Rap today

[miragv]

Do any Rap fans out there have anything good for me to listen to? The crap on the radio is crappy and I cant stand it. I am tired of listening to songs for the background music. All I hear about is cars, money, hoes, ice, and BS like that. I want to hear some songs with meaning.

I was crying to my friend about this a couple months ago and he introduced me to Kanye West.....lemme tell you, his CD is amazing. I want to hear stuff like that. But I tend to stay away from underground stufff

Any suggestions?

[Chopper Dave]

Jurassic 5 are really good. Any of the "group" rap acts that are gaining popularity today are good too (Black Eyed Peas, Dilated Peoples, The Roots, the aforementioned J5, etc.) Outkast is always good, also.

[The Sir]

Mos Def
Talib Kweli
J-Live
Last Emperor

are four that you should check out. I'm sure you've probably listened to most of Mos Def and Talib Kweli's stuff already though.

[Johnny Punani2]

Ever listen to old school hip-hop?

A Tribe Called Quest
De La Soul
Jungle Brothers
KRS ONE
Black Sheep
Slick Rick

[triple6mafia]

mobb deep
gang starr
jedi mind tricks
del the funky homosapien
common

[Sarge]

Originally posted by miragv
Do any Rap fans out there have anything good for me to listen to? The crap on the radio is crappy and I cant stand it. I am tired of listening to songs for the background music. All I hear about is cars, money, hoes, ice, and BS like that. I want to hear some songs with meaning.



You mean rap has meaning?

[miragv]

Yes Sarge, some rap has meaning to it.

[Sarge]

Fasinating

[TheDiplomat]

Yes, definitely a Tribe called quest Johnny Everyone of their CD's was classic. Also

1.Ghostface Killah
2. New and classic Nas
3. J.R. Writer
4. J Millz

Check this site out (http://www.hiphopgame.com/mainpage.php3) and click on audio at the top.

[semiskin]

Big-L - Probably the greatest rapper that alot of people will never find out about
Copywrite
Sage Francis

Here's another website for you: www.hiphopsite.com

[OrangeSkin]

Buy "Boy In Da Corner" by Dizzee Rascal. It is incredible.

[Chopper Dave]

Originally posted by OrangeSkin
Buy "Boy In Da Corner" by Dizzee Rascal. It is incredible.

I heard that one single of his, and while he's a mindblowing rapper, I don't think that I can handle the cacophony in the background that he calls a beat. I dunno, but I like something with more melody. Is the rest of the album like that?

[TheDane]

Wu-Tang Clan: Enter the Wu-Tang

[Ford]

First and foremost Canibus .. simply the best.

Also check out
jedi mind tricks ( as has been mentioned)
gza
kanye's sick .. since you know him download the track he's features in on dilated people's new cd ...
josh martinez is sorta different but good
Chino XL
Killah Priest
Talib Kwali and Blackstar (talib and mos def)
Royce Da 5'9
U.G.K.
Aesop Rock
Pharcyde
Inspectah Deck

[bofluid]

Pretty much all the artists previously mentioned are worth checking out.

Some other albums worth checking out are:
AZ - Doe or Die
Cormega - The Realness
Cormega - The True Meaning
Non Phixion - The Future is Now

[The Sir]

I like how that one man said Canibus. That's my favorite MC. And I like how the guy above me mentioned AZ, that's probably my 2nd favorite MC. He's never spit anything wack.

And Common Sense, another one I figured there was no need to mention. But he's a legend. I figured since he was on the Kanye CD that the man liked, that he knew about him.

[The Sir]

I'd also like to say that Jedi Mind Tricks most recent CD visions of gandhi was garbage. Stoupe is a great producer, but I didn't think it was it best work. And Vinnie Paz isn't that great, spits too much suspect lyrics. They need Jus Allah.

[Ghost of Nibbs McPimpin]

Did you know Can-i-bus is in the armed forces right now?

Even had a lyric about fighting the Islamic fanatics.

I had new respect for him after that.

[Golgo-13]

Originally posted by miragv
I want to hear some songs with meaning.
?

If you want songs with meaning then rap is probably not the best music genre for you. I enjoy rap music every now and then, but I don't find much with any kind of deeper meaning to it.

