The Hip Hop Thread

[Tigerking]

I actually liked Nate Dogg's album

[Cmill216]

Nate Dogg in Head of State :funny:

[Crook]

It's not. Kurious, Ahmad, Hieroglyphics, O.C., Kwest the Mad Ladd, Mountain Brothers, Kwame, Big Daddy Kane, Trends of Kulture, I could go on and on...
What exactly is the criteria you've based this off of? The tendency to rap slow? I see little to no similarities with actual musical content.

I mean, BDK, Hieroglyphics, and Mountain Brothers? What in the world do they have in common with Ye?

:huh:


I'm not claiming you actually posted that but that seemed to be the gist of your argument. You seemed to think no one can be "compared" to Kanye.
In terms of the level of musicality he's bringing into rap, I think he's pushing the genre forward. This is more of a producer accolade than it is emceeing, but still. Even when you look at all the singles he's released over 3 albums, the varying range of subject material he's touched upon should be applauded.

By the low standards of today some might consider him great. But it's not like standards being low is a good thing. And different doesn't automatically equal good.
The standards being low have no bearing on what Kanye has accomplished. He's one of the few gleams of hope in keeping this genre respectable in the mainstream eyes. His peers haven't been helping much at all.

What's all this talk about how great Kanye West is or isn't? Sure, his albums sell better with each new release, but his lyrical content peaked at College Dropout. The guy started off pointing out the insecurities of people who feel the need to rap about their worldly possessions all the time, then made the song "Good Life."
Yes, one of...how many songs he's released? I don't see how he's contradicted his statement.

A poor man's Zapp, but without the actual vocal talent behind his electro-voice.
I'm not sure on his vocal ability. But most, if not all of his hooks are damn catchy. The ability of that in itself is a talent.

I don't care what people say. :o

[Tigerking]

Since we're on the subject:

YCpL2aV4a00

:lmao::lmao::lmao:

[Manic]

Yes, one of...how many songs he's released? I don't see how he's contradicted his statement.
"Breathe In, Breathe Out" was a criticism (with a matching ironic hook) on songs just like "Good Life." Even with access to T-Pain and the inspiration to make that same music, Kanye never would've written "Good Life" for his first album. It went against College Dropout's overall tone (lyrics-wise).

I'm not sure on his vocal ability. But most, if not all of his hooks are damn catchy. The ability of that in itself is a talent.

I don't care what people say. :o
You must love Hanson's "Mmmbop." :whatever:

[Crook]

"Breathe In, Breathe Out" was a criticism (with a matching ironic hook) on songs just like "Good Life." Even with access to T-Pain and the inspiration to make that same music, Kanye never would've written "Good Life" for his first album. It went against College Dropout's overall tone (lyrics-wise).
His past 2 albums are complete different tones from CD anyway. And again, I stress that the criticism extends to rappers who ONLY talk about their lifestyle and riches in every song. I'm not gonna condemn Ye for what was essentially just a feel-good song about enjoying your life.

You must love Hanson's "Mmmbop." :whatever:
No. I don't. Drop the attitude, serious Mcgee. :huh:

[Tigerking]

Damn, Dr Dre's son is dead http://blogs.laweekly.com/ladaily/crime/rapper-dr-dres-son-dead-at-20/

[Fanticon]

Damn, Dr Dre's son is dead http://blogs.laweekly.com/ladaily/crime/rapper-dr-dres-son-dead-at-20/

a little late on that one aren't you?

[RockSP]

How the hell are they silly labels? Different genres and styles of rap have different lyrics and production. Also, Mafioso rap is a genre of rap I garuntee you that.


Yes. Mafioso rap.

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/6279/jayzreasonabledoubtdz0.jpg

:whatever::whatever::whatever::whatever::whatever: :whatever:

If you guys have bought into the b.s. label thing...hey, do you. Jay-Z has never said "I'm a Mafioso rapper". No rapper has ever said "I'm a pop rapper". The corny labels are made up by magazines and some "fans". Some people like to try to categorize everything.

[8Diagrams(WU)]

Rap has become club music. Its hardly what it used to be and Ive kinda lost interest a bit I must be honest.

Im more of a fan of the older street days with Timbalands and hoodies over beats that created this kind of believable cinematic world (sometimes based on crime). An album like Lost Boys legal drug money is great for that reason.

[RockSP]

What exactly is the criteria you've based this off of? The tendency to rap slow? I see little to no similarities with actual musical content.

I mean, BDK, Hieroglyphics, and Mountain Brothers? What in the world do they have in common with Ye?

:huh:

Well, I already asked you what you think his "style" is...you never answered. You obviously think he's something that I do not. He's just a producer and so-so rapper to me. He also happens to be very popular right now. Everyone I named is a better rapper than him and any subject he has touched has been touched by some of them.



In terms of the level of musicality he's bringing into rap, I think he's pushing the genre forward. This is more of a producer accolade than it is emceeing, but still. Even when you look at all the singles he's released over 3 albums, the varying range of subject material he's touched upon should be applauded.


The standards being low have no bearing on what Kanye has accomplished. He's one of the few gleams of hope in keeping this genre respectable in the mainstream eyes. His peers haven't been helping much at all.

And theres the big difference between us. I give a rat's ass what the mainstream thinks. The less mainstream hip-hop is the better...when it was more "underground" was when classics were being made constantly.

[Cmill216]

If you guys have bought into the b.s. label thing...hey, do you. Jay-Z has never said "I'm a Mafioso rapper". No rapper has ever said "I'm a pop rapper". The corny labels are made up by magazines and some "fans". Some people like to try to categorize everything.

:huh:

What on earth are you talking about?

Yes. It's a label. It's a category of rap that fits a particular mold, a particular pattern, with particular lyrical and musical traits. Are you actually arguing against that?

[RockSP]

:huh:

What on earth are you talking about?

Yes. It's a label. It's a category of rap that fits a particular mold, a particular pattern, with particular lyrical and musical traits. Are you actually arguing against that?

I'm not arguing at all. I'm expressing my opinion. No one I know calls Jay-Z or any other rapper a "Mafioso" rapper.

"Gangsta rap" was a term popularized by the media. Many rappers picked it up and ran with itover the years but back when NWA first came out they never said "We are different than other hip-hop. We are gangster rap". Yes, they called themselves gangsters in their rhymes but it was not about creating a different genre.

Just like people try to call Common Sense, Mos Def, even The Roots "Conscious Rap"...a label they reject. Why? Cuz they are just hip-hop artists.

Most rappers do not put themselves into little boxes. Fans and the media do.

[samurai black]

:huh:

What on earth are you talking about?

Yes. It's a label. It's a category of rap that fits a particular mold, a particular pattern, with particular lyrical and musical traits. Are you actually arguing against that?

There is only rap music. Some people call it hip hop, urban, commercial rap, underground hip hop, pop rap, etc. Bottom line: Dead Prez, Jay-Z, and Lil Bow Wow are in the SAME category.

[RockSP]

There is only rap music. Some people call it hip hop, urban, commercial rap, underground hip hop, pop rap, etc. Bottom line: Dead Prez, Jay-Z, and Lil Bow Wow are in the SAME category.

Thank you.

The difference between them being that Bow Wow is total garbage, of course...

[Crook]

Bottom line: Dead Prez, Jay-Z, and Lil Bow Wow are in the SAME category.
Pause. :dry:

[Cmill216]

No one I know calls Jay-Z or any other rapper a "Mafioso" rapper.

There is only rap music. Some people call it hip hop, urban, commercial rap, underground hip hop, pop rap, etc. Bottom line: Dead Prez, Jay-Z, and Lil Bow Wow are in the SAME genre of music.

Fixed.

It goes without saying that an artist like Kanye and a group like Crown City Rockers are within the same genre of music. Who the **** is arguing against that point? Answer: no one.

A label is just that: a label. A way of breaking down a genre to find its various forms, sub-genres, and categorizations. It's been done in rock, it's done in pop, and it exists in hip hop. I don't care who created the label, and it really doesn't matter if you or any of your particular friends use it. The fact is, it exists.

By this definition of categorization-less music, The Beatles and Linkin Park are in the "same category".

[samurai black]

Thank you.

The difference between them being that Bow Wow is total garbage, of course...

Well, he is what he is. It's a business. He makes records to sell records. He appeases a certain fan base (one, I'm not a part of) and they continue to support him.

[Crook]

Fixed.

It goes without saying that an artist like Kanye and a group like Crown City Rockers are within the same genre of music. Who the **** is arguing against that point? Answer: no one.

A label is just that: a label. A way of breaking down a genre to find its various forms, sub-genres, and categorizations. It's been done in rock, it's done in pop, and it exists in hip hop. I don't care who created the label, and it really doesn't matter if you or any of your particular friends use it. The fact is, it exists.

By this definition of categorization-less music, The Beatles and Linkin Park are in the "same category".
Truthteller. :up:

[RockSP]

Fixed.

It goes without saying that an artist like Kanye and a group like Crown City Rockers are within the same genre of music. Who the **** is arguing against that point? Answer: no one.

