyrics, metaphors, and late 90's references that take the listener back to a simpler time in rap. If you're looking for that traditional boom bap east coast sound with a master wordsmith then Put It On by Big L is sure to deliver.
Imaginary Places - Bus driver
"Imaginary Places" is a song by indie Hip Hop artist Bus Driver, released on his 2010 album RoadKillOvercoat. Throughout the song, Bus Driver paints vivid pictures of far-off lands, from a mountaintop kingdom populated by giants to a desert city where the streets are made of gold. In doing so, he explores the idea that our minds can take us to places that even physical travel cannot reach.
Dance with devil by Immortal technique
This song is by American Hip Hop artist Immortal Technique, released on his eponymous debut album in 2001. The song is about the story of a young Latinx man who turns to drugs and crime after being pulled away from his family by gang members with a sick plot twist at the end. If you're looking for a Hip Hop track that will have you rewinding and shocked by it's lyrical content, then you have to give this song a listen.
Regardless of the music genre, the realness you find in indie Hip Hop music makes you appreciate the passion in the music.
Hell's Winter by Cage
The song Hell's Winter by Cage is a dark and brooding track that tells the story of Cage's life and what it took for him to get here. The opening verse sets the scene, painting a picture of a cold and unforgiving landscape of his life.
Cage's life is one of pain, medicated, and anger and this song is about that journey and how he can put back the pieces of his life. While it's dark it's also honest and something that most of us can relate to in one way or another.
C-Rayz Walz - Knowledge (Prod. by The Beatnikz)
The Bronx New York rapper C-Rayz Walz is an underground Hip Hop artist known for his smooth lyrical delivery and part of the now defunct Definitive Jux record label crew. If you enjoy the classic New York lyrics first boom bap style, you'll be sure to enjoy this Beatnikz produced song. Mid 2000's was the era of indie Hip Hop crews and lyrics still mattered and Knowledge is a good example of this era's sound. It's definitely worth a listen.
Smile by Eyedea & Abilities
Smile by Eyedea & Abilities is a true Hip Hop classic. The song was released in 2004. The song features a simplistic beat that is propelled by a catchy bassline, giving it an unforgettable groove. Meanwhile, Eyedea (RIP) & Abilities showcase their exceptional rhyming skills, touching on everything from social issues to personal struggles. This is classic underground Hip Hop from the early 2000 era.
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indie hip hop music top 10 list underground 2000 rap hip hopMore Articles
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