I remember before I got into music I didn't really understand rap or hip-hop. I sorta just thought it was thug music until I really reexamined why it was I held those beliefs. And I do believe that in some ways that belief was racially charged. When you're constantly surrounded by people that call it an intellectually inferior method of producing music, that sort of seeped it's way into my mind without their being any real evidence for it. So if in any way you're like what I once was I'd like to introduce you to A Tribe Called Quest's 1991 masterpiece: The Low End Theory. I think this is a great album to start off with because the album was recorded under the pressures of these very stereotypes. ATQ was not allowed to swear almost at all on this album because their studio was weary of this very notion-- they later talk about these studio pressures within the album on the track show buisness!-- and nevertheless ATQ came out with what I would consider a quintessential album in the jazz rap genre. The album opens with the track Excursions serves as the groups mission statement. It begins with a groovy baseline intro, setting the scene for this albums jazz inspired roots, and is soon followed by Q-Tip rapping about how you should get ready jam to some good hip-hop. The album is lighthearted and has lot's of simple, yet catchy rhyme schemes. A Low End Theory is ultimately an album that is excellent because of it's simple devotion to creating and sampling fun jazz and hip-hop
If you really liked this album I'd reccomend cheking out Nujabes album Metaphorical Music. It also has a similar jazz inspired sound, and he brings on guests that have an inspiring message. I'd also recommend checking out Del The Funcky Homosapien's and Dan the Automators album Deltron 3030. It's a concept album about someone fighting to save the earth from it's rich overlords in the year 3030- and for some reason I just feel Deltron 3030 and The Low End Theory are related. But for now, I'm directing your attention to something more modern: Kendrick Lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d city