[The Sir]

Originally posted by Golgo-13


If you want songs with meaning then rap is probably not the best music genre for you. I enjoy rap music every now and then, but I don't find much with any kind of deeper meaning to it.

Lyrically, I don't think any genre of music is more advanced. Maybe you should listen to other rap artists than the ones you do currently.

[OrangeSkin]

DCogan, he does have some pretty harsh electronic beats on the record. It's a bit of an acquired taste, but almost completely original. Fix Up, Look Sharp is probably the most rap-oriented track on the album. A lot of it has techno leanings.

[The Sir]

Originally posted by Ghost of Joe Bibbs
Did you know Can-i-bus is in the armed forces right now?

Even had a lyric about fighting the Islamic fanatics.

I had new respect for him after that.

Yeah, did you hear him on Tim Westwood???

[phishhead]

I'm not huge into rap, but I'm into the Roots, J5, Kweli, Public Enemy, etc.

I see no one has mentioned Spearhead, here:

AllMusic's Spearhead page (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=UIDSUB040405022116142266&sql=Bdykqikv6bbf9)

[The Sir]

Last Emperor had what I consider to be the album of the year in 2003. It was titled Music, Magic, Myth. Anyway, check the first verse he had on a song called One Life.

1993, shortly before Thanksgiving
I got the call, she said Jamal, Derek is not longer living
Softly she spoke, is this a joke? Man you gotta be kidding
As my question was raised, this explanation was given
A meaningless death, made me question the meaning of life
Does my body remain at rest like when I'm sleeping at night?
Will I burn in eternal hell or will I find paradise?
Be rejected or ressurected like the body of Christ?
Is it like purgatory, the story described by the Catholics?
Or Nirvana that Buddha sought in both theory and practice?
Like I study in my college philosophy classes
Or do my molecules and atoms travel back to the gases?
I mean, what I like to know, is where my spirit goes
After the curtains close, on my final show?
Is there a pain it brings? Enjoy my favorite things?
Visit ancient kings? Hear the angels sing?
Who'll answer these said the great MCs
My man Gribbles battling a debilitating disease
He said you see a brother like me is willing to fight
And everytime I question death my only answer is life

I think that if you like hip hop and haven't at least heard the album, then you should definitely find a way to listen to it.

[KevinthePRF]

Any spinoff artist from the WuTang Clan. Method Man and Ghostface Killa are the most recent with new albums.

Mobb Deep
Nas
AZ
The Roots

though my favorite at the moment is Mos Def.

[RAC]

Akrobatik and Mr Lif... check em out, you won't be disappointed.

[kappaluvacee]

The fundamental problem is this: Rap has evolved in such a way and it is so mainstream that anyone who looks to radio for good rap is basically getting the same recycled money, cars, hoes because that's what the execs sitting in the major offices want played to sell more records. If a person truly is looking for good rap, they must first decide what type of rap they are looking for Hip-hop, commercials, or hardcore. I think the music has become overcome by a lack of creativity. The game is still reeling from the loss of PAC & Big. This is evidenced by the steady flow of their samples being used on blend-tapes. When I hear them spit with today’s artist, it's not even close. They blow them away. Also, look at the videos, same ole thing, strip-club or hood cinema. The game isn't creative enough anymore. Jigga’s talking about retiring while he's on top like MJ. Rap isn't a sport; it's a way of life. The culture never leaves you. He's leaving the game because he's bored. I love his music, but He too could take some lessons in creativity. I'm into the Talib Kweli now because he's like a breath of fresh air.

[Ghost of Nibbs McPimpin]

It's strange. I actually liked Cube's more political days, even though much of what he espoused was repugnant.

And yet, I feel repelled by Talib Kweli and his views on a few issues. True, there are points of agreement with he and Mos Def, but when you fill your content with very specific messages and "facts" then you prepare to set yourself in opposition to your listeners, unless your audience thinks like you do.

That's why I liked Eminem's "We as Americans" that got so much negative publicity--because it contained sentiments that resonated with me and with which I agreed.

