The death of Brooklyn rapper Pop Smoke was a shock to the Hip-Hop community. The 20-year-old rising star was a major player in the explosion of New York's popular drill scene, spawning some of the city’s most infectious anthems in recent history with tracks like “Dior” and “Shake the Room.” Unfortunately,  his massive wave would come to a tragic halt when he was tragically murdered in Los Angeles, California, before his career got off the ground. Executively produced by his idol and mentor 50 Cent, Shoot for the Stars, Aim For The Moon was a massive critical and commercial success. The deluxe version contains a whopping 34 tracks and features from the likes of Drake, DaBaby, Roddy Ricch, and Young Thug, illustrating just how respected the up and comer was.  

Earl "DMX" Simmons lost his life on April 9, 2021, after a long battle with substance abuse throughout his life and music career, leaving behind his final full body of work, Exodus. Released just months after his untimely passing, the rapper's farewell album features guest appearances from close friends and collaborators, Swizz Beatz, Nas, The Lox, Snoop Dogg, Alicia Keys, and Bono as the late Yonkers emcee continues to touch on his common themes of death and loss. 

10 years after the death of  Guru, DJ Premier delivered Gang Starr’s final studio album with 2019’s One Of The Best Yet, sending his dear friend off with one final hurrah as hip-hop’s favorite boom-bap era duo.  DJ Premier crafted the beats and dug deep into the hundreds of unreleased Guru vocal tracks recorded throughout his career. Preemo recruited Q-tip, M.O.P., J. Cole, Jeru the Damaja, Royce Da 5’9, and more to craft this heartfelt ode to his late friend.

Pimp C’s untimely death in 2007 was a tragic moment for UGK and Texas hip-hop. Pimp was alive for most of UGK 4 Life’s recording, showcasing his larger-than-life pimp persona, and braggadocious personality on the Houston duo’s final LP, making for a classic body of classic dirty south hip-hop. 

Big Pun was on his way to rap superstardom before his untimely death after suffering a heart attack on February 7, 2000. Just two days before his death, he withdrew from performing on Saturday Night Live with Fat Joe and Jennifer Lopez. On Yeeeah Baby, Big Pun showcases his undeniable skill, with his smooth delivery, descriptive wordplay, and unmatched swagger, spawning hip-hop favorites like “It’s So Hard” and “100%”. 

Mac Miller’s Circles finds the Pittsburgh emcee at his most optimistic and introspective yet, as he finds time to address his inner demons with addiction and mental health while hoping for a brighter tomorrow. The project was comprised of songs recorded during the making of Mac Miller’s final studio album, Swimming, where Miller incorporates elements of hip-hop, lo-fi, pop, indie-folk, and emo-rap, arranged by producer and composer Jon Brion who finished up Miller’s final body of work with a loving ode to perfection.

Widely regarded as one of the best freestyle rappers and lyricists of all time, Big L’s career came to a tragic halt in his prime when he was shot nine times in a drive-by shooting in his hometown of Harlem. Praised for his lyrical ability, L had already started recording his second studio album The Big Picture, for Roc-a-Fella Records before he was murdered. Finished by his manager Rich King, L’s sophomore record contains production from the likes of DJ Premier, Lord Finesse, and Pete Rock and guest verses from Fat Joe, Kool G, and Big Daddy Kane.

While in prison, Tupac reportedly studied The Prince by Italian philosopher Machiavelli along with Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. Pac’s aggressive and no-holds-barred delivery on The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, finds the rapper addressing his personal issues, beefs, and enemies while simultaneously tackling topics of racial inequality, drugs, and gang culture on this timeless posthumous album. 

J Dill was still putting his finishing touches on The Shining before passing away from complications from lupus in 2006. While he was being treated for his sickness at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angles, he only had 75% of the album completed. Upon his death, frequent collaborator and jazz musician Karriem Riggins helped orchestrate the rest of the album, finalizing songs and recruiting emcees to lay down vocals the finished product has become a cult classic among hip-hop purists.

Despite his gargantuan legacy and influence on hip-hop music and culture, The Notorious B.I.G. only released two commercial studio albums before he was tragically gunned down on March 9, 1997. The Brooklyn emcee’s sophomore effort, Life After Death, was released just two weeks after his untimely death, leaving fans curious as to what else the late 24-year-old generational talent had in store.

Life After Death picks up where his Ready to Die outro, “Suicidal Thoughts” left off, with Diddy ironically mourning the death of Biggie, chronicling the rise and fall of an ascending star as the Brooklyn emcee delivers inspired mafioso rap stories of trials, triumph, and tribulations all over Puff Daddy’s radio-friendly production.