Hip-Hop Classic #26: Jay-Z - Dirt Off Your Shoulder (Chosen by Alessandro Moro)

All words by Alessandro Moro: "Jay-Z's "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" was the first ever vinyl I bought, when at the age of 16, I went through that wannabe DJ stage that most music enthusiasts have been through in their time. If you're reading this, I know you've been there! It's safe to say that the phase didn't last but my love for Jay-Z had just begun.

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Hip-Hop Classic #25: LL Cool J - 4, 3, 2, 1 (Feat. Method Man, Redman, DMX & Canibus) (Chosen by Example)

'4, 3, 2, 1' is the second single from LL Cool J's seventh album, Phenomenon, which was released in 1997 on Def Jam Recordings. The track was produced by LL & Erick Sermon and samples 'Superrappin' by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five.

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Hip-Hop Classic #24: Dr. Dre - Xxplosive (Chosen by Alex Manzi)

All words by Alex Manzi: Anyway, after a long hard think, I am going to choose Xxplosive by Dr. Dre because it’s obvious that '2001' is a classic album and will always be considered one and, for me, this track sums it up perfectly.

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Hip-Hop Classic #23: Trae - Swang (Feat. Fat Pat & Big Hawk) (Chosen by Tego Sigel)

All words by Tego Sigel: 'Swang' is one of my favourite songs of all-time because it came out just as Houston Hip-Hop was taking over the mainstream with massive records from relative rookies Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Slim Thug, Chamillionaire etc., but it took Screwed Up Click legends Trae and Big Hawk to create what I consider the era's defining record in memory of another H-Town legend, and Hawk's brother Fat Pat.

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Hip-Hop Classic #22: Souls Of Mischief - 93 'Til Infinity (Chosen by Ryan Keen)

'93 'Til Infinity' is the title track and lead single from Souls Of Mischief's debut album, which was released in 1993 on Jive Records. The track was produced by SOM's own A-Plus and features of sample of 'Heather' by Billy Cobham. The album was propelled into success by this single, which reached #72 on the Billboard Hot 100 - it also featured singles 'That's When Ya Lost' and 'Never No More', which reached the Hot Rap Singles, but never charted on The Billboard Hot 100.

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Hip-Hop Classic #21: The Notorious B.I.G. - Warning (Chosen by Mikill Pane)

'Warning' is a track taken from The Notorious B.I.G.'s critically acclaimed debut album, Ready To Die, which was released in 1994 on Bad Boy Records. The track was produced by Easy Mo Bee, who was the person that handled most of the production on the album, along with The Hitmen - it features a sample of the brilliant 'Walk On By' by Isaac Hayes.

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Hip-Hop Classic #20: Common - The Light (Chosen by Georgia LA of SBTV)

'The Light' is the Grammy-nominated second single from Common's fourth studio album, Like Water For Chocolate, which was released in 2000 on MCA Records. The track is produced by the late J Dilla, and features keyboards performed by fellow Soulquarian, James Poyser - it also samples 'Open Your Eyes' by Bobby Caldwell and drums from 'You're Getting A Little Too Smart' by The Detroit Emeralds.

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Hip-Hop Classic #19: Eminem - Stan (Chosen by Marvyn Harrison)

'Stan' is the third single from Eminem's record-breaking third studio album, The Marshall Mathers LP, which was released in 2000 on Aftermath Records. The song was produced by The 45 King and Em himself, and uses a slightly modified break from Dido's 'Thank You' as its base sample - the opening lines of 'Thank You' are also sampled for the chorus (coincidentally, both songs were released as singles in late 2000).

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Hip-Hop Classic #18: Slick Rick - Children's Story (Chosen by Versetti of Soul Culture)

'Children's Story' is the second single from Slick Rick's debut solo album, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, which was released in 1989 on Def Jam. This was the first material Rick had released following his infamous songs with Doug E. Fresh (La Di Da Di & The Show), and while his distinctive delivery and humorous tone earned him many fans, making this album one of the most popular albums from the golden age of East Coast Hip-Hop, his vulgarity and touching on issues of misogyny also earned him many detractors.

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Hip-Hop Classic #17: Supreme NTM - That's My People (Chosen by Timothy Shieff)

'That's My People' is the third single from French Hip-Hop group Supreme NTM's self-titled fourth studio album, which was released in 1999 on Epic Records. The track is produced by NTM, Sully Sefil & Kool Shen and features a sample of 'Prelufe in E-Minor, Op. 28, No. 4' composed by Frederic Chopin, along vocal samples from Keith Murrary & Method Man. The group takes its name from the French slang "NTM", an abbreviation for "Nique Ta Mère" ("Nique" is derived from the shortening of the French word "forniquer" (fornicate)) meaning "F**k Your Mother". NTM is known for their hostility towards the Police, violent lyrics, and legal battles with the French authorities. Their musical style is predominantly Hardcore Rap, although their later albums (such as this) include Funk, Soul & Reggae influences. Tim was never going to let me down - this is obscurely brilliant.

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