Hip Hop

[DanielK]

Any fans of hip hop here...

I really like it, and not the commercialised crap ya hear on MTV thesedays, naming no names cough... (50 cent, Lil Wayne etc)

When i mention hip hop, i mean the true artists of hip hop who rap about love, life and so on...

Rap gets such a bad rep thesedays for brainless lyrics, degrading women and bad language yet the radio keeps playing it cos it actually sells records sadly...

Any fans lurking, my favourite would have to be Common.. awesome artist...

Dan

[teesred]

I like hip hop but generally the older stuff like early snoop,dre and ice cube. I like grandmaster flash and sugar hill gang too but not sure they come under the bracket of hip hop,probably just rap. I think 50 cent started out with great promise,his first album is excellent but like all of them now he succumbeb to all the fur coat shit and just talking about money and bitches. That kind of rap has been done to death and is boring. Do you like stuff like tribe called quest? A mate of mine is bang into all kinds of hip hop and rap and he says theres an english guy called slick rick who has influenced the likes of dre and snoop. He originally came up with the "la dee da dee we likes to party" line. Havent heard him but might try and get hold of something.

[RedRich]

Similar to Teesred I like the early Snoop, and Dre's solo albums. Any earlier than that I've never really explored. I liked the Wu-Tang stuff too. Its not really my thang though to be honest; can't be doing with 'fiddy' and the like. Cypress Hill are ok.

I think it was just a phase though, haven't consciously listened to that stuff in ages.

Edit: I'm not sure of the differences between rap and hip hop. I in no way know what I'm talking about when it comes to this, I just know what I like(d):o

[Rafa El Gaffer]

Common - I used to love her.

Tune.

Personally I prefer the oldskool degreading of women and what not. :P

Not big on the new stuff.

Funny you should bring this up as I just stumbled across Wu-tang for the first time in years, had forgot just how good they were.

[user name]

aaaah yeah bwoy...

dc basehead... diggable planet... tcq... jungle bro's... dls... common...

the uk has (still) to really take back to the usa an 'english' version of hip hop... i used to make music with some guys in manc who were dj-ing hip hop tunes in the mid-1980's... one guy i know won the ''dmc golden microphone'' (prince cool) way back... another won the ''dmc dj-mix'' (owen d) and yet another went on to do a support with the happy mondays and signed a deal with a major record company (mc buzz b)... but all these faded away... the uk seems not to produce 'marketable' hip hop... even 'mc tunes' faded and he had loads of exposure with '808 state'...:(

[redforever]

It does not do it for me tbh. I hate all the im hard and women are bitches shit. I don't think it does much for the kids either and influences them in the wrong way

[vin]

It does not do it for me tbh. I hate all the im hard and women are bitches shit. I don't think it does much for the kids either and influences them in the wrong way

Thats a typical tabloid attitude to Hip-Hop, however, its not all about that and never has been.

First thing to understand is Hip Hop is not a musical genre (popular misconception), it's a collective term that incorporates, break dancing, graffiti, djing, mc's/rapping and fashion. The musical aspect is called Rap.

I have been into Hip Hop and Rap since the early 80's and regularly dj'd in Islington, Camden and various other places in North London. As well as promoting nights in Anglia, Manchester and a few in London.

I have an extensive MP3 and more importantly vinyl collection of Hip Hop although agree with the earlier posters that the modern stuff is not as good. Having said that there are many great party tunes, which as a purist isn't the best rap but as DJ will have to be played because its about the audience and the crowd.

Apart from the 80's stuff, which if you listen to now, alot sounds very average and dated but at the time was ground breaking, the best "era" in my opinion was the early 90's when you had Wu Tang, Biggie, Nas, Jeru, Dre/Snoop (Death Row), Tribe, Keith Murray, 2Pac (although not a favourite), Mobb Deep, Common, Lords of the Underground, Cypress Hill, Fugees and many more coming out with absolute classic or really innovative albums.

I have recently attended ( last couple of years) Dj Cash money, Jazzy Jeff, Dj Babu concerts and they have been fantastic.

It has been "commercialised" (although that term is a bit of misnomer) and I don't have the energy anymore to go through various record shops looking for the "underground" gems. Although UK hip hop (something that I was never keen on) is actually beginning to make an identity for it self.