[lovellj]

If you're really interested in Kanye's stuff, check out Twista's album (who has a sick flow, and actually has some solid, if a little trite, lyrics underneath), and, as someone else already mentioned, Dilated Peoples. You'll love these two tracks:

Dilated Peoples & Kanye West - This Way
Twista - Overnight Celebrity


even though it's overplayed to death on the radiowaves, Outkast's Speakerboxx & The Love Below are great. Roses is a fun track, but the best is:

Outkast - Unhappy

That's a great song with a deep insight into Big Boi's childhood. Finally, Jay-Z's black album, while commercial, is really sick, especially the track:

Jay-Z: December 4th

and

Jay-Z: My First Song

Also, if you can find it (i can send it to you over im if you need) is the remix album: The White Album. Good remixes from the producer of CunningLinguists. That's about all I got.

[tkatz]

I am surprised no one has mentioned Rakim. If you are looking for a true lyricist he is regarded as the premiere lyricist in the rap game.

[Ghost of Nibbs McPimpin]

tkatz

D'oh. Yep, I have the double album of "hits" and new stuff from him back in..97? can't quite remember.

Those were the days, buying actual CDs following rap/hip hop. Today, it's like whatever for me. I don't have the energy to invest in finding it and I like some rock and other stuff which gets me by.

[Sarge]

Killah Priest
Inspectah Deck
"Boy In Da Corner" by Dizzee Rascal
Akrobatik
Twista

So can someone explain why rappers can't spell?

[Destino]

Originally posted by Sarge
Killah Priest
Inspectah Deck
"Boy In Da Corner" by Dizzee Rascal
Akrobatik
Twista

So can someone explain why rappers can't spell?
Marketing, whatever they can do to stick out is done.

Now can you tell me why most country music male singers wear pants 4 sizes to small?

[Sarge]

Can't help you. But my next question is why are you noticing they have pants 4 sizes too small:)

[Painkiller]

Rap has become a parody of itself, as has most popular music. The reason is quite simple, the music industry jerk o**'s are calling the shots, not the musicians. Popular music has lost nearly all it's creative edge. Now it's all about raking in the dollar signs, when you have new artists just repeating what's already been done, (the problem is RECENTLY done, as in LAST YEAR done). Rap is a trend, and this trend is almost over, just like Grunge, Hair Metal, and New Wave before it. 50 cent is a perfect example, why when I listen to him to I feel like I've heard this same sh*t 100 times before? Another ex-gangsta/ crackhead/ drug dealer learned how to rap. It should surprise no one that more and more people are looking to relative distant past for inspiration. Artists like Norah Jones, The Darkness, and Jet are re-visiting old styles, and making bank off of it, because many people are SICK and TIRED of the crap on the radio that took over after the early nineties Grunge/Alternative era. Even bands like Creed have now been emulated a 1000 times. Like it or not, it's the truth.

[Painkiller]

Originally posted by Sarge
Can't help you. But my next question is why are you noticing they have pants 4 sizes too small:)


Since we are on the subject of "pant sizes" what in the hell is up with kids today?! Many are walking around with pants TEN times to BIG! These are kids with like a 28 inch waist wearing 44's or something. I don't know what looks dumber, pants that big on a person that small, or nut huggers like some people wear. I must be deranged or something, but I always buy pants that fit just right, not to tight, not to baggy. :)

[funnyperson1]

The truly talented rappers are underground or semi-underground (by this I mean not on MTV, but well known, and will get the BET plug every so often ala Mos Def.).

Some of my current favorites have already been discussed, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Akrobatik, Apathy and the Demigods, Common Sense, and Aceyalone.

The only truly mainstream rappers I have liked since 2pac died are Eminem and Kanye West.

Neither really says deep things like the underground rappers I posted say, but the musical/lyrical talent is very apparent.

Anyone who doubts this can listen to two songs, The Way I am by Eminem, and Jesus Walks by Kanye West. Both are the songs that made me really love their music.

[Gamebreaker]

Most of my favorite artist have already been mentioned. I listen to some of the mainstream stuff, and I'll dance to it in clubs. But most of it is just beats, great beats, yet the lyrical content is pathetic. Like this one artist called J-Kwon, he's horrible. Yet he's album will probably go platinum because he had a hot beat on his hit single. A song that consist of him rhyming numbers like he just graduated kindergarden.

