Rap Suggestions to Complete Newb?
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Forum Name: General Music Discussions
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Topic: Rap Suggestions to Complete Newb?
Posted By: J-Man
Subject: Rap Suggestions to Complete Newb?
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 17:56
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Hey guys, For those of you who know me, you'd know that my musical preferences have been constantly shifting for the last year or so. From death metal to progressive rock, to be-bop jazz and almost everything in between, I'll listen to most types of music.... except rap. This is the one genre that I have never, ever given a shot. Why? Because, honestly, I hate it. The stuff I hear on the radio and at parties is awful IMO. However, since I'm an opened-minded person, I don't want to completely dismiss the genre without giving it a fair shot. Thus, I've opened this suggestion thread for anyone who wants to help me out. I don't even own one rap album, so basically any suggestion is welcome. Preferably stuff that is generally considered a classic or essential album. I've been wanting to check out Wu-Tang Clan for a little bit now... Lastly, I want something with substance. I don't want to hear a bunch of wasted criminals talking over a drum machine. I want to hear real music that triggers emotions, etc. Most of you guys should know what types of music I like and don't like, so don't give me something too absurd.  Any suggestions are welcome.  Jeff ------------- 
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Replies:
Posted By: akamaisondufromage
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 18:14
Fairly ignorant of rap. But your thread made me pick up this:
 ------------- Help me I'm falling! |
Posted By: TheProgtologist
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 18:17
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Two words......
PUBLIC ENEMY
Nuff said -------------  |
Posted By: Vompatti
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 18:19
The only rap album I've ever had:  |
Posted By: JROCHA
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 18:20
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Check these out:
A Tribe Called Quest
Sage Francis
The Roots
Black Star
Aesop Rock
Antipop Consortium
Madlib
Jay Dee
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth
People Under the Stairs
these r some of my faves, most of these artists are alternative or underground hip hop. Its no the stuff u see on mtv nowadays or hear on the radio. Im sure u will get plenty more great hip hop suggestions.
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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 18:21
Any particular album, Jody? I noticed they have quite a few releases... -------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
TheProgtologist wrote:Posted By: Tuzvihar
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 18:23
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Wrong forum, boy!
------------- "Music is much like f**king, but some composers can't climax and others climax too often, leaving themselves and the listener jaded and spent." Charles Bukowski |
Posted By: TheProgtologist
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 18:25
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back and Fear of a Black Planet are 5 star,essential albums. ------------- |
Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 18:27
Really? I may have to check those out... I never knew that you were such a big fan of them! -------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: TheProgtologist
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 18:30
These are very good suggestions.I particularly like A Tribe Called Quest and The Roots.Also,in the same vein as the bands you recommended I would add De La Soul and maybe Digable Planets. ------------- |
Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 18:34
Two absolutely essential rap albums:  ------------- https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays |
Posted By: JLocke
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 18:38
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Rap/Hip-Hop:
Deltron 3030 - Deltron 3030Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory Public Enemy - Fear Of A Black Planet Outkast - Aquemini Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique Instrumental Hip-Hop: DJ Shadow - Endtroducing.... Blue Sky Black Death - A Heap Of Broken Images
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Posted By: TheProgtologist
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 18:39
PE are one of the few rap bands I ever REALLY liked.Chuck D has the best delivery in the industry and the social and political themes featured in his rhymes always appealed to me.
I do like smooth,well made hip hop,and when artists fuse that with jazz even better.A Tribe Called Quest and their brilliant album The Low End Theory is a perfect example.
