For those people who hate hiphop/rap or are new to it

[Arkitech]

ahh well I tried



Its funny though I felt the same way about metal, did'nt like it at all. Now I can appreciate it for what it is.

Edit: For the record hiphop does bring something to the table musically, whether you like it or not is another subject.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

Originally posted by: Arkitech
Reflection Eternal - The Blast
Reflection Eternal - Love Language (both of these songs have some very good experimental music, the rapper Talib Kweli is a very intelligent, clever lyricists and these songs showcase a fraction of his abilities. Some might have a hard time getting used to his higher pitched voice but these tracks are enjoyable)

Just a minor clarification for anybody looking for these songs. Reflection Eternal is the name of the album. The rapper on the album is Talib Kweli with the DJ'ing done by Hi-Tek.

Actually the group name is Reflection Eternal, the album title is Train of Thought

 

[wolf papa]

I really don't like most of the rap/hip-hop I've been exposed to, BUT ...... I did like the acoustic version of Tupac's "Thugz Mansion"

also, a lot of Gil Scott Heron's music from the early-mid '70's was like a forerunner to rap - interesting, socially/politically conscious lyrics - too bad the genre evolved into "bling bling, ho b!tch shoot'em"

 

[UglyCasanova]

Too much beat, not enough melody. I don't care for rap, but there are a few exceptions like N.E.R.D. and Paul Wall. But don't get me wrong, I dislike metal equally.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: wolf papa
I really don't like most of the rap/hip-hop I've been exposed to, BUT ...... I did like the acoustic version of Tupac's "Thugz Mansion"

also, a lot of Gil Scott Heron's music from the early-mid '70's was like a forerunner to rap - interesting, socially/politically conscious lyrics - too bad the genre evolved into "bling bling, ho b!tch shoot'em"

I've never been a fan of Tupac but I'm with on the Gil Scott Heron music, thats good stuff. You would probably like Mos Def or Talib Kweli (Blackstar, Reflection Eternal) they speak on some important issues. In particular Mos Def has a really good song about the reality of water, real interesting stuff.

 

[ndee]

Jurassic 5 are comin' to Switzerland and guess who will be the one in the front row when they're jammin? 😀

 

[ndee]

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: wolf papa
I really don't like most of the rap/hip-hop I've been exposed to, BUT ...... I did like the acoustic version of Tupac's "Thugz Mansion"

also, a lot of Gil Scott Heron's music from the early-mid '70's was like a forerunner to rap - interesting, socially/politically conscious lyrics - too bad the genre evolved into "bling bling, ho b!tch shoot'em"

I've never been a fan of Tupac but I'm with on the Gil Scott Heron music, thats good stuff. You would probably like Mos Def or Talib Kweli (Blackstar, Reflection Eternal) they speak on some important issues. In particular Mos Def has a really good song about the reality of water, real interesting stuff.

2pac made some awesome tracks. All eyez on me was and still is one of the best albums EVER.

 

[royaldank]

I have a live Jurassic 5 show from last summer and it's pretty good. I hear the Roots are really good live, although I've never listened to much of their music. They are playing at Bonnaroo this summer (link) so I might try and walk over to catch some of their set.

I find there are two types of people...those that love music, and those that like music. People that like music are happy getting in their car each day and tune into the local radio station. At home, they watch some MTV and like music in clubs. People that love music are generally folks that dive deep into the formats they like and realize that it's an artform. While they may not like certain formats, they generally are wise enough to realize it's their tastes and not make absurd statements like "rap sucks." I've also found that those content with the radio and MTV usually don't care to consider music any further and use gross, absurd generalizations like "your music sucks."

Personally, I rarely listen to rap. Disposable Heros, Tribe Called Quest, Jurassic 5, De La Soul, Public Enemy, Digible Planets, and the Beasties are all pretty cool. But, I much prefer jam band type music; more specificly, jazz/funk and electronic type jam music. Stuff like Galactic, Particle, Sound Tribe Sector 9, and the New Deal. I prefer musical pieces and movements over catchy, hook laiden songs. You might find some of the bands I just mentioned interesting. Lots of folks that like rap claim it's mainly because the beats. Jam band music is built around the concept of the beat and rhythms revolving around the beat.

