Hip Hop/Rap Fanatics Unite!

[scarper]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzLYAq5v7xE

[cha cha]

Just wanted to stop in and say Jurassic 5 has been one of the best and most influential musical impacts on my life. Never get tired of listening to any of their albums.

and that in general I love many forms of B-Boy/Breakdance music, also anyone that has ever done a collab with DJ Format and then stuff like Kool Keith/Doc Oc, Mos Def, old Wu Tang, Mob Deep, Tribe etc.

[Frag Mortuus]

Just wanted to stop in and say Jurassic 5 has been one of the best and most influential musical impacts on my life. Never get tired of listening to any of their albums.

and that in general I love many forms of B-Boy/Breakdance music, also anyone that has ever done a collab with DJ Format and then stuff like Kool Keith/Doc Oc, Mos Def, old Wu Tang, Mob Deep, Tribe etc.

The only J5 album I've really been able to get in to was Power in Numbers. I listened to that album for years and I still make sure it is always on my MP3 player of choice. I'm a huge Wu-Tang fan and have been since '93. 36 Chambers changed my life I also really love the type of hip hop that Mos Def, Talib Kwali, Blackstar, Common, and ATCQ are. I've heard it referred to as "Conscious Rap"

As I've gotten older, I have gotten out of a lot of "Gangster Rap" even though there are some artists that I can still listen to. The political and down to earth artist have a more realistic and heart felt feel to their music, which is why I tend to like them more.

[cha cha]

The only J5 album I've really been able to get in to was Power in Numbers. I listened to that album for years and I still make sure it is always on my MP3 player of choice. I'm a huge Wu-Tang fan and have been since '93. 36 Chambers changed my life I also really love the type of hip hop that Mos Def, Talib Kwali, Blackstar, Common, and ATCQ are. I've heard it referred to as "Conscious Rap"

As I've gotten older, I have gotten out of a lot of "Gangster Rap" even though there are some artists that I can still listen to. The political and down to earth artist have a more realistic and heart felt feel to their music, which is why I tend to like them more.

I can respect that, I think Quality Control was definitely their most well-received album and had the mellowest vibe overall, but I honestly only really listen to a few tracks off it.
If I had to pick, I'd say I listen to tracks from Power in Numbers most of all, some of the best beats and cuts that Nu-Mark and Cut Chemist have ever done in their careers. 'Day at the Races' is just an amazing song to me, and stuff like 'Remember his Name' and 'Thin Line' were pretty innovative and a great listen imo.

I feel the same way about "Gangsta" rap, it's certainly fell off from the days NWA, Mobb Deep and Wu Tang. Can't listen to most of the crap put out post 2000 tbh.

[noiseredux]

Can't listen to most of the crap put out post 2000 tbh.

you're probably not hearing the right stuff then. Off the top of my head you (and Frag) would probably really like the recent Joey Bada$$ mixtape SUMMER KNIGHTS.

[cha cha]

It's a distinct possibility. I am way more into B-boy music nowadays (and Rock, Jazz, World, Metal, Foreign Pop, 80's music- my tastes are just all over the fucking place). I certainly have not listened to enough of the current gen Gangsta/Hard Core/whatever they call it now, to make a well-informed commentary on it. I just know I haven't liked what I have heard.

Any suggestions to wow an old hip hop Dinosaur? (youtube links plz!)

[noiseredux]

Joey Bada$$ is basically this dude who tries to make records that sound like 90's NYC stuff (think Black Moon, etc).

I'm obsessed w/ A$AP Rocky's Long.Live.A$AP. album this year. He's another young NYC rapper, but his beats seem way more influenced by Southern Chopped & Screwed music. Check the vid for "Phoenix" for a good example.

Speaking of - if you like Sourthern stuff, then you should check out Big Krit. He's put out a string of solid mixtapes recently and is def influenced by classic Outkast.

As far as "gangsta," if you want yr mind really blown you need check out Kendrick Lamar who's 2012 album Good Kid, MAAD City is seriously one of the greatest West Coast records of the past decade. Um... maybe check the title track, "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe," and "Swimming Pools" if you want to get a decent mix of the various sounds on there. But honestly, that's a classic album, every single track.

Oh oh and Danny Brown's XXX mixtape from last year is ridiculous. That guy is so unique. He's from Detroit, and half the time uses this weird nasal voice. He was almost in G-Unit but was turned down for being a little too weird. (He says 50 didn't like his skinny jeans.) Check the track "DNA" which is prob my favorite thing he's done.

Also, the Odd Future hypemachine has been tough to miss these past couple years, but I think Earl Sweatshirt's EARL mixtape is classic. The title track is what you need to hear to be amazed by such a young lyricist.

Anyway, just a few things off the top of my head. Sorry I couldn't link vids right now. :\

[Frag Mortuus]

I'll check some of those out. Also, I do like Asap Rocky from what I've heard. I never heard of him until I heard him on Yelawolf's Trunk Muzik Returnz mixtape. I think you mentioned that you haven't listened to him. He is seriously one of my favorite artists of all time. He is a new signee to Shady/Aftermath. He is just enough weird, southern, gangsta, and super good lyricist to make his sound completely unique.

But, artists like Rick Ross and that whole "repeat a nonsensical phrase for 3 minutes to a beat" type of rap kills me. I know it's not all like that but it seems that mainstream rap has gotten diluted and is now devoid of any intelligent lyrics. Meanwhile artists like Yelawolf, Hopsin, and most of Tech N9ne's crew sit in the underground with no recognition, making no money.

Maybe I just don't understand these kids music nowdays

[Luke]

But, artists like Rick Ross and that whole "repeat a nonsensical phrase for 3 minutes to a beat" type of rap kills me. I know it's not all like that but it seems that mainstream rap has gotten diluted and is now devoid of any intelligent lyrics. Meanwhile artists like Yelawolf, Hopsin, and most of Tech N9ne's crew sit in the underground with no recognition, making no money.

Maybe I just don't understand these kids music nowdays

Preaching to the choir. "Metaphors" these days have been facepalm material. I can't believe I'm at a point where I have no interest in anything Roc-a-fella. I know Reasonable Doubt word for word, and was disgusted by holy shit magna crappa. Terrible bullshit album.

I'm more than fine being in my own zone listening to Jeru, Tribe, and just today I listened to the Beastie Boy's Anthology, but some new pop-hop is still great. Eminem's Rap God nearly gave me a brain aneurism.

The biggest issue that basically broke hip hop for me was the fake sensationalism of the lyrics. Miley Cyrus has more street cred than most rappers, and I'm stating the truth. Even as much as I enjoy Drake's music, hell if he started from the bottom.

But hate the industry, not the music. Seek ye out good hip hop and it shall be yours. But stray from mega companies that are only interested in you crankin' that soulja boy.

[flex wood]

As far as gangsta rap goes I don't think anything will ever be better then some old Geto boys.

We needed money so I robbed a liquor store. Bitch hesitated so I kicked the whore.

Also since you bring up Drake Luke I'm going to need you to look up that Ghostface blog and do some reading. I'm on my phone so I can't link it right now but it is hilarious and the guy that writes it absolutely hates Drake.