Rap - suggestions/critisism thread

[dildonicsboy]

I couldn't find a thread like this, but the reason I am creating it is because this is for people to discuss hip-hop and for the many people I have seen on this site who "hate" rap. Not saying rap is the greatest thing ever created, but this site seems to be open to different forms of music (I.E. Format, JT, Maroon 5) get praised. If you hate rap then give me a logical reason why you do. I know some of you probably like rap like I do, and for those people, I say we compile a list of good rap for others to check out.

Here are my current favorites

Outkast - This band is great, yeah they are known now for there hits like "Hey Ya" and "Ms. Jackson", but really give this group a listen if you are new to rap, because I am sure most who like rap have heard them. Essential listening - Stankonia

Nas - legendary street smart rapper, still putting out new stuff. His style seems to emphasis his voice/lyrics more than a smooth beat. Essential listening - Illmatic

Kanye West - great producer, has some pretty good lyrics at times. I really like the beats he uses. Essential listening - College Dropout

I don't listen to very much rap and I know these are very basic so recommend more, talk about your favorites, hate on me or rap, whatever in this thread.
BTW I also like - Busdriver, Mr. Lif, Aesop Rock, Pete Rock, Jay-Z, NWA, Public Enemy, Common, Dr. Dre, etc.

[SickOfStars]

MF Doom - Some of the most fun rap music ever created. I would reccommend d/l'ing (as all of his albums are out of print) "MM...Food" and "Operation: Doomsday" at the very least. Under a number of aliases (including Viktor Vaughn) he has released albums of a slightly different style. I'd suggest getting "Viktor Vaughn: Vaudeville Villain" as a starter there.

He's also been in a few collaborations. While Dangerdoom (MF Doom and DJ Danger Mouse) is popular with the Cartoon Network crowd, I'd actually suggest steering clear of the project altogether. I would, however, highly reccommend Madvillain (MF Doom and Madlib).

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I also very much reccommend DJ Shadow (especially his 2006 effort "The Outsider")

and anything by The Roots

[dildonicsboy]

I have the Roots - Phrenology, is that a good one?
I also have DJ Shadow's first album, but I'll check out the one you told me

Thanks for the recommendations

[williek311]

If you like Outkast you should check out their earlier stuff which is better than Stankonia imo.

Outkast - Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
Outkast - ATLiens
Ghostface Killah - Fishscale, Supreme Clientele
Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
Gza - Liquid Swords
Boogie Down Productions - By All Means Nessecary
A Tribe Called Quest - Low End Theory
Talib Kweli - Reflection Eternal
Black Star - s/t
The Roots - Things Fall Apart
Atmosphere - Lucy Ford
Jay Z - Reasonable Doubt
J-Live - All of The Above
Handsome Boy Modeling School - So...How's your girl?
Common - Ressurection
Big L - Lifestyles of the Poor and Dangerous

That should keep you busy for a while.

[katcherbball]

Clipse- Hell Hath No Fury is a great album

[DjJazzyGeoff]

MF Doom - Some of the most fun rap music ever created. I would reccommend d/l'ing (as all of his albums are out of print) "MM...Food" and "Operation: Doomsday" at the very least. Under a number of aliases (including Viktor Vaughn) he has released albums of a slightly different style. I'd suggest getting "Viktor Vaughn: Vaudeville Villain" as a starter there.

He's also been in a few collaborations. While Dangerdoom (MF Doom and DJ Danger Mouse) is popular with the Cartoon Network, I'd actually suggest steering clear of the project altogether. I would, however, highly reccommend Madvillain (MF Doom and Madlib).

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I also very much reccommend DJ Shadow (especially his 2006 effort "The Outsider")

and anything by The Roots

definitely madvillain and mf doom. get the cd madvillainy, i have listened to it many times and love it

[Shatter590]

i only own a handful of rap albums, and nothing thats not mainstream:

beastie boys: licensed to ill
Kanye west- college dropout and late registration
eminem- marshall mathers

and thats it. unless you count gym class heroes, which most ppl dont.

[chronomic]

i only own a handful of rap albums, and nothing thats not mainstream:

beastie boys: licensed to ill
Kanye west- college dropout and late registration
eminem- marshall mathers

and thats it. unless you count gym class heroes, which most ppl dont.

beastie boys is key to any music collection. esp license to ill

[Chromefox]

Listen to K-OS. He's one of about three hip-hop artists I actually support, let alone enjoy.

