March Hip-Hop Recommendations

[Liquid Myth]

What do you make of it, apart from all the "cuffs" and "ish"? I've been toying with the idea of getting it. His stuff seems slightly overproduced and glossy, but I think I'm in need of some light hearted background stuff.

Well, I'm trying to enjoy School Spirit, but there's too much backwords nonsense throwing me completely off.

I'm currently enjoying Jesus Walks and The New Workout Plan, but the latter makes me feel a bit gay (no offence to any gays here). I also love the School Spirit Skit. "No I've never had sex, but my degree keeps me satisfyed".

[Fusty Gusset]

^^

*uses glove puppets to demonstrate point*

GOTO any preferred person to person download software ie Kazaa/WinMX

Then search for Kanye West - Jesus Walks.

It'll be a nice taster for you if your interested in purchasing the CD.

[Calashnikov]

GOTO any preferred person to person download software ie Kazaa/WinMX

Then search for Kanye West - Jesus Walks.

It'll be a nice taster for you if your interested in purchasing the CD.

That sounds nice and easy, I suppose. Except I'd get kicked out of uni for such illegal antics from where I'm sitting.

[Liquid Myth]

Huuh. It turns out that all versions are censored, by me deductions. I listened to the HMV sample link (search for record on HMV, click on link of song) and the songs include the ish's and cuffs. The "UK version" is out on the 15th.

[Rex Grossman]

The only new hip hop i've heard in the last cuppla months is 'Bazooka tooth' by aesop rock. On a par with labor days if you ask me, though it never reaches the heights of 'No regrets'.

I just can't get into either album. One day I'll have an epiphany. Maybe my expectations were too high.

[Monkichi 2.0]

Ok you baggy trousered, ho slapping Gs, gather round whilst I tell you about a great man. This man, a published writer and poet who also finds the time to work on such films as K-Pax and, most importanly to this thread, make some pleasing hip hop tunes is called Saul Williams, and he deserves your time.

Some of you may have sampled his quite unique style on the Ninja Tunes compilation "Xen Cuts", his track being the first on the third CD (Twice The First Time is the track's name). His musical style is a blend of break beats and hip hop whilst his lyrical style is a spoken word/rap hybrid.

The topics he touches upon are another thing which make him stand out. You won't find pimping or blunts on here, it's generaly political musings and there's a running theme of empowerment throughout his work. He also breaks into abstract ramblings which are an aquired taste but worth a listen.

Here's a link to a place where you can download some of his tracks, Bloodletting being my particular favourite.

[kerraig UK]

Been there, done that, downloaded the album.

[esar]

The only new hip hop i've heard in the last cuppla months is 'Bazooka tooth' by aesop rock. On a par with labor days if you ask me, though it never reaches the heights of 'No regrets'.

Can I recommend Aesop Rock's 'Float' album, it shits (pun intended) on his last two albums from quite a height (although I love 'No Regrets' as well).

[dizogg]

Timbaland Magoo and Missy - Cop that disc is sweet.

And also I think I have enough money to buy some new albums this month so I need like a list of 5 that are essential for me to pick up. So help me!

[Das]

Got a couple of gems to reccomend this month.

Firstly I have been listening to the new Babu album

- Dj Babu: Duck season Vol 2

Its got some great Mc's on there like Talib, Prodigy and the legend Krs one.

Some excellent production and some really smooth flows, Its not quite as good a mix tape as "Music for the mature B-Boy but excellent never the less.

Well unless its just something to do with my copy of the album (which I doubt as it was purchased full price in vinyl format from SelectaDisc) but neither KRS-One or Prodigy are anywhere to be seen. It's not a mixtape, its an album that he produced (mostly) and its very dissapointing and boring.

[Das]

I'm guessing there is a mixtape that Babu has done called maybe something similar, because I think we're confusing the two! I was talking about the actual album Duck Season Vol. 2 that Babu produced, all original tracks etc. Thats what I slated because its rubbish, and as I said before I'm a big Dilated and Babu fan.

[Liquid Myth]

Fuck that. Last time on the subject, other tracks on the album (Kanye, College Dropout) have got swearing in, niggas/muthafucks/whatever and all, but School Spirit is censored for reasons unexplained.

Meanwhile, I've just listened to Cody Chesnutt's The Seed (original), and I can vouch that it sounds pretty horrificly weak, and a lot worse when compared to The Roots/Cody Chesnutt colaboration The Seed 2pointOh. Just thought I'd say.

[Das]

Woah, just listened to El-P - High Water... now we knew it was gonna be Leftfield but I don't think people are quite ready for this! It's interesting, heavy jazz influences, hip-hop, lots of keys, even D&B influences. Kinda weird but I reckon if you listened and didn't know it was El-P you'd be quite impressed, if you like that sort of thing that is!

