Posted in Album of the Month, Music chat, podcast

Podcast Ep. 35 | 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop

Welcome to Episode 64 of This Is Not Happening. An Album of the Month podcast. In Part 1, we review and Album of the Month. This month Joey brings perhaps the most critically acclaimed album of 2025, Rosalia's 'LUX'.In Part 2, we play Spin It or Bin It, we pick a theme and all pick songs that represent that theme. As it's January and everybody is back in the gym or re-starting running program's we've picked 'songs to get injured to'._______________________Part 1 | Album of the Month | Rosalia | LUX________________________This is a big one. Big in many ways. Massively popular, globally. But more importantly MASSIVE in scope, scale and ambition. Rosalia's 4th album takes a major turn from the reggaeton, digital urgency of Motomami. This a symphonic, spiritual, complex and challenging collection of songs presented in 4 movements (if you're on vinyl). It requires you to focus, engage and consume with purpose.It's undeniable that it is ambitious, its brilliance is clear … but will any of us actually like it? Does it make you want to listen to it? Are you drawn to come back to it?Listen to the album here.Watch some of the videos for the tracks here.Check out the Zane Lowe interview with Rosalia here.___________________Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | Songs To Get Injured To _____________________New Year New Me. The gyms are packed. People are begging to get injured. What should you chose as your soundtrack to that achilles rupture or that rotator cuff tear? The answer is probably in this 16 track play list that we created.We each pick 4 tracks for the playlist and submit 1 track and ask the simple question 'Spin It Or Bin It'?Joey chose 'Baddadan' by Chase & Status et al.Guy chose 'Go' by Chemical Brothers.David chose 'Kool Thing' by Sonic Youth.Nolan chose 'Stop What You're Doing' by Apathy.We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look – https://thisisnothappening.net/
  1. EP. 64 | Rosalia | LUX
  2. EP. 63 | Our Top 10 Albums of 2025
  3. EP. 62 | Juniper | Joy Crookes
  4. EP.61 | Blood Orange | Essex Honey
  5. EP.60 | Wet Leg | Moisturizer

This month we’re doing things a little differently. In this episode we are celebrating Hip Hop’s 50th Birthday by each choosing our favourite Hip Hop album. We’re not choosing ‘the best’ or ‘the most important’ we’re choosing our personal favourites. We take it in turns to introduce our favourite album and discuss what everyone else thinks.

Listen Here – 16 track playlist, 4 tracks each from our 4 favourite Hip Hop albums.

Nolan’s Favourite Hip Hop Album | ATLiens by Outkast
Straight out of the blocks is our resident Hip Hop expert Nolan’s with his selection, Outkast’s 2nd album, 1996’s ATLiens.

  • You can find an introduction to this album by Nolan on our blog – read it here.
  • You can listen to the album – here.
  • ATLiens 25th Anniversary You Tube page and videos can be found here.

Joey’s Favourite Hip Hop Album | Buhloone Mind State by De La Soul
Choosing a classic TINH album from the past, Joey counters with his favourite, going back 3 years and selecting De La Soul’s 3rd album, release 30 years ago in 1993, Buhloone Mind State.

  • You can find an introduction to this album by Joey on our blog – read it here.
  • You can listen to this gem – here.
  • Have a look here at De La Soul’s You Tube account for videos – here.

David’s Favourite Hip Hop Album | Reachin’ by Digable Planets
This one was a real pleasure to be re-introduced too. We’re staying in 1993 with David’s selection Reachin’ by Digable Planets. The ‘most-David’ Hip Hop album evs.

  • You can find an introduction to this album by David on our blog – read it here.
  • You can listen to this beauty – here.
  • Watch the video to the track that kicked the whole thing off – here.

Guy’s Favourite Hip Hop Album | Renaissance by Q Tip
After some deliberation, Guy chose an album that divided opinions at the time but has aged very well and is a lovely choice by Guy. 2008’s Renaissance by Q Tip.

  • You can find an introduction to this album by Guy on our blog – read it here.
  • You can listen to this rediscovered gem – here.
  • Watch Mr. Tip doing his thing – here.

So, these are our 4 favourite Hip Hop albums of all time. What do you think? Do you know these albums? What are your favourites? Hit us up, let us know.

Leave a comment