 

[loosliptcomptrola]

The underground you speak of isn't really underground anymore. I give Kweli and Mos Def mad props for the shyt they put down on Blackstar. Their music is definately on another level compared to the cookie cutter rappers that are a dime a dozen nowadayz. But don't count out the true underground artists that struggle in the streets selling tapes on street corners. Living Legends crew, Hieroglyphics, Atmosphere, and Company Flow are some of those artists that never made it into the public spot light probably because most of their lyrics spoke out against the crap that comes out or they just simply don't want to cash out their chips like that. People complain that rap is devoid of meaning and emotion without delving into the real shyt. It's like they stick their big toe in the water and say the shyt is too hot for them. I would say that 90% of the shyt that makes it to the grammies is all devoid of anything that people should give a fvck about. They just cry about their lives when they are 19 years old and rich as hell. Or the metal heads just talk about eating fetuses and force feeding broken glass. I've been through those phases too, don't get me wrong, I used to listen to that and I'll have to give it up for some of the instrumental innovations that they've put down. I'm a musician myself but I've moved on now. I play jazz music and I listen to underground. I'm just sick of people talking bad about rap when they don't know shyt about it...

 

[loosliptcomptrola]

Originally posted by: royaldank
I have a live Jurassic 5 show from last summer and it's pretty good. I hear the Roots are really good live, although I've never listened to much of their music. They are playing at Bonnaroo this summer (link) so I might try and walk over to catch some of their set.

I find there are two types of people...those that love music, and those that like music. People that like music are happy getting in their car each day and tune into the local radio station. At home, they watch some MTV and like music in clubs. People that love music are generally folks that dive deep into the formats they like and realize that it's an artform. While they may not like certain formats, they generally are wise enough to realize it's their tastes and not make absurd statements like "rap sucks." I've also found that those content with the radio and MTV usually don't care to consider music any further and use gross, absurd generalizations like "your music sucks."

Personally, I rarely listen to rap. Disposable Heros, Tribe Called Quest, Jurassic 5, De La Soul, Public Enemy, Digible Planets, and the Beasties are all pretty cool. But, I much prefer jam band type music; more specificly, jazz/funk and electronic type jam music. Stuff like Galactic, Particle, Sound Tribe Sector 9, and the New Deal. I prefer musical pieces and movements over catchy, hook laiden songs. You might find some of the bands I just mentioned interesting. Lots of folks that like rap claim it's mainly because the beats. Jam band music is built around the concept of the beat and rythms revolving around the beat.

yes

 

[wolf papa]

Originally posted by: ndee

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: wolf papa
I really don't like most of the rap/hip-hop I've been exposed to, BUT ...... I did like the acoustic version of Tupac's "Thugz Mansion"

also, a lot of Gil Scott Heron's music from the early-mid '70's was like a forerunner to rap - interesting, socially/politically conscious lyrics - too bad the genre evolved into "bling bling, ho b!tch shoot'em"

I've never been a fan of Tupac but I'm with on the Gil Scott Heron music, thats good stuff. You would probably like Mos Def or Talib Kweli (Blackstar, Reflection Eternal) they speak on some important issues. In particular Mos Def has a really good song about the reality of water, real interesting stuff.

2pac made some awesome tracks. All eyez on me was and still is one of the best albums EVER.

The track is not typical Tupac - wistfull lyrics (I could even understand most of them), over some nice acoustic guitar. Tasty .... more emphasis on melody than percussive beats and ego-centric posturing.

I try to remember how my parents (and many others) dismissed The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Doors, etc. as just so much noise, and you can't understand the words, and they're so disrespectful, etc.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

Originally posted by: Arkitech
Reflection Eternal - The Blast
Reflection Eternal - Love Language (both of these songs have some very good experimental music, the rapper Talib Kweli is a very intelligent, clever lyricists and these songs showcase a fraction of his abilities. Some might have a hard time getting used to his higher pitched voice but these tracks are enjoyable)

Just a minor clarification for anybody looking for these songs. Reflection Eternal is the name of the album. The rapper on the album is Talib Kweli with the DJ'ing done by Hi-Tek.

Actually the group name is Reflection Eternal, the album title is Train of Thought

I'm staring at the CD right now, and it says Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek across the bottom, and says Reflection Eternal around the inner ring. *shrug*

So Reflection Eternal is the name of the collaboration. I did not know that.

 

[UglyCasanova]

Originally posted by: loosliptcomptrola
The underground you speak of isn't really underground anymore. I give Kweli and Mos Def ad props for the shyt they put down on Blackstar. Their music is definately on another level compared to the cookie cutter rappers that are a dime a dozen nowadayz. But don't count out the true underground artists that struggle in the streets selling tapes on street corners. Living Legends crew, Hieroglyphics, Atmosphere, and Company Flow are some of those artists that never made it into the public spot light probably because most of their lyrics spoke out against the crap that comes out or they just simply don't want to cash out their chips like that.

True, but what do you mean it's not underground anymore? The mainstream rap I hear is very much the cookie cutter rappers you were talkin about.