My favorite artist right now:
Royce da 5'9 (my fav. overall)
Mos Def
Talib Kweli
Eminem
Twista (sometimes I don't like his verses, it seems like he rhymes at a rapid tempo just because he can.)
The Roots
Killah Priest
Kanye West

Basically all of my favorite artist have been mentioned. The ones above always seem to push the envelope, always trying to be innovative and do something not done yet. This is what hip-hop is, expressing yourself over music. Not the same wack-@$$ gangsta/iced out bullsh!t that none of them really know anything about.

Everybody should listen to Mos Def & Talib Kweli's "What beef is". It sums up 97% of the industry in 3 minutes.

[RedskinsNation]

That Kanye record is amazing from start to finish. He mixes up his styles/tempos throughout.

The newest Roots record (Phrenology) is one of the most underrated albums that has been released in some time.

Big L - his last album (I cant remeber the title off-hand) is something special. He was and is one of the most underrated rappers that ever did it.

I'm not into the mainstream garbage that dominates the radio/clubs...etc. But I do enjoy the undergroundish/hardcore Mobb Deep. Their beats getcha hype and they dont have those corny R&B singers droppin hooks on every song.

[jbooma]

They are not rap but so different then everyone else on radio today, Outkast !!!!!! :cheers:

[RedskinsNation]

Originally posted by jbooma
They are not rap but so different then everyone else on radio today, Outkast !!!!!! :cheers:

Outkast is amazing & they have changed so much since 1994. If you want the most classic, innovative rap record of all time pick up their first one called SOUTHERPLAYALISTIC (1994). It is smooth/gangsta/cosmic/funky all in one. I purchased this album 4 times in my life. The tape got all messed up, then someone stole my next one, then I bought the cd, then the cd got scratched and I had to buy it again.

[bofluid]

Originally posted by RedskinsNation
Big L - his last album (I cant remeber the title off-hand) is something special. He was and is one of the most underrated rappers that ever did it.


"The Big Picture" is the name of that album. His story is really sad,seeing as he had the talent to really blow up.

[RedskinsNation]

Originally posted by bofluid


"The Big Picture" is the name of that album. His story is really sad,seeing as he had the talent to really blow up.

Yeah thats it. That album makes you think. The beats are all original and not mainstream. He has the typical grimey New York style but his flow is sick. Its sad that he was the greatest talent that nobody knew about.

[semiskin]

Originally posted by RedskinsNation


Yeah thats it. That album makes you think. The beats are all original and not mainstream. He has the typical grimey New York style but his flow is sick. Its sad that he was the greatest talent that nobody knew about.

Amen brother. His first album Lifestyles Ov Da Poor and Dangerous is really sick too. Man that guy could rip the mic. If you listen to some of Jay-Z's really old stuff from like from 94-95, his flow to Big-L's is almost uncanny.

[The Sir]

Yeah, Big L was great. I still listen to his songs pretty much every day. I think he's one of the bests of all time. It's a real sad story too, he'd be the king of new york if he was around.

"I be placin snitches inside lakes and ditches/ and if I catch aids, imma start rapin....."

[The Sir]

Originally posted by semiskin


Amen brother. His first album Lifestyles Ov Da Poor and Dangerous is really sick too. Man that guy could rip the mic. If you listen to some of Jay-Z's really old stuff from like from 94-95, his flow to Big-L's is almost uncanny.

Remember that song Da Graveyard???

[Mr. Nostril]

I didn't notice these albums.

Sage Francis - Personal Journals
Soul Position - 8 Million stories
Aesop Rock - Labor Days
Illogic - Celestial Clockwork

Check out the following websites too.
www.pitchforkmedia.com
www.cokemachineglow.com

Neither of these are purely hip hop reviewing sites, but when they do review hip-hop/ rap they usually give pretty accurate reviews, and they review alot of stuff not just what's on the radio. Pay specific attention to Chet Betz' reviews on cokemachineglow. Hip-hop/rap is his specialty, and he has really good taste.

[RedskinsNation]

Originally posted by atlhawksfan


Remember that song Da Graveyard???

