The Best Underground Hip-Hop of the 2000s

The term “underground hip-hop” might not have one obvious definition today, but in the 2000s it still held a lot of meaning.

At the time, mainstream rap was dominated by commercial powerhouses like 50 Cent, Nelly, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and Eminem. They were selling millions, commanding radio, and backed by major labels.

By contrast, the underground hip-hop scene prioritized a more DIY mentality, unconventional production, and subject matter from the personal to the abstract. It served a smaller but highly dedicated following that wanted an alternative to glossy rap hits. In the underground world, trying to be “too commercial” was often frowned upon.

Infrastructure formed around the scene, leading to the rise of key labels like Definitive Jux, Rhymesayers, Rawkus, and Stones Throw. While radio and MTV may have mostly ignored this kind of music, it was championed by record stores, college radio, early music blogs and forums, and touring circuits that thrived outside of the major label-controlled industry.

By the 2010s, artists like Kanye West and Tyler, The Creator were redefining what mainstream rap could sound like, and the internet was blurring the lines even more. By the 2020s, the term “underground hip-hop” became something else entirely. But looking back to the 2000s, it was still crystal clear, and you knew it when you heard it.

Check out the the full playlist on the P&P YouTube channel or check out our selections below. This is what underground hip-hop sounded like in the 2000s.

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