Within Hip Hop culture, determining one’s Top 5 is a debate that will seemingly continue forever. So, with that being said, I’ve asked artists to share and justify their Top 5 selections…

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Olivia Louise – Top 5 Albums

Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill 

“I’ll never forget the first time I heard this album in my parents car when I was about ten. I feel like I have literally grown up with this album and the older I get the more messages and lessons I uncover from it. It’s been a healer and a teacher for me and really inspired me to turn my poems into songs. To this day this is my favourite album. Ever.  I can’t possibly pick a favourite track, the whole album is classic.” 

Craig David – Born To Do It

“At a time where UK R&B was either non existent or very American sounding, Craig came into the scene like a breath of fresh air. I recently got to meet for a studio session with him and it was like a dream come true.  I used to listen to ‘Fill Me In’ and write all the lyrics so I could sing fast like Craig!”

Ashanti – Ashanti 

“This album reminds me of my high school years, and again, it is another album I can listen to start to finish without skipping a single track. Ashanti’s soul and emotion is just that raw, old school R&B that they don’t make anymore! I want to bring that back! My favourite songs are ‘Baby’ and ‘Foolish’.”

Pro Era – The Secc$ Tape

“Well this isn’t an album, it’s a mixtape, but it’s album quality! It was only a few years ago that I discovered the collective Pro Era and I fell in love with their chilled Hip Hop sounds. Their lyrics reflected a conscious awareness, which was something I was awakening in myself at the time, so it resonated really well with me. My favourite songs are ‘Flyin Lo’ and ‘Synchronised EXtacy’.” 

Miss Dynamite – Little Deeper 

“This album is full of so many powerful messages for women. Listening to it makes me feel proud to be a woman! The rawness and realness of the topics she touches on most woman can truly relate to. This album definitely inspired me to speak up as a woman and speak up on important Issues and experiences. ‘It Takes More’ ‘Brother’ and ‘Put Him Out’ have the strongest messages for me”.