Another good album is the groundbreaking,sample heavy Paul's Boutique by The Beastie Boys.Great stuff! ------------- |
Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 18:40
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Wyclef Jean by the way is a multi-instrumentalist and damn good guitarist. That album is a concept album with recurring themes but tons of variety. You get not just rap, but compas, R&B, Latin music, hilarious skits, and even Aaron Neville. Outkast is likewise very diverse, but they take the art of rapping to another level. Our marching band in High School one year did "Spottieottiedopalicious." ------------- https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays |
Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 18:48
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Awesome! Thanks for the suggestions everyone! BTW, is anyone familiar with Wu-Tang Clan? I've been thinking about checking them out for a while now... -------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: akamaisondufromage
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 18:52
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Mixed with punk  not something to post on a prog site one would think!------------- Help me I'm falling! |
Posted By: catfood03
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 19:41
Try these for rap that is weird and far from commercial... Food For Animals Belly  Anti-pop Consortium Fluorescent Black  Dabyre Two Three  Aesop Rock Bazooka Tooth  Madvillian Madvilliany |
Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 20:53
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J-Man: Wu Tang Clan are hugely important but you may not like them because they have a foot firmly in gangsta land. What made them so different was this:
i) Rap's equivalent of lo-fi, with dirty and ugly sounds in the beats which was quite shocking at the time.
ii) They wrote lyrics that were sometimes opaque at best with insider slang and philosophical/cultural references that were not always obvious.
iii) A lot of rap groups were previously formed around MCs that were similar (and still are actually. Souls Of Mischief always amused me, 4 MCs that may as well have been the same guy.) The huge difference between some of the Wu Tang MCs (compare the lyrical precision of GZA to the deranged clowning of Old Dirty b*****d for instance or the way Ghostface Killah sounds like he's being chased by the police all the time while Method Man is the coolest, calmest, coldest guy in town) meant you were never quite sure who or what was coming up next which made listening to them exciting.
However, a lot of Wu Tang beats and rhyme aren't really *that* deep and there's a lot of stuff about violence and crime and drugs. Generally they used metaphor and code which was more interesting than speaking on it plainly, but it's still not that interesting for people who just don't want street stuff.
I would probably refer you to the Wu Tang spin-off group, Sunz Of Man who kind of took what the Wu Tang did but added further lyrical layers, with rhymes often grounded in medieval history, religious theory and general esoteric intellectual topics. Of particular interest is the solo career of group member Killah Priest, who does a great job of being a bridge between the Wu's raw rugged street sh*t and the world of academia, history and philosophy. His best albums are Heavy Mental and The Offering.
More classics:
I Phantom - Mr Lif
None Shall Pass - Aesop Rock
The Cold Vein - Cannibal Ox
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Posted By: WalterDigsTunes
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 20:54
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Two words: Paul's Boutique The end all, be all culmination of a genre. As you might expect, this gem is from 1989. |
Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 21:00
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Some quality jams. I could throw these around all day, more where that came from alright...
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Posted By: Noak
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 23:57
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Gravediggaz-6 Feet Deep 
Curse ov Dialect-Wooden Tounges  Two of my favorite albums, any category.
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Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 03:20
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Canibus' Rip The Jacker, my review of which is the most recent entry in the "Non-Prog albums reviews thread" is also an essential classic.
As is the sadly overlooked Even In Darkness by Dungeon Family. Check out these tracks. The first two are super funky goodness and the third, Excalibur, has one of the most epic choruses I've heard on a rap track and the third verse by Cee Lo (later of Gnarles Barkley fame) is astonishing.
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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 15:48
Thanks for all your help, Textbook! I've listened to some Wu-Tang stuff on YouTube, and I think I'll check out their 36 Chambers album. I've liked (most) of what I've heard. BTW, do you have any particular song suggestions from Sunz of Man for me to check out on YouTube? -------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 15:54
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even some mellotron
my favourite rap song (one of the best rap songs) -------------  
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Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 16:24
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Yeah, Nas is pretty good. I've always loved this track, I Gave You A Power, a phenomenal lyric narrated form the perspective of a gun. J-Man: Yeah, 36 Chambers (properly called Enter The Wu Tang) is generally considered one of the fundamental hip-hop albums of all time. You need to hear it to establish a context for rap as it was SO influential. Tracks like Wu Tang Clan Ain't Nothing To f**k With, Protect Ya Neck and CREAM are standards.