Since the day my boy burned that disc (The Big Picture) for me I've had it in constant rotation. I dont think I've heard Da Graveyard - what record is it on? Big L is one of the sharpest, wittiest MC's to ever rhyme. He could take an average beat and turn it into a classic.

Some of my favorite Big L tracks:

Ebonics

Deadliest Combination (feat. Tupac)

I cant remember the track's name but the one where he is running from the police and then he dies at the end... oh yeah, its called - The Heist... I think.

[The Sir]

You either thinking of The Heist or Casualties of a Dice Game.

Da Graveyard was off of Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Danger. It had him and Jay-Z on it. It's from '95.

[RedskinsNation]

Originally posted by atlhawksfan
You either thinking of The Heist or Casualties of a Dice Game.

Da Graveyard was off of Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Danger. It had him and Jay-Z on it. It's from '95.

Yeah, it was The Heist... Check this site out...http://www.maxlyrics.com/artistView/98

[The Sir]

He doesn't die at the end of The Heist though.

Check the lyrics to Casualties of a Dice Game:

http://ohhla.com/anonymous/big_l/picture/dicegame.bgl.txt

Either way, both are good songs. Im sure you would know what you were thinking of better than me though.

[cowboykilla]

It's interesting to see people's points of views on rap. . . .

I'm not a backpacker by any stretch of the imagination. (Backpacker around my way was always someone who listened to the underground lyricist lounge-type rap with a lot of meaning associated, and a lot of social commentary.) Just a different point of view I guess.

I'm 21 right now, so I grew up with Onyx and Dr. Dre/Snoop back when they were tight as hell in the very early 90's.

I'm surprised people haven't mentioned Bone Thugs N Harmony. I've never liked the name, sounds kind of fruity to me, but their first two albums might be the most hardcore in the history of rap, NO JOKE. Criminals, murders, drugs, B & E, no money. I know what you're thinking, "What about Crossroads?" B.S. If you listen to their first two albums, you'd think that Crossroads was put on their album by mistake. They did that to make money.

Creepin' On Ah Come Up is my favorite album of all time. If I can suggest only ONE SONG to download, it would have to be Creepin On Ah Come Up (same as album title) by Bone. It's just straight real. You hear about cars, hoes, etc. They talk about being broke as $hit and having to rob liquor stores to survive. Doesn't get more serious than that.

I also enjoy a fair amount of Goodie Mob, I know you Outkast fans out there can appreciate some old Goodie Mob.

While rap nowadays sucks for the most part, if I was going to have to listen to someone rapping about cars and the like, it'd have to be Pastor Troy. He's just gangster as hell, and has a ballin ***** style. He's the one who gave Clinton Portis his heavyweight belt by the way.

Download Creepin' On Ah Come Up.

[Gamebreaker]

I have a freestyle from back in '94, with Jay Z and Big L before Jay got big. Those guys flowed for about 8 minutes straight, not written, just freestyles. I burned the cd with that on it 2 years ago and I still play it today.

[tkatz]

Originally posted by Ghost of Joe Bibbs
tkatz

D'oh. Yep, I have the double album of "hits" and new stuff from him back in..97? can't quite remember.

Those were the days, buying actual CDs following rap/hip hop. Today, it's like whatever for me. I don't have the energy to invest in finding it and I like some rock and other stuff which gets me by.
True bro, true..He's actually coming out with a new album real soon that I might pick up.

[semiskin]

Originally posted by Gamebreaker
I have a freestyle from back in '94, with Jay Z and Big L before Jay got big. Those guys flowed for about 8 minutes straight, not written, just freestyles. I burned the cd with that on it 2 years ago and I still play it today.

That freestyle is so tight, it just goes on and on and back and forth. The '98 freestyle on the Big Picture is one of the sickest freestyles I think I've ever heard.

It is a damn shame what happened to him, it would have been great to see what kind of music he would have been making these days.

Two other guys that I'd like to add to that list that are pretty nice are Pharoahe Monch and Afu-Ra.

[miragv]

Rappers like 50 cent were so good before they became huge. I actually never listened to his really early stuff but I downloaded it when he blew up. It was some good music......but once they become commercialized you start hearing crap like 'in da club' and all radio songs he has out now