Underground Rap

[.Dylan]

I was wondering if anyone could req some for me. I don't really like anything that's popular right now, that I know of anyway. I kind of cut myself off of rap many years ago because it wasn't cool anymore. I've realized that most of the shit I used to listen to sucks though.

I'm a bit of a fan of Nas lyrically, thought I don't relike his rapping style. I'm not sure what I'm looking for exactly, I think a fairly distinctive voice and style, good rhymes, sense of rhythm (this is important I think) and interesting lyrical content. I just checked out El-P because he released one of the top rap albums in the last 3 months according to the allmusic guide. Definitely appreciate the small rock influence there but it's not something I need .

[decom_poseur]

Well its not underground or new, but listen to MF Doom.

[Wobbie]

Gavin Castleton

Mp3s
90 East (http://www.gavincastleton.com/audio/Gavin%20Castleton%20-%2090%20East.mp3)
I'm Not Really A Rapper (http://www.gavincastleton.com/audio/Gavin%20Castleton%20-%20Im%20Not%20Really%20A%20Rapper.w ma)
Speedbumps (w/One Drop) (http://www.gavincastleton.com/audio/Gavin%20Castleton%20&%20One%20Drop%20-%20Speedbumps.mp3)

[.Dylan]

Well its not underground or new, but listen to MF Doom.

I guess it doesn't need to be new since I haven't listened in a long time and underground was more of a question than a suggestion.

I'll let you know what I think.

[HangsLikeHeaven]

Not really underground but give Rhymefest a shot.

[.Dylan]

Gavin Castleton

Mp3s
90 East (http://www.gavincastleton.com/audio/Gavin%20Castleton%20-%2090%20East.mp3)
I'm Not Really A Rapper (http://www.gavincastleton.com/audio/Gavin%20Castleton%20-%20Im%20Not%20Really%20A%20Rapper.w ma)
Speedbumps (w/One Drop) (http://www.gavincastleton.com/audio/Gavin%20Castleton%20&%20One%20Drop%20-%20Speedbumps.mp3)
Some of this stuff reminded me of the streets except less British. Good but not really what I'm looking for.
Well its not underground or new, but listen to MF Doom.
Eeeh, he's alright, kind of boring though.

[decom_poseur]

Mf Doom, boring?!/ Good Lord...

[.Dylan]

Mf Doom, boring?!/ Good Lord...
Boring's not the right word, I just can't think right now. WeThe songs on his myspace aren't spectacular. Give me a link or some song titles to start me off.
Not really underground but give Rhymefest a shot.
Decent but a lot of the same things I don't like about (current) mainstream rap. All cameos and R&b samples etc. etc. all fluff and no substance (I don't know if that makes sense).


Like I said rhythm (not sure if that's even the right word for what I'm thinking, think flow maybe?) is really important to me. That's the one thing I still admire about Eminem's music.

Maybe I just can't be a rap fan like I thought I could? C'mon guys help me out. :)

[Wobbie]

Maybe Sage Francis/Lost Prophets is more what you're looking for then?

[.Dylan]

Maybe Sage Francis/Lost Prophets is more what you're looking for then?
One and a half Sage Francis songs in and I already know I'm in love. I'll check out Lost Prophets soon.

I just remembered, really liked Kadence Prose's stuff on Trophy Scar's Alphabet Alphabets. Also, liked Proof's contributions to the songs back when i listened to D12.

Thought that info might help with reqs, I don't know. Don't let it hold you back from recommending other cool stuff though.

[.Dylan]

Ok wait... everything I've read and heard points towards Lost Prophets being a... metal band?

Very confused

[littlevictories]

Idk but check out jamie t.. he's this white english rapper but his music is a little different

[Hey Mr. Destiny]

Ok wait... everything I've read and heard points towards Lost Prophets being a... metal band?

Very confused

He meant Non-Prophets. It's Sage Francis and Joe Beats. It's excellent.

[MyDenverMax]

K-Os from CANADA HAHA
El-P
new Aesop Rock if you like that
Deltron 3030

You should buy Ghetto Pop Life by Danger Mouse and Jemini. It kicks ass.

[a speedo model]

El-P is very good.