A label is just that: a label. A way of breaking down a genre to find its various forms, sub-genres, and categorizations. It's been done in rock, it's done in pop, and it exists in hip hop. I don't care who created the label, and it really doesn't matter if you or any of your particular friends use it. The fact is, it exists.

Uh...yeah. It also doesn't matter if you do use it. Deep, huh? And it exists in the minds of some. But it's not real.

[Cmill216]

Uh...yeah. It also doesn't matter if you do use it. Deep, huh? And it exists in the minds of some. But it's not real.

......The....f.....:confused:

[Cmill216]

So let me get this straight:

There's no such thing as crunk. There's no such thing as experimental. There's no such thing as west coast. There's no such thing as east coast. There's no such thing as psychedelia. There's no such thing as nu-metal. There's no such thing as progressive.

It's all just.....it.

....Whatever "it" is....

I give up. *white flag*

[Crook]

http://courses.ece.ubc.ca/373/library/images/photo_movieMatrix-quoteSpoon.jpg

[Fanticon]

YO! Please smash this argument!

"Rap is something you do" Those are the immortal words of KRS-One!
Just like somebody who plays a guitar, just because your playing one in your band doesn't mean your doing rock music, just because you rap, doesn't necessarily mean that what you are doing is Hip Hop! Hip Hop is the genre and the culture, rapping came from Hip Hop, the stuff we hear on the radio and see on tv and anything in the mainstream media today claiming to be hip hop...is Rap Music/pop/r&b, it is inspired by, or derived from the urban culture of hip hop...but its not straight up Hip Hop! So don't say rap and hip hop are the same thing...they're not...DJ-ing, an important part of hip hop, MC-ing (rapping): also an important part of hip hop...what we are witnessing right now...is hip hop taking a backseat to the rappers...its pretty much pop music what they're doing now...has anybody heard that GOD AWFUL re-do of Wu Tang's C.R.E.A.M?! They're calling it a new hip hop hit! ITS NOT HIP HOP!

[samurai black]

So let me get this straight:

There's no such thing as crunk. There's no such thing as experimental. There's no such thing as west coast. There's no such thing as east coast. There's no such thing as psychedelia. There's no such thing as nu-metal. There's no such thing as progressive.

It's all just.....it.

....Whatever "it" is....

I give up. *white flag*

Lol, i don't think it's that nerve wracking. These days, most artists are so desperate to maintain sales, they cross-over their "style" of music to fit everyone. I mean, Madonna's new cd's got production from Timbaland and Kanye, who are mostly known for Hip-Hop. And remember that god awful song with Nelly and that country music star? I didn't care for it, but it was a major hit. Music is just music. There's good music, there's bad music. Record labels and executives put titles on the finished product in order to try and carve out a market.

[Tigerking]

Every genre of music has sub-genres, dont argue with that. Thats like calling rock just rock, but there are differnt types of rock music like metal, alternetive, etc. Its the same with rap.

[Tigerking]

a little late on that one aren't you?

No one posted anythin bout it

[CommanderRiker]

Only if it has a good beat.

[RockSP]

So let me get this straight:

There's no such thing as crunk. There's no such thing as experimental. There's no such thing as west coast. There's no such thing as east coast. There's no such thing as psychedelia. There's no such thing as nu-metal. There's no such thing as progressive.

It's all just.....it.

....Whatever "it" is....

I give up. *white flag*

All west coast rappers sound the same? All east coast rappers? What about midwest and southern rappers? :huh::huh::huh:

You have to fit into a specific category to be "progressive" and "experimental"?:huh::huh::huh:

[Tigerking]

Well, Westcaost, Eastcoast, and Southern rap genres are different from each other in their beats per minute and production in general

[RockSP]

People from anywhere can...and do...make whatever kinds of beats they want to.

[Cmill216]

All west coast rappers sound the same? All east coast rappers? What about midwest and southern rappers? :huh::huh::huh:

Of course they don't. Where the heck did anyone say that?

If someone fits into the mold of what is universally accepted as "such and such" rap, it simply means that there defining characteristics fit into a certain pattern. That doesn't mean they all sound exactly the same. Where'd you pull that from?


You have to fit into a specific category to be "progressive" and "experimental"?:huh::huh::huh:

.....Uh....yeah. You do. In the sense that progressive and experimental are sub-genres of a specific genre of music.

Are you seriously unaware of this stuff?

[Tigerking]

All rap is not the same, is Ice T the same as Soulja Boy?

[RockSP]

Of course they don't. Where the heck did anyone say that?

That what it seems like you are saying with your "There is no west coast, there is no east coast, etc" reply. There is a kabillion rappers from wherever. But unless they choose to pigeonhole themselves because of where they are from, their location doesn't mean a thing.

If someone fits into the mold of what is universally accepted as "such and such" rap, it simply means that there defining characteristics fit into a certain pattern. That doesn't mean they all sound exactly the same. Where'd you pull that from?

There are no universally accepted molds. Hip-hop is not that rigid.


.....Uh....yeah. You do. In the sense that progressive and experimental are sub-genres of a specific genre of music.

Are you seriously unaware of this stuff?

I'm aware that you believe that. Like I said earlier, do you.

[RockSP]

All rap is not the same, is Ice T the same as Soulja Boy?

Yes. They both suck. :hehe:

[Tigerking]

I have totally lost all respect for your taste in rap music, Ice T says more in one song then rappers nowadays do in their entire careers.

[samurai black]

I have totally lost all respect for your taste in rap music, Ice T says more in one song then rappers nowadays do in their entire careers.

Good Grief!! This is still going on, wow, really ridic. Ok, here's the deal. ALL RAP IS CLASSIFIED AS RAP. Although ICE-T may speak about different things than Soulja Boy, they are both RAP ARTISTS. I'm pretty sure if Ice-T met Soulja Boy, they wouldn't be arguing about this. Ice would probably congratulate Soulja on his success.

[Crook]

I don't know if you were just being ironic, but you are aware those 2 have beef with each other, right? :o

[RockSP]

I have totally lost all respect for your taste in rap music,

I'll try not to slit my throat.

Ice T says more in one song then rappers nowadays do in their entire careers.

Does Ice T even rap anymore? If you are talking about some of his stuff from the 80's okay but he fell off loooooooong ago. And he was never great by any stretch of the imagination.

[samurai black]

I don't know if you were just being ironic, but you are aware those 2 have beef with each other, right? :o


That's not beef, it's stupidity. As Kanye stated "It's all Hip-Hop".

[Tigerking]

Ice T is one of the revolutionary rappers from the 80's and early 90's. His music brung in gangster rap and put the West coast on the map. Lyrically, his raps were amazing (New Jack Hustler, 6 In The Morning, Midnight)

[RockSP]

Ice T is one of the revolutionary rappers from the 80's and early 90's. His music brung in gangster rap and put the West coast on the map. Lyrically, his raps were amazing (New Jack Hustler, 6 In The Morning, Midnight)

Disagree on the "revolutionary" and "amazing" parts. He was okay.

I gotta say it is funny seeing somebody ride so hard for Ice-T. It's like someone coming on here and going on and on about Kool Moe Dee.

[samurai black]

Agreed. Ice-T and others brought mainstream notice to the genre with the "gangsta rap" phase.

[Tigerking]

Anyway...this is probably the best song on L.A.X http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdH6DMnCgfs

[Julio Alejandro]

Timbaland is one of my all-time favorite producers, but wouldn't an all Just Blaze album be a better idea, or is it just me?

[Warhammer]

That rumor was debunked months ago. Jay-Z said he'd be open to all producers, and Kanye already produced a couple of tracks for The Blueprint 3. Besides, if the rumor was true, I would not mind an all Timbaland produced album with Jay-Z at all. Timbaland supplying the hot beats with Jay-Z's lyrics guarantees a great listen.

[Julio Alejandro]

Like I said, Timbaland is one of my all-time favorites, but the chemistry between Jay & Just is almost equal to Nas & Premier. I mean, look at all the tracks they did together:

*Streets Is Talkin'
*Stick 2 the Script
*The R.O.C.
*Soon You'll Understand
*Girls, Girls, Girls
*U Don't Know (My personal favorite.)
*Song Cry
*Hovi Baby
*Meet the Parents
*Somehow, Someway
*As One
*Show You How
******es & Sisters
*Interlude (The Black Album)
*December 4th
*Public Service Announcement (OK, this one might be my favorite.)
*Oh My God
*Kingdom Come
*Show Me What You Got

Most of those are some of Jay-Z's best tracks.

[kamesan]

Any Hip-hop heads in this thread who hasn't heard Joe Budden - Who Killed Hip-Hop needs to check that out A.S.A.P.

[Crook]

Dayum. :eek:

That wasn't even a spectacular flow or even clever lyrics, that was just some TRUTH.

[Cmill216]

One of the most exhaustingly amazing things I've ever heard.

Wow....

[citizenpain]

a rap thread, sweet. i listen to a whole mess of music most of which falls under the genres of rock, electronic, or rap. some of my favorite rappers are eminem, immortal technique, atmosphere, jay-z, nas, 2pac, biggie, the beastie boys, dr. dre, ice cube, and talib kweli. as of late i've been listening to that new t.i. "swagger like us" track with kanye, jay-z, and lil wayne. that beat is sick and jay-z and t.i. kill it. kanye is alright too but i'm not too fond of him. lil wayne i dislike most of the time, but i do like that new track "my life" he's got with the game on lax. also been listening to some stuff off of nas' new album and the new immortal technique album.

