Rap Essentials Volume One is a Canadian hip hop compilation album, released in 1996 on Beat Factory Music, and distributed by EMI Music Canada.

[1] It is considered a landmark hip-hop album, and it was very influential.

[2][3] 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.

[4] "Dear Hip Hop" by Dan-e-o is considered a Canadian hip-hop classic.

[5] Music videos for "Dear Hip Hop", "Bright Lights, Big City", and "Sunlight" by Wio-K were put into rotation on MuchMusic.