Rap Stories

To celebrate Hip Hop’s 50th, a tribute with a twist: We’re highlighting timeless yet underrated albums by artists we love. ESPN’s network, Andscape, sits down with MC Lyte, Wiz Khalifa, Little Brother, Freddie Gibbs, Curren$y, Goodie Mob, Ja Rule and Too $hort, Young Guru, The Lox, Bun B and Big K.R.I.T.  Host David Dennis Jr. rewinds time, asking the artists to tell us about one album - its backstory, relevance, and lasting impact. Andscape: where Blackness is infinite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bun B of the southern rap duo, UGK, looks back at the group’s 1992 debut studio album, “Too Hard To Swallow,” sharing little-known backstories about the tracks, “Pocket Full of Stones” and “Murder.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ja Rule goes way back to his 2000 album “Rule 3:36” and flashes back to BET’s countdown music video show, “106 & Park.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wiz Khalifa rewinds to 2010 with his classic mixtape, “Kush & OJ,” discussing how it changed the music industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Freddie Gibbs discusses his 2019 classic “Bandana” and debates which track has aged best, also sharing stories about his youth, Nipsey Hussle, and fatherhood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Young Guru goes back in time to 2007 with Jay-Z and “American Gangster.” Going down memory lane brings back surprising stories about Denzel Washington, Lil Wayne, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and Star Trek. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Curren$y digs into The Blog Era and his third studio album, “Pilot Talk,” from 2010. The artist looks back on his defining moments at SXSW, on YouTube, and with Mos Def.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Styles P, Jadakiss, and Sheek Louch mark the 25th anniversary of their debut album, “Money, Power & Respect” released in 1998. They share stories about Puff Daddy, Jay-Z and DMX, and Notorious B.I.G.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The artists bring us back to 1995 with “Soul Food.” Khujo, T-Mo, Big Gipp look back on their start with OutKast and their influence on Organized Noize. T-Mo shows love for Atlanta and its party culture, reminiscing about Bobby Brown and Black Greek Life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Phonte and Big Pooh celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album, “The Listening,” from 2003. The artists look back on their careers, their college days, and some truly cringeworthy moments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MC Lyte reflects on her 1988 debut album, “Lyte As a Rock.” Along the way, she shares stories about her Brooklyn upbringing, the creation of “10% Diss,” and the myth surrounding her relationship with Antoinette. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Too $hort remembers his 1988 studio album, “Life Is … Too $hort,” sharing how he teamed up with engineer Al Eaton to create the bass-hitting beats on tracks like “City of Dope” and “Pimp the Ho.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rapper and producer Big K.R.I.T. talks about his 2017 independent album, “4eva Is a Mighty Long Time.” K.R.I.T. opens up about faith, family, and personal struggles behind the tracks “Drinking Sessions” and “Keep the Devil Off.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices