RAP/ HIP-HOP: tha surch

Local H Jay · July 2009

so i've been trying to slowly make my way through the rap scene and find the best shit. i quickly found some that i loved and others i didn't. what i need now is the internet's best rap and hip-hop to be had. recommend and educate me

list of stuff i LOVED:
aesop rock
cage
shad
NWA
ole dirty bastard
lil wayne
kanye west (i'm a sucker for autotune)
t-pain

stuff that didn't click:
lil jon and the eastside boyz
flo rida
souja boy
bubba sparx
mickey avalon

stuff i'm under-exposed to (interested in):
wu-tang
snoop/ jay-z

TL DR · July 2009

Del The Funkee Homosapien
Jedi Mind Tricks (anything before Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell)
Immortal Technique (Revolutionary, Vol. 2 is one of the top 5 best hip-hop albums ever)
Mos Def (Especially Black Star, his collaboration with Talib Kwali)
Zion-I
Jean Grae
Atmosphere
Brother Ali
If you haven't heard it, Dr. Dre's Chronic 2001 is a must-have.
Krs-ONE is classic.
Roots Manuva is great for production, though I feel that the cultural difference (he's in the UK) cause me to miss a lot of the content.

Chanus · July 2009

Wu Tang is for sure worth checking out.

I kind of lump Snoop and Jay-Z into a sort of pop-culture-rap of the sort that I like, but probably wouldn't listen to before other things.

Check out:

A Tribe Called Quest
Jurassic Five
Blackalicious
J-Live
Kool Keith
Deltron 3030

ChillyWilly · July 2009

K-os
Lecrae (Christian rapper, so I don't know if you would be interested in what he has to say. But he's very talented)

Shawnasee · July 2009

Flobots
Black Sheep - thats some really old school stuff

TL DR · July 2009

Fuuuuuck yesssss Flobots

firewaterword · July 2009

Check this thread. Lots of good stuff and linked videos.

Madpanda · July 2009

Peep this
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=6039

Also
Lupe Fiasco - look up youtubes for " go go gadget flow " " push kick " "hip hop has saved my life" to get a feel
POS - look up "seatbelts" "optimist"
Sage Francis - just look him up.
Murs - same as last.

gneGne · July 2009

Del the Funky Homosapien! You have to like old school though

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A46nqP1gd-Y&feature=related

UGK, some of the best the south has for us! They got good beats, and the duo (now its just one rip pimp c) mix well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlUvfFR4W8Y&feature=related

Outkast ofcourse!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEyP_IGv9I4

Luda! Albums have some hit-and-miss songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM4GrCoFZwg

Gang Starr, get a hold on the Mass Appeal!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAR5Zj8YCuE

Q-Tip (from A Tribe Called Quest, definately a must listen!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uu-myaGeJY

MikeMan · July 2009

i don't see Nas anywhere on that list. and that needs to be remedied ASAP.

EskimoDave · July 2009

Awesome! Someone who knows about Shad.

I was looking for a show to go to and saw Shad listed at Lucky. Hmm, hip-hop. I like that stuff. It was an amazing show.

Check out Classified. He's worked with Shad on a couple tracks.

MisterGrok · July 2009

Dälek - Ever Somber

I'd Fuck Chuck Lidell Up · July 2009

Alpine · July 2009

Download Wale's Mixtape About Nothing

Psychotic One · July 2009

Tech N9ne is pretty rad.

Also like Ill Bill. His new album The Hour of Reprisal is great. Other than that if I want something a little harder I usually go with DJ Bless aka SUTTER KAIN, ESHAM, or Necro [if you can get past his Brooklyn accent he is really good].

Fluffums · July 2009

Binary Star:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnD_CXnXEB8

One Be Lo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71fND5C96Tc

Talib Kweli:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77zxCAfVeD8

Others to check out:
Canibus, though he's rather polarizing. If you look him up, listen to his albums Rip the Jacker (specifically Poet Laureate 2) and 2000 BC. Mic Club is decent as well.

Kool G Rap, Common (Like Water for Chocolate/Be), MOP (Warriorz), AZ (Doe or Die, The Format), and Nas.

Xaquin · July 2009

This thread is suffering from a lack of Slick Rick

I'm fourthing Del the Funky Homosapien though.

eternalbl · July 2009

2 birds with 1 stone:

Notorious BIG and Bone Rhugs n Harmony

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p18uNMfwp34

at 4:58, the beat and rhymes are so good he's giving HIMSELF wood

I'd Fuck Chuck Lidell Up · July 2009

i was never huge into G unit but the Games whole first CD was great

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHmKkRRH240&feature=related

as were a few of 50s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX8q1l4Oytc&feature=related

and of course DMX has one of my favorite lines ever (the edited version doesn't do the song justice)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltGOKT2rQ8E&feature=channel
I lost my mind, and about to make you lose yours too, from far away, one time

I'd Fuck Chuck Lidell Up · July 2009

also most of nelly's stuff is pretty phenomenal. especially anything St. Lunatics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm6GHFe1UX0&feature=related

and lil wayne is pretty good as well (thoug hhis new cd is going to be awful)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKtZF-Mxv2I&feature=related

Kris · July 2009

EskimoDave wrote: »

Awesome! Someone who knows about Shad.