Well I suppose I better conform to the topic and give a few so to kick off I'm recommending this

Because it's fucking amazing (especially Track 3 Petro)

[MW_Jimmy]

Fuck that. Last time on the subject, other tracks on the album (Kanye, College Dropout) have got swearing in, niggas/muthafucks/whatever and all, but School Spirit is censored for reasons unexplained.

Meanwhile, I've just listened to Cody Chesnutt's The Seed (original), and I can vouch that it sounds pretty horrificly weak, and a lot worse when compared to The Roots/Cody Chesnutt colaboration The Seed 2pointOh. Just thought I'd say.

You are so wrong about Cody Chesnutt. It just lacks the production values of The Roots version but it doesn't make it any less of a song. In fact the Roots bring so little to the table in the remake it hardly bears bothering with.

EDIT: Actually I wouldn't mind listening to some new hip-hop artists. Im a sucker for anything with brass instruments. Generally speaking I like:

The Roots, Jurassic 5, De La Soul, Outkast, Atmosphere, Neptunes production, Mark B & Blade, Ugly Duckling

As for disliikes - I really don't like Gangsta Rap at all.

So, erm... recommend away

[Rex Grossman]

Well I suppose I better conform to the topic and give a few so to kick off I'm recommending this

To be honest, the thread is just about discussing hip-hop. Don't worry if you don't have any recommendations.

[Calashnikov]

Tarnishing the RZAs name!

I can't even download it just to see, being reduced to 56K isn't as nostagically fun as I first thought.

Some one liked it a couple of months ago. It might have been David Heath. Or DangerM. I've not heard it.

As for all the Cody Chesnutt talk: he's a cool singer/songwriter/guitarist type. His music is hilarious in places. I particularly love Look Good In Leather, Somebody's Parent, If We Don't Disagree, When I Find Time and My Women, My Guitars. All you funk, rock, soul heads should check this out.

Oh, and The Roots version of The Seed is 8000000000 miles better

[Dr Seedyman]

Well unless its just something to do with my copy of the album (which I doubt as it was purchased full price in vinyl format from SelectaDisc) but neither KRS-One or Prodigy are anywhere to be seen. It's not a mixtape, its an album that he produced (mostly) and its very dissapointing and boring.

This is the track listins for the Babu album Im talking about

. Intro - Babu

2. Raise The Bar - Talib Kweli

3. Street - A.G.

4. Do For Self - Chace Infinite

5. The Official - Jaylib

6. Ends To Means - Rakaa

7. Elevate, Build, & Create - Phil Da Agony

8. Serious (The New Message) - 1st Infantry

9. Skit: Live From Defcon - Babu

10. Behold My Life (Remix) - Defari

11. Right Or Wrong - Planet Asia

12. Time To Rep - Babu

13. Think Fast - Infamous Mobb

14. Skit: The Big Duck Hunt - Babu

15. Deadly Habitz - Gang Starr

16. The Song - Krondon

17. I Got This - The Likwit Junkies

18. Underground - KRS One

19. Booyakah (Click Click) (O.G. Version) - Sly Boogie

20. Outro - Rhettmatic

Its definately Duck Season Volume 2.

I may be wrong calling it "A Mix tape" but thats kind of the way it sounds, anywayI think is good.

[esar]

Midnight Marauders, yes, but no to Jungle Bros. Too much Native Tongues other wise.

But that means no Black Sheep and surely that can't be right?

what about:

Ultramagnetic MC's 'Critical Beatdown'

Diamond D 'Stunts Blunts & Hip Hop'

Pete Rock & CL Smooth 'Mecca and the Soul Brother' or 'The Main Ingredient'

Masta Ace 'Take A Look Around'

[esar]

But there's no Cold Chillin' and I thought Masta Ace's LP would be the most accessable (sp?) of their releases????

And everyone has to own 'Stunts...' its as essential as '3 Feet High and Rising'.

What about:

Brand Nubian 'In God We Trust'

Lords Of The Underground 'Here Come Tha Lords'

Leaders Of The New School 'T.I.M.E.'

Main Source 'Breaking Atoms'

I could go on for days!

[McNeillR]

Does this thread have to be called 'Hip Hop'? It's a bit restrictive, especially reading through it. Unless I have some amazingly warped view of the genre. It would also help recommending stuff like NSM [seee belooow].

The best I can do is: Is the Northstar album any good? I generally enjoy RZA's stuff, and considering this is basically derived from his work [room size beats, foggy bass lines] it can't be that bad.