However, the subsequent clan albums are not that good. A lot of the spin-offs and solos are good. The guy who's had the best career is Ghostface Killah. He's pretty much the only one who's never released garbage- general agreement is that Supreme Clientele is his best but I also really like Iron Man and Fishscale. Also seminal are Raekwon's Only Built For Cuban Linx (Part II, released in 2009 was also really good) and GZA's Liquid Swords.
Wu Tang has its tentacles everywhere with a dizzying number of spin-offs and associated acts. Gravediggaz as mentioned before is also a Wu Tang affiliate act.
Here's the Sunz Of Man. All cuts are from their only album really worth bothering with, The Last Shall Be First. After this, you are advised to check out Killah Priest's solo career.
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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 16:37
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^ Checking out those YouTube clips from everyone. Thanks a lot for posting those! I just bought Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) on cheap MP3, so I'll be giving it a listen tomorrow on my bus ride to and from school. The clips I've heard aren't something that I should be playing with a 7 year old running around!  I'm also really interested in checking out a few more of the albums posted here. Thanks everyone, and more suggestions/comments are always welcome! -------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 17:12
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if you like gymnastic rap and speed and humor
this song start at 48, and great bass line
realy cool beat nice tribbal drumming
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Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 17:15
this album is great
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Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 17:19
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Really? I think his best album is Extinction Level Event.
Busta Rhymes was a phenomenal force for his first five albums, one of the greatest flow/delivery based artists of all time and his energy levels were off the charts. He's a lyrical lightweight but his best tracks are so high impact that it doesn't matter.
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Posted By: Theriver
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 17:23
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Try The Roots as they play with real instrument |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 17:41
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the 90s was the best period for rap, so many great artists and so diverse in deliverance todays hip hop farts don't reach the 90s hip hop gods to their knees, 80s was good and the beginning but the real sh**t started in th 90s -------------
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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 17:41
The Sunz of Man and Busta Rhymes songs sounded pretty cool.  -------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: TheProgtologist
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 17:44
That's one of the things I really like about them. ------------- |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 17:46
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here is another legend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLdkgUFLfyc - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLdkgUFLfyc nice guitar riff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YGHFJCG9IM&feature=related - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YGHFJCG9IM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpIl063oy24&feature=related - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpIl063oy24&feature=related
I need to get some rap albums my self so this thread is nice
 some rap is a nice way to relaxe and you just have to find the real thing -------------
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Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 17:54
I also have to promote three of the greatest rap songs which comes out of Norway if you are interested (theese songs are so full of memories to me and nostalgia that I become emotional)
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warlocks_%28band - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warlocks_(band ) to just pinpoin to how important warlocks are in Norwegain hip hip
tnot just are they a norwegian hip hop group, the ARE norwegian hip hop. -------------
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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 18:03
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The Warlocks stuff sounded really good. I think I'll have to check those guys out! Which albums do you recommend starting with? -------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 18:08
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Mainstream hip-hop was at its best in the 90s but underground hip-hop is still good today.
I just got this new album by The Left called Gas Mask, nothing wrong with it.
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Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 18:13
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the first one is a classic, 90s hip hop and the qualaty is realy high it only becomes more ipressive how good they sounded then (hip hop in norway in 95 was not huge) and then this group not only are they pioneers, but they early on had a defiened sound. they sounded pro at the getgo.
http://www.warlocks.no/diskografi.php - http://www.warlocks.no/diskografi.php -------------
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Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 18:41
| I have to check out The Warlocks. Heard about them before but never actually got an album. |
Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 19:12
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E 1999 Eternal by Bone Thugs 'N' Harmony
Here's the first five tracks of another classic rap album but unusually for a hip-hop album I worship, this one is lyrically kind of ass, very repetitive topics about murder and drugs.
