For Billboard India’s series ‘My Top 5’, we asked desi hip-hop veteran and East Delhi MC Raga for his five most influential hip-hop records. His selections bring together some of the genre’s most influential artists, from Eminem to Kanye West and 50 Cent, alongside fellow Delhi act Seedhe Maut. Raga’s choices also offer a glimpse into the early influences behind his own records.
Read on for his five picks.
1. EMINEM — ENCORE [2004]
“Encore shaped me. I learnt delivery, cadence, confidence, everything from Em. When I think about the artists who shaped my sound, Eminem is one of the first names that comes to mind. He is why I approach rap the way I do.”
2. KENDRICK LAMAR — TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY [2015]
“To Pimp a Butterfly made me realise how complex a rap album can be, how layered with meaning someone’s work can get. It made me think about the evolution of record into a touchstone that pushes the form forward.”
3. SEEDHE MAUT — BAYAAN [2018]
“I have to name the boys [Seedhe Maut] here. Bayaan is one of my favourites. It’s one of those projects that has stayed with me.”
4. KANYE WEST — GRADUATION [2007]
“Graduation or The College Dropout, both are supreme for me. Can’t choose one.”
5. 50 CENT — GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN’ [2003]
“It’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’, what more can I say?” (laughs)