There are a couple of monthly nights in London that really represent what Hip Hop is about and are worth attending.

[vin]

Common - I used to love her.

Tune.



It does not do it for me tbh. I hate all the im hard and women are bitches shit. I don't think it does much for the kids either and influences them in the wrong way

Listen to that tune H.E.R (Hip Hop Essential & Real) pretty much sums up the evolution of Hip Hop through time. (upto mid 90')

[DanielK]

Some music i recommend...

Common's new tracks.

The Game - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzSpynvL9N0

The People - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3tU2U01yZA

Talib Kweli. More or Less - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHIGKOpefBw

Blackstar - A Classic - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHReQQnMVQo

J Dilla - RIP - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVYza0NiWuU

[DanielK]

Listen to that tune H.E.R (Hip Hop Essential & Real) pretty much sums up the evolution of Hip Hop through time. (upto mid 90')

That track is amazing, i think it means just as much now if not more than it did when it was released in 94...

Love how all through the track, Com makes ya think he is talking about a gal, and then at the end " talking bout hip hop "

That makes the second listen just as fresh as the first, listening to each line and seeing how this girl is hip hop...

That also started his feud with Ice Cube i believe, which Com killed lol, I See The Bitch In You :cool:

[DanielK]

I like hip hop but generally the older stuff like early snoop,dre and ice cube. I like grandmaster flash and sugar hill gang too but not sure they come under the bracket of hip hop,probably just rap. I think 50 cent started out with great promise,his first album is excellent but like all of them now he succumbeb to all the fur coat shit and just talking about money and bitches. That kind of rap has been done to death and is boring. Do you like stuff like tribe called quest? A mate of mine is bang into all kinds of hip hop and rap and he says theres an english guy called slick rick who has influenced the likes of dre and snoop. He originally came up with the "la dee da dee we likes to party" line. Havent heard him but might try and get hold of something.

Hell yeah man, Tribe Called Quest, Roots, that music is just class stuff...

[vin]

I was almightly pissed off when Mobb Deep (who are very dark) but produce some very, very good tunes (not everyones taste and a bit "gangsterish") signed for 50's label. Thank fuck they broke away.

"shook ones pt2" has always been top of my playlist (i'm a moody sod)

Nas first album was genius

Jeru's first album was a masterpiece

[vin]

That track is amazing, i think it means just as much now if not more than it did when it was released in 94...

Love how all through the track, Com makes ya think he is talking about a gal, and then at the end " talking bout hip hop "



When I first heard that - me and my mate were nodding away (in a kind of this is a chilled track) until that last line and it absolutely blew us away.

[DanielK]

I was almightly pissed off when Mobb Deep (who are very dark) but produce some very, very good tunes (not everyones taste and a bit "gangsterish") signed for 50's label. Thank fuck they broke away.

"shook ones pt2" has always been top of my playlist (i'm a moody sod)

Nas first album was genius

Jeru's first album was a masterpiece

Yeah, Mobb was definitely thinking with his wallet on that move, hope he can still make some dope music and show 50 how its done.

Nas is a class act although i thought Hip Hop is Dead was nowhere near his best work, him and Jay z working together got me pysched but i was a little disappointed.

My favourite tracks of his would probably be Nas is Like, One Mic, Street Dreams.

[DanielK]

So who's your favs...

My favourite producer would probably be the late great Jay Dilla, died in his 30's, hell of a tragedy...

Living would be DJ Premo, he is class on the decks...

And despite what people say about Pac and Big, i have always felt that Rakim is the best rapper ever, Paid in Full was a class album.

Favourite albums - Common - Be, Resurrection.

[vin]

So who's your favs...

My favourite producer would probably be the late great Jay Dilla, died in his 30's, hell of a tragedy...

Living would be DJ Premo, he is class on the decks...

And despite what people say about Pac and Big, i have always felt that Rakim is the best rapper ever, Paid in Full was a class album.

Favourite albums - Common - Be, Resurrection.

Seen Dj Premier live. amazing - also for production, New York Reality Check 101 (mid 90's) was brilliant.