[.Dylan]

Idk but check out jamie t.. he's this white english rapper but his music is a little different
Totally unlike anything I've ever heard. Pretty cool but not my style.
He meant Non-Prophets. It's Sage Francis and Joe Beats. It's excellent.
Thanks.
K-Os from CANADA HAHA
El-P
new Aesop Rock if you like that
Deltron 3030

You should buy Ghetto Pop Life by Danger Mouse and Jemini. It kicks ass.
k-os actually gets a ridiculous amount of play up here. You'd be surprised I think. He's alright.
El-P is very good.
Agreed.

[MyDenverMax]

k-os actually gets a ridiculous amount of play up here. You'd be surprised I think. He's alright.

Agreed.

No I like him I just was taking the opportunity to emphasize that he's Canadian. It's often hard to tell that he's an underground hip-hop artist though, there are some songs that I would place in the Bloc Party subgenre of indie.

[Wobbie]

He meant Non-Prophets. It's Sage Francis and Joe Beats. It's excellent.
Hahahahaha. How embarrassing. Of course i meant Non-Prophets. I'm 26 this year, and my memory is already going :-(

[Mskillet90]

Discuss. For example, there's a very good underground rapper who happens to be on the Warped Tour this year...his name is Othello. Checking him out would be a good start for those just getting into Indie Hip Hop.

http://www.myspace.com/othello

[Neo Cassady]

"Warped Tour" and "underground" shound not be used to describe one another.

[AlternateToLife]

^ Truth.

I wish I listened to more underground rap but I haven't put much time into finding good stuff.

[Neo Cassady]

^ Truth.

I wish I listened to more underground rap but I haven't put much time into finding good stuff.

Thanks to Stereo Therapy Matt, I recently found out about Blue Scholars. Definitely worth a listen.

[Tyler Revolution]

Shut up, please.

[AlternateToLife]

Thanks to Stereo Therapy Matt, I recently found out about Blue Scholars. Definitely worth a listen.

Excellent. Thank you.

[Mskillet90]

"Warped Tour" and "underground" shound not be used to describe one another.

Othello happens to be an underground rapper that they booked for the tour. Whether or not 80% of the groups there are underground or not, he is. And so are a good deal of other rappers on the tour.

[EchoPark]

if you dig underground hip-hop, check out Joe Budden. all his stuff is available free on mixtapes HERE (http://www.datpiff.com)

[HangsLikeHeaven]

hahahaha

[FeynmanWannabe]

You mean like Kanye West? Here's a link to his myspace if you're interested: http://www.myspace.com/kanyewest

[Whimsikill]

Most nerdcore rap is at least kind of underground.
mc chris
mc lars
mc frontalot
optimus rhyme
schaffer the darklord

[sandra92]

I only know underground portuguese rap ..

but some american rap which i find really good is some like these :
some songs of DJ Honda
dub pistols
rocky marsiano
the sound providers
brand nubian

I don't know if they are underground or not but ..

[kearn1tm]

If you don't listen to Mikah 9, then that's a problem you should rectify immediately.

[kearn1tm]

You mean like Kanye West? Here's a link to his myspace if you're interested: http://www.myspace.com/kanyewest

Thanks, guy. Where do you find these obscure, underground artists?

[Billy Da Mute]

haha i the only non mainstream slash indie stuff i listen to is

jedi mind tricks
slug aka atmosphere
aesop rock
sage francis
immortal technique

open to suggestions though. i know thats not even the scratching the underground rap surface

[tfar06]

blu and exile
crooked i
immortal technique
akir
atmosphere
jedi mind tricks
visionaries
vakill
royce da 5'9"
elzhi
termanology
talib kweli
mos def
blackstar
sean price
buckshot
the roots
panacea
o.c.
little brother
joell ortiz
saigon
j-live
the strange fruit project
evidence
c.r.a.c. knuckles
and others....

[tfar06]

if you dig underground hip-hop, check out Joe Budden. all his stuff is available free on mixtapes at http://www.datpiff.com
joe buddens mixtapes r fire. but his albums r poopy

[chipdip18]

Thanks to Stereo Therapy Matt, I recently found out about Blue Scholars. Definitely worth a listen.


Blue Scholars own! I saw them live, which owned face. Some random chick started grinding on me when he hopped down and danced with the crowd.

[thesafeword]

There's a town about 2 or 3 hours away from me called Othello. It's full of dirty and illegal mexican gang bangers and the cops give out tickets for going like 2 or 3 over.

