I know quite a bit of rock music. I’ve listened to classic rock since I was a kid, and my taste has evolved quite a bit over the years. I love all kinds–metal, emo, grunge, hard rock, indie, punk–some more than others. About 90% of my iPod is "rock" music.
Now that this is established, if I wanted to "broaden" my musical horizon, as it were, and listen to some GOOD rap, what would I start with? If I want some good 80s, 90s stuff, what should I look into? I’m not ruling out ALL recent hip hop artists…but please, no 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Ja Rule crap. I already know that’s not my thing.
I’m glad you asked! Alternative hip-hop is a genre vastly underappreciated by enthusiasts of other genres, attributing all rap to be derogatory, uninspired music. However, if you look around a bit, you’ll find plenty of great hip-hop artists. Some recommendations:
Digable Planets — http://youtube.com/watch?v=4pvKzLXx3zY a jazz rap group from the early- and mid-90s. One of my favorite songs by them.
Lupe Fiasco — http://youtube.com/watch?v=bgd4d-lswG8 here’s the song song Kick, Push, a song about skateboarding. Great production.
cLOUDDDEAD — http://youtube.com/watch?v=fuDHR2OY5h8 a more experimental hip-hop group.
The Last Poets — if you’re curious about the roots of hip-hop, you could say it started with these guys. This is more spoken word over proto-hip-hop beats, really. Worth a listen.
Pharcyde — a more vulgar hip-hop group, they’re light-spirited and fun to listen to. Try the song "Soul Flower."
Madvillain — http://youtube.com/watch?v=ewc1hixzYPY great production.
Public Enemy — http://youtube.com/watch?v=9uPlIaF65PM from the golden age, this is a rather politically charged hip-hop group.
Run-D.M.C. — http://youtube.com/watch?v=l-oczo5sTKQ these guys basically mark the beginning of new school hip-hop. Classic.
Anyway, I tend to make my music answers too long, so I’ll cut this short here. Feel free to ask for anymore recommendations, and I hope you enjoy this!
February 6th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Run DMC
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February 6th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Run DMC, Beastie Boys, and apparently Immortal Technique is very popular.
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February 6th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
IF you want good clean fun get some Will Smith.
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February 6th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
It’s a little off beat as far as the category goes but try Everlast, Whitey Ford Sings the Blues.
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February 6th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
tribe called quest, common, talib kwali, mos def, lupe fiasco
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February 6th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
NWA, DR Dre, and Snoop Dog are the best by far…….
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February 6th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
None, I hate rap and its lyrics.
*sorry
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February 6th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
I reccomend you check out Common (my all-time favourite), Nas, Talib Kweli, Jedi Mind Tricks, Lupe Fiasco, Immortal Technique and Royce da 5′9.
Oh, and good on you for broadening you musical horizon, not automatically dismissing rap like alot of people do.
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February 6th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Blondie (Rapture), which was the first rap song.
Run DMC/Aerosmith (Walk this way) and work your way through the artists that may appeal to you.
Originally, I was going to post a simple comment like, "None!" but I thought about it a little more and remembered those two songs, which would be pretty good for starters.
Rock on!
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February 6th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Crossing over from rock would make Run DMC a great place to start. Rockbox is my favorite Run DMC song. Please for the love of god stay away from whatever’s on the radio. So far rap on the radio has done a great job of causing unattractive white girls to think they can dance while alienating true rap fans. Tupac, Nas and Common are really good and their lyrics are very intelligent and heartfelt. Also, the song Get By by Talib Kweli is excellent.
I see that you’re not into Jay-Z at all, but if you’re willing to give it a second chance, the songs December 4th and I Miss U (remix) are really good and they show Jay-Z’s maturity as a rapper.
Enjoy!
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February 6th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
In my opinion NONE try listening to the early Blues instead
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February 6th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
You would probably like the Roots a lot, because it is great rap, but they are also a band. Also Lupe Fiasco. If you want to listen to some other different types of rap try out Das Efx, Boogie Down Productions, Digital Underground, Dead Prez or the Coup, and of course Run DMC and the Beastie Boys (like Paul’s Boutique). Good luck and have fun.
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check out okayplayer.com
February 6th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
I’m glad you asked! Alternative hip-hop is a genre vastly underappreciated by enthusiasts of other genres, attributing all rap to be derogatory, uninspired music. However, if you look around a bit, you’ll find plenty of great hip-hop artists. Some recommendations:
Digable Planets — http://youtube.com/watch?v=4pvKzLXx3zY a jazz rap group from the early- and mid-90s. One of my favorite songs by them.
Lupe Fiasco — http://youtube.com/watch?v=bgd4d-lswG8 here’s the song song Kick, Push, a song about skateboarding. Great production.
cLOUDDDEAD — http://youtube.com/watch?v=fuDHR2OY5h8 a more experimental hip-hop group.
The Last Poets — if you’re curious about the roots of hip-hop, you could say it started with these guys. This is more spoken word over proto-hip-hop beats, really. Worth a listen.
Pharcyde — a more vulgar hip-hop group, they’re light-spirited and fun to listen to. Try the song "Soul Flower."
Madvillain — http://youtube.com/watch?v=ewc1hixzYPY great production.
Public Enemy — http://youtube.com/watch?v=9uPlIaF65PM from the golden age, this is a rather politically charged hip-hop group.
Run-D.M.C. — http://youtube.com/watch?v=l-oczo5sTKQ these guys basically mark the beginning of new school hip-hop. Classic.
Anyway, I tend to make my music answers too long, so I’ll cut this short here. Feel free to ask for anymore recommendations, and I hope you enjoy this!
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February 6th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
the best rap is the silent kind.
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