Rakim was brilliant. I never liked Tupac, I do like Biggie because of his voice and his tunes are great party tunes, although "The Warning" was a lot darker and perfectly executed rap with a very basic beat.

Its hard for me to pin down a favourite because a lot have let themselves down recently, i.e Nas, Jeru even KRS 1

But
Illmatic - Nas
Sun Rises in the East - Jeru
Dre - Chronic
Biggie - Ready to Die
Gangstarr - first 3 albums - particular tracks "just to get a rep", "Who's gonna take the weight" (actually theres a load more - but I can remember cos Im hammered)

Alot of Souls of Mischief (93 till Infinity) (aka Hieroglyphics)

I'm gonna dig up some old stuff and get nostalgic and post more.. like BDP etc

[vin]

I like hip hop but generally the older stuff like early snoop,dre and ice cube. I like grandmaster flash and sugar hill gang too but not sure they come under the bracket of hip hop,probably just rap. I think 50 cent started out with great promise,his first album is excellent but like all of them now he succumbeb to all the fur coat shit and just talking about money and bitches. That kind of rap has been done to death and is boring. Do you like stuff like tribe called quest? A mate of mine is bang into all kinds of hip hop and rap and he says theres an english guy called slick rick who has influenced the likes of dre and snoop. He originally came up with the "la dee da dee we likes to party" line. Havent heard him but might try and get hold of something.

Slick Rick, is English but was "Rapping out of the US", he moved out there when he was 10 and had a lot of influence with Doug E Fresh.
The only influence thats tangible to Dre is that Snoop pretty much used the "la di da di" on his Doggy Style album

Unfortunately for Rick he's spent a lot of time in prison and the INS have tried to deport him back to the UK.

I think he's doing some stuff Chamilliionaire (or whatever he is called)

[DanielK]

Some albums id highly recommend to ya

Everything Common has ever done :D Resurrection, Water Like Chocolate, Be, Finding Forever is out next month, that is gonna be class..

Did anyone check out any of those video links i posted, some terrific hip hop there... especially with The Game, really is a flashback to 90's hip hop...

J Dilla - The Shining
Brother Ali - Undisputed Truth.
Talib Kweli - Eardrum (new album)
Kweli and Def - Blackstar
Little Brother - The Minstrel Show (this is a classic)
Fort Minor - Rising Tied (not bad)

[kg271]

Some of us are showing your age on here!:p

I love hip hop, the real stuff, not this pop rnb stuff that gets played now though.

I liked the early gangsta rap NWA, Cube, Snoop and Dre, but the new stuff bores me.

Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, KRS One, Brand Nubian, Common, Safir, Ultramagnetic Mc's Ganagstar, Jeru, EPMD, K solo, Redman and Method Man.

In the new stuff I like J dilla, MF Doom, Madlib, Declaime, Little Brother, Black Milk, Frank n Dank, Slum Village Mr Lif, Akrobatik and a few others.

I don't get to play alot of the good stuff when I DJ as I mainly do Rnb sets, but still buy the odd bits when I can

[vin]

Some albums id highly recommend to ya

Everything Common has ever done :D Resurrection, Water Like Chocolate, Be, Finding Forever is out next month, that is gonna be class..

Did anyone check out any of those video links i posted, some terrific hip hop there... especially with The Game, really is a flashback to 90's hip hop...

J Dilla - The Shining
Brother Ali - Undisputed Truth.
Talib Kweli - Eardrum (new album)
Kweli and Def - Blackstar
Little Brother - The Minstrel Show (this is a classic)
Fort Minor - Rising Tied (not bad)

Not familiar with Little Brother - will check it out

Agree that J-Dilla (Jay Dee) is (was) a top producer.

Are you familiar with any of Peanut Butter Wolf's stuff? My Vinyl weighs a ton?

Also, one rapper who I felt was always overlooked is Rasco - he appears on a few of PBW stuff and released a some good tracks, although, also suffered from releasing a few average ones and also I think was a bit too bitter about never getting the recognition he deserved.