[chamber-music]

So what do people think of Kanyes new track Love Lockdown?

His Autotune singing is ok, its less annnoying than T-Pain/Akon anyway. His new albums gonna be called 808's and Heartbreak apperantly instead of Goodass Job. I guess there is gonna be alot of stuff about his mothers death and the break up with his fiance.

Anyone heard Wileys- Summertime track it samples Daft Punks Aerodynamics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P-ZjdvZgGk

[ReTrO JuNkIe 42]

Any Hip-hop heads in this thread who hasn't heard Joe Budden - Who Killed Hip-Hop needs to check that out A.S.A.P.


2nd big time

[StrainedEyes]

This thread needs some Royce :word:


Taxi Driver - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEYtcgPFf2s&feature=related

It's the New - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n90DUCDTK7c&feature=related

Going Nutz - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oMsZ0L8Ihk&feature=related

Royce is like - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I_XMnkjFGY&feature=related


Bar Exam 2 should be released online for free, either Thursday or Friday. :up:

[Zephyr Alexian]

Meet the Parents is one of his best songs lyrically imo.

[Tigerking]

Personally, I would like to see more Dr Dre and Premo beats on Jay-Z's albums

[Julio Alejandro]

Dr. Dre did a good portion of Kingdom Come and I doubt we'll hear another Premo track in a while.

[Julio Alejandro]

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drl500/l533/l53380v6fj8.jpg
I'm kinda biased since I've pretty much been a big fan of him since he had the Husslin' video on MuchMusic, but this new album is a banger! The beats are heat, the rhymes are heat which is what I've come to expect from Kardi. I recommend you give it a listen. Highlights of the album: The first track "Burnt", "Ill Eagle Alien" produced by Nottz, and "Due Me a Favor" featuring Estelle.

[8Diagrams(WU)]

Bacardi Slang is the Toronto Anthem ;)

[Julio Alejandro]

On another note, here's an album to avoid altogether. I don't even feel like giving my opinion other than the fact that LL is done. The sad part is I've been a fan.
http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drl500/l516/l51625hbo58.jpg

[Dark Victory]

rap...:dry:

[Zephyr Alexian]

^I know it seems cool to genre bash, but there's good music in almost every type. Preferences I guess.

Bacardi Slang is the Toronto Anthem ;)

It's catchy. I don't like his delivery on the chorus, nor the 'what the. . . chill!!!' part, but it had its moment. He's like a Canadian Sean Carter. Beyond him or Swollen Members, I doubt any Canadian Rap will even register in the states.

edit - You should check out the 'Temptation' freestyle by Swollen Members. It's actually a nice piece of material.

[The Chairman]

(C)rap...:dry:

[Julio Alejandro]

Alot of music in all genres is straight garbage these days, but this is one of the rare good rap albums this year. I wouldn't even know if you could completely call it a rap album.

I do agree I never like the "What the...chiiill." part of that chorus either, but I like the kinda offbeat delivery of the verses.

[Zephyr Alexian]

On another note, here's an album to avoid altogether. I don't even feel like giving my opinion other than the fact that LL is done. The sad part is I've been a fan.
http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drl500/l516/l51625hbo58.jpg

Heh, LL Cool J hasn't been relevant for a long time; the sad thing is that he doesn't know it. On a lighter note, his film career was blossoming until 'Mindhunters' came out and occupationally killed off everyone who was involved with the project.

Alot of music in all genres is straight garbage these days, but this is one of the rare good rap albums this year. I wouldn't even know if you could completely call it a rap album.


It's good that he's experimenting with different sounds. The problem with most music is the lack of creativity involved. Everyone is trying to put out the sure thing as opposed to challenging themselves artistically. There are no more mavericks in the music industry. Maybe his fans will enjoy his efforts.

[Julio Alejandro]

Heh, LL Cool J hasn't been relevant for a long time; the sad thing is that he doesn't know it. On a lighter note, his film career was blossoming until 'Mindhunters' came out and occupationally killed off everyone who was involved with the project.



It's good that he's experimenting with different sounds. The problem with most music is the lack of creativity involved. Everyone is trying to put out the sure thing as opposed to challenging themselves artistically. There are no more mavericks in the music industry. Maybe his fans will enjoy his efforts.
You are definitely right about LL. There's even a line where he says something about "24 years and still relevant", or something like that and he is definitely fooling himself. There's a couple songs that almost save the album, but not quite.

In the case of Kardinal Offishall, he's always been a bit against the grain when it came to hip-hop, but I've noticed alot of Canadian rappers are that way. I like the fact that there's alot more synth than samples, but don't worry, it's not annoying synth, it's almost symphonic.

[Warhammer]

rap...:dry:

(C)rap...:dry:

Come on now. Don't post in the discussion if you are only going to generalize.

[Julio Alejandro]

Exactly. Thank you, sir.

[Zephyr Alexian]

You are definitely right about LL. There's even a line where he says something about "24 years and still relevant", or something like that and he is definitely fooling himself. There's a couple songs that almost save the album, but not quite.

I remember seeing an interview with him following the release of the single 'Control Myself'. It was laughable. He was talking about Jermaine's influencing his decision to brink back an old flow from previous albums and how it would re-invigorate his career. Songs like that are why most people hate rap. Hip-hop is destroying it. Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco, and others like them can't get radio play because fans want to hear another lame artist talk about some girl he's feeling up in a club. They're all selling wolf tickets.

In the case of Kardinal Offishall, he's always been a bit against the grain when it came to hip-hop, but I've noticed alot of Canadian rappers are that way. I like the fact that there's alot more synth than samples, but don't worry, it's not annoying synth, it's almost symphonic.

Hope it works out for him. If he's trying new things, it will be harder to grab radio spins, promotional interest, etc... PM me something to check out.

[Julio Alejandro]

I'm kinda getting tired of Lupe, he sounds like everyone coming out of Chicago these days.

I was always a fan of Kweli, but became an even bigger one when I saw him perform last year when I saw him at Rock the Bells. He outdid Wu-Tang, Nas, & Mos Def.

[Zephyr Alexian]

Mos Def is a great storyteller.

[Julio Alejandro]

I agree. I just hope he wakes up and finally does another real album. The last 2 were more like just mixtapes.

[The Spawn]

YoooOOO!1!!!! Whenz That Deet0x @lbum gonna dr0p PpLl!!??

But in all seriousness, The Hype is filled with a ton of biased white guys who fit the stereotype of your typical bias white guy...that being said:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9f/Hollywood_Undead_-_Swan_Songs.jpg

[Zephyr Alexian]

75 percent of the people who purchase hip-hop are young white males.

[The Spawn]

I know. That doesn't contradict the hypothesis that a few of the remaining 25% are members of this message board.

[Cmill216]

Merging. Julio THIS is the rap thread.

[Julio Alejandro]

You have got to be ****ing kidding me.

[Cmill216]

:huh:

[Julio Alejandro]

I'm just Hispanic.

[StrainedEyes]

The hip hop is starting to get to Julio.

[Julio Alejandro]

No, the merging my thread into this one is.

[Cmill216]

I'm just Hispanic.

That explains everything. :(

[Cmill216]

No, the merging my thread into this one is.

....You made a thread about a hip hop album, and we have a hip hop thread.

[StrainedEyes]

Royce Da 5'9" - The Bar Exam 2 was released for free online today.
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7711/title.free-download-royce-da-59-bar-exam-2

:up:

[Julio Alejandro]

Ugh! Whatever. This is your world and I'm just visiting.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Mos Def is a great storyteller.


Slick Rick :up:

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I agree. I just hope he wakes up and finally does another real album. The last 2 were more like just mixtapes.

By wake up do you mean realize that he is making far more money making movies than he would making rap albums?

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

75 percent of the people who purchase hip-hop are young white males.

You can buy Hip Hop?

[Ace of Knaves]

It's all about Wu-Tang, if it wern't for them hip-hop wouldn't be where it is today. And can I just say after the Marshall Mathers LP Eminem has been completely crap. I bet i get beasted for that!! hahaha

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Whatever. Wu-Tang put out one amazing album as a group and that is it. Forever is solid but no where near as good as 36 Chambers. They didn't save anything.

[Ace of Knaves]

Yea but 36 chambers completely changed the musical landscape, and not just the hip hop world either. RZA is a certified genius.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I wouldn't say Genius, because the GZA is the Genius. But RZA knows how to make music, not just rap but in any genre. Well except for maybe country, but I hope even if he does know how that he doesn't.

[Ace of Knaves]

LOL yea i don't think i would want to see Bobby take on the country scene! He did all the music and sound effects for the Kill Bill films didn't he?

While we are talking about RZA and GZA check this out, its fooking crazy!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6EZkIaJcCI

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Yeah, that is some wicked ****! I still want to get a hold of those albums, just haven't gotten around to it. I think he is at his best when he is making music for other people or other projects.

