For Sam

This is 2016 in a nutshell. A great introduction to Uzi imo, while this technically isn't his first project, I think starting here is appropriate. It has some of his most popular songs which thrust him into the mainstream.

Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World is the third mixtape by American rapper Lil Uzi Vert. It was released on April 15, 2016, by Generation Now and Atlantic Records, serving as their second commercial release with Atlantic. The mixtape features production from Cubeatz, Don Cannon, Lyle LeDuff, Maaly Raw, Metro Boomin and WondaGurl.

Honestly there is no words to explain how big and important this album is for Uzi. It is easily his most popular and beloved album. There are many songs on this album with over a billion streams. It made him so huge even my mom knew about him at the time lol. I predict this is the one you'd like the most, this album defined his sound and has so many iconic hits.

Luv is Rage 2 is an emo rap album, Luv Is Rage 2 is characterized by its vibrant, emotionally charged soundscape, blending Auto-Tune-heavy vocals, melodic hooks, and high-energy beats with themes of heartbreak, hedonism, and nihilistic bravado. Serving as a successor to Uzi's third extended play, Luv Is Rage 1.5 (2017), and debut commercial mixtape, Luv Is Rage (2015)

Now this one you should know very well. My favorite Uzi album and my 2nd favorite album of all time. This album is full of nothing but nostalgia for me and many as it released right when the pandemic started. I love the outer space theme, and the transitions are so good. To me, its Uzi's most cohesive project. This is the last one I'm recommending for Uzi, but if you like what you heard, there's ofc more.

Eternal Atake embraces a sci-fi and alien abduction theme, woven loosely through its music, skits, and visual presentation, creating a futuristic and otherworldly aesthetic.

Carti's debut mixtape. You can hear the A$AP Rocky influence for sure. This is his most relaxed album, I can't stress enough that this is the type of album where you just need to let the beat take you on a journey. Carti's vocals are more like an instrument/compliment rather than something integral to the song. That goes for the rest of his albums too. Try to have fun.

Rooted in minimalism, Playboi Carti is a trap and cloud rap mixtape characterized by atmospheric production, repetitive flows, and ad-lib–driven performances. Its sound incorporates hazy melodies and bass-heavy percussion, emphasizing mood and rhythm over lyrical density.

This one you should also know well. Not only is my favorite Carti album, it is my favorite album of all time. This is Carti's magnum opus imo. The beats are all heavenly and Carti's voice is at its peak here. It's his most consistent and cohesive project to date. Don't be too harsh on this one, this album is my baby

Die Lit is a trap and mumble rap album incorporating elements of cloud rap, characterized by fragmented production driven by synthesizers and 808 drums and ad-lib heavy delivery emphasizing mood and feeling over lyrical complexity. Its lyrical themes include hedonism, drugs, wealth, sex, relationships, and women.

While imo this is a step down from Die Lit, WLR is Carti's most influential album. Which is why I recommend it, I don't picture you liking it as much, but It is responsible for the current generation of underground rap and he basically shaped the "RAGE" genre into what it is today. Its a bit messy, but has some iconic and amazing tracks. Now a bit of a tangent, the WLR we have today is technically the third version. The first version of the album was scrapped, it was basically Die Lit 2 and was heavenly. If you are interested I'll show you it. If Carti had released that first version, he would be even bigger than he already is.

Whole Lotta Red is an experimental hip-hop, rage, and trap album that incorporates punk and electronic influences. Its lyrical themes include guns, wealth, and hedonism. Music critics highlighted its loose structure and frenetic pace; several songs abandon traditional verse-chorus structures in favor of chants or ad-libbing with an emphasis on atmosphere over narrative. The album features a dark, vampire-themed tone in which Carti adopts the persona of a vampire rock star.

It's my favorite Kendrick album. I love the themes and it has so many iconic hits.

Kendrick Lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d city is a cinematic, semi-autobiographical concept album chronicling a turbulent day in his adolescence in Compton, exploring themes of gang violence, temptation, friendship, family, faith, and the struggle to find self amidst a "mad city"

This is Kendrick's highest rated album, and the highest rated album of all time on music forums. It's truly a masterpiece imo but it's not as replayable as his other albums. I'm only putting it here because you said you wanted to try it to understand black culture more. Even though it's considered his best work, I enjoy GKMC a lot more.

To Pimp a Butterfly is Kendrick Lamar's profound concept album exploring Black identity, systemic racism, fame, self-love, and depression through a narrative of artistic growth, using jazz/funk/soul to tell a story of a caterpillar (innocence) transforming into a butterfly (enlightened artist) while navigating temptations and societal pressures, culminating in a conversation with Tupac Shakur.

Now this is actually one of my least favorite Kendrick albums and I would probably be crucified for this statement by many people, but its not bad at all. Even the worst Kendrick album is better than Drake's entire discog imo. But the reason I reccomend it to you is that it has extreme mainstream appeal. It's probably his most popular album and is full of radio hits so I picture you enjoying this one the most.

Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. explores themes of damnation, duality, faith, and survival, telling a story about life, death, and the internal struggle with wickedness vs. weakness, which Kendrick confirmed can be played in reverse to reveal an alternate narrative of his fate. It's a deeply personal journey through religious questioning, racial politics, and the pressures of fame, framed by biblical references and culminating in a choice between succumbing to his flaws or finding redemption, with the album's title reflecting this profound, sometimes cursed, existence.

This is the last Kendrick I reccomend and his most recent and divisive. Like Tyler's "Don't Tap The Glass" it's divisive because its different from his usual style. This album doesn't have a deep theme or story, its more just for fun and replayable radio hits. Which is precisely why I recommended it to you, you don't have to focus too much here. If any of these albums interested you, Kendrick has plenty more. Just let me know.

GNX is a West Coast hip-hop album, drawing on both classic and contemporary conventions of the genre. According to Rolling Stone, the album is a tribute to Lamar's native Los Angeles, prominently infusing G-funk throughout its compositions.

Bonus, just want to see if you're into cloud rap basically. As I mentioned before Rocky is similar to Tyler in terms of having a large female fanbase so I wanna see if you'll be apart of that lol. Also if you do enjoy him, maybe you'll try the new album coming soon.

Defined by atmospheric beats, genre-bending production (East Coast hip-hop, PBR&B), and Rocky's charismatic flow, influenced by Southern rap and cloud rap.

Same as above! The sentiment is the same