Today, I dug up a few classics - Tuff Crew (My Part of Town) - which King Bee ripped for "Back by Dope Demand), Biz Markie, to this day Nobody beats the Biz still sounds innovative, Big Daddy Kane, EPMD, Planet Rock (Instrumental) almost started to Body Pop when listening to that! :o

[kg271]

I recently bought both of Kool G raps fist two albums on cd. The road to the ritches is re-mastered and has a remix of BDK's Raw Featuring G Rap.

Also I didn't see anyone mention pete rock and cl smooth. Pete rock's a top producer.

[vin]

I recently bought both of Kool G raps fist two albums on cd. The road to the ritches is re-mastered and has a remix of BDK's Raw Featuring G Rap.

Also I didn't see anyone mention pete rock and cl smooth. Pete rock's a top producer.

Pete Rock is a great producer. Have been disappointed with some of his solo stuff. But still a legend.

[kg271]

Pete Rock is a great producer. Have been disappointed with some of his solo stuff. But still a legend.

yeah he never managed to replace CL smooth but he's done some great remixes.

[vin]

I know there are various download locations for music these days.

This one is a very good source for old school

http://bustthefacts.blogspot.com/

Its about a year old and they are updating regularly

search box is in the top left hand corner

[Rafas_Reds]

You guys have good taste lords, souls of mischief (93 till infinity timeless good memories) the first nas album common ill throw in Master Ace inc Ride one of the most played samples still good.

Blackmoon, guru and dj premier were a good pairing also.. How could i forget pete rock absolute legend....

Also worth mentioning a tribe called quest and pharycyde for the more mellow moments....

Vin if you were djing in those days you must have a serious vinyl collection.....

I remember those days going round my mates watching fab 5 freddy edlover and dr dre on yo mtv raps...

[vin]

You guys have good taste lords, souls of mischief (93 till infinity timeless good memories) the first nas album common ill throw in Master Ace inc Ride one of the most played samples still good.

Blackmoon, guru and dj premier were a good pairing also.. How could i forget pete rock absolute legend....

Also worth mentioning a tribe called quest and pharycyde for the more mellow moments....

Vin if you were djing in those days you must have a serious vinyl collection.....

I remember those days going round my mates watching fab 5 freddy edlover and dr dre on yo mtv raps...

I probably got in the region of 2000 "pieces" of vinyl including 12" and albums maybe more - some at home, some at mates places, some in the loft.

I've recently had some stuffed valued - some "limited editions" that I bought for £10-£12 are now being valued at £100-£150 - but I wouldn't sell.

This thread has been a renaissance for me, as I was quite pissed off with the state of rap/hip hop but it has made me go back into the crates, "digging in the crates" if you will! ;) Been a good weekend!

[kg271]

Diamond D and Showbiz and AG!!!!!

Das FX.

Lord Finesse and priority one.

Been doing some crate digging too!!

[vin]

Diamond D and Showbiz and AG!!!!!

Das FX.

Lord Finesse and priority one.

Been doing some crate digging too!!

Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop - Just dug this up!

Also some of Tony Touch early 2000 work - the piecemaker and his dj albums

[vin]

I don't get to play alot of the good stuff when I DJ as I mainly do Rnb sets, but still buy the odd bits when I can

Yeah - the R N B sets - back when I used to do a regular slot in Camden - it was mainly R N B that I played, still tried to mix up a liitle bit with some more mainstream hip hop. Always a place for Young MC, Rob Bass and DJ EZ Rock, Chaka Khan and then a few "new jack Swing Classics" - Father MC! Get the "older" people moving and then drop into a bit of BlackStreet and then onto the more modern stuff for the young un's, forever, having to play Jagged Edge - "Where the party at - remix" for my brother. :D
I once even "dropped" - "Word Up" by Cameo followed by "Push it" just out of the blue to prove a point to someone (long story) the crowd went wild! You can't beat that feeling!

[Plughead]

Most of the stuff I like has been mentioned, and some of what hasn't may well not be hip-hop. I'm not an afficionado of the scene and wouldn't ever claim to be. Anyway, these are some of the ones I like:

Jeru the Damaja
DEL tha Funkee Homosapien
NWA
Eazy E
MC Ren
Cypress Hill
Psycho Realm
Heiroglyphics
Intelligent Hoodlum
Ice T (a bit)
Jurassic 5
Various things by other people but tends to be a song by song basis

[vin]

Most of the stuff I like has been mentioned, and some of what hasn't may well not be hip-hop. I'm not an afficionado of the scene and wouldn't ever claim to be. Anyway, these are some of the ones I like:

Jeru the Damaja
DEL tha Funkee Homosapien
NWA
Eazy E
MC Ren
Cypress Hill
Psycho Realm
Heiroglyphics
Intelligent Hoodlum
Ice T (a bit)
Jurassic 5
Various things by other people but tends to be a song by song basis

its all hip hop............

