Epic early 90's era: Tribe, Pharcyde, Camp Lo, Geto Boys, Souls, LONS, De La, Black Sheep, Digable Planets, Pete Rock & CL, Eric B. & Rakim, Craig Mack, Jungle Brothers, Jeru, etc.
'93 Til Infinity (Souls of Mischief) & They Reminisce Over You (Pete Rock & CL Sooth) are two of my favorite hip-hop songs of all time. You will see the latter's on many GOAT lists for beats.
I also liked a lot of turn-of-the-century underground that The World Famous Beat Junkies were spinning. J5 & Dilated Peoples being the most prominent to come out of all that.
The Executioners, A-Trak & DJ Craze (The Allies) were also spinning a lot of great stuff. Destroying the DMC's.
I can't listen to what the young kids play anymore.