Anyone?

I have accquired NSM's Turn It Up, and it's quite decent. Certainly an improvement on 'Download This'. But then again, it's not really Hip Hop. And I'm not creating a new thread about it. It takes the unorganised Soul II Soul like funked up sounds, and puts them into some kind of neat package that's been coagulating in the sun for too long. Ace stuff.

Oh, and the new Beastie's stuff: June? July? That's about all I've heard.

[Rex Grossman]

The best I can do is: Is the Northstar album any good? I generally enjoy RZA's stuff, and considering this is basically derived from his work [room size beats, foggy bass lines] it can't be that bad.

Anyone?

This was mentioned in a thread a few months ago I think. I hated it. It sounds just like the awful west coast stuff that flooded the market in the mid-to-late 90s. Rubbish.

[Das]

This is the track listins for the Babu album Im talking about

. Intro - Babu

2. Raise The Bar - Talib Kweli

3. Street - A.G.

4. Do For Self - Chace Infinite

5. The Official - Jaylib

6. Ends To Means - Rakaa

7. Elevate, Build, & Create - Phil Da Agony

8. Serious (The New Message) - 1st Infantry

9. Skit: Live From Defcon - Babu

10. Behold My Life (Remix) - Defari

11. Right Or Wrong - Planet Asia

12. Time To Rep - Babu

13. Think Fast - Infamous Mobb

14. Skit: The Big Duck Hunt - Babu

15. Deadly Habitz - Gang Starr

16. The Song - Krondon

17. I Got This - The Likwit Junkies

18. Underground - KRS One

19. Booyakah (Click Click) (O.G. Version) - Sly Boogie

20. Outro - Rhettmatic

Its definately Duck Season Volume 2.

I may be wrong calling it "A Mix tape" but thats kind of the way it sounds, anywayI think is good.

Well you I'm guessing that the CD and Vinyl versions are different. The Vinyl only has the original tracks whereas the CD must be a mix CD with original tracks (eg Raise The Bar) and other tracks (eg The Official) Thats that cleared up then

To the 101 list I think maybe: Mobb Deep - The Infamous (1994)

[McNeillR]

This was mentioned in a thread a few months ago I think. I hated it. It sounds just like the awful west coast stuff that flooded the market in the mid-to-late 90s. Rubbish.

Tarnishing the RZAs name!

I can't even download it just to see, being reduced to 56K isn't as nostagically fun as I first thought.

[McNeillR]

http://www.rllmukforum.com/index.php?showt...ndpost&p=517034

Aha...ah...hrm. I can probably convince someone to download this for me, but I hate albums that have 'Executively Produced by *well known producer/artist*'. It just seems like they're palming mediocre stuff off, and the 'executive' bit of the tag doesn't exactly convince me they've been slaving over every second of sound on the album neither.

[oli]

Can you post a beginners guide to hip hop and what to look out for in order to familiarise yourself?

I want to be down with the cool kids

[Rex Grossman]

Can you post a beginners guide to hip hop and what to look out for in order to familiarise yourself?

I want to be down with the cool kids

Oh god.

Anyone want to help create a Hip-Hop 101 'Listening List'?

Perhaps 15 excellent albums that would cover a range of sub genres and are quite accessible?

Oli, I'll start with…

Public Enemy – It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (88)

De La Soul – 3 Feet High And Rising (89)

Nas - Illmatic (94)

Wu-Tang – Enter The Wu-Tang (94)

NWA – Straight Outta Compton (88)

Dr Dre – The Chronic (92)

[kerraig UK]

I generally consider the mid 90's west coast scene to be the 'golden age' of hip hop actually.

[kerraig UK]

i'll add

gravediggaz - niggamortis

pharcyde - bizarre ride 2

[Rex Grossman]

i'll add

gravediggaz - niggamortis

pharcyde - bizarre ride 2

That's a good pair. Hope you're making notes Oli…

[Belbo]

Does this thread have to be called 'Hip Hop'? It's a bit restrictive, especially reading through it. Unless I have some amazingly warped view of the genre.

What would you call it?

Everything so far has been hip-hop!!!

Public Enemy – It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back

De La Soul – 3 Feet High And Rising

Nas - Illmatic

Wu-Tang – Enter The Wu-Tang

NWA – Straight Outta Compton

Dr Dre – The Chronic

As for definitive albums, I'd like to add both:

Reakwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx

Jungle Brothers - Straight Out The Jungle

...to that list.

And possibly 'The W' if I'm allowed.

EDIT: Oooh, and 'Midnight Marauder's' - based on my month or so of listening.

As for my own recommendations, well, I'll type something out when I've got this Uni work out the way.