Spotify has started a new program called “Spotify CLASSICS” to honor important albums. The first set of classic albums they are celebrating are hip-hop and R&B albums from the streaming era, which Spotify defines as 2015 to the present day.
Streaming has changed how people listen to music and how artists release new music. While individual songs are very popular now, Spotify recognizes that full albums can still have a big impact.
For this CLASSICS program, Spotify’s editors in North America carefully selected 30 hip-hop and R&B albums that they consider classics that defined the streaming era through their overall influence and significance.
The editors picked albums from major artists like Beyoncé, Tyler, The Creator, Solange, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, SZA, Travis Scott, and Future. These are albums that Spotify’s team believes stood the test of time and were incredibly important during the streaming era from 2015 to now.
Spotify CLASSICS: 30 Classic Hip-Hop and R&B Albums From the Streaming Era:
- Anderson .Paak – Malibu
- Beyoncé – Lemonade
- Beyoncé – RENAISSANCE
- Bryson Tiller – T R A P S O U L
- Cleo Sol – Mother
- Daniel Caesar – Freudian
- Freddie Gibbs and Madlib – Bandana
- Frank Ocean – Blonde
- Future – DS2
- H.E.R. – H.E.R.
- The Internet – Ego Death
- Jay-Z – 4:44
- Jazmine Sullivan – Heaux Tales
- Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly
- Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.
- Lil Uzi Vert – Lil Uzi Vert vs. The World
- Migos – Culture
- Nipsey Hussle – Victory Lap
- Playboi Carti – Die Lit
- Rihanna – Anti
- Roddy Ricch – Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial
- Saba – CARE FOR ME
- Solange – A Seat at the Table
- Summer Walker – Over It
- SZA – Ctrl
- Travis Scott – ASTROWORLD
- Tyler, The Creator – Flower Boy
- Tyler, The Creator – IGOR
- Tyler, The Creator – Call Me If You Get Lost
- XXXTentacion – 17
The goal of the new CLASSICS series is to celebrate and spotlight these influential catalog albums from hip-hop and R&B that fans will remember for years to come.
Spotify published another list of the 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of the Streaming Era in May.
