Dom Kennedy's 25 Favorite Albums

The West Coast MC reveals his picks for the top LPs, ever.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Dom Kennedy is a major part of the L.A.'s new rap movement, and he wears his influences on his sleeve. His most recent release, The Yellow Album, is essentially a soundtrack to the feel-good vibes of California. There are elements of 2Pac’s storytelling, Dogg Pound's carefree raps, and the cohesive style perfected by artists like DJ Quik.

It’s because Dom has paid careful attention to each of them, picking bits and pieces of their music to study, that he's been able to succeed. His balancing act of West Coast nostalgia and today’s rap landscape is the formula that has kept him winning.

While fans wait for a follow-up to his last project, the 28-year-old is staying busy. Dom is finishing up the Yellow Album World Tour. When rolled through NYC, we chopped it up with the “My Type of Party” rapper about his favorite albums.

He chose a heavy set of '90s albums that he remembers playing as a child, ones that inspired the The Yellow Album, and some choice R&B classicsRead on for the stories behind each.

As told to Eric Diep (@E_Diep)

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Bob Marley & the Wailers, Exodus (1977)

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Michael Jackson, Off the Wall (1979)

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Anita Baker, Rapture (1986)

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Digital Underground, Sex Packets (1990)

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LL Cool J, Mama Said Knock You Out (1990)

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Ice Cube, Death Certificate (1991)

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Jodeci, Forever My Lady (1991)

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Snoop Dogg, Doggystyle (1993)

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A Tribe Called Quest, Midnight Marauders (1993)

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Too $hort, Get In Where You Fit In (1993)

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The Notorious B.I.G., Ready to Die (1994)

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DJ Quik, Safe + Sound (1995)

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Tha Dogg Pound, Dogg Food (1995)

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2Pac, All Eyez on Me (1996)

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Lil' Kim, Hard Core (1996)

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OutKast, ATLiens (1996)

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Makaveli, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996)

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Ma$e, Harlem World (1997)

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Missy Elliott, Supa Dupa Fly (1997)

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DMX, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998)

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Dr. Dre, 2001 (1999)

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Reflection Eternal, Train of Thought (2000)

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T.I., Trap Muzik (2003)

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Luther Vandross, Live Radio City Music Hall (2003)

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Nipsey Hussle, Bullets Ain't Got No Name Vol. 2 (2008)

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