# Hip hop enthusiasts: recommend me some really CLEVER rap. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 6, 2015, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742 "2015-10-06T19:11:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/1 "2015-10-06T19:11:18Z")
Lately I’ve been enjoying the Epic Rap Battles of History series on YouTube. A lot of it is so-so, but some of the episodes are extraordinarily clever. I’m two-clicking a link to Thor vs. Zeus as a representative example of what I’ve found entertaining. The lyrics are pretty salty so don’t play it at work. [Zeus vs Thor. Epic Rap Battles of History. - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_xFOmYxKYw) This is a fun rap, imo, because the puns are clever and a lot the references require a decent grounding in the subject matter to fully appreciate. Other raps I’ve enjoyed in the series are Shaka Zulu vs. Julius Caesar and Isaac Newton (played by Weird Al!) vs. Bill Nye. Anyway, I know that hip hop runs as wide a gamut, quality-wise, as any other form of entertainment. I’m looking for examples of artists whose lyrics and subject matter are going to engage my brain in a positive way. Profanity is fine when it’s **going somewhere** , and endless repetition bores me quickly. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/2 "2015-10-06T19:43:33Z")
Chamillionaire’s “Hip Hop Police” really is fun, especially with the video, I thought. Same with Slick Rick’s “Children’s Story” (again, with the video). The two songs are somewhat related (and both feature Slick Rick). ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/3 "2015-10-06T20:22:21Z")
Del the Funky Homosapien and collaborators’ _[Deltron 3030](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deltron_3030_%28album%29)_ is a rap space opera concept album, set in 3030AD. It’s maybe not _exactly_ what you are looking for, but it is good. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/4 "2015-10-06T21:05:24Z")
It’s worth pointing out (since I wasn’t clear) that I’m not solely interested in humorous stuff. Anything that makes particularly good use of language would be cool to listen to. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/5 "2015-10-06T21:25:05Z")
I hate Eminem as a person, but “Without Me” is hella clever. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/6 "2015-10-06T21:32:34Z")
For reggae-flavored rap, try [Shaggy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaggy_(musician)). This sort of music normally isn’t my thing but I like [Back in the Days](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrd0UMQ9zyA). ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/7 "2015-10-06T21:46:44Z")
I have always really loved [FHH](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSpuzThbkJw)off the RJD2 album Dead Ringer. I also love the whole collaboration with Madlib and MF Doom [Madvillain](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=madvillainy+full+album). In fact almost anything MadLib did was great. MF Doom was a bit more hit and miss. I will also second Del Tha Funky Homosapian in general and Deltron 3030 in particular. I can post a ton more, but I don’t want to overwhelm the thread. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/8 "2015-10-06T22:24:50Z")
> [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](#): > > I hate Eminem as a person, but “Without Me” is hella clever. I find Eminem particularly clever when he’s being the playfull over the top degenerate (I suppose what he calls his “Slim Shady” persona). The OP might also consider Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Possibly Wu Tang Clan ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/9 "2015-10-06T22:28:10Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Possibly Wu Tang Clan Some Wu Tang for sure. ODB was hilarious and Ghost Face Killer all kinds of a genius. Wu is great, but not everyone is “clever”. Edit: Kendrick Lamar isn’t clever on the face, but what he does with the rhythm and rhyme in his lyrics is astounding. Check out backseat freestyle (no link I’m on my phone) but it’s crazy. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/10 "2015-10-06T23:24:44Z")
I will pass on what I myself learned about here on the Dope. This is mind-melting, highly creative and intelligent stuff: Death Grips! [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcjhJLcIDOA) ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/11 "2015-10-06T23:31:19Z")
Chino XL is your man. [Here’s “Wordsmith.”](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=olVPXpGohII) ---
**Author:** ![Shaggy\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Shaggy\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shaggy_Z)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/12 "2015-10-06T23:48:52Z")
Maybe check out Kyprios? ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/13 "2015-10-07T00:36:40Z")
It makes me sad that this is labeled old school. But [Common](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQPDwHN8LUM)is great. Extended metaphor song. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/14 "2015-10-07T02:27:20Z")
I think Childish Gambino’s (aka Donald Glover) album \*Culdesac \*was very good, rhyme-wise. His other albums since have been real snooze-fests but that one was tight. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/15 "2015-10-07T03:34:16Z")
Kendrick Lamar. ---
**Author:** ![brovolone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e4f/32.png) [@brovolone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brovolone)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/16 "2015-10-07T03:40:10Z")
Erykah Badu, Common, Nas, J. Cole sometimes, Mos Def ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/17 "2015-10-07T03:52:33Z")
> [@brovolone](#): > > Erykah Badu, Common, Nas, J. Cole sometimes, Mos Def Oh, and Talib Quali. Reflections eternal is the album you want. Also Blackstar where he teamed up with Mos Def. OutKast also has neat stuff going on in their middle albums. Stankonia has the hits, but it’s hard to go wrong. Big Boi blows my mind. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/18 "2015-10-07T04:40:41Z")
[Kool Keith - Rockets On The Battlefield](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP6EK9ydDUs) [Mr. Lif - Home of the Brave](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzvFYaWej0M) ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/19 "2015-10-07T11:28:47Z")
The smash Broadway show **Hamilton** by Lin-Manuel Miranda is celebrated because his raps are complex, cover a lot of historical ground accurately and fun. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742/20 "2015-10-07T12:17:44Z")
I came here to recommend _Hamilton_. Which NPR had before the Original Cast Recording’s release; I think it’s now on Spotify. Yes, excellent use of Rap & Hip Hop–hear Hamilton & Jefferson battle out matters of public policy. Lin-Manuel Miranda also shows his knowledge of R&B, Mainstream Broadway & a touch of British Pop. The last for George III… I’ll be investigating the other options on this thread. Not wishing to be a racist old fogey, I’d worked at developing an intellectual understanding of these new genres. Now I realize they can be _really good…_ (Back in 2009, the author [presented his first “sketch” on the subject](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNFf7nMIGnE) at a White House poetry jam.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-enthusiasts-recommend-me-some-really-clever-rap/733742.md?page=2)