[Ace of Knaves]

Yea the sound-track to Ghost Dog was sweeeeeet aswell. What did you think of that video? "Are you a bug Bill Murrey?" "Damn money, thats harsh" HaHaHa hilarious

[RockSP]

Yea but 36 chambers completely changed the musical landscape, and not just the hip hop world either. RZA is a certified genius.

You will from this day forth be called Hyperbole Man.

[Ace of Knaves]

Hahaha you don't believe in 36 chambers? Go ask Biggie or Pac what they thought about it.........oh wait too late!
In fact ask every single Hip-hop musician from the last 10 years and you'll find that i am right.

[RockSP]

Hahaha you don't believe in 36 chambers?

"Believe" in it? I bought it when it came out. At the end of the day it's an album that I like...but that's all.

[Ace of Knaves]

LOL yea obviously. But i mean pretty much every single hip hop artist has stated that 36 chambers is one of the most influential hip hop LPs ever.

Most of these new "artists" these days ain't worth 5hit. People like Flo Ryder and Soulja Boy would have Biggie, Pac and ODB turning in their graves. It's a shame what hip hop has become these days.

[Julio Alejandro]

What's wrong with Flo Rida?

[Ace of Knaves]

I dunno really, I think hes a good lyracist but i just don't like what hip-hop has become. It's turning into pop music. I havn't bought a new Hip-hop album for years, I always hunt around for the rare old - school ones. I think its just me prefering old school stuff.

[Julio Alejandro]

I feel you. I can't wait for the new Common album to come out.

[Ace of Knaves]

Yea i like Common, thats real hip-hop. I like all the old school groups like "Leaders of the new school" "De La Soul" "Tribe called quest" and "Wu-Tang". They all were in it for the love of the music and to be heard, these days all these new artists want is their multi-million dollar advance and loads of jewels. I don't know if you have listened to it but a really brilliant album is Pete Rock and C.L smooth-Mecca and the soul brother. A hidden gem.

[Julio Alejandro]

How is that a hidden gem? I'm 28, we consider that a classic.

[Ace of Knaves]

oright sorry man LOL. i just thought you was younger. the younguns these days would never of heard of this classic album. and oh yea i checked out "The Riddler" that is a sick tune.

[Julio Alejandro]

Dude, I'm a music producer and I deal mostly with hip-hop. I live under Pete Rock's influence.

[Ace of Knaves]

Hahaha sweeeeeet. What do you use? Fruity Loops? i had that magix music maker but it was pretty crap, i had to re-install my whole computer the other month so i lost it all anyway. I really wanna get into music producing but i can't really read music, i can just come up with beats in my head, but i have no way of actually making them. I DJ'd for a little while around Essex but i just got bored of mixing other peoples stuff. Are you familier with Wiley?

[Julio Alejandro]

Mostly Reason with an M Audio MIDI Controller. I messed around with Fruity Loops for a brief period of time, I used to have a Yamaha SU700, and sometimes I use live instruments.

No, I have never heard of Wiley.

[Ace of Knaves]

He's like the pioneer of the UK grime scene, he produces and MCs. He was Dizzee Rascals mentor and he is much better than him, he hasn't had as much commercial success as Dizzee though because he stays mostly underground. He's sorta like the English version of Immortal Technique, but not as political, you should check him out.

[Julio Alejandro]

God, I hate Immortal Technique!

[Ace of Knaves]

LOL fair enough!! I wouldn't compare their styles, i meant as in they are similer with their anti-commercial views. No one would sign Wiley because he wouldn't change his style to suit the pop charts and the commercial market, so he just formed his own label and has complete control over everything.

[Julio Alejandro]

The anti-commercial movement is a lost cause.

[Ace of Knaves]

Yea maybe, but i think its refreshing to think that he just does it for the love of music, not "bling" and all that crap.

[Julio Alejandro]

Same for Common, but he's not on that tip.

[Crook]

And can I just say after the Marshall Mathers LP Eminem has been completely crap. I bet i get beasted for that!! hahaha
"Till I Collapse" on TES rapes most rapper's catalogs. :o

Yea maybe, but i think its refreshing to think that he just does it for the love of music, not "bling" and all that crap.
Doing it just for the music is absolute crap. Money is always a motive in music, even if it isn't a top priority.

[terry78]

Heard on the radio that his newest one called King Mathers is supposed to be hitting in December. Any word on that?

[Crook]

Lots of info here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Mathers

I REALLY hope that the hype about Eminem coming back to his old self is true. Cause man, the rap game needs him. No one in mainstream right now is really tearing up the charts, lyrical prowess, and rap flow all at the same time. Em had that back in the day. We need it now.

[Lpilgrim]

Mostly Reason with an M Audio MIDI Controller. I messed around with Fruity Loops for a brief period of time, I used to have a Yamaha SU700, and sometimes I use live instruments.

No, I have never heard of Wiley.

i use reason, recycle and an m-audio controller too. i started on FL in high school. tell me somethin tho julio, i kinda have a difficult time getting a full thick sounding bass in reason. i love the dr. rex loop player tho man.

my dream is to have an MPC tho.

[Golgo-13]

Lots of info here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Mathers

I REALLY hope that the hype about Eminem coming back to his old self is true. Cause man, the rap game needs him. No one in mainstream right now is really tearing up the charts, lyrical prowess, and rap flow all at the same time. Em had that back in the day. We need it now.

You've got to be kiding me? Are you saying he's on the level of Nas, or Jay Z or Biggie?

I know it's your opinion and all but i'm rather glad he's vanished. I was getting tired of the Mtv crowd praising this guy as the greatest MC alive, when we all know that it was because he 'looked like them'. I like Em, but i think he's HIGHLY over rated.

[RockSP]

You've got to be kiding me? Are you saying he's on the level of Nas, or Jay Z or Biggie?

I know it's your opinion and all but i'm rather glad he's vanished. I was getting tired of the Mtv crowd praising this guy as the greatest MC alive, when we all know that it was because he 'looked like them'. I like Em, but i think he's HIGHLY over rated.

Yeah he is overrated. But then, so are the three you named.

[Crook]

Lol, are you kidding? Nas, Jay, and Rakim have all praised Em for what he brought to the rap game. You can't get any higher support than those three.

And I'll forget you just grouped me in with the MTV crowd.... :dry:

[Golgo-13]

Lol, are you kidding? Nas, Jay, and Rakim have all praised Em for what he brought to the rap game. You can't get any higher support than those three.

And I'll forget you just grouped me in with the MTV crowd.... :dry:

He's good, no doubt, but during the time when MTV was on his nuts, you would have thought that he had CREATED rap by the way they hailed him......

Yeah he is overrated. But then, so are the three you named.

I think a large number of rap fans would disagree with you there...but to each his own.

Who do YOU think is worthy of their hype, btw?

[Cmill216]

Em is a top 5 emcee. He simply fell into a creative rut after The Eminem Show.

But anyone who thinks he's overrated needs to go back and listen to Infinite, The Slim Shady LP, and The Marshall Mathers LP, in succession. It's exhausting, but you'd be amazed by just how f***ing ridiculous this cat was at his peak.

[Crook]

He's good, no doubt, but during the time when MTV was on his nuts, you would have thought that he had CREATED rap by the way they hailed him......

Yes, but you can't let that taint the accomplishments of the artist. I couldn't give a f**k less how MTV or the "white fans" hailed him. On his own right, Em was a lyrical beast and broke color barriers for the genre. Anyone that can say he didn't contribute much to rap or isn't a talented MC...is absolutely full of crap.

As I'm sure you already know from our previous argument, I really hate when people blur the line between public image and artistic merits. It's happened with Michael Jackson. And at least on the bat-boards, it's happening with Depp. I just do not get the mentality.

I think a large number of rap fans would disagree with you there...but to each his own.

Who do YOU think is worthy of their hype, btw?
No one. Hype equals popularity. Popularity equals mainstream. Mainstream equals overrated. It's a stupid thought process that I've encountered time and time again by hip hop heads.

[StrainedEyes]

I'm hoping Royce Da 5'9" and Eminem have a song together on Em's new album. They patched things up, and Royce has had a few good lines about him recently. They always brought out fire from each other.

[Golgo-13]

Yes, but you can't let that taint the accomplishments of the artist. I couldn't give a f**k less how MTV or the "white fans" hailed him. On his own right, Em was a lyrical beast and broke color barriers for the genre. Anyone that can say he didn't contribute much to rap or isn't a talented MC...is absolutely full of crap.

As I'm sure you already know from our previous argument, I really hate when people blur the line between public image and artistic merits. It's happened with Michael Jackson. And at least on the bat-boards, it's happening with Depp. I just do not get the mentality.



It's not about what YOU think, all the time. MY OPINION is that he's over rated. Nothing will change that.

[theShape]

How do you guys feel about Kanye's newest track, "Love Lockdown"? I saw him perform it on the VMAs, and it was pretty sweet. He doesn't rap but sings with Autotune and its a song with serious potential. But then the actual track leaked that weak, and I don't know what the **** the deal is.

It's like an unfinished demo. Like I said, the song has the potential to be a smash, but I don't get why he'd put this out instead of a sick, polished version.

