Dr Dre - The Chronic

Straight from the hip-hop hall of fame, ‘The Chronic’ changed the game forever; the album introduced the world to a young West Coast rapper by the name of Snoop Dogg, spawned the G-Funk genre and became a staple of summertime BBQs the world over. It was the album that made Dre after his departure from NWA and put the spotlight on notorious LA label Death Row Records.

Over 25 years later, ‘The Chronic’ is still a staple of every hip-hop essentials playlist and a perfect soundtrack for the sunshine. Classic tracks like ‘Nuthin But a G Thang’ and ‘Fuck Wit Dre Day’ are chock full of quotables, funk-laden instrumentals and practically defined West Coast cool during the 90s.

Drake - Nothing Was The Same

In 2013, Drizzy blessed us with a modern classic that transformed him from a great artist into an immortal R&B/Rap legend in the pantheon of the gods.

Nothing Was The Same is the gift that keeps on giving, not only is every track a perfect embodiment of modern Hip Hop and R&B, there’s something on there for every moment of your summer’s day soirée.

The rags to riches anthem ‘Started From The Bottom’ is the type of track that gets the whole team up on their feet for an impromptu bop with gratuitous gun fingers, while ‘Hold On, We're Going Home’ provides the perfect opportunity for some close-quarters canoodling with your significant other.

The album is a lush, perfectly polished affair that caters to even the hardest to please - even if you’re not a Drake fan, you can’t help but nod your head along to Nothing Was The Same from start to finish.

Snoop Dogg - Gin And Juice

If ‘Gin and Juice’ isn’t enough of a reason to award Doggystyle a spot on this list, then you’re incredibly hard to please, luckily Snoop follows up with a whole host of other reasons to include this album on any summertime soundtrack.

Dr. Dre’s smooth, synth-heavy G-Funk instrumentals provide the perfect backdrop for Snoop Dogg’s laid back, high-as-hell drawl on Doggystyle. They're one of the most iconic duos in the genre and every single track on the album demonstrates why. 

Snoop waxes lyrical about the macabre aspects of gang life, the violence and misogyny, in a hilarious and cartoony style that lends itself to the universal accessibility of the album. It’s a sound that is yet to be imitated and that’s why, 25 years later, we’re still bumping Doggystyle.

‘Who Am I (What's My Name)?’ is another banger, the track that made sure you never forget Snoop’s name. It’s an instant party starter that’ll have the whole gang howling “Snoop Doggy Do-oo-oo-oog” after a few bevs in your back garden - as your elderly neighbours watch on in horror. Doggystyle is straight up Hip Hop gospel that will keep you going ‘til 6 in the morning.

A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory

The group that introduced the world to ‘Can I Kick it?’, possibly the most laid-back Hip Hop jam of all time, ATCQ’s sophomore release is where they really refined their sound and became one of the most influential rap groups of all time.

Full of jazzy cuts, bouncing basslines and De La Soul-esque lyricism, a stark contrast to the gangsta rap of the early 90s; The Low End Theory is one of the definitive alternative Hip Hop albums of it’s time. It transcended genre boundaries and even made hip-hop heads out of the likes of the UK ‘Madchester’ scene of the same era.

Tracks like ‘Check The Rhime’ and ‘Jazz (We’ve Got)’ are the kind of cuts that are perfect for a summer sesh; smooth, chilled out earworms that are a compulsory invitation to kick back and open a few cold ones with the squad.

Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City

A little darker musically than the other entries so far, Good Kid M.A.A.D. City still has a certain summertime charm thanks to tracks like ‘Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe’ and ‘Swimming Pools’.

Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City is the album that put Kendrick on the map, full of catchy hooks and trappy beats, it was a breakthrough release that birthed some of the definitive tracks of 2010’s Hip Hop.

It’s full of tracks that everyone knows at least some of the words to, but even if you don’t there’s still enough sonic goodness here to provide the perfect backdrop to your backyard booze-up.

‘Swimming Pools’, despite being about social pressures that lead to alcoholism, actually sounds like an instruction manual for a drinking game with its own soundtrack. So stand up, drink, and add this one to your playlist.

Will Smith & DJ Jazzy Jeff - Homebase

‘Summertime’. That’s it, we said it, the one reason this album transforms an average summer’s day into an amazing one. The Fresh Prince cemented his place in Hip Hop history in just four minutes with this timeless tune.

From the unforgettable instrumental that samples Kool & The Gang’s ‘Summer Madness’, to Will Smith’s signature feel-good lyrics - it’s hard to even imagine a summer session without ‘Summertime’ spinning at least once.

The rest of the album follows suit, 12 funky fresh cuts that redefined the dynamic duo for the world stage - at a time when The Fresh Prince of Bel Air was still in its infancy.

Outside of ‘Summertime’, Homebase is a much dancier affair, packed with energy and positivity. Other highlights include the minor hit ‘Ring My Bell’, sampling Anita Ward’s song of the same name, a track for the girls that paints Smith as the smooth ladies man we’ve all come to know him as. Just make sure he doesn’t steal your girl.

Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Representing the ladies, Lauryn Hill made one of the best Hip Hop albums of all time when she recorded The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill; it’s full of female empowerment and an album that still sounds as fresh today as it did 20 years ago.

The immortal ‘Doo Wop (That Thing)’ is enough of a reason alone to include this album on the list but the reality is that every single track on the album is a certified summertime jam. Instrumentally, it’s heavily Pop and R&B influenced with lashings of soul and gospel. The entire soundscape is beautifully textured with samples that lend themselves perfectly to every single song.

Full of thoughtful, intellectual musings on everything from love and heartbreak to motherhood - it’s one that you could even get away with playing in front of your parents.

Tyler, The Creator - Goblin

An unlikely candidate for your summer Hip Hop playlist, but hear us out on this one. Summer is all about youthful rebellion, drinking in public spaces and making a fool out of yourself - consider Goblin a how-to for all of the above.

It’s type of album that comes along once in a generation and completely turns a genre on its head. Most of you will have heard monster-hit ‘Yonkers’ but scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find a whole host of god-tier alternative Hip Hop.

‘Sandwitches’ has enough quotables to fill a footlong sub and will have you bouncing uncontrollably, screaming ‘Wolf Gang’ until your lungs give out. ‘She’ is about as close Tyler comes to a love song on the album, a song about stalking with themes of necrophilia and rape (how romantic), but Frank Ocean’s vocals and the mellow synths actually make this one a certified summer banger.

Tyler’s debut album is a tongue-in-cheek testament to the DIY punk spirit present within Hip Hop, urging you to hold your middle finger up to authority and do whatever the hell you want. It might not be sit-by-the-pool-and-relax material, but if Goblin isn’t the perfect recipe for a summer’s day out in the ‘burbs with the boys then we don’t know what is.