No, what makes this one a winner is the SOUND.
i) The production is incredibly spooky, genuinely frightening in places such as the first minute of Da Introduction or the gunshot at the end of East 1999, which makes me jump every time. The beats are also incredibly detailed, continually changing in subtle little details to match what the MCs or doing or just for variety. It's also a very cohesive album which is why I'm giving the first five tracks altogether. They flow magically into each other and feel like a complete unit to me though perhaps the gaps caused by listening to them on Youtube might spoil that. I find this even more sinister than the Gravediggaz debut.
ii) This is arguably the most important album of all time in terms of delivery and flow. Prior to this most people just rapped in a very plain way though there were a few people like Old Dirty b*****d who were unusual. All of the members of Bone Thugs however had very complicated and distinctive flows which continually changed and evolved. Their use of cadence and scansion was very unpredictable and sometimes they're not really singing or rapping but in an odd space inbetween.
The creepy atmosphere is also enhanced by the background (E1999 Eternal is a street corner in Cleveland where BTNH are from which was notorious for being a sight for gang executions, supposedly because of a dark spirit called Mr Ouija who resided there. Additionally, BTNH unlike a lot of other "gangster rappers" really did come from the NASTY part of town and were very gutter. One member, Flesh, has spent most of the group's career in jail for murder.)
Turn up loud and listen in the dark.
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Posted By: Formentera Lady
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 20:03
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There was a thread about how 'progressive' hip hop can be with a lot of examples: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=70996&KW=hip&PN=1 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=70996&KW=hip&PN=1 Maybe you can find something interesting there? |
Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 20:06
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And don't forget this, from the forum's best poster.
http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72311 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72311
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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: November 04 2010 at 15:58
Wow... I absolutely love Enter the Wu-Tang! I listened to the album twice today!  -------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: WalterDigsTunes
Date Posted: November 04 2010 at 16:01
Nothing but sh*t in the 90s, I'll grant you that much. Stick to the 80s, the last great era in music. |
Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 04 2010 at 16:03
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Well in that case you definitely need to chase up Liquid Swords and so on. If you like that, I refer you to Mobb Deep, the other gutter/grimey/hardcore act that made big waves at the same time. They're less esoteric than Wu Tang, very hard and dark, but one of the acts that really defined gangster rap.
Their second and third albums, The Infamous and Hell On Earth, are their best albums.
Also, remember to check out the bottom of pg 2 for my post about another hardcore classic that is one of the best sounding hip-hop albums of the 90s, Bone Thugs 'N' Harmony's E1999 Eternal.
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Posted By: Noak
Date Posted: November 04 2010 at 16:15
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Wow.
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Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 04 2010 at 16:25
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A brief moment to also salute Stress by Organized Konfusion, one of the great overlooked rap albums of the 90s. Excellent stuff. Be sure to check out Pharoahe Monch's solo career too.
There's also MOP who are lyrically as dumb as a box of rocks but man DO THEY HAVE ENERGY. I just can't control myself when this comes on:
And here they are teamed up with rap's other most energetic act Busta Rhymes. ENERGY OVERLOAD.
And while we're on the topic of Busta team-ups, here he is with Black Sabbath. No that's not a sample, it's a real collaboration.
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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: November 04 2010 at 17:01
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BTW, this is another question I had. What about the modern, more famous rappers? Like Eminem, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, etc... I don't really like what I've heard from any of them, but I don't know if they've ever released a good album over the years.
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Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 04 2010 at 17:09
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Eminem's first three albums are good. He's very funny and creative but you have to have an "anything goes" approach because he's as offensive as he feels like being. After those three albums though, he falls off and hasn't gotten back on.
Snoop is a very important/influential artist but as a lyricist he goes nowhere fast. Doggystyle is a hugely influential album but he's just not very interesting.
50 Cent you can forget about completely. Can't flow, can't write lyrics.
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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: November 04 2010 at 17:13
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^ Thanks buddy. I think right now I'll stick to some of the other suggestions in this thread.