[Crook]

It's not about what YOU think, all the time. MY OPINION is that he's over rated. Nothing will change that.
I don't recall trying to sway your opinion. You brought up MTV and his massive fanbase, so I'm commenting how irrelevant that is to Em's talents.

How do you guys feel about Kanye's newest track, "Love Lockdown"? I saw him perform it on the VMAs, and it was pretty sweet. He doesn't rap but sings with Autotune and its a song with serious potential. But then the actual track leaked that weak, and I don't know what the **** the deal is.

It's like an unfinished demo. Like I said, the song has the potential to be a smash, but I don't get why he'd put this out instead of a sick, polished version.
The song has potential, but it gets very repetitive. The hook especially needs work.

As for the leak, that's all it is. Kanye has already said he's re-recorded a new take and that will be out very soon.

[Cmill216]

Shape, I heard about that. Apparently Kanye went back and fixed it:

http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/?em3106=206428_-1__0_~0_-1_9_2008_0_0&em3281=&em3161=

[theShape]

Shape, I heard about that. Apparently Kanye went back and fixed it:

http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/?em3106=206428_-1__0_~0_-1_9_2008_0_0&em3281=&em3161=

Even the new version sounds slightly unfinished.

[RockSP]

I think a large number of rap fans would disagree with you there...but to each his own.

Who do YOU think is worthy of their hype, btw?


No one. Hype equals popularity. Popularity equals mainstream. Mainstream equals overrated. It's a stupid thought process that I've encountered time and time again by hip hop heads.

Uhh...whatever. It's not like I said they sucked.

[Crook]

Even the new version sounds slightly unfinished.
What sounds unfinished? It sounds like a final master to me. Everything that was wrong about the previous version was fixed here.

Uhh...whatever. It's not like I said they sucked.
No one said you did. But it would help if you answered his question. I can't imagine anyone's top 10/20 list not involving those three. They're in the top spot for a reason, as "overhyped" that they may be.

[RockSP]

I can't imagine anyone's top 10/20 list not involving those three.

Heh. That's funny. People don't all have the same taste.

They're in the top spot for a reason, as "overhyped" that they may be.

What is the "top spot"? Record sales? Radio spins? Message board cred?

[Crook]

Heh. That's funny. People don't all have the same taste.
Never said they did. But like I said, it's hard to imagine such a list excluding them. It'd be like forgetting to mention Brando and Streep as one of the greatest actors in Hollywood.

What is the "top spot"? Record sales? Radio spins? Message board cred?
Hip-Hop credibility. As judged by the (true) listeners of the genre.

[Golgo-13]

Heh. That's funny. People don't all have the same taste.



I agree, just curious who you thought got the hype that they deserved in the rap game.

:up:


And plz don't tell me E-40 or Timberland's protege Magoo. They're an embarrasment to the rap game, imo!:oldrazz:

[terry78]

The Beastie Boys did what he did first anyways, if you want to get technical. They may not get the play they did then, but in the 80s, every single r&b/rap based station played their cuts, and black folks accepted them for the most part.

[Crook]

Yes, but from an emcee standpoint they pale in comparison.

[citizenpain]

anybody hear the new stuff from rage against the machine frontman zack de la rocha? he's got a side project with the drummer from the mars volta called "one day as a lion" with a single on the radio right now. it's called "wild international" and there's some other tracks floating around online from the upcoming self-titled album. it's pretty dope ****, but it just makes me wish rage would do a new album already. when i actually first heard one day as a lion, i thought it was indeed new rage and almost lost my mind. either way, the dude is a brilliant mc so it's always nice to hear some new stuff from him. he's definitely got more lyrical prowess than most of hip hop's top guns and drops stuff that's actually relevant, but he can kill it too. on one track he says "i target more heads than a priest on ash wednesday." damn. for those interested, check out the track.

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[Cmill216]

Yes, but from an emcee standpoint they pale in comparison.

It's not even worth a comparison.

[terry78]

anybody hear the new stuff from rage against the machine frontman zack de la rocha? he's got a side project with the drummer from the mars volta called "one day as a lion" with a single on the radio right now. it's called "wild international" and there's some other tracks floating around online from the upcoming self-titled album. it's pretty dope ****, but it just makes me wish rage would do a new album already. when i actually first heard one day as a lion, i thought it was indeed new rage and almost lost my mind. either way, the dude is a brilliant mc so it's always nice to hear some new stuff from him. he's definitely got more lyrical prowess than most of hip hop's top guns and drops stuff that's actually relevant, but he can kill it too. on one track he says "i target more heads than a priest on ash wednesday." damn. for those interested, check out the track.

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Yeah, I heard this on Q101 aka Chicago's only "alternative" station the other night. I've been into RATM since high school, actually the first group aside from 311 to actually get me interested in something other than hip-hop back in the day. I remember when he toured with Wu-Tang, that was the fire right there.

The only rap/rock hybrids I don't like are Flobots and Linkin Park, where they basically sound like surbaban dudes attempting to rap in a medly of 80s/current rock style.

[RockSP]

I agree, just curious who you thought got the hype that they deserved in the rap game.:up:

I'm not really big on "hype", but I can name a few I think are underrated: Black Thought, Pharoah Monch, Wise Intelligent (PRT), Elzhi (Slum Village)...

And plz don't tell me E-40 or Timberland's protege Magoo. They're an embarrasment to the rap game, imo!:oldrazz:

Actually they are probably two of the best to ever...:hehe:can't even type that with a straight face...

[citizenpain]

Yeah, I heard this on Q101 aka Chicago's only "alternative" station the other night. I've been into RATM since high school, actually the first group aside from 311 to actually get me interested in something other than hip-hop back in the day. I remember when he toured with Wu-Tang, that was the fire right there.

The only rap/rock hybrids I don't like are Flobots and Linkin Park, where they basically sound like surbaban dudes attempting to rap in a medly of 80s/current rock style.

rage has been my favorite band since high school. it was the other way around for me, i listened to a lot of rock and eventually got into hip hop through the likes of rage and cypress hill. 311 is pretty sweet too. i don't know who the flobots are, but linkin park is awesome. their music is like pure energy. how do you feel about fort minor? imho, mike shinoda is a pretty decent mc, far from the best, but he's got a decent flow and says some dope **** every now and then. his production skills are pretty ridiculous too.

[Colossal Spoons]

The only rap/rock hybrids I don't like are Flobots and Linkin Park, where they basically sound like surbaban dudes attempting to rap in a medly of 80s/current rock style.

Ludacris and Sum41 did a mash-up song shortly after the Jay-Z/LP CD....it was terrible

[terry78]

This is the Flobots. I heard it the first time I thought it was alright, but upon hearing it more....nuh-uh.

AuK2A1ZqoWs

[citizenpain]

Ludacris and Sum41 did a mash-up song shortl after the Jay-Z/LP CD....it was terrible

that might have something to do with sum41's talent level. collision course was fairly awesome. i kinda wish they had made a bunch of new songs together instead of remixing their old **** together tho.

[terry78]

I was shocked one day when I found out my pops liked that one song from Gym Class Heroes that goes "take a look at my girlfriend, etc." Come on, man. :csad:

[citizenpain]

This is the Flobots. I heard it the first time I thought it was alright, but upon hearing it more....nuh-uh.

AuK2A1ZqoWs

that link doesn't work, but i looked it up on youtube and listened to "handlebars." the chorus is strangely familar, i swear i've heard somebody singing in walking down the street or something. anyway, i don't hate it but dude totally sounds like he's biting eminem's flow.

[Crook]

Handlebars is an awesome song. Great message and concept that's very catchy at the same time.

There are quite a few idiots that still think the song is about riding bikes, though. :dry:

[citizenpain]

Handlebars is an awesome song. Great message and concept that's very catchy at the same time.

There are quite a few idiots that still think the song is about riding bikes, though. :dry:

it is pretty catchy, and i'm always willing to give hip hop with a message a chance cuz that's a rarity these days.

[Cmill216]

The only rap/rock hybrids I don't like are Flobots and Linkin Park, where they basically sound like surbaban dudes attempting to rap in a medly of 80s/current rock style.

rage has been my favorite band since high school. it was the other way around for me, i listened to a lot of rock and eventually got into hip hop through the likes of rage and cypress hill. 311 is pretty sweet too. i don't know who the flobots are, but linkin park is awesome. their music is like pure energy. how do you feel about fort minor? imho, mike shinoda is a pretty decent mc, far from the best, but he's got a decent flow and says some dope **** every now and then. his production skills are pretty ridiculous too.

The strange thing is, Mike Shinoda is really talented which isn't put on display in his work with LP. As c-pain said here, not only is the dude a fairly solid emcee, but his production work is sick as hell. The guy's beats thump hard.

I highly recommend picking up the Fort Minor mixtape, We Major. Sick sick stuff.

[Colossal Spoons]

that might have something to do with sum41's talent level. collision course was fairly awesome. i kinda wish they had made a bunch of new songs together instead of remixing their old **** together tho.

I love CC, still listen to it fairly often. Some new songs would have been nice though, I agree

[terry78]

Ironically, the white rappers that come across more hardcore don't really flourish like the others. Look at Bubba Sparxxx, Paul Wall, etc. Where the **** have they been?

