VMP Magazine

A hotbed for partying, beautiful people and debaucherous decadence, Miami has produced numerous hip-hop stars over the past three decades. Spearheaded by the 305’s unofficial mayor Luther Campbell (aka Uncle Luke) and the 2 Live Crew, Campbell ushered in the career of Trick Daddy whose label Slip-N-Slide Records was the catalyst for the city’s present lynchpin figure Rick Ross.

Initially starting out as an outlet for the West Coast’s hip-hop underground scene with an emphasis on Madlib’s output, Stones Throw Records has grown to become one of the premier labels for quality alternative art across multiple genres for two decades now. As Peanut Butter Wolf, general manager Egon and Madlib steadily built their movement from the ground up, the label dominated California rap’s subculture the same way Rhymesayers represented for the Midwest and Rawkus/Def Jux were New York’s premier indie imprints.

At Stones Throw’s pinnacle, super-producers J Dilla and Madlib carried the label on their shoulders, dropping a number of well-regarded staples and making it a brand that practically defined underground rap in the early 2000s.

Though they’ve gone on to embrace a number of burgeoning independent R&B/soul artists removed from their initial sound, Madlib’s eclectic influence still sporadically shines through Stones Throw releases. Below, read about 10 of the label’s best.