I’ve said it many times on this site over the past year, but God bless Nas and Mass Appeal Records. Not only have they delivered some of the best records of 2025, it’s given veterans like Ghostface Killah, Slick Rick and Raekwon a renewed shot at glory.
And they aren’t done – Mobb Deep, De La Soul and Big L are all slated to get posthumous album releases later this year. In most cases that would be a cause for concern. More often that not, posthumous albums are a mess – unfinished vocals never meant to see the light of day doused in disconnected production from producers who never even met the artist in question, ugh. They often feel more like insults than inspiring.
But I have faith in these upcoming albums because there is a template for great posthumous releases – records that not only properly celebrate a deceased artists’ legacy, but adds to them.
Let’s look back at 12 hip-hop and R&B posthumous releases that are worthy of celebration. This by no means is a list of EVERY good posthumous release ever, but these 12 are a great showcase of records that keep legacies strong.
UGK, UGK 4 Life
To me, it always felt like UGK was denied the worldwide acclaim they deserved. That’s why Pimp C’s tragic death in 2007 was both sad and frustrating – he was due much more love for his contributions to the game. UGK 4 Life, released a couple of years later, would be the final love letter to Sweet Jones, featuring the group’s trademark syrupy, soulful production, gruff bars and dedications to the South. Bun B continues to carry UGK’s flag today, but UGK 4 Life is a strong testament to what made them underground kings.
Big Pun, Yeeeah Baby
The sheer joy Pun shows on “It’s So Hard” is ironically hard to listen to in light of Pun’s passing soon after this album was recorded. Pun’s debut legitimately was one of the best albums of the 90s and while Yeeeah Baby doesn’t reach those soaring heights, his intricate wordplay and captivating charisma makes this album a highlight of the early 00s. His loss still stings 25 years later.
Big L, The Big Picture
One of rap’s great What Ifs is how Big L would have impacted the early 2000s rap scene. In terms of pure talent, The Big Picture is proof he could have been a contender. Hard-hitting production from veterans like DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Ron Browz was all L needed to assert his brand of lyrical dominance. It’s an album that unfortunately slips through the cracks today but should have been a harbinger of a great career to come.
The Notorious B.I.G., Life After Death
The greatest rapper of all time died on March 9, 1997. And the greatest double rap album of all time was released March 25, 1997. Life After Death was a big turning point for the industry, including production. Instead of sticking with one or two producers for the entire album, this set flaunted a wide array of superproducers, a practice that soon became commonplace. And, of course, BIG’s impeccable delivery was at its zenith here, creating 24 tracks that have been endlessly quoted and sampled since. We lost Biggie FAR too soon but he left us with an undeniable classic.
2pac, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
2pac has a very … dubious history of posthumous releases – that’s my very polite way of saying they’re mostly cat vomit – but Don Killuminati, recorded in the months leading up to his untimely death, winds up as one of Pac’s best releases period. Balancing his reckless Thug Life persona with his sex symbol status and flashes of activism, Pac’s Makaveli era should have been a turning point for his career. More than any other album in his vast catalog, Pac truly feels at war with himself, resulting in an album that is as toxic and violent as it is heartfelt and passionate.
J Dilla, The Shining
The Shining was not yet complete when J Dilla left us in early 2006, so producer Karriem Riggins took the reigns, filled in the gaps and helped create one of the most memorable released in Dilla’s already stirring catalog. As with most Dilla records, the warm, jazzy vibe sets its apart from its peers, while features from guests like Busta Rhymes, Black Thought, Common, Dwele and paint powerful prose over Dilla’s canvases. The mood is often melancholy – fitting, in a way – but Dilla’s spirit remains profound.
A Tribe Called Quest, We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service
Of all the improbable returns we’ve seen in hip-hop in recent years, none were more shocking than the 2016 reunion of one of rap’s greatest trailblazers. Serving as their final farewell – and a tribute to fallen member Phife Dawg – A Tribe Called Quest re-entered the rap arena without a hint of ring rust. While it’s brimming with nostalgia, this is no mere rehash. Tribe deftly targets hot-button political issues, posits on the current state of hip-hop and, of course, honors the memory of Phife. We’d get a solo posthumous Phife record in 2022 (which was also outstanding) but We Got It from Here is such a definitive statement of Tribe’s legacy.
Ray Charles, Genius Loves Company
Ray Charles’ 62nd (!!!!!!) and final album went on an insane run at the 2005 Grammys and while my feelings continue to be mixed on some of those wins, I can’t deny that Genius Loves Company was an incredible effort from one of the greatest musical minds to walk the planet. The project pairs Ray with artists old and new, creating a strong series of duets that feel more like a celebration than a sendoff. Pop, blues, jazz, R&B, country – it’s all here, all commemorated in a powerful package.
Aaliyah, I Care 4 U
Sure, this may be a bit of a cheat, since I Care 4 U is largely a greatest hits album, it also boasts several unreleased tracks that all left us wondering “why didn’t we get these earlier?” “Don’t Know What to Tell Ya,” “Come Over,” the title track and more showcase the talent that was taken from our world. And the lead single, “Miss You” has become a sobering signature track in its own right. Aaliyah is gone but I Care 4 U continues to set trends in R&B.
Sam Cooke, Shake
If you want to hear a Sam Cooke album, where would ya go? You might turn to Shake, his first posthumous release after his tragically mysterious death. Highlighted by “A Change is Gonna Come” (which previously showed up on Ain’t That Good News) Shake is a needed mix of fresh pop records and socially conscious commentary. Even though some of the records were repurposed from other releases, they don’t lose their impact, keeping Sam’s legacy strong.
Michael Jackson, Xscape
This is an album that shouldn’t have worked, but did. We’ve heard the story before – executive producer digs up unreleased vocals, get the day’s hottest producers to slap on modern beats, and let the cash grab commence. But when L.A. Reid reached out to Timbaland to lead a team of big-name producers for this MJ tribute, magic was made. Xscape not only captured Michael’s energy and passion, the production didn’t feel out of place. Despite these songs being recorded across two decades, the result was a surprisingly seamless project worthy of MJ’s legacy.
Otis Redding, The Dock of the Bay
When your posthumous album is home to one of the most recognized songs of the 60s, it HAS to go on this list. The Dock of the Bay is the first of a series of posthumous albums released after Redding’s tragic plane crash, and is the best of the bunch. Otis’ trademark raw, raspy vocals would go on to build a legendary legacy long after he had left us.
There are plenty more great posthumous albums out there – which ones stand out for you? Let us know below.
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