3 Live Rap Albums That Make You Feel Like You’re at the Show

Back in the day, when buying records, CDs, and tapes was one of the most important things a young person could do, the keen-eyed music consumer often kept their peepers peeled for new live albums. Sure, studio records were great—but what does your favorite band sound like live? That was key.

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Below, we wanted to explore three live albums that really stood out years ago. We wanted to dive into three live rap albums from three of the biggest names in the genre. Indeed, these are three live rap albums that make you feel like you’re at the show!

‘The Roots Come Alive’ by The Roots (1999)

Born in Philadelphia, raised around the world, The Roots brought a live music sensibility to hip-hop. Featuring the sublime rapper Black Thought, the backing band wasn’t so much turntables and vinyl records. Instead, it was live drumming, keys, guitars, bass—the works. The band brought their talents around the globe and recorded their 1999 LP, The Roots Come Alive. Lesser known, the album is truly classic from top to bottom.

‘MTV Unplugged No. 2.0’ by Lauryn Hill (2002)

Known initially as the singer and rapper extraordinaire from The Fugees, Lauryn Hill eventually ventured out on her own to forge a solo career. Though she has incredible talent, Hill’s journey seems to be fraught with ups and downs, misunderstandings, and tumult. And all of that was on display in 2002 during her surprising, acoustic-driven MTV Unplugged album recording. The result is a beautiful, dense, complex, intricate, sensitive, and emotional double-album for the ages.

‘Jay-Z: Unplugged’ by Jay-Z (2001)

Speaking of The Roots, the iconic live hip-hop band got behind maybe the greatest rapper of all time to create an indelible live hip-hop album that just brings you back to a different time. The turn of the 21st century—we were so young and innocent then, weren’t we? Don’t answer that. Either way, though, this album from Jay featuring The Roots includes tracks like “Hard Knock Life (The Ghetto Anthem)” and “Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love)”. Enjoy that feeling of your soul filling up.

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