Though I, and essentially all other racial identities, could never truly relate to the uniquely Black racial struggles and narratives often presented in the genre, there are still many universal messages that can be appreciated. The uniquely Black background of hip-hop/rap has always helped to give a powerful voice to communities that are typically under-privileged and not given the social platform that they are deserving of. Hip-hop/rap has served as a platform for highlighting Black struggles since its inception. As I grew older, I never lost the love of the sounds in the genre, and I also grew a much deeper appreciation for the content. My initial love for hip-hop came simply from the sonics, energy and creativity. Obviously, this was a much younger introduction to the genre than most people have because of content that ranges anywhere from mature to inappropriate for somebody that age.

Ever since I was eight years old, upon hearing “Homecoming” by Kanye West, I fell in love with the genre. Hip-Hop/Rap music has consumed so much of my time and has meant so much to me that I needed to reflect on some of my favorite albums.

Mac miller albums and mixtapes ranked