2PAC.

2Pac allowed anger, doubt, and tenderness to coexist. It is precisely this shift in tone that makes his voice so recognizable: in one song he can confront, while in the next he comes close, almost whispering.

Me Against The World is a powerful starting point for that personal side. With 2Pacalypse Now, you hear how pronounced his early view of society already was.

His artist story provides context to the man behind the public figure. Listen further into hip-hop and rap as well: the music carries more weight when you hear which voices surrounded and followed him.

Nas shares the eye for detail, Dr. Dre the history of the West Coast. With Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and N.W.A, you hear yet other ways in which a rapper captures his world in words.