Datsik Names His Five Favorite Hip-Hop Albums

Bass music DJ Datsik is heading out on his Digital Assassins tour, which includes three co-headlining dates this weekend with GZA from the Wu-Tang Clan. Ahead of his performances in Boston (tonight, Jan. 17) and New York City (Saturday Jan. 18), the Let It Burn DJ detailed five of his favorite hip-hop albums of all time—and they skew heavily in the same era. Check them out below, and head out to one of his shows this weekend, where GZA will be recreating Liquid Swords with a live band.

Snoop Dogg
Doggystyle, 1993

Datsik: One of the first albums to get me into hip-hop. I stole it from my older brother's room and blasted it on repeat when I was a youngster.

Tha Dogg Pound
Dogg Food, 1995

Datsik: Daz & Kurupt killed it on this album. The definition of real West Coast rap/hip-hop. Love every song on the album, which is super rare these days.

The Notorious B.I.G.
Ready To Die, 1994

Datsik: This, in my opinion, is Biggie's best work; hardcore bubblegum rap. Loaded with timeless classics and the true East Coast flavor.

Wu-Tang Clan
Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers, 1993

Datsik: Love the darker, hip-hop, sword-style, grunge-y vibe. I'd say I owe most of the credit to this one for getting me into producing music. For my brain, all these instrumentals felt so innovative.

Method Man
Tical, 1994

Datsik: One of my favorites! Meth's flow on this one is untouchable. Sounds so well put together on every track...most people don't even know what he's talking about due to the copious amounts of slang in every verse. But it flows so well, and once you analyze the verses a bit deeper, you can recognize the true genius of each track.