-------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: JROCHA
Date Posted: November 04 2010 at 18:23
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Some classic albums from the 90's:
93 Til Infinity - Souls of Mischeif
Bizarre Ride Pt.2 - The Pharcyde
Breaking Atoms - Main Source
Ressurection - Common Sense
Jazzmatazz - Guru
Step in the Arena - Gang Starr
Blowout Comb - Digable Planets
A Wolf in Sheeps Clothing - Black Sheep
these are some great hip hop albums from the classic peroid of the 90's, most of these albums are often overlooked. These hip hop artsist display a different brand of hip hop, unlike most of the gangster/thug rap at the time.
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Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 04 2010 at 19:10
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I'd also like to steer people towards a few other key MCs.
A lot of people give this honour to Rakim but for me the template of the ideal traditional MC is Big Daddy Kane. Great voice, impeccable flow, fresh lyrics. Pity he fell off after his first two albums but his early stuff is great.
Here's Kool G Rap one of the most respected and long lasting gangster rappers there is. Despite having a pronounced lisp he manages to be very hardcore and dignified, no mean feat. It is a mark of the respect the game has for him that one does not make fun of G's lisp and live.
And here's Kurtis Blow, the first rapper to get signed to a major label. He's unspectacular in some ways but a very fun, charismatic guy and this is a classic.
And to complete the history lesson here's Sugarhill Gang with Rapper's Delight from 1979, rap's first hit single. Could the presenter's voice be any more white?
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Posted By: dwill123
Date Posted: November 04 2010 at 21:39
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"Follow the Leader" - Eric B. & Rakim "Fear of a Black Planet" - Public Enemy "Ready to Die" - Notorious B.I.G. |
Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 05 2010 at 02:12
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Here's the Beatnuts. Lyrically a mixed bag but GREAT production with a fondness for flutes.
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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: November 05 2010 at 14:17
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I may be going to a record store later today... I think I'll bring some of these suggestions with me.
-------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: Matthew T
Date Posted: November 05 2010 at 16:15
Ragga and about the best one of the genre I have heard
  French and Awesome
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000001E7V/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=5174&s=music">
 http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/product-gallery/B00004YWYO/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_0?ie=UTF8&index=0">
 Latin and great album
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000028U03/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=5174&s=music">
 Get the latin ones.......real Barrio stuff ------------- Matt |
Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 05 2010 at 20:17
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Someone already posted Busta Rhymes' Gimme Some Mo so here's another candidate for one of the greatest hip-hop videos of all time.
BTW, don't forget the Hieroglyphics crew. The most famous member is Del Tha Funkee Homosapien. Here he is ripping it up on the opening epic to Deltron 3030, the track of the same name.
(As background to the lyric, Deltron 3030 is a concept album set in a future dystopian world ruled by a totalitarian government that has banned hip-hop music. The super-powered MC Deltron Zero, created in a military lab, escapes with his beat-making sidekick Dan Tha Automator to spread funkiness to all the people and bring the bad guys down.)
But Del isn't the only one worth checking out. I always thought Pep Love's album The Ascension was unfairly overlooked. Here's a taste, an old favourite of mine, Act Phenom. (The video is some snowboarding stuff, not related. Just listen to the song.)
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Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: November 05 2010 at 20:55
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probably a bit to gangsta 4 you man but, a rap suggestion without not even one 2pac suggestion is a crime to hip hop
Im not he's biggest fan, but I can say as much that I admire he's flow, voice and understand he's impact on hip hop
he was a force, a nucular force, and maybe become TO big for some to fast, he and Biggie was (and will be) the two most important forces of hip hop (many rapers are better,), but Pac was a star which probably shined to bright (for some) to early, I morn he'm and Biggie (some times I think about them and gets sad
 )-------------
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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: November 05 2010 at 21:07
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Today at the record store, I picked up these two albums: Wu-Tang Clan - 8 Diagrams Wyclef Jean - Carnival -------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 05 2010 at 22:14
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Carnival is alright but 8 Diagrams, hmm... it's not terrible or anything, in fact some of the MCs (particularly U-God who'd never sounded better) sounded re-energised and on their game but RZA drops the ball on the production, very dull for the most part. (Strangely, a lot of the pre-release tracks that did not make it on to the album are a lot better than what actually did. See if you can Watch Your Mouth.) In fact Raekwon publicly chewed RZA out about the beats on the album being wack and suggested they do the next record without him but I think they've settled it and are working together again now.