[user name]

Most of the stuff I like has been mentioned, and some of what hasn't may well not be hip-hop. I'm not an afficionado of the scene and wouldn't ever claim to be. Anyway, these are some of the ones I like:

Jeru the Damaja
DEL tha Funkee Homosapien
NWA
Eazy E
MC Ren
Cypress Hill
Psycho Realm
Heiroglyphics
Intelligent Hoodlum
Ice T (a bit)
Jurassic 5
Various things by other people but tends to be a song by song basis

most people would recognise him from gorrillaz... although he's been arround for time...

every so often someone comes around and changes how we all think about the genre... paradigm shifts, if u will... when i heared busta rhymes 'woo ha woo ha' i was blown away... if u listen to the acapella version it's hillarious how he really twists the soundings of his rap... s'all good...

a mention to gary clail and his flavour of hiphop with adrien sherwood on-u sound system... supported happy mondays at wembly arena in 1990/1?... massive response... :)

[Rafas_Reds]

This is a a good watch the chris rock take on how rap has evolved......


http://youtube.com/watch?v=z9A2I-X7b-w

[makaveli18]

hip hop is awesome....but recently it has gone down like nas said hip hop is dead. apart from nas and the game all the rest are just wannabee pac n big. the old legends are good aswl like snoop, dre, eminem etc....buh 50 cent is just a wannabee.

[DanielK]

hip hop is awesome....but recently it has gone down like nas said hip hop is dead. apart from nas and the game all the rest are just wannabee pac n big. the old legends are good aswl like snoop, dre, eminem etc....buh 50 cent is just a wannabee.

Game is a decent rapped ill admit but there are plenty of guys that are worthy to be beside Nas's name, and definitely in front of Game.

Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, KRS One, Rakim, Ghostface Killah, Cannabis, Immortal Technique are just to name a few...

Snoop WAS good, he went awful years ago, Dre is just a producer nowadays and Eminem's best work is definitely behind him.

50 Cent is just awful :D

[DanielK]

And everyone seems to hail NAS for making an album with the title " Hip hop is dead " as if he has just decided...

Hip Hop was in this state long before Nas used that album name !

[makaveli18]

And everyone seems to hail NAS for making an album with the title " Hip hop is dead " as if he has just decided...

Hip Hop was in this state long before Nas used that album name !


well obviously hip hop was dead much before the release of hs album...but it was hm hu decided to do something about it.

oh yeh on a different note is MIMS frm new york gay???

[vin]

Wu Tang at Hammersmith on Thursday! Not going :p

BUT have comp tickets to the after party in Kensington afterwards - in the process of practicing my battle rhymes and polishing my lino (thats not code for anything):rolleyes:

[DanielK]

well obviously hip hop was dead much before the release of hs album...but it was hm hu decided to do something about it.

oh yeh on a different note is MIMS frm new york gay???

Again i disagree, he went with that title to sell records... he signed to a new label and he had pressure to make a hit record, HIP HOP IS DEAD would certainly get attention wouldnt it, he didnt call it that cos it was true, he did it to create some controversy cos controversy = cash !

What he could have done by " doing something bout it " as ya say is make a classic album, or a great album, nope he made a pretty tame effort compared to some of his earlier stuff...

Hopefully he will make up for it though.

[big dutch]

Yeah - the R N B sets - back when I used to do a regular slot in Camden - it was mainly R N B that I played, still tried to mix up a liitle bit with some more mainstream hip hop. Always a place for Young MC, Rob Bass and DJ EZ Rock, Chaka Khan and then a few "new jack Swing Classics" - Father MC! Get the "older" people moving and then drop into a bit of BlackStreet and then onto the more modern stuff for the young un's, forever, having to play Jagged Edge - "Where the party at - remix" for my brother. :D
I once even "dropped" - "Word Up" by Cameo followed by "Push it" just out of the blue to prove a point to someone (long story) the crowd went wild! You can't beat that feeling!

dear me, you've mentioned some classics in that little post

would just like to mention gary byrd and the gb experience if i may

[1984]

Gun covered Word Up and it was good.

