Listen: These Iconic Hip-Hop Albums Turn 20 In 2024

Photo: TVT Records/Cash Money Records/Def Jam/Stones Throw Records

"Go DJ, that's my DJ!" Those five words alone will transport any loyal Hip-Hop fan back in time to the beginning of Lil Wayne's iconic album series.

Weezy spent most of Spring 2004 preparing for the release of his fourth studio LP Tha Carter featuring hits like "Go DJ," "Bring It Back," "The Heat" and "Shine." Wayne's album arrived in June and set the tone for the rest of the year. The Hollygrove native was one of several notable MC's from the South who stood out with a groundbreaking project that would be remembered for generations to come.

Lil Wayne's iconic LP is one of numerous classic albums that turn 20 this year. Throughout 2024, rap fans have celebrated the 20th anniversary of several timeless projects like Kanye West's debut LP The College Dropout, Trillville & Lil Scrappy's The King of Crunk & BME Recordings Present: Trillville & Lil Scrappy and most recently, Ghostface Killah's The Pretty Toney Album.

Relive more classic rap albums that turn 20 in 2024 below.

Twista, Kamikaze (Jan. 27)

Photo: Atlantic Records

Kanye West, The College Dropout (Feb. 10)

Photo: Roc-A-Fella Records/Def Jam Recordings

Madvillain, Madvillainy (March 23)

Photo: Stones Throw Records

Lil Flip, U Gotta Feel Me (March 30)

Photo: Columbia Records

Ghostface Killah, The Pretty Toney Album (Apr. 20)

Photo: Def Jam Recordings

D12, D12 World (Apr. 27)

Photo: Shady Records/Interscope Records

Jadakiss, Kiss of Death (June 22)

Photo: Ruff Ryders/Interscope Records

Slum Village, Detroit Deli (A Taste of Detroit) (June 29)

Photo: Capitol Records

Lloyd Banks, The Hunger For More (June 29)

Photo: G-Unit Records

Lil Wayne, Tha Carter (June 29)

Photo: Cash Money Records

Mobb Deep, Amerikaz Nightmare (Aug. 10)

Photo: Jive Records

Jim Jones, On My Way to Church (Aug. 24)

Photo: Diplomats/Koch Records

Ma$e, Welcome Back (Aug. 24)

Photo: Bad Boy Entertainment

LL Cool J, The DEFinition (Aug. 31)

Photo: Island Def Jam Records

Nelly, Sweat/Suit (Sept. 14)

Photo: Derrty Entertainment/Universal Records

Photo: Derrty Entertainment/Universal Records

Talib Kweli, The Beautiful Struggle (Sept. 28)

Photo: Rawkus Records

De La Soul, The Grind Date (Oct. 5)

Photo: AOI Records

Photo: Slip N Slide/Atlantic Records

Fabolous, Real Talk (Nov. 9)

Photo: Desert Storm Records/Elektra Records

Ja Rule, R.U.L.E. (Nov. 9)

Photo: Murder Inc. Records/Def Jam Recordings

Eminem, Encore (Nov. 12)

Photo: Shady Records/Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records

Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, Crunk Juice (Nov. 16)

Photo: BME Recordings/TVT Records

MF Doom, Mm..Food (Nov. 16)

Photo: Rhymesayers Entertainment

Snoop Dogg, R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece (Nov. 16)

Photo: Doggystyle Records/Star Trak Entertainment/Geffen Records

The Diplomats, Diplomatic Immunity 2 (Nov. 23)

Photo: Diplomat Records/Koch Records

Nas, Street's Disciple (Nov. 30)

Photo: Columbia Records

T.I., Urban Legend (Nov. 30)

Photo: Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records

Cam'ron, Purple Haze (Dec. 7)

Photo: Roc-A-Fella Records/Diplomat Records/Def Jam Recordings

Ludacris, The Red Light District (Dec. 7)

Photo: Disturbing tha Peace/Def Jam Recordings

2Pac, Loyal to the Game (Dec. 14)

Photo: Amaru Entertainmen/Interscope Records


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