[chipdip18]

That blows. About the tickets.

[thesafeword]

Yeah, I was driving back with my basketball coach from Soap Lake and he was hoping we didn't have to go through there, because it would take forever.

[chipdip18]

Doot, pulling over for like 2 or 3 over is such a douche move.

[williek311]

Most nerdcore rap is at least kind of underground.
mc chris
mc lars
mc frontalot
optimus rhyme
schaffer the darklord
All that shit is terrible. Please refrain from talking about it in this thread.

[Pluto.]

I love Sage Francis. Crack Pipes and Broken Wings is definitely my two favorite from him. Atmosphere is good. Blue Scholars, Cage, etc. Everybody already mentioned it. Ooooh. The Foreign Exchange aren't too bad either.

I also like Underground Rap, like from Houston Texas. It's a bit different though. Like DJ Screw, Trae, Guerilla Maab, etc.

[Mskillet90]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys! I have to admit that I don't reallty appreciate people like MC Chris...for some reason it just doesn't work for me. I should have elaborated more...things more in the vein of Lupe Fiasco, Jay-Z, Mars Ill, RedCloud, Pigeon John, Talib Kweli, etc. Before you say that he's a mainstream rapper, Jay-Z started out underground and made hs way to the top...kinda like Lupe is doing right now. I'm surprised I actually know of a lot of the artists that were mentioned. Underground rap also has much better quality than mainstream..they actually talk about issues in the world instead of their 22" chromes and girls and whatnot. Here's some good suggestions:

Theory Hazit
Othello (again)
Mars Ill
Ohmega Watts
Scribbling Idiots
Sev Statik
Mr. J Medeiros
The Procussions

What do you guys think of Flobots? Do you think they're carnal copies of Gym Class Heroes?

[Reflecting]

zion i ftw

[Reflecting]

blu and exile
crooked i
immortal technique
akir
atmosphere
jedi mind tricks
visionaries
vakill
royce da 5'9"
elzhi
termanology
talib kweli
mos def
blackstar
sean price
buckshot
the roots
panacea
o.c.
little brother
joell ortiz
saigon
j-live
the strange fruit project
evidence
c.r.a.c. knuckles
and others....
atmosphere only counts as underground in his style now. he's gone pretty mainstream lately, he was even on mtv.

[heyzombiehitler]

There's a town about 2 or 3 hours away from me called Othello. It's full of dirty and illegal mexican gang bangers and the cops give out tickets for going like 2 or 3 over.

Sounds like where I live.

[Reflecting]

nwa is the b0mb.

[tfar06]

atmosphere only counts as underground in his style now. he's gone pretty mainstream lately, he was even on mtv.
i dont watch mtv so i owuldnt have known.

[absolutecrunk]

Rap bump

[absolutecrunk]

Rap bump

[Regards]

http://www.a101avn.org/Hang%20Loose1.JPG

Siiicckk bump brah!

[summer skin]

mskillet is into the heavy underground shit.

[absolutecrunk]

We gotta keep it real with 5 rap threads at the top of the queue

[absolutecrunk]

I wish he would come back and spit his overtly embarrassingly Christian views.

[Regards]

We up teh beatz here on absoluteundergroundhiphop.net

[summer skin]

I wish he would come back and spit his overtly embarrassingly Christian views.
Skillet is underground rap.
ctnbivvDCi8&feature=related

[SubrosaSeductiv]

Apathy - Drive it like I Stole it. Amazing song.

[jtsnazzy]

Pause the video at 0:49, thats fucked up.

[Fin.]

I like Atmosphere, Pigeon John, and the amazing LA SYMPHONY.

[kemichels]

Try out the cd "Freezerburner" (cd) by Qwel & Meaty Ogre (artist)....I love it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW-ul2Kletw

and then make sure to try (artist) Eyedea and Abilities, "E and A" (cd).

I forgot about Eyedea...but the guy is so fucking sick (he spits faster than Twista, I'm pretty sure) it's ridiculous. And Dj Abilities is awesome...the scratching and beats are awesome on the cd.

9pVkmx8EglA
cKK08rgSSJE

Seriously...mad talent.


Also, if you like angry/funny (albeit sometimes controversial/political rap) ...check Immortal Technique.

