Listen: These Iconic Hip-Hop Albums Turn 20 In 2024
By Tony M. Centeno
April 29, 2024
"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)
Kanye West, The College Dropout (Feb. 10)
Madvillain, Madvillainy (March 23)
Lil Flip, U Gotta Feel Me (March 30)
Ghostface Killah, The Pretty Toney Album (Apr. 20)
D12, D12 World (Apr. 27)
Jadakiss, Kiss of Death (June 22)
Slum Village, Detroit Deli (A Taste of Detroit) (June 29)
Lloyd Banks, The Hunger For More (June 29)
Lil Wayne, Tha Carter (June 29)
Mobb Deep, Amerikaz Nightmare (Aug. 10)
Jim Jones, On My Way to Church (Aug. 24)
Ma$e, Welcome Back (Aug. 24)
LL Cool J, The DEFinition (Aug. 31)
Talib Kweli, The Beautiful Struggle (Sept. 28)
De La Soul, The Grind Date (Oct. 5)
Trick Daddy, Thug Matrimony: Married to the Streets (Oct. 26)
Fabolous, Real Talk (Nov. 9)
Ja Rule, R.U.L.E. (Nov. 9)
Eminem, Encore (Nov. 12)
Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, Crunk Juice (Nov. 16)
MF Doom, Mm..Food (Nov. 16)
Snoop Dogg, R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece (Nov. 16)
The Diplomats, Diplomatic Immunity 2 (Nov. 23)
Nas, Street's Disciple (Nov. 30)
T.I., Urban Legend (Nov. 30)
Cam'ron, Purple Haze (Dec. 7)
Ludacris, The Red Light District (Dec. 7)
2Pac, Loyal to the Game (Dec. 14)