[Cmill216]

I love CC, still listen to it fairly often. Some new songs would have been nice though, I agree

MORE songs would've been nice.

I would kill to hear some Reasonable Doubt verses over tracks from Hybrid Theory.

[Colossal Spoons]

MORE songs would've been nice.

I would kill to hear some Reasonable Doubt verses over tracks from Hybrid Theory.

No argument here.

Vol. 3 Life and Times of S.Carter or Blueprint mashed with Meteora would have made my day :D

[Cmill216]

Or more of ish like this:

s71GYTpznMk

[Crook]

SMH @ the broadcast putting up the wrong song title. :dry:

[Ace of Knaves]

Yeah he is overrated. But then, so are the three you named.

How can you say Nas and Biggie are over-rated? Yea recently Nas has gone all "pop music" but he is still one of the greatest lyracist of all time, no doubt.

[Ace of Knaves]

And Crook i gotta say i agree with you about Eminem, when he was at the top of his game there wasn't many MCs who could get any where near him. But i really resent him now because he also went all "pop music". It's got nothing to do with the "MTV crowd", his last couple of albums were just a disgrace IMO and he didn't even seem like he put his heart into them. IMO Eminem is at his best when hes doing tracks like "I just don't give a f**k" and "Role Model". All this new crap he released was just pop music.

[chamber-music]

LOL fair enough!! I wouldn't compare their styles, i meant as in they are similer with their anti-commercial views. No one would sign Wiley because he wouldn't change his style to suit the pop charts and the commercial market, so he just formed his own label and has complete control over everything.
Wiley style has become commercial now. Spitting over Daft Punk and the Rolex songs are mainsteam hits.

Hey Ace do you like Rhymefest, Cool Kids, Lupe Fiasco, Akala, LMFAO, MF Doom, Gemini and Plastic Little?


I know it's your opinion and all but i'm rather glad he's vanished. I was getting tired of the Mtv crowd praising this guy as the greatest MC alive, when we all know that it was because he 'looked like them'. I like Em, but i think he's HIGHLY over rated.
I find Emenim overated, he peaked around The Marshall Mathers LP and since then his been a bit stale. He was refreshing when he first got on the scene though. The frontmen from Iglu & Hartley sound like Em.
anybody hear the new stuff from rage against the machine frontman zack de la rocha? he's got a side project with the drummer from the mars volta called "one day as a lion" with a single on the radio right now. it's called "wild international" and there's some other tracks floating around online from the upcoming self-titled album. it's pretty dope ****, but it just makes me wish rage would do a new album already. when i actually first heard one day as a lion, i thought it was indeed new rage and almost lost my mind. either way, the dude is a brilliant mc so it's always nice to hear some new stuff from him. he's definitely got more lyrical prowess than most of hip hop's top guns and drops stuff that's actually relevant, but he can kill it too. on one track he says "i target more heads than a priest on ash wednesday." damn. for those interested, check out the track.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WpM-3ezUdfk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WpM-3ezUdfk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
I've been listening to one day as a lion for about a month now. I like it.
Ironically, the white rappers that come across more hardcore don't really flourish like the others. Look at Bubba Sparxxx, Paul Wall, etc. Where the **** have they been?

I actully like Bubba Sparxxx. He wasn't too bad.

[Ace of Knaves]

Yea Chambers i like Rhymefest, Lupe, Akala, MF Doom but i havn't heard much of the others so i can't judge. I'll check them out though.

Yea Wiley has gone a bit commercial now hasn't he? It's quite dissapointing really, it's quite a catchy beat though. But i prefer all his old school productions like Morgue, Dragon Stout and Ice Rink. His Tunnel Vision series was quality aswell IMO.

[Carusos Shades]

What did people think of RZA's Digi Snacks? I dug it,nowhere near classic rza productions of 95 era though but solid. Gzas Pro tools was pretty dope too. Is "cuban LINX 2" ever coming out?

[Ace of Knaves]

What did people think of RZA's Digi Snacks? I dug it,nowhere near classic rza productions of 95 era though but solid. Gzas Pro tools was pretty dope too. Is "cuban LINX 2" ever coming out?


I havn't heard "Digi snacks" but I love everything RZA, he is like a hip hop god to me. Yea Cuban Linx 2 has been in production forever it seems!! Is it true Dr Dre is producing a couple tunes on that? I read on Raekwons wiki page he was.

[RockSP]

How can you say Nas and Biggie are over-rated? Yea recently Nas has gone all "pop music" but he is still one of the greatest lyracist of all time, no doubt.

It's called my opinion. I like them both but I don't buy into the hype lot a lot of fans. People put Biggie (and Tupac) on a pedestal because he is dead. Nas is still basically living off his rep from Illmatic.

[Ace of Knaves]

I ain't got a problem with your opinion man. I just giving you mine. IMO Nas is in the top 3 rappers of all time, along with Rakim and GZA

[RockSP]

GZA is definitely underrated, in the Wu "hierarchy" as well as hip-hop in general.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I dunno really, I think hes a good lyracist but i just don't like what hip-hop has become. It's turning into pop music. I havn't bought a new Hip-hop album for years, I always hunt around for the rare old - school ones. I think its just me prefering old school stuff.

Turning into? Where have you been? Rap is pop music. It has been for the last 7-8 plus years. The quantity of good commercial rap albums has declined significantly since 98/99.

[Ace of Knaves]

Yea man people always go on about Method but i think GZA is technically better. Don't get me wrong Tical is still brilliant but GZA is da maaaaan!!!

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Method Man was dope from Tical and anything earlier, post he was down hill.

[Ace of Knaves]

Turning into? Where have you been? Rap is pop music. It has been for the last 7-8 plus years. The quantity of good commercial rap albums has declined significantly since 98/99.


What i meant is I don't like all these new "artists" that have come out in the last couple of years like Soulja Boy. As I said I don't really listen to hip-hop thats come out in recent years, Its all a load of crap to me. I think the last hip-hop album i bought when it was brand new out was Busta Rhymes E.L.E. That was donkeys years ago. The only rap albums I buy these days are the old school ones that i never got round to buying when they first come out.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Yeah I know what you mean. The commercial scene is flooded with crap now a days but there are still some gems out there if you love the old school hip hop vibe.

Kanye's albums are decent, I don't really care for him but he knows how to put together good music and I can listen to his stuff.

You have to cop Lupe's two albums, I wasn't sold on him at first but the kid is legit. Very much a badly needed breath of fresh air. The Roots continue to do their thing. The cool kids are aight, personally imho they are just throw backs to the 80's and what they do has been done much better then.

The thing that sucks is that mostly the younger generations that now have no idea what Rap music is or where it came from are the ones driving record sales which drives the demand for crap like Soulja Boy and other garbage. Even people my age came into rap kind of late depending on where you grew up and what type of music your parents or friends listened to, but at least the only kind of rap we could be exposed to (for the most part) were emcees and groups that put out really good albums and knew how to rap.

But today there are very few of those emcees or groups that have links to the old school and kids can't do any backtracking to from these newbies.

[Ace of Knaves]

Oh yea Lupe is good, but i havn't bought his album, maybe next time I'm out shopping i'll get it. And yea Kanye deffinatly has talent and produces some slick 5hit, but I think he is the biggest arse-hole ever.

What about Dem Franchize Boyz? They are the definition of what is wrong with hip hop today IMO

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Oh yea Lupe is good, but i havn't bought his album, maybe next time I'm out shopping i'll get it. And yea Kanye deffinatly has talent and produces some slick 5hit, but I think he is the biggest arse-hole ever.

What about Dem Franchize Boyz? They are the definition of what is wrong with hip hop today IMO


Yeah it is one thing to be confident and think you're the ****. Then it's another to be so full of yourself that your head is bigger than Mount Rushmore and you are the biggest ass ever.

I wouldn't say they are what is wrong with Rap, because everyone has different tastes and everyone has their own opinions. I get what you mean, but I think it makes real quality emcees and good albums even better because they are so few and far between.

Plus, being a very talented emcee isn't easy. If it was, everyone would do it.

You ever listen to Soul Postion? RJD2 & Blueprint? Check this song, I think it defines how a lot of people feel about today's sate of rap.

kJIPc_0iDss

[Ace of Knaves]

Yeah it is one thing to be confident and think you're the ****. Then it's another to be so full of yourself that your head is bigger than Mount Rushmore and you are the biggest ass ever.

I wouldn't say they are what is wrong with Rap, because everyone has different tastes and everyone has their own opinions. I get what you mean, but I think it makes real quality emcees and good albums even better because they are so few and far between.

Plus, being a very talented emcee isn't easy. If it was, everyone would do it.

You ever listen to Soul Postion? RJD2 & Blueprint? Check this song, I think it defines how a lot of people feel about today's sate of rap.

kJIPc_0iDss


That song is sweeeeet. It sorta reminds me of how Dilated Peoples used to be.
Most of these new rappers these days only care about the multi-million dollar advances they get so they can go out and buy a nice whip and jewells. Obviously the money is important but I feel just the love of the music is the main thing. That doesn't seem to be the case these days.
Have you seen the movie "JUICE"? I love that era of rap, it was all about being recognised as having a love for the music and having mad skills, not bling bling and all that crap.