See if you can exchange it for Liquid Swords.
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Posted By: Lark the Starless
Date Posted: November 05 2010 at 23:31
I'd recommend A Tribe Called Quest's "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" and "The Low End Theory" for your next purchases  ------------- 
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Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 06 2010 at 00:22
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If you like the gritty boom bap sound of Enter The Wu Tang, another key act is Black Moon and their revered Enter Da Stage. (I'm personally not a fan, I find it kind of dull but I'm in the minority. Most hip-hoppers worship it and its companion piece by Black Moon affiliates Smif N Wessun, Da Shining.)
Samples:
These two tracks are actually pretty great, but a lot of the other stuff on the LP is average to me.
Another classic LP that doesn't get brought up much is Uptown Saturday Night by Camp Lo. Camp Lo's thing is a sort of 70s blaxploitation vibe and they write their lyrics in a very very dense complex slang-speak which can be quite hard to follow if you don't know the terminology- to the uninitiated they can sound abstract. But the two MCs have very good flows and there's lost of nice production.
Luchini is essential.
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Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: November 06 2010 at 00:30
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I'm severe old skool.......
Kurtis Blow
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: November 06 2010 at 08:40
I listened to most of 8 Diagrams last night, and I'm kinda disappointed. Nowhere near Enter the Wu-Tang IMO. I actually really missed hearing Ol' Dirty b*****d's raps on that... he's probably my favorite in the Wu-Tang. -------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: November 06 2010 at 13:27
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may Ol Dirty B*'****d rest i pease just as any other Hip Hopers that did not last long
Biggie, 2Pac. Big Pun, Big L, Easy E, Jam-Master Jay (of RUN DMC) -------------
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Posted By: dwill123
Date Posted: November 06 2010 at 13:35
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"Pop Goes the Weasel" - 3rd Bass (samples Peter Gabriel)
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Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 06 2010 at 17:47
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J-Man: As I said before, a lot of the solo/spin-off Wu Tang records are better than the group's own subsequent albums. Liquid Swords (GZA) and Only Built For Cuban Links (Raekwon) are particularly regarded as classics but there's lots of other good ones.
Ghostface Killah is probably my favourite. He's actually not the best MC in the group but he has the best ear for beats out of all of them, not having any records like Immobilarity (Raekwon album where his rapping was fine but the album was sunk by rubbish beats) and GK knows a well deployed sample when he sees one:
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Posted By: splyu
Date Posted: November 06 2010 at 18:10
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Edit: I see it's already been mentioned. Just thought I'd add there's also an instrumental version of this album. Really good stuff. |
Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: November 06 2010 at 21:24
I quite like those. I'll have to check out some of his albums! Any particular release I should get first?-------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 07 2010 at 00:20
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I quite liked Fishscale:
But Iron Man and Supreme Clientele are pretty good too.
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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: November 07 2010 at 15:38
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I just picked up these rap albums: Wu-Tang Clan - Iron Flag (it was only $3, so I needed to hear it  )Ghostface Killah - Ironman -------------
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Posted By: lucas
Date Posted: November 07 2010 at 15:48
------------- "Magma was the very first gothic rock band" (Didier Lockwood) |
Posted By: JLocke
Date Posted: November 07 2010 at 15:50
This post adds so much to the conversation. I wept.