People complain that rap is devoid of meaning and emotion without delving into the real shyt. It's like they stick their big toe in the water and say the shyt is too hot for them.

People say that because what they hear is the mainstream. Most of the "deep" rock stuff is the same way. Just because somebody makes up either lyrics about love or writes sh!t like they are on acid doesn't mean the music means anything at all. I think you would be very hard pressed to find anything in mainstream music that really shows any sort of artistic meaning and inspiration.

I would say that 90% of the shyt that makes it to the grammies is all devoid of anything that people should give a fvck about. They just cry about their lives when they are 19 years old and rich as hell. Or the metal heads just talk about eating fetuses and force feeding broken glass.

Lmao!!! So true though. It's not just in rap. Music is quickly becoming more of a show than an artform. People just don't listen to music anymore, they simply hear it. It's entertainment for their ears, not their minds. Whether it be some guy gloating about his Air Force One's and Escalades or some metal group trying to act tough talking about blood and screaming all the time.

I've been through those phases too, don't get me wrong, I used to listen to that and I'll have to give it up for some of the instrumental innovations that they've put down. I'm a musician myself but I've moved on now. I play jazz music and I listen to underground. I'm just sick of people talking bad about rap when they don't know shyt about it...

For me, I respect true music in every form, regardless of genre. I just don't get much out of most rap, but that is just me. I think to appreciate it you must find something you love and really pursue it. Don't just hear the music, but really listen to it. Look into the underground. Also some of the best stuff I've heard has been no-name local bands who really don't care about selling CD's (partly because they don't even have one to sell) but rather just making great music. Everyone to their own thing, and if you enjoy it then that is was really counts.

 

[loosliptcomptrola]

Originally posted by: dparker

Originally posted by: loosliptcomptrola
The underground you speak of isn't really underground anymore. I give Kweli and Mos Def ad props for the shyt they put down on Blackstar. Their music is definately on another level compared to the cookie cutter rappers that are a dime a dozen nowadayz. But don't count out the true underground artists that struggle in the streets selling tapes on street corners. Living Legends crew, Hieroglyphics, Atmosphere, and Company Flow are some of those artists that never made it into the public spot light probably because most of their lyrics spoke out against the crap that comes out or they just simply don't want to cash out their chips like that.

True, but what do you mean it's not underground anymore? The mainstream rap I hear is very much the cookie cutter rappers you were talkin about.

People complain that rap is devoid of meaning and emotion without delving into the real shyt. It's like they stick their big toe in the water and say the shyt is too hot for them.

People say that because what they hear is the mainstream. Most of the "deep" rock stuff is the same way. Just because somebody makes up either lyrics about love or writes sh!t like they are on acid doesn't mean the music means anything at all. I think you would be very hard pressed to find anything in mainstream music that really shows any sort of artistic meaning and inspiration.

I would say that 90% of the shyt that makes it to the grammies is all devoid of anything that people should give a fvck about. They just cry about their lives when they are 19 years old and rich as hell. Or the metal heads just talk about eating fetuses and force feeding broken glass.

Lmao!!! So true though. It's not just in rap. Music is quickly becoming more of a show than an artform. People just don't listen to music anymore, they simply hear it. It's entertainment for their ears, not their minds. Whether it be some guy gloating about his Air Force One's and Escalades or some metal group trying to act tough talking about blood and screaming all the time.

I've been through those phases too, don't get me wrong, I used to listen to that and I'll have to give it up for some of the instrumental innovations that they've put down. I'm a musician myself but I've moved on now. I play jazz music and I listen to underground. I'm just sick of people talking bad about rap when they don't know shyt about it...

For me, I respect true music in every form, regardless of genre. I just don't get much out of most rap, but that is just me. I think to appreciate it you must find something you love and really pursue it. Don't just hear the music, but really listen to it. Look into the underground. Also some of the best stuff I've heard has been no-name local bands who really don't care about selling CD's (partly because they don't even have one to sell) but rather just making great music. Everyone to their own thing, and if you enjoy it then that is was really counts.

You are a wise man, my friend...
🙂

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

Originally posted by: Arkitech
Reflection Eternal - The Blast
Reflection Eternal - Love Language (both of these songs have some very good experimental music, the rapper Talib Kweli is a very intelligent, clever lyricists and these songs showcase a fraction of his abilities. Some might have a hard time getting used to his higher pitched voice but these tracks are enjoyable)

Just a minor clarification for anybody looking for these songs. Reflection Eternal is the name of the album. The rapper on the album is Talib Kweli with the DJ'ing done by Hi-Tek.

Actually the group name is Reflection Eternal, the album title is Train of Thought

I'm staring at the CD right now, and it says Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek across the bottom, and says Reflection Eternal around the inner ring. *shrug*

So Reflection Eternal is the name of the collaboration. I did not know that.

