"Good" rap? Does it exist?

[Kadarin]

I'm not a fan of rap, but for the sake of this thread, I'm willing to give it a listen. So my challenge to those of you who are into it is to convince me that the genre is not completely down the toilet. So point me to some examples of what you like, and convince me that it's worth my time..

Edit: What about hip-hop in general? Is it a separate genre? Show me some of that too!

 

[CrazyHelloDeli]

Jedi Mind Tricks

 

[Cabages]

I really like Jay-Z. He usually doesnt talk about killing people and being "hard" the whole time, like most other rappers.

Tech N9ne is good too.

 

[Mallow]

ludacris

 

[Bateluer]

Nope, doesn't exist.

 

[Ameesh]

i would start with some of the originals like tupac, dre, and snoop, if you like those try some more.

 

[91TTZ]

No.

/thread

 

[mercanucaribe]

Lupe Fiasco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9LUbrF8meo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OQuDGtThwA

 

[Ameesh]

here is one of my favorite tupac songs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRZhf_Z1Auo

the music video sucks but the song is cool

 

[ScrubbinBubbles]

Group Home

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wjmoKmnlcXI

 

[theprodigalrebel]

The closest thing to rap music that I LOVE:

Maxi Priest feat. Robbie Williams - My Culture
Very, very, very good song.

 

[eits]

danger doom
talib kweli
atmosphere

 

[DrPizza]

Some of the old-school rap from the 80's was pretty good and actually qualified as mainstream music. Kurtis Blow had a few big hits, including Basketball which was played at just about every high school in the nation during warm-ups before games. White Lines (Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five) was a big hit. Run DMC also had a few that made it onto "regular" radio stations.

 

[flunky nassau]

Yeah it exists, but you won't find much "good" stuff on the radio. This is all subjective of course. Most of the desposable commercial stuff is made for music consumers, not music listeners.

Since you asked though, I really enjoy the music of a group from Seattle called Blue Scholars (a flip of blue collar). You can find them on

http://www.myspace.com/bluescholars

They also have a website too. Most of their topics cover conscious & political issues (mostly from the perspective of immigrants). Hope you enjoy it.

 

[mercanucaribe]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34NgzB-PLzc

 

[doze]

Text

Text

Text

enjoy

 

[flunky nassau]

Originally posted by: CrazyHelloDeli
Jedi Mind Tricks

I'd have to disagree. If I'm trying to convince someone that hiphop is tight, I would not have them listen to Jedi Mind Tricks. Firstly, what the hell are these guys talking about? Secondly, it's too heavy & angry. Beats are cool though.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Talib Kweli. One of the greatest hip hop songs ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67rS57khbM0

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: flunky nassau
If I'm trying to convince someone that hiphop is tight,

I didn't think that real humans called things "tight"

 

[Alone]

Originally posted by: Cabages
I really like Jay-Z. He usually doesnt talk about killing people and being "hard" the whole time, like most other rappers.

Tech N9ne is good too.

I hate Rap, and I can honestly say that Jay-Z isn't too bad. In fact, I kinda liked the stuff he did with Linkin Park, which is a strange conbination for someone like me.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: flunky nassau
If I'm trying to convince someone that hiphop is tight,

I didn't think that real humans called things "tight"

Only when a hung male forgets something.

 

[flunky nassau]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33


Edit: What about hip-hop in general? Is it a separate genre? Show me some of that too!

From what I believe, hiphop is an umbrella term that describes a youth "culture" that originated in the the early 70's in the slums of some new york boroughs. This so-called youth culture included a style of dance called breakdancing, a style of writing called graffiti, and style of vocalization called rapping, and a style of DJing called "turntablism?" (although the term was coined in the early 90's, it emcompasses actions performed on turntables that weren't performed pre-1970's like scratching, juggling, & trick mixing).

You can also argue that the hiphop culture also emcompasses a way of thinking, talking, & most certainly a style of dress.

So i guess rap is a form of hiphop music. Other forms of hiphop music don't always include rapping, like when DJ's produce their own instrumental tracks with scratching over it (ie DJ Qbert, DJ Premier). Rap is a type of hiphop music, but hiphop music doesn't always include rapping.

 

[JS80]

2pac, notorious big

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Public Enemy
KRS One & Boogie Down Productions
Sir-Mix-a-Lot prior to Baby Got Back - My Hooptie, Gore-Tex, Beepers, Swass, Swap Meet Louie
Ice-T - 6 'n the Mornin, Colors, Power,
NWA
Geto Boys
NAS
Mac Dre
Andre Nickatina - one of the best lyricists of all time
Wu-Tang Clan

 

[anxi80]

there is no such thing as good rap/hip hop and if anyone tells you differently they're delusional. rap music is in large part responsible for current urban decay and is only corrupting the minds of our youth while it continues on its downward spiral. it teaches our youth to do whatever is necessary to try and make it in this world; whether it be to lie, cheat or steal. if you seriously want to hear good music then i suggest a perry como or hank williams album.