New York City has been a key hub for hip-hop for decades, with artists such as Frank Sinatra and Jay-Z creating iconic figures across the country. However, the identity of NY rap has always remained consistent, with albums like Illmatic, The Blueprint, or Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The 36 Chambers representing the city's cultural evolution. Noisey has selected four albums that depict the city’ growth and cultural reflection in hip-h. The list includes four albums by Cash Cobain and Chow Lee, which distill a magical energy that New Yorkers experience.