I Love Rap – You May Not Know Edition

My friend Dave has started a blog called I Love Rap which I would highly recommend to anyone with an interest in rap music.

Now I love rap as well and I know a lot of random stuff that the average fan probably misses. I may not know as much as Dave though. He’s the ultimate crate-digger – in all genres, not just rap – and uncovers hidden gems all over the place. And thankfully he’s not a snob at all about it. I’ve been browsing The Tipping Point recently and, using the terminology of that book, I could label Dave a Maven of rap music.

But enough about Dave. This blog is about me me me. And while I’m not trying to start a rap blog I have been wanting to put a few songs out there for a while. And I didn’t get this idea from Dave. Serious. Here’s the timestamp to prove it:

 

The reason it took me so long to get this up here was work and the fact that I have to convert the mp3s to .doc files to get past WordPress upload limitations (you need a premium account to upload mp3s). Without further ado, here are hip hop artists and songs you might not have heard. The purpose is for you to explore further.

MC Solaar – Prose Combat (Prose Combat)

This blog isn’t called LE BLOG for nothing. French hip hop has many high points and Solaar is the best. Prose Combat – the song and the album too – is a wonderful example of throwback hip hop with jazzy beats and effortless flow. It was made in 1994 after all.

Blackalicious – It’s Going Down featuring Lateef the Truth Speaker and Keke Wyatt (Blazing Arrow)

Blackalicious might be most famous in indie circles for that lyrical exercise Alphabet Aerobics. But Blazing Arrow is a delightful album and shows Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel (the producer) have much more to offer. Kind of a J5 feel. I just looked up the credits to the song. It was co-produced by Hi-Tek. Vocals by Keke Wyatt, whose career, according to Wikipedia, “experienced a temporary halt in 2002, however, after she allegedly stabbed her road manager-husband.”

Hieroglyphics – Oakland Blackouts (Third Eye Vision)

Most people know Del tha Funkee Homosapien – he was on Gorillaz I think. And some people may know the uber-classic Hiero cut “You Never Knew.” But this “supergroup” from the West Coast is no one-hit wonder and has a bunch of solid cuts on their album. “Oakland Blackouts” is my favorite and features Opie and Del.

OC – Hypocrite (Jewelz)

I don’t know much about OC. I think he was part of the DITC. But I’ve had this album for a long time and originally picked it up cause every track is produced by DJ Premier. Honestly, OC is not a very good rapper and his lyrics are pretty standard but sometimes you just need someone to get out of the way of Premier’s beat. I mean, if Guru can’t ruin his beats, is there anyone who can? I chose this song because it’s such a different beat – it reminds me of Blade Runner for some reason. The album has some good joints and features Big L and Organized Konfusion.

A.D.O.R. – Let it All Hang Out (The Concrete)

I can’t remember how I learned about this guy but it was pretty recent. I think the album was recorded in 1994 but only recently released. This song screams Pete Rock because he produced it. Classic Pete Rock. Other tracks on the album include production by Clark Kent and Diamond D.

Jedi Mind Tricks -Trinity featuring Louis Logic and L-Fudge (Violent By Design)

I really dig this group. I love the beats. The flow, the style and the lyrics are over the top. A lot of people have problems with rap because of the lyrics. I could care less. It’s not like I’m supporting the views of rappers. I just don’t care what they say. Clever lyrics and good stories can add to a cut and dumb lyrics can take away but at the end of the day it’s the beat and how the rapper uses the beat that makes the song. Anyway, that’s just a long way of saying that these guys have some of the most hateful lyrics I’ve ever heard. It’s almost comical and I would think it was a joke if it wasn’t a common motif through all their songs and albums. If you care.