THE BACKPACK RAP COLLECTION

Making fun of modern day backpackers is definitely one of my favorite hobbies, but truth be told, I was obsessed with the original era of so-called “backpack rap” in the mid-to-late ’90s. At the same time that hip-hop’s bigger-than-life jiggy era was in full bloom, an alternative scene sprung up, centered around independent vinyl releases, lyrical experimentation and a rejection of “the industry.”

Most of these classic records were only issued on 12″ single in the years before file-sharing exploded, and as a result, many of these artists and songs have been forgotten. To me, the backpack era officially ended in 1999, when Eminem blew up and Funk Flex started playing Pharoahe Monch’s “Simon Says” on Hot97. I’ve compiled 40 of my favorite joints from the era for your listening pleasure.

THE BACKPACK RAP COLLECTION: SIDE A
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1. Company Flow f/ BMS “Vital Nerve”
2. The High & Mighty f/ Eastern Conference All-Stars “Open Mic Night”
3. Black Attack “My Crown”
4. Cage “Agent Orange”
5. J-Live “Braggin’ Writes”
6. 7L & Esoteric “Be Alert”
7. Mr. Live f/ Tony Bones “Placebo”
8. The Cenobites f/ Bobbito “Kick A Dope Verse”
9. Street Smartz “Problemz”
10. Mos Def “The Universal Magnetic”
11. East Flatbush Project “Tried By 12”
12. The Juggaknots “I’m Gonna Kill You”
13. Scienz of Life “Scienz of Life (Metaphysic)”
14. Rawcotiks “Live Your Life”
15. I.G. Off & Hazardous “Hip-Hop Till I Die”
16. Natural Elements “Paper Chase”
17. Masterminds “I’m Talented…”
18. Shabaam Sahdeeq f/ Eminem, A.L., Kwest & Skam “5 Star Generals”
19. Mood “Karma”
20. Siah & Yeshua DapoED “A Day Like Any Other”

THE BACKPACK RAP COLLECTION: SIDE B
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1. Reflection Eternal f/ Mos Def & Mr. Mann “Fortified Live”
2. Indelible MC’s “The Fire In Which You Burn”
3. F.A.T.A.L. Foundation “All About Wars”
4. MF Doom “Dead Bent”
5. Eastern Conference All-Stars “Know A Little Nigg”
6. Siah “Repetition”
7. Afu-Ra “Whirlwind Thru Cities”
8. Dr. Octagon “Blue Flowers”
9. L-Fudge f/ Mike Zoot, Talib Kweli, Skam & Shabaam Sahdeeq “What If?”
10. Dilated Peoples “Global Dynamics”
11. Mr. Complex “Visualize”
12. Network Reps f/ Punch & Words “Yeah”
13. Necro “Get On Your Knees”
14. Mood Swingaz “The Blessin'”
15. Natural Resources “Negro League Baseball”
16. Mountain Brothers “Galaxies: The Next Level”
17. The High & Mighty f/ Mos Def & Mad Skillz “B-Boy Document 99”
18. Bad Meets Evil “Scary Movies”
19. Company Flow “Linda Trip”
20. Pharoahe Monch “Simon Says”