Yeh I was a little confused about their name when I first heard about them. Check out this link Reflection Eternal's Home Page

I post on that site a lot, you might recognize my screen-name on some random rant

 

[tcsenter]

I had to listen to rap and hip hop at a warehouse I worked at for two years, so I've listened to quite a bit of it, between three people who liked rap and hip hop and were always bringing in their CDs. I hated it x 2 before working there, now I hate it to some exponential power. It really stinks, really it does. Musically, it's moronic. I'll let the lyrics go without criticism because a lot of music lyrics are just plain dumb when read without the music. So that doesn't count. But musically, my five year old nephew could produce a rap album.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: tcsenter
I had to listen to rap and hip hop at a warehouse I worked at for two years, so I've listened to quite a bit of it, between three people who liked rap and hip hop and were always bringing in their CDs. I hated it x 2 before working there, now I hate it to some exponential power. It really stinks, really it does. Musically, it's moronic. I'll let the lyrics go without criticism because a lot of music lyrics are just plain dumb when read without the music. So that doesn't count. But musically, my five year old nephew could produce a rap album.

sighing loudly

 

[loosliptcomptrola]

Originally posted by: tcsenter
I had to listen to rap and hip hop at a warehouse I worked at for two years, so I've listened to quite a bit of it, between three people who liked rap and hip hop and were always bringing in their CDs. I hated it x 2 before working there, now I hate it to some exponential power. It really stinks, really it does. Musically, it's moronic. I'll let the lyrics go without criticism because a lot of music lyrics are just plain dumb when read without the music. So that doesn't count. But musically, my five year old nephew could produce a rap album.

Like I said before, you don't know shyt, tcsenter.

 

[flavio]

Jurassic 5 - A Day at the Races


...my favorite rap in recent memory.

 

[clamum]

i recommend deltron 3030 for those who hate the typical mainstream rap. it features del from hieroglyphics (he also has a solo album out called "both sides of the brain") and is an excellent album with intelligent lyrics and interesting background beats, some even verging on trippy. nothing like getting stoned, putting your headphones on, and letting this one play.

standout tracks include: 3030, mastermind, virus, and memory loss. do yourself a favor and download some songs from this album or better yet, buy it because it's worth every penny.

 

[NotoriousJTC]

I'll add another Pharcyde song to mix.


Pharcyde - Ya mama


Anybody with a snese of humor would be able to appreciate this one 🙂

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: americangigolo
i recommend deltron 3030 for those who hate the typical mainstream rap. it features del from hieroglyphics (he also has a solo album out called "both sides of the brain") and is an excellent album with intelligent lyrics and interesting background beats, some even verging on trippy. nothing like getting stoned, putting your headphones on, and letting this one play.

standout tracks include: 3030, mastermind, virus, and memory loss. do yourself a favor and download some songs from this album or better yet, buy it because it's worth every penny.

Got this one. I enjoy the 'Future Nerd Hip-hop' sound (New genre, get into it 😉 )

"Upgrade your grey Matter, cause one day it may matter"

 

[wicktron]

My push for some of my personal favorites:

ALBUMS
Freestyle Fellowship - Innercity Griots
The emergence of the LA underground starts here with the pioneers of the quick-paced rap including rhythmic jazz and counter-NWA/Death Row style raps.

Various Artists - Project Blowed
Continuance of my LA underground theme this time with the collective members of the Project Blowed camp. Ahead of their time? You betcha.

Aceyalone - Book of Human Language
The culmination of grandiose wordplay, lyrics, and concepts. My favorite album of all time.

Binary Star - Masters of the Universe
All I can say is wow. This album has it all.

Atmosphere - Lucy Ford
His shows are 3/4 women, what more do you want than that?

SINGLES
Busdriver - Imaginary Places
Eligh - Nightlife
Swollen Members - Heavy Thinkers
The Nonce - Mixtapes
The Grouch - Simple Man
Mikah 9 - American Nightmare
>>Hell, to many to name

ARTISTS/GROUPS/CREWS
Project Blowed
Hieroglyphics
Def Jux
Living Legends
Rhymesayers

 

[chiwawa626]

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: TLfromAI
I will add one...

N.E.R.D. - In Search Of (Best rap album I have heard in a long time)

In Search Of was'nt my favorite album, but it definitely had its moments. My biggest complaint are those 80's souding synths they love to use.

My complaint was Pharell sings too much on that cd, and the beats thing also.

 

[glenn1]

the last hip-hop CD i bought (or would keep even if given to me) is Digital Underground's "Sex Packets."