I like a lot of different kinds of musical artists, from Rush to Madonna to George Straight, so I like to consider myself openminded. But one thing I’ve never really got around to doing is listening to good rap. I’m aware that it exists out there somewhere, but the average stuff that’s been topping the charts from the 90s to the present really alienates me. Put simply, I can’t relate to it and I can’t feel it. I am a 25-year-old white girl from the Midwest who doesn’t put an especially large amount of value on money OR sex. I could give a shit less about how Jay-Z feels about pimping all over the world, how many rubbers are in Snoop Dog’s pocket or where Humpty once got busy.
So far the only actual rap albums I own, or have listened to with enthusiasm, is Will Smith’s Big Willie Style (ok, I was in high school, so sue me) and Eminem’s ‘‘The Eminem Show’’ which is a masterpiece in my opinion. A lot of the stuff from his Slim Shady LP is just a little too blatantly offensive (though I enjoy its singles), but ‘‘The Eminem Show’’ had a nice balance between pissing people off just for the sake of pissing them off and actually trying to prove a point. Also the man is a lyrical and musical god.
The only other actual rappish stuff I get into is the Spanish stylings of the reggaetón-influenced Puerto Rican band Calle 13. My god I love this sound. They first gained influence with a song called ''Querido FBI ‘’. Now they sing predominantly about music and sex (maybe it’s deeper than that; I don’t get a lot of Puerto Rican slang), but they are educated men and the sheer lyrical genius of their songs overcomes any objections I might otherwise have to the content. However I really can’t get into anything else labeled ‘‘reggaetón’’ and there’s a lot of people who don’t think Calle 13 qualifies as reggaetón.
I like controversial art that sparks social change, but I don’t like misogyny, racism, pointless violence and a lot of other lame stuff that tends to crop up in the rap genre.
So I say unto you, where does one start with rap? What’s good? I would like recommendations for artists who are the best in the field lyrically, who represent (in my mind) what is the rap ideal: using art for social change. Have at it.
I used to listen to a lot of rap/hiphop. These days I can’t stand a lot of swearing, violence, sex, etc. so I’ve cut a lot of music out. Some of these good but offending artists are Tupac, Nas, Jay-Z, Wu-Tang Clan, Eminem, and Dr. Dre. They have a lot of talent, but their music turns me off now. Here are some artists that amaze me and some recommendations on what to listen to:
Blackalicious’s Blazing Arrow album is a great introduction to them.
If you can find The Last Emperor, get anything by him. His Legend of Bigfoot album is the best.
Sage Francis - although I don’t listen to much of him anymore. Try his Personal Journals album.
You might also want to check out - if you like the above - Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Aesop Rock, Gang Starr, The Roots, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Outkast, Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples, The Pharcyde, and Rakim.
I like Outkast (Stankonia is a good one) and Cee Lo Green’s work with Goodie Mob and solo efforts (as well as his new band, Gnarls Barkley). But I guess they are more Hip Hop/R&B than rap… never been a big fan of rap, guess I’m just more melody oriented, than into pointless beat and talking.
For feel good, old school style rap (they rap about pagers and gold chains and boomboxes, but it works) try this
The Cool Kids - Gold and A Pager
and for some good ole fashioned ignorant ass rap music that gets your blood up, try this
Lil Wayne - Amillie
Also, Santogold and MIA might make for an easy transition. Try
Mia - Paper Planes
and this
Santogold - Creator
and especially THIS-
Gorilla Zoe ft Santogold and MIA - Get It Up (RADIOCLIT Remix)
(how can you not love a song that samples some amazing native chanting, Street Fighter, AND an elephant. That’s right, it samples an elephant…)
Lots of good suggestions so far. In fact, tripletaker pretty much covered everything I was about to say.
Sooo… that leaves me with just a couple of suggestions:
If you’re into the Spanish-language rap, then you may want to check out Control Machete. You’ll might recognize one of their tracks, Si Senor, from the late-90’s Levis ads for twisted jeans.
I also very much enjoy **J-Live ** - IIRC, he is or was a teacher at some point in his life, and it shows. His lyrics are clean, socially conscious, and he’s got a keen sense of wordplay. His style is similar to Jurassic 5, so check him out if that turns out to be your bag.
Oh, and if you enjoy both Mos Def and Talib Kweli, then you may want to look into their collaborative project, Black Star.
Atmosphere was a great suggestion; even my inde friends who are convinced that the proliferation of rap music is worse than that of nuclear weapons agree that this song is full of win…
Atmosphere - The Things That Hate Us
I haven’t listened to them in a long time but, but I can recommend the rap/Hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, if for nothing else, their musical vision and concept.
Jurassic 5 is pretty cool. I always really liked the song ‘Quality Control’
But the only other rap I hear is radio faux-gangsta/club rap. Soulja Boy, Ludacris, Lil Jon, etc. I do like at least one MIA (Paper Planes) and one Santogold song I’ve heard but that’s about it.
A Tribe Called Quest
Del tha Funkee Homosapien
Hieroglyphics
Handsome Boy Modeling School
DJ Cam
DJ Shadow
Talib Kweli - the new album is sick
Nas (his new untitled album is more about politics than money or sex, although there’s a little of that too - I’ve been playing “Sly Fox” and “Black President” over and over the last couple of days)
Aesop Rock
DJ Yoda
Wagon Christ
Jurassic 5
Mos Def
Dilated Peoples
Immortal Technique - a black Cuban who has a lot to say about all the fucked-up shit the world has to offer, in English and Spanish
Gorillaz (especially the first album)
J-Live
Granted, a couple of these are not strictly rap since they’re mostly instrumental, but work your way down the list and I think you’ll find a lot of stuff worth listening to. There’s still a lot of great rap out there, but most of it is way off the Top 40 charts. The popular stuff is almost all vapid, pointless and irritating, IMO.