That's the funny thing I find with pop and other music like hip-hop I don't generally like, is that, if you strip away the twiddly effects and add some musical instruments like guitars, the songs can sound quite alright.

[vin]

dear me, you've mentioned some classics in that little post

would just like to mention gary byrd and the gb experience if i may

Produced by Stevie Wonder - just listening to "All I do"

[vin]

www.pearsontowers.com

Good (free) source for download of mix session hip hop and other music, got some good stuff, lots of turntablist stuff

http://www.funktrust.net/livesets/Live_at_Funktrust-Dr_Seuss_6-7-06_128k.mp3

the above is a link to a stream which I thought was quite good in terms a mix between scratching, lyrics, okish mixing , good to play in the car....(IMO)

Other links are full MP3 downloads - got a good live Radio 1 set and a live Kid Koaola set.

[MellowSubmarine]

Stepping up with my selection... in a yellow pages stylee.
Some of my fave Hip Hop / Electro / Rap..
Hashim- Al - Naafish
Krispy 3 - Destroy All The Stereotypes - All time UK hip hop classic from Preston!
Cybortron- Clear
Kool Keith / Dr Octagon..Aluminum Intoxicants is one of my all time rhyming couplets.
Mc Pitman
Ultra Magnetics
Cloudead - saw em in Leeds brudenell social club - like a Frank zappa panto on acid with soul.stunning.they are / were the future of hip hop for me.
Sage Francis
Mc Paul Barman.my favorite MC, weedy white Jewish intelligent, funny,dirty wordsmith , new yorker .
Pretty Tony - Will We Ever Learn ? serious electro with Roxanne Shante style female vox chorus.
Early De la Soul - De La Soul is dead is a brilliant lp
Early Gang Starr
E.M.P.D - So Watcha sayin is just stunning.
3xDope - Mr Sandman
UMC's - One To Grow On
Newcleus
Early Beasties - Cookie Puss & Egg Raid On Mojo
Futura 2000 with the Clash
Nobster Nut's - Bugger All Money (Welsh Valleys Hip Hop Anthem !)
Incredible Scratch Picklz
Dj Woody & Sean Vinylment
Mc Buzby - Good call User Name ! met him once , what a brilliant humble human being .
N.W.A
Hijack - London's finest ! (early stuff)
Blade - London's finest ! (early stuff)
Silver Bullet - 20 seconds to comply anyone ?
Edan
Why?
Shannon - Let The Music Play ..one for the ladieeez.(still a great electro pop tune though!)
Herbie Hancock - Rockit
Buck 65
Sole
JVC - Force
Quasimoto
Them - Not Van Morrison's group..from the awesome Anticon stable.
Sugarhill
Jonzun Crew
Hakattak - Think Tank !!! ..What you gonna do now ..Tuunnee.
Aleem - Get Loose
Africa Bambaata
Streetsounds Electro Series
Enjoy ! Records Series
Early Tribe Called Quest
Dj Chuck Chillout & Kool Chip
Mantronix - Needle To The Groove
Biz Markie
Dj Shadow's 60's psych mixes..
TBC.....

Cannot understand things like , Nas,Snoop,2 Pac,50 cent & all that commercial stuff,..it makes my flesh creep..same for R&B. Lothe it.

Out for a fine gentleman's ale or two now..

[vin]

I've been DITF (Diggin in the Forums :rolleyes:) to retrieve this thread:

http://www.whatson.com/goto/?type=radio&station=kiss100&show=a_dj_mk

Haven't listened to the 1st hour but the second hour (after the new Wu Tang) is pure 90's classics including Souls of Mischief, Common, Nas, KRS, Mobb Deep. Shame he keeps playing the siren sounds over the top.

[isaac_hunt]

Not my scene at all, however Wee Rule by Wee Papa Girl Rappers is always a favourite...