[Getup and Dance]

Immortal Technique is lame. I hate the hype he gets.

[kemichels]

You have to give the guy some credit. And I honestly don't think he gets that much hype? The guy has damn clever/good lyrics...a little too radical for me at times...but he makes me laugh and he raps about things that most commercial hip-hop artists like Lil Wayne dont have the balls to talk about it. Furthermore, he does a lot of stuff for charity and for the underground hip hop community.

At any rate, wu tang clan ain't nothing to fuck wit.

[kemichels]

and on that note, listen to Ghostface if you want flow and lyrical skillz.

[Getup and Dance]

You have to give the guy some credit. And I honestly don't think he gets that much hype? The guy has damn clever/good lyrics...a little too radical for me at times...but he makes me laugh and he raps about things that most commercial hip-hop artists like Lil Wayne dont have the balls to talk about it. Furthermore, he does a lot of stuff for charity and for the underground hip hop community.

At any rate, wu tang clan ain't nothing to fuck wit.

Almost all his songs are "I used to be a gangster but now im educated", and he uses "gay" and the F word (I mean the F word that is slang for a homosexual). To me he is a one trick pony and isnt that solid of a rapper either. Listen to Common Market and Blue Scholars instead they are both a whole lot better.

and on that note, listen to Ghostface if you want flow and lyrical skillz.

I still think ODB's flow was the best in Wu-Tang Clan.

[wtfmates]

Sage Francis and Lost Prophets are both a must.

Also, El-P, Why? (not entirely hip-hop), Cage, Aesop Rock, Atmosphere (not as underground as some of the other artists listed in here, he's actually been gaining some popularity lately).

If anyone could rec me some artists they think I would like, I would be grateful. Sorry to steal your thunder op.

[wtfmates]

Immortal Technique is lame. I hate the hype he gets.

I agree. I don't think he's great at all.

[Getup and Dance]

Sage Francis and Lost Prophets are both a must.

Also, El-P, Why? (not entirely hip-hop), Cage, Aesop Rock, Atmosphere (not as underground as some of the other artists listed in here, he's actually been gaining some popularity lately).

If anyone could rec me some artists they think I would like, I would be grateful. Sorry to steal your thunder op.

Im not a fan of any of those artists, but all the little scene kids praise them all.

Check out AZ, Blue Scholars, Common, KRS-One, GZA, Ghostface, Redman, Common Market, Def Squad, and Method Man.

Im sure you have heard most of them but I have been spinning them all alot and are some of the best Hip Hop that has ever come out.

[wtfmates]

Im not a fan of any of those artists, but all the little scene kids praise them all.

Check out AZ, Blue Scholars, Common, KRS-One, GZA, Ghostface, Redman, Common Market, Def Squad, and Method Man.

Im sure you have heard most of them but I have been spinning them all alot and are some of the best Hip Hop that has ever come out.

I shall go check every artist you gave me out. I've exhausted all of the hip-hop artists that I listen to, which really isn't much, and i've realized that I am still pretty ignorant when it comes to the genre, so i've been looking for more good artists. Thanks a bunch.

Is there any artist that you think I would like more than the others?

[Getup and Dance]

Common, KRS-One, and AZ are more lyrical than the others. You will probably like them the most.

I always rep Blue Scholars and Common Market since they are from Seattle. Method Man, GZA, and Ghostface are some of the better people from Wu-Tang on their solo work. Def Squad is the older group Redman used to be in with Erick Sermon who is a pretty solid producer.

[kemichels]

Almost all his songs are "I used to be a gangster but now im educated", and he uses "gay" and the F word (I mean the F word that is slang for a homosexual). To me he is a one trick pony and isnt that solid of a rapper either. Listen to Common Market and Blue Scholars instead they are both a whole lot better.



I still think ODB's flow was the best in Wu-Tang Clan.


eh, even Wu Tang members use "gay" and the "f" word....so does Eminem, but everyone seems to give shit about that to Immortal Technique, and not others.

But ODB was awesome. I really can't even describe how that guy raps.

[Getup and Dance]

eh, even Wu Tang members use "gay" and the "f" word....so does Eminem, but everyone seems to give shit about that to Immortal Technique, and not others.

But ODB was awesome. I really can't even describe how that guy raps.

I never said I was a fan of Eminem, but Immortal Technique does over use it alot and he kind of is a one trick pony.