I'd Fuck Chuck Lidell Up wrote: »

and a new favorite of mine

K'naan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu3biFTak2I

Yes. Yes. Double yes. These two are probably the best stuff coming out of Canada right now. Here's two delicious songs to wet your appetite:

Shad - Freestyle

K'naan - Wavin' Flag

Also, you should definitely give NAS a listen. Illmatic is, in my opinion, the best hip-hop album ever, and here's a track off of it:

NAS - One Love

Finally, if you're interested in the Wu-Tang Clan, check out GZA/Genius - Liquid Swords. Probably the best album the Wu ever put out (no, it's not technically a group album, but it might as well be. Tons of cameos and RZA beats).

GZA/Genius - Shadowboxin'

I'd Fuck Chuck Lidell Up · July 2009

As great as Illmatic was nothing will ever top Liquid Swords. that whole album was just flawless. Next comes 36 chambers then illmatic IMO

edit: also K'naans whole troubadour album is amazing. this is prob my favorite song on there

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97-oM5bnyEc

then America then Fire in Freetown

TL DR · July 2009

That Shad video is pretty ill. Obviously not a freestyle, though.

projectmayhem · July 2009

LUPE FIASCO

EskimoDave · July 2009

Timothy Leary Come Check Out This Theory wrote: »

That Shad video is pretty ill. Obviously not a freestyle, though.

its a freestyle as much as any other freestyle is a 'freestyle'.

Folken Fanel · July 2009

I have to agree. Del the funkee homosapien and GZA are great.

Diarmuid · July 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQnjNOWd1sI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8d2xMemTjg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ncSt5xC8Uk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLYC9W92pYU

TL DR · July 2009

EskimoDave wrote: »

Timothy Leary Come Check Out This Theory wrote: »

That Shad video is pretty ill. Obviously not a freestyle, though.

its a freestyle as much as any other freestyle is a 'freestyle'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBNsmhynapw&feature=related

JWFokker · July 2009

Local H Jay, you should definitely check out the old Wu-Tang stuff first. Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) is a classic. After that, GZA's Liquid Swords is excellent, as is Method Man's Tical if you haven't already heard it. Going from there, I'd jump into some OLD Busta Rhymes (The Coming, When Disaster Strikes, E.L.E.) Redman (Dare iz a Darkside, Doc's Da Name, Muddy Waters), Def Squad, Notorious B.I.G., and M.O.P. (which I haven't seen mentioned in this thread yet). M.O.P.'s Warriorz and Ghetto Warfare are great albums, aside from the tracks with Jay Z on them. If you really like GZA's old stuff, I highly recommend checking out MF Doom.

I particularly like funk oriented rap and hip hop, so the overly studio processed stuff isn't my thing. And stuff from the "Dirty South" usually sounds like a muddled mess to my ears (Outkast being the exception), so I can't advise you about that either.

Since you like Aesop Rock, you might like Sweatshop Union and Bisc1 as well.

Zombiemambo · July 2009

Atmosphere - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbEwHJX95QE

Blue Scholars - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYCXbJdMWCo

Eyedea & Abilities - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIcuDQ2uwkE

Jurassic 5 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohi8NlxjtTQ

MF Doom/Madvillain - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewc1hixzYPY

Kingthlayer · July 2009

I dislike rap and hip-hop but have many friends who love it immensely. They all swear by Rick Jilla. It might just be a regional thing, though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTTeVohvDoU&feature=PlayList&p=799A1FC9EEC12527&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=15

TL DR · July 2009

Kingthlayer wrote: »

I dislike rap and hip-hop but have many friends who love it immensely. They all swear by Rick Jilla. It might just be a regional thing, though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTTeVohvDoU&feature=PlayList&p=799A1FC9EEC12527&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=15

Thoroughly generic. Although if I was from the area I can see it being entertaining. But god that chorus is awful.

Qorzm · July 2009

A Tribe Called Quest
De La Soul
Digable Planets
The Pharcyde

DoleyBob · July 2009

Any of you guys know of any other rappers like P.O.S. or Just Jack? I just recently grabbed a few of their albums and I'm finding them amazing. I really like the chill and upbeat aspects of Just Jack and P.O.S. has this rock vibe going on that's just awesome. Any suggestions?

lunaris · July 2009

So glad for the Atmo and MF Doom recommendations.

Peanut butter wolf is bangin'
People Under the Stairs
Blue Scholars is also solid

For hip hop like beats, Madlib and Cut Chemist are great DJs....

Sueve · July 2009

some of the best

Folken Fanel · July 2009

Not that it belongs.. but thumbs up to slightly stoopid in your playlist.

Zombiemambo · July 2009

Folken Fanel wrote: »

Not that it belongs.. but thumbs up to slightly stoopid in your playlist.

One of their best songs, too. That album is one of my faves. :^:

Local H Jay · July 2009

shit, this is a massive list. thanks for all the suggestions, time to get crackin'

Psychotic One · July 2009

Here are some of my favorite Tech N9ne tracks

Slacker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVg4qxuY0Lk

Bout to Bubble

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCZOyj4ZLHY

Absolute Power

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUQqEH3fWik

All his national albums are great. Angelic, Absolute Power, Mysery Loves Company and such are all pure gold from Tech N9ne.

MC Mystery · July 2009

There are a lot of good replies to this thread, some that I'd like to clarify details on, but I'm not really in the mood.

Basically outside of oldschool jams, you want to make sure you find some GRAND BUFFET:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqbgAQbb8CA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_iI8GT6iEE&feature=related

Penny Arcade

Quick Links

RAP/ HIP-HOP: tha surch

Posts