[Shatter590]

beastie boys is key to any music collection. esp license to ill

bcuz mutiny on the bounty's what were all about.

[chronomic]

alibaba and the 40 theives!

[james77]

beastie boys
sage francis
early eminem
some jay z

[pilot_light_out]

eminem is my main rap influence.

and bone thugz n harmony are really good. talented.

snoop dawwwg

[maiabean]

Aesop Rock
Atmosphere

I enjoy Lil' Wayne, not necessarily because of his lyrics, but because of how he writes [ad libs, punchlines]

[maiabean]

Although, I'm not too submerged in the "rap scene".. :shrug:

[Shatter590]

fuck, i keep forgetting i have a copy of Reasonable Doubt. that album is awesome

[cuetheflames]

Listen to K-OS. He's one of about three hip-hop artists I actually support, let alone enjoy.

no doubt, listen to this guy.

K-O's - Atlantis: Hymns For Disco
any album by The Roots
any album by Bone Thugs -N- Harmony (the new one is defintaly awesome)
Jeezy - The Inspiration
Jurassic 5 - Feedback
Girl Talk - Night Ripper
Lupe Fiasco - Food & Liquor

[daftknight]

Damn, you beat me to recommending Lupe Fiasco. His shit is ridiculous...especially the song Pimp Hand off of the leaked version. American Terrorist is also really good.

As for other groups, I'm a bigger fan of the underground scene than the actual mainstream, but regardless of their affiliations, here are some other groups to check out:

The Roots (already mentioned, I know, but they're so good)
Blackalicious
Styles of Beyond (and Fort Minor, their project with Shinoda)
Jedi Mind Tricks
Aceyalone (with or without RJD2)
Deltron 3030
Dr. Octagon

[Chancetobe]

I was listening to G-Unit beore, and I actually liked it.

[daftknight]

Ugh...I can't stand 50 Cent. Well, I guess that's an overstatement. I love "In Da Club" and "Wanksta," but "Candy Shop" and a lot of his other songs are terrible (in my opinion).

Long live JA RULE!

(Sarcasm).

[cuetheflames]

50 cent is a fucking douche bag. he makes shitty music and hes a huge vagina.

[daftknight]

hes a huge vagina.

Hahaha that line, along with the pictures of Paris Hilton in the cop car from another thread, just made my day. Thank you.

[joss d.]

some recs:
deltron 3030
el-p
sole
clipse
madvillian
dr. octagon
13 & God
alias
army of pharaohs
jedi mind tricks
the new jeezy on the production alone
clouddead

[dildonicsboy]

I listen to K-Os he is really good. What was the name of that other Canadian rapper that is often compared to him. I think epitaph signed the guy I'm thinking of a few months back.

Also Lupe Fiasco is on the top of my list to check out. I've known about him for a while, but never got around to doing so.

[El_Jeffe]

run dmc!

they deserve a mention, i love them. good beats, good vocals. i don't know much about modern rap, but i'm a fan of some early toasters (jamaican pre-cursor to rap)

[SickOfStars]

some recs:
deltron 3030
el-p
sole
clipse
madvillian
dr. octagon
13 & God
alias
army of pharaohs
jedi mind tricks
the new jeezy on the production alone
clouddead

El-P's latest album is incredible!

[joss d.]

El-P's latest album is incredible!

i know, one of my tops of the year so far.

[bnana=godexists]

I love the roots. Black Star is great too.

[enossel]

Lupe Fiasco. With or without that rediculous song about skating, I still enjoy Food and Liquor very much.

[Daveyhavok832]

I don't understand why the rappers who are fanous today are by far the worst ones... They have no flow, write terrible lyrics, and are all wannabe gangsters. I can't believe your songs about drug dealings and beating the shit out of people. If your making millions of dollars why are you selling drugs? The only decent mainstream rappers are Kanye, Jay Z, and Ghostface. I'll still throw a Wu-Tang album in the sterio. Otherwise I like Sage Francis, Atmosphere, Busdriver, Aesop Rock

[dildonicsboy]

I like all the rappers you mentioned above, but I disagree with those 3 being the only good mainstream rappers. Ever heard of Common? He is great, as is Nas.

Some mainstream rap is laughable though, but so is a lot of mainstream rock.

[Smash Adams]

50 Cent

seriously?

in that case
MIMS
P. Diddy
Aaron Carter

[Smash Adams]

Haha no not seriously.
I thought not, just making sure though