In an era where music is consumed faster than ever, the word classic gets thrown around a little too easily. But what actually defines a classic hip-hop album in 2025? In this episode of The Need to Know podcast, the crew tried to answer that question, by diving deep into the catalogs of rap’s modern “Big Three”: Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and J. Cole.
The conversation kicked off with Kendrick Lamar, with one participant confidently declaring he holds the crown when it comes to classics, naming Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, To Pimp a Butterfly, and DAMN. as three undisputed entries. But not everyone agreed.
To Pimp a Butterfly, despite winning a Pulitzer Prize, became the lightning rod of debate. Some in the group argued that while the album earned massive critical praise and was undeniably ambitious, it didn’t immediately resonate with everyday fans upon release. Tracks like “King Kunta,” “These Walls,” and “Alright” were mentioned, but several pointed out they don’t feature in Kendrick’s top 10 most replayed or loved songs by the wider fanbase.
Still, there was consensus on Good Kid, M.A.A.D City and DAMN., albums that struck a balance between storytelling, innovation, and widespread replay value. To Pimp a Butterfly remained divisive: a critical darling, a complex project, but not universally loved on first listen.
As the group dug deeper, it became clear that the definition of a classic was part of the issue. Some argued that critics and blogs have too much sway, that projects like To Pimp a Butterfly are often declared classics by media before fans have a chance to connect organically.
For these listeners, a true classic isn’t decided by awards or think pieces, it’s crowned over time by the people. If it doesn’t hold weight in barbershops, on social media, or during late-night car rides, can it really be called a classic?
When the conversation shifted to J. Cole, there was a sense of realism. Compared to Kendrick and Drake, Cole was seen as having fewer universally agreed-upon classic albums. Still, 2014 Forest Hills Drive and Born Sinner received respect as his strongest bodies of work, especially the former, which is often cited as a fan-favorite milestone.
Mixtapes like Friday Night Lights and The Warm Up also came up, with several participants arguing they reached classic status in the eyes of day-one fans. What Cole lacks in mass-consensus classics, he makes up for in impact, consistency, and the loyalty of his core audience.
Drake’s catalog sparked another level of conversation, with Take Care and Nothing Was the Same easily earning the “classic” label from everyone at the table. But then came Views.
When it dropped in 2016, Views faced lukewarm critical reactions and complaints of bloated tracklists. But over time, opinions softened. Songs like “Controlla,” “Feel No Ways,” and “One Dance” became cultural moments, and today, some in the group now regard Views as a cult classic, not because it was instantly beloved, but because it aged into appreciation.
Still, there was agreement that Views was powered more by its standout singles than as a cohesive, classic project, though its cultural dominance in 2016 couldn’t be denied.
When asked to rank Kendrick’s albums, opinions varied widely. Some ranked DAMN. as his most complete and accessible album, while others leaned toward Good Kid, M.A.A.D City for its narrative structure. To Pimp a Butterfly continued to divide the room, with one listener calling it “a museum piece more than a daily listen.” But no one questioned Kendrick’s place in the upper echelon of the genre.
Things got playful when personal Top 5 rapper lists entered the chat. One speaker ranked Kendrick first, followed by Drake, Biggie, and Jay-Z a lineup that immediately stirred side-eyes and side jokes. Jay-Z at #4? The New York natives in the room had something to say. If nothing else, it reminded everyone that regional bias is alive and well.
In the end, there was one thing everyone could agree on: classic albums aren’t just about first-week sales or critic reviews. They’re about impact. They’re about longevity. And they’re about how music makes people feel years after release.
Each of the Big Three brings something different to the table, Kendrick with layered storytelling and cultural commentary, Drake with unmatched commercial dominance, and Cole with introspection and lyrical authenticity.
Maybe the debate about classics will never end. But if it gets fans to keep revisiting old projects and hearing them with fresh ears, maybe that’s part of what makes an album classic in the first place.
