Rap Essentials Volume One is a Canadian hip hop compilation album, released in 1996 on Beat Factory Music, and distributed by EMI Music Canada. It is considered a landmark hip-hop album, and was very influential in Canada.
Three songs from the album—"Naughty Dread" by Kardinal Offishall, "Fitnredi" by Rascalz, and "Bright Lights, Big City" by Scales Empire—were nominated for Best Rap Recording at the 1997 Juno Awards. "Dear Hip Hop" by Dan-e-o is considered a Canadian hip-hop classic.
Music videos for "Dear Hip Hop", "Bright Lights, Big City", and "Sunlight" by Wio-K were put into rotation on MuchMusic.
Track listing
| # | Title | Performer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Fitnredi" | Rascalz | DJ Kemo | 4:29 |
| 2. | "Boiling Point" | Concrete Mob | Scam | 3:17 |
| 3. | "Learn to Earn" | Down ta Erf | Down ta Erf | 3:25 |
| 4. | "Naughty Dread" | Kardinal Offishall | Kardinal Offishall | 4:24 |
| 5. | "No Lawz" | Black-I | DRK | 4:23 |
| 6. | "Sunlight" | Wio-K | DJX | 3:42 |
| 7. | "Who's Talking Weight (Remix)" | Red Life | Swiff | 3:46 |
| 8. | "Dear Hip Hop" | Dan-e-o | Scam | 3:24 |
| 9. | "Bright Lights, Big City" | Scales Empire | DJ Luv, Kandu (co-producer) | 4:00 |
| 10. | "Twenty One Years" | Choclair | Day | 4:17 |
| 11. | "Structure, Foundation (What's the Plan)" | Citizen Kane | Down to Erf | 3:14 |
| 12. | "U.L." | Ghetto Concept | Kwajo Cinqo | 4:24 |
Samples
- "Learn to Earn" – Contains a sample of "Paid in Full" by Eric B. & Rakim
- "Naughty Dread" – Contains a sample of "Natty Dread" by Bob Marley & The Wailers
- "Dear Hip Hop" – Contains a sample of "The Look of Love" by Ramsey Lewis
- "Structure Foundation" – Contains a sample of "Salt Song" by Stanley Turrentine (1:56)