[RockSP]

Have you seen the movie "JUICE"? I love that era of rap, it was all about being recognised as having a love for the music and having mad skills, not bling bling and all that crap.

That's a bit revisionist. "Bling Bling" has pretty much always been around...rappers used to wear huge gold chains instead of tons of diamonds. Granted it wasn't the ONLY thing, like it is for most "mainstream" rappers now.

[Ace of Knaves]

Oh yea i know what you mean. Back in the day it was about massive gold rope chains!! Some of them things were HUUUUUGE!!! But i feel it was more about respect as a rapper or dj.

[Manic]

You had to be careful, though. Too many gold chains, and you'd find yourself dead in the gutter from a gold overdose.













Go on, I'll wait for someone to catch that reference.

[RockSP]

^^"He's piiiiiiiiimp of the yeeeeeeeeeear"

[chamber-music]

Soulja boy is just MC Hammer 2.0

If you search through all the lame party pop rap on the radio you can still find some decent artists but mostly the mainstream stuff is just like what Lupe says in 'Hip Hop Saved My Life'

'STACK THAT CHEESE'
Something, Something, Something...
'STACK THAT CHEESE'
Mother, Sister, Cousin...
'STACK THAT CHEESE'
He couldn't think of nothing...
'STACK THAT CHEESE'

[Tigerking]

Rakim is the best MC off all time hands down. When is his new album supposed to come anyway?

[Ace of Knaves]

Yea i love Eric B and Rakim. IMO Rakim, Nas and GZA top 3 lyracists

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Hard to argue against Rakim being your #1

[Lpilgrim]

how dope is del....

http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/689316/Del_The_Funky_Homosapiens_Nerdcore_G4tv_Commercial .html

11th hour wasnt that great but he's still got that incredible flow

[Julio Alejandro]

It looks like Rakim's album's never gonna come out.

[StrainedEyes]

A new Eminem album was finally, officially, announced. No date yet

http://www.defsounds.com/news/Reps_confirm_new_eminem_album_may_hit_stores_4th_q uarter

After much speculation, Interscope records have finally confirmed that a new Eminem album is in fact under way and may very well be in stores before the end of the year.
According to Billboard, a representative for Interscope says there is no official release date nor a first single, but confirms that an album may come before the year's end.

Eminem recently stopped by his Shade45 radio station for a rare interview in which he says he has been "bangin out tracks" for the new album.

"I'm concentrating on my own stuff right now -just banging out tracks," Eminem said. "The more I keep producing, the better it seems I get. I start knowing stuff, learning the boards like the back of my hands."

The forthcoming LP may be one of the most important records of Eminem's career as it will be his return to music since 2004's Encore which although commercially successful, was found to be critically disappointing to many

[Colossal Spoons]

Jay's Blueprint 3 is shapin' up nicely with "Jockin Jay-Z" and "Swagga Like Us" as its first singles. Looks like this cd will be more like his early 2000s stuff. American Gangster was great and Kingdom Come was average but neither really felt like a typical Jay album.

Prolly gonna be the first CD I buy in a little while. Shame

[Cmill216]

American Gangster is my favorite record of 2007. Jay brought his absolute best on that album and made me forget Kingdom Come ever happened.

[Crook]

AG wasn't Jay-Z? That was a natural progression from RD.

And his 2 singles are whack. From his usual standards. Shouldn't be called Blueprint 3.

[Cmill216]

That's the thing that I loved about Gangster. Jay-Z didn't even try to load the thing with the usual two or three radio-friendly tracks. He took the concept and just ran with that thing.

I know the album sold relatively well, but I still feel like people are sleeping on how great American Gangster is. The production is lush as ****. And Jay tells a complete story from beginning to end that makes Lupe's attempt at a concept album look silly by comparison. People complained "Oh, it's just Jay being Jay" but who the **** cares when the end result is so damn rich?

[Colossal Spoons]

American Gangster is my favorite record of 2007. Jay brought his absolute best on that album and made me forget Kingdom Come ever happened.

After AG, I went back and listened to KC and didn't completely hate it like I first did.

AG wasn't Jay-Z? That was a natural progression from RD.

And his 2 singles are whack. From his usual standards. Shouldn't be called Blueprint 3.

AG felt too 1-note. I know Jay likes to talk about his possessions and how great he is but damn. Still a tight record but I'm way more into Vol 3/Blueprint 1 Jay-Z :up:

American Gangster made me wish I had a better car though. Ridin' around in my 97 Altima bumpin that album wasn't cuttin it. My uh....Maybach was in the shop :ninja:

[Colossal Spoons]

Haha, Diddy's a piece of work

4fOr14Z2haQ

[AndThePickles]

So damn arrogant.

[Colossal Spoons]

I love the 'Swagger like a million, trillion, zillion" part.

[Julio Alejandro]

Jay's Blueprint 3 is shapin' up nicely with "Jockin Jay-Z" and "Swagga Like Us" as its first singles. Looks like this cd will be more like his early 2000s stuff. American Gangster was great and Kingdom Come was average but neither really felt like a typical Jay album.

Prolly gonna be the first CD I buy in a little while. Shame
Swagga Like Us is from T.I.'s Paper Trail album.

[Crook]

AG felt too 1-note. I know Jay likes to talk about his possessions and how great he is but damn. Still a tight record but I'm way more into Vol 3/Blueprint 1 Jay-Z :up:

How are his 2 first singles different from talking about possessions and flaunting?

:huh:

Swagga Like Us is from T.I.'s Paper Trail album.
No it's on both albums.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Haha, Diddy's a piece of work

4fOr14Z2haQ


DAMN YOU SPOONS!

I am currently punching myself in the head to destroy the brain cells that have embedded that piece of ****! :mad:

[AndThePickles]

DAMN YOU SPOONS!

I am currently punching myself in the head to destroy the brain cells that have embedded that piece of ****! :mad:

Don't punch yourself, find Diddy and punch him :o

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Don't punch yourself, find Diddy and punch him :o


Better idea! Thanks to pickles :up: and no thanks to Diddy or Spoons! :down

[Julio Alejandro]

No it's on both albums.
It hasn't been confirmed yet.

[Incrediblejeff]

Swagger Like Us is crazy.If only Lil Wayne was cut out of it.

[Colossal Spoons]

How are his 2 first singles different from talking about possessions and flaunting?

:huh:

Oh, all of his songs from now on will likely be about flaunting but I just dig the feel of these 2 singles more :up:

[the GRIN Reaper]

Lupe's "The Cool" was the best hip hop album of the year.

[Colossal Spoons]

I'd kill for a new Tribe Called Quest CD with Lupe on all the tracks. Random, I know but I need to here Q-Tip and Lupe together again.

[RockSP]

I'd kill for a new Tribe Called Quest CD with Lupe on all the tracks. Random, I know but I need to here Q-Tip and Lupe together again.

"again"?

[Colossal Spoons]

Some award show a while back

[RockSP]

If you mean the Hip Hop Honors...they didn't rap together. He was part of a Quest tribute but screwed up the words lol. He isn't even a Tribe fan. Don't expect any collabos anytime soon.

[Julio Alejandro]

Lupe's "The Cool" was the best hip hop album of the year.
You're kidding, right?

[Cmill216]

You're kidding, right?

I don't necessarily agree with him, but one can easily make the argument for it.

[Crook]

It hasn't been confirmed yet.
Ok, I guess if you don't wanna consider T.I. a reliable source:

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1593422/20080823/t_i_.jhtml
"It's been done about a month," he said. "It was a song that Kanye and I had done first; me featuring Kanye. An idea had presented itself -- 'What if we included these people and made it an event record?' -- and I was like, 'That's a very ambitious idea but a lovely one."

Soon after, Hov and Weezy submitted verses. Jay liked the song so much that Tip said it will also appear on Jay's The Blueprint 3 (http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1592626/20080812/jay_z.jhtml) album later this year. He did note that Paper Trail is where it will officially be released first.

You're kidding, right?
It was easily up there. At the very least, second or third best.

[the GRIN Reaper]

You're kidding, right?
You'd be off your rocker to think it wasn't arguably the best or at the very least in top five. EASILY. And you're post makes it sound one would be remedial to think it couldn't be top of its class. Do your homework, please ...

[Incrediblejeff]

Lupe's "The Cool" was the best hip hop album of the year.

Of last year right?or are we counting it as a 2008 release.

[Julio Alejandro]

Did you forget Common's Finding Forever, Jay-Z's American Gangster came out in 2007? Not to mention, one of my personal favorites of last year; Evidence's The Weatherman LP. All 3 of those albums make The Cool sound mediocre.

[chamber-music]

Jay-Z's American Gangster wasn't that good IMO :o

[knowsbleed]

Did you forget Common's Finding Forever, Jay-Z's American Gangster came out in 2007? Not to mention, one of my personal favorites of last year; Evidence's The Weatherman LP. All 3 of those albums make The Cool sound mediocre.

Nope... you're wrong. Thanks for playing.