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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: November 07 2010 at 15:56
Thanks. It's always great to hear your insightful comments. -------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 07 2010 at 16:07
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Enjoy. Iron Flag is alright, Iron Man is very good :)
We been bumping a whole lot of old stuff which I know is easy to do but listening to myself on the hip-hop boards I come off like a grumpy old grandad a lot of the time. But while I honestly maintain that modern mainstream rap is almost all rubbish (Nicki Minaj and Drake? Please, I can out-rhyme them, they're nothing but image) there's still good stuff on the underground and probably always will be so let's try not completely overlook the quality new hip-hop that's still being produced, particularly the music that's not from Chicago, the East Coast, Detroit, Atlanta or the West Coast (or Minnesota, which, perhaps surprisingly, is a huge centre for alternative rap). Here's some tracks from a brand new album I have a good feeling about from North Carolina group Mindsone called Self Reliance:
And while I'm here I'll give a shout out to Minnesota's Eyedea a key independent rapper who has just died aged only 28. The reason for his death has not been made public but the guy was a great freestyler and battler and deserved props so it's a sad loss. Though he was best known for his work with producer Abilities, his best album is the self-produced The Many Faces Of Oliver Hart. Here's some of his cuts. Here For You getting a little proggy...
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Posted By: lucas
Date Posted: November 07 2010 at 16:08
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So what ? I don't dislike totally rap but it's certainly the last musical genre I would be interested in (although I still like some run-dmc, cypress hill or beastie boys (especially paul's boutique) from time to time), but I wouldn't pay too much to hear in the recent artists, especially, someone who speaks with a lot of insults and some samples as background music. Of course, if someone can recommend rap without samples and without annoying speech (in the vein of the bands above-mentioned) I would be glad to move forward with a constructive discussion.------------- "Magma was the very first gothic rock band" (Didier Lockwood) |
Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 07 2010 at 16:11
| I don't agree that samples are inherently rubbish but I do agree that a lot of recent mainstream rap- basically everything since 50 Cent undid all of Outkast's good work in 2003- is terrible. Look at the underground man. |
Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: November 07 2010 at 16:27
Wu-Tang Clan has been around since 1992.  And I wasn't questioning your opinion. I was just stating that your original comment added nothing meaningful to the discussion... -------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: November 07 2010 at 17:03
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I just went to go listen to Ironman, and it turns out the record store put the wrong damn CD in the case! It's some really crappy techno-pop dance DVD! I'm going to try and go exchange it tomorrow...
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Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: 40footwolf
Date Posted: November 07 2010 at 17:52
For some starter albums, go with:
I don't profess to be a huge expert but those should all be great places to start. The Low End Theory in particular is one of the greatest albums ever made, regardless of genre. ------------- Heaven's made a cesspool of us all. |
Posted By: 40footwolf
Date Posted: November 07 2010 at 17:55
...So you know that Paul's Boutique is basically constructed MAINLY out of samples, right? ------------- Heaven's made a cesspool of us all. |
Posted By: JLocke
Date Posted: November 07 2010 at 17:57
''Annoying speech''? What does that even mean? That part where they speak rhythmically without much melody? That's what rap is. Can't do much to help ya with that. And I hate to keep pushing this particular album as often as I do, but I'm telling you, a nice, intense listen to ''Endtroducing.....'' by DJ Shadow should show you just how valid sample-based music is. So your comment about sampling makes no sense, either.
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Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 07 2010 at 18:04
| Oh yeah, jokes on me for missing that RIDICULOUS "I hate samples but I love Paul's Boutique" remark as PB is one of the most sample dense works there is. In fact it was partly responsible for the great "SAMPLE EMBARGO" that began in 1991 and paved the way for Dr Dre who didn't lean so heavily on them. Without it he may never have taken off. |
Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 07 2010 at 18:08
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Lyrics Born:
And where's the love for Blackalicious?
Must get first two albums, Nia and Blazing Arrow.
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Posted By: JROCHA
Date Posted: November 09 2010 at 20:28
| My cousin seen Blackalicious live and he said it was the best hip hop show he ever been to so far. I have heard some of his stuff and i like. Need to dig more into his material |
Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 09 2010 at 20:33
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"his" stuff.
Noob ;)
It's a group. MC is Gift Of The Gab, producer is DJ Xcel.
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Posted By: JROCHA
Date Posted: November 09 2010 at 21:23
| My fault, they r a duo. What album do reccomend to get first? |
Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: November 10 2010 at 01:13
| Blazing Arrow is their best but NIA is pretty good too. |