OBD didnt really have the best lyrics but he was just out there and had a sick flow and delivery.

Masta Killa is another great member of Wu-Tang who gets no recognition.

[kemichels]

He ever come out with anything solo?

[Getup and Dance]

No Said Date is his only solo record, he is a solid rapper though and never gets enough credit for his work.

[ThisIsNotDan]

there is no rapper better than the OP's username. just saying.

[Getup and Dance]

there is no rapper better than the OP's username. just saying.

He does spit hot fire.

[Czarsy]

Atmosphere and shit like that sucks. Listen to Bronze Nazareth and Jeru The Damaja.

[Czarsy]

Nas rules.
MF Doom sucks.

[hxctyhxc]

nas isnt even underground.

atmosphere is dope as fuck

[Getup and Dance]

No atmosphere is pretty bad.

Nas is alright, but im not a big fan.

[kemichels]

there is no rapper better than the OP's username. just saying.

FD avatar ftw.

[kemichels]

I want Mystikal back, lol.

DAAAAAAAAAAANGA

[wtfmates]

No atmosphere is pretty bad.

Nas is alright, but im not a big fan.

I'm gonna check out the artists that you told me to listen to. Thank you again for the recommendations.

Why do you think atmosphere is bad? Have you listened to his earlier work?

[Czarsy]

nas isnt even underground.

atmosphere is dope as fuck
Who gives a shit? He's better than pretty much every underground rapper.

[ThisIsNotDan]

FD avatar ftw.

oh yesssss. you excited for Razia's Shadow?

[kemichels]

so, so excited. Sounds awesome so far from the clips! I've had Wonderland on repeat for the past week...It kind of got tucked away for awhile, but I can't stop listening to it again, haha.

I might go see them open up for Deer and Headlights in November...it'd be cool if they played Razia stuff, but I have no idea how that'd work.

[ThisIsNotDan]

so, so excited. Sounds awesome so far from the clips! I've had Wonderland on repeat for the past week...It kind of got tucked away for awhile, but I can't stop listening to it again, haha.

I might go see them open up for Deer and Headlights in November...it'd be cool if they played Razia stuff, but I have no idea how that'd work.

as much as I am indifferent about DATH, I would love to see Steel Train again, and this tour would be so awesome. also, I'd love to hear new songs live, but I really want to hear "Ants", "Il Tango..." for the drum part, and "The Great Affair Is To Move"

[tfar06]

I was wondering if anyone could req some for me. I don't really like anything that's popular right now, that I know of anyway. I kind of cut myself off of rap many years ago because it wasn't cool anymore. I've realized that most of the shit I used to listen to sucks though.

I'm a bit of a fan of Nas lyrically, thought I don't relike his rapping style. I'm not sure what I'm looking for exactly, I think a fairly distinctive voice and style, good rhymes, sense of rhythm (this is important I think) and interesting lyrical content. I just checked out El-P because he released one of the top rap albums in the last 3 months according to the allmusic guide. Definitely appreciate the small rock influence there but it's not something I need .
not really underground :
mos def
talib kweli
common
elzhi
royce da 5'9"
blu & exile
visionaries
outkast
drake

[tfar06]

Atmosphere and shit like that sucks. Listen to Bronze Nazareth and Jeru The Damaja.
jeru the damaja, wrath of the math and the sun rises albums are sweet, latest one poop. atymosphere has some good records though.

[thesafeword]

Geto Boys and A Tribe Called Quest, not really underground, but fucking awesome nonetheless.

[wtfmates]

Im not a fan of any of those artists, but all the little scene kids praise them all.

Check out AZ, Blue Scholars, Common, KRS-One, GZA, Ghostface, Redman, Common Market, Def Squad, and Method Man.

Im sure you have heard most of them but I have been spinning them all alot and are some of the best Hip Hop that has ever come out.

Alright, it's freeleach on the site I use to download music, so I nabbed one album from almost every artist you listed. So far the only one I've got around to listening to is Blue Scholars, and I like it quite a bit so far. Granted, I'm only on the 3rd song, but so far I'm really digging his voice, the lyrics, and the, to me at least, jazzy beats. Thanks for the good music. I'll spend some time with this before moving on to the other artists.

i always love it when people reccomend artists that I really like.