[Rishi]

The Cool is overrated. Food & Liquor was even better.

imo the best album of 07 was probably Ultimate Victory though. that or Underground Kingz

[Colossal Spoons]

I do think The Cool is getting way more props than it deserves but it was a sick CD :up:

[Ace of Knaves]

What about the Pussycat Dolls? I think their work is very underrated

[Colossal Spoons]

Haha

[Ace of Knaves]

:boba:

[knowsbleed]

How is The Cool overrated?

[Cmill216]

Not enough street bangers, yo.

[terry78]

If he had some more songs about skateboarding I'm sure that would do it. :o


:p

Seriously off topic, but I'm starting to notice a lot of black dudes in the city that skateboard now. I don't mean those backpacker type black dudes, I mean dudes that are pretty much ghetto as can be rolling down the street on a board or carrying it. Don't know if Lupe caused that crossover or not, but hey.

[Colossal Spoons]

It's good.....great even. But not like everybody makes it seem.

[chamber-music]

If he had some more songs about skateboarding I'm sure that would do it. :o


:p

Seriously off topic, but I'm starting to notice a lot of black dudes in the city that skateboard now. I don't mean those backpacker type black dudes, I mean dudes that are pretty much ghetto as can be rolling down the street on a board or carrying it. Don't know if Lupe caused that crossover or not, but hey.

In London you got Brixton Skatepark which is right next to Brixton Acadamy music venue and Brixton is a predominately black area so you get alot of hoodrats skateboarding there..........lot of drug dealers too.

[Manic]

I think some black guys have been skating for years in secret, but Lupe and "a certain Neptune nobody has ever actually seen skate but talks about it all the time" are making it acceptable enough to do it in public.

[knowsbleed]

Street Bangers? Hip Hop is not all about having the nicest street banger... at least that's now how it used to be like. I guess you need to have a click dance type song in order to be nice these days.

[Colossal Spoons]

^I think Cmill was being sarcastic

[Incrediblejeff]

I thought Pharohe Monch'e Desire was a hot 2007 album.

[the GRIN Reaper]

Of last year right?or are we counting it as a 2008 release.
When it was released in 2007 ...

[the GRIN Reaper]

Did you forget Common's Finding Forever, Jay-Z's American Gangster came out in 2007? Not to mention, one of my personal favorites of last year; Evidence's The Weatherman LP. All 3 of those albums make The Cool sound mediocre.
The Cool was far from mediocre. On par with Common's Finding Forever, and it was better than American Gangster. The material alone has it in the upper echelon.

[Cmill216]

Finding Forever wasn't that great.

[Incrediblejeff]

When it was released in 2007 ...

I'm just saying because sometimes people count December releases as 2008.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

The Cool was far from mediocre. On par with Common's Finding Forever, and it was better than American Gangster. The material alone has it in the upper echelon.

Agreed. I don't think a lot of people realize how lyrical Lupe is. I in fact was one that didn't think he was all that impressive but after I listened to The Cool (many times) I definitely put him up there. I wouldn't say he is a heavy weight yet.

But I would definitely say he is a light heavyweight on his way to being a cruiser weight and possibly a heavy weight, barring his next album or two.

Finding Forever wasn't that great.

Agreed. It's nice, but nothing special and definitely not as good as Like Water...

[Cmill216]

Finding Forever is one of Common's weakest, IMO. The production was blah, and Com's lyricism wasn't up to par with some of his best. Resurrection is my favorite of his.

And I'm a huge supporter of Lupe. I think he's the best emcee in the game right now. The Cool is a great record, but I think American Gangster, as a whole, is the better album.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Street Bangers? Hip Hop is not all about having the nicest street banger... at least that's now how it used to be like. I guess you need to have a click dance type song in order to be nice these days.


As much as he contradicts himself and says some of the most unbelievable stupid **** now a days and from what I heard the latest he is making a song/album with Lil Waybe or Soulja Boy or someone that back in the day he would kill on the mic.

KNOWLEDGE REIGNS SUPREME OVER NEARLY EVERYBODY said it best

"Too many emcees take that word emcee lightly"


"Yo I'm strictly bout skills and dope lyrical coasting/ relying on talent not marketing and promotion/ every dope lyrical flow is a must/ you got to go with a name you can quickly trust/ I'm not saying I'm number one/ Uh I'm sorry I lied/ I'm number one, two, thee, four and five/ stop wasting your money on marketing schemes/ and pretty packages pushing dreams to the fiends/ a dope emcee is a dope emcee/ with or without a record deal all can see/ and that's who KRS be son/ I'm the run of the mill/ cuz for the mill I don't run"

That's a ****ing Emcee!

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Finding Forever is one of Common's weakest, IMO. The production was blah, and Com's lyricism wasn't up to par with some of his best. Resurrection is my favorite of his.

And I'm a huge supporter of Lupe. I think he's the best emcee in the game right now. The Cool is a great record, but I think American Gangster, as a whole, is the better album.

Of course the production was blah, it was Kanye.


Like Water is my personal favorite.

[samurai black]

Of course the production was blah, it was Kanye.


Like Water is my personal favorite.

Umm Kanye West. Blah? Riiiiight. You do know that hip hop artists regardless of their style, think very highly of his production talents.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Umm Kanye West. Blah? Riiiiight. You do know that hip hop artists regardless of their style, think very highly of his production talents.

And...? You're point?

I don't think very highly of them. Don't get me wrong, he is legit and knows how to make music, but I do not think he is anything special.

I think premiere and pete rock put him to shame. Just to name two.

[Crook]

Agreed. I don't think a lot of people realize how lyrical Lupe is.
According to who? :huh:

Lupe flies over people's heads all the time. That's a huge reason why he ain't big, he's simply not mainstream-friendly, and he won't ever sacrifice that complexity (fortunately).

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

According to who? :huh:

Lupe flies over people's heads all the time. That's a huge reason why he ain't big, he's simply not mainstream-friendly, and he won't ever sacrifice that complexity (fortunately).


I didn't necessarily mean around these boards or this thread. I just meant in general as a population. Hell most people don't even listen to what he says, they like the beats and his hooks. The rest just goes in one ear and out the other.

[Crook]

I was talking about them as well. Even if you drown out his lyrics, his songs still come off as very wordy, and the general listener would probably be turned off by that because it's not simple enough (i.e. they want him to Dumb It Down).

[Cmill216]

The thing is, Lupe is subtle as ****.

Unlike the self-proclaimed great ones like Weezy, who slam you over the head with somewhat witty similes that people label as "genius", you really have to actively listen to what Lupe is saying to catch just how dope some of it is.

And he even when he goes the simile route, he can conjure up ridiculous punchlines:

"Don't intervene chumps/Ya'll far from the hood like limousine trunks"

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I was talking about them as well. Even if you drown out his lyrics, his songs still come off as very wordy, and the general listener would probably be turned off by that because it's not simple enough (i.e. they want him to Dumb It Down).


Wait....so what are we debating?

[Crook]

I'm saying the general public is aware of how lyrical Lupe is, regardless of whether they actually bother to listen to him.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I don't think they are. Don't forget a large part of that general public that listens to him are teenagers and kids a little younger 11-17. I would say that most of them are clueless to Lupe's lyrical abilities.

But I would say that you're right about many people being aware outside of that age group although it is hard to say just how many people really know how lyrical he is.

I would say half do half don't.

[the GRIN Reaper]

According to who? :huh:

Lupe flies over people's heads all the time. That's a huge reason why he ain't big, he's simply not mainstream-friendly, and he won't ever sacrifice that complexity (fortunately).
Exactly. Hell, being in Chicago alot of brothers just don't get him. And that's his hometown. haha ... dude grew up on the Westside of Chicago, one of the most dangerous places in the world.

He's not like them in the simplicity world of ghetto rhymes, stackin cheese, ideals, with the bangers, etc.

The Cool is one of the best hip hop albums, IMO, of all-time. And I really don't mind that he's slept on by the mainstream, because most of them just can't grasp the complexity of his songs. Let him be slept on, for the people who can think and relate, he'll always be a hidden gem. All to our own.

[the GRIN Reaper]

I'm saying the general public is aware of how lyrical Lupe is, regardless of whether they actually bother to listen to him.
Def. They know he's lyrical, they just can't graps the extent and how intelligent he is because his artistic ideals just don't fit the style they can assimilate to so they overlook him.

[terry78]

"I don't listen to music for the lyrics, I only listen for the beat."

How many times have you heard that?

[Rando]

"I don't listen to music for the lyrics, I only listen for the beat."

How many times have you heard that?
one of my old friends cared nothing about lyrics in any sort of music, he just liked the guitars and beats and such.

but i suppose guitars arent very prevalent in rap.

[the GRIN Reaper]

"I don't listen to music for the lyrics, I only listen for the beat."

How many times have you heard that?
So many times ... and I just SMH ...

The only time I legitimately care about the beat to a song and how it makes me feel physically, is when I'm at a club.

I don't listen to songs in my car based off beat. I want something that stimulates me lyrically, intellectually, AND has a beat.

[the GRIN Reaper]

but i suppose guitars arent very prevalent in rap.
You'd be suprised.