Good hip-hop/rap?

[BlueberryMUNCH]

Gorillaz or Tupac are my suggestions. I don't listen to this genre of music that often, besides the aforementioned bands/artists. So I can't give a super, informed opinion. But I do love Gorillaz, they opened me up to a lot of the other pop/rap and r&b artists out there.

Gorillaz are rap? I always thought they were alternative?

Ooft, you should hear their new stuff; they did collabarations with Bashy and Snoop Dogg.
I suppose they arent primarily rap, but they incorporate it into alt.pop, in my opinion.

For a real response to the post, I guess I could reccommend Bashy-kidulthood to Adulthood.
Not sure if it ticks the boxes, but i think its a pretty good tune [bearing in mind im a hardcore/heavy metal etc fan]

 

[Matvejs]

Madlib for the beats
MF DOOM for lyrics
Mos Def just for chillin

 

[clipse15]

There's a lot of good artists in this thread I think a very underrated artist is Busta Rhymes old albums. I think he got more acclaim for his vocal delivery (which is awesome) then for his albums themes and lyrics. His first 3 albums are all about the impending apocalypse and how he will lead the new world. But hey may violate your number one rule.

 

[Daveman]

1. Minimal swearing. I'm sorry, but I don't like to listen to somebody rape the English language for 3 minutes. I don't mind a few swears, but if every third word would have to be censored in the presence of children, keep it to yourself.

I disapprove of people disapproving of swearing.

Anyway, on topic, Eminem is awesome. Try Stan, Without Me and Deja Vu.

You misunderstand me, sir. I don't disapprove of swearing. That's a personal decision. I just feel like if it's every third word, it takes me out of the music too much. That and I like to be able to share music with my little brother, and eventually (WAAAAAAAY down the road)my children if I'm lucky enough, so I judge it by the idea that if I wouldn't want younger children listening to it with me, then I probably shouldn't be listening to it.

meh, any opportunity to use that video. Anyway, those songs are relatively swear free. However, out of those songs, Stan ends with a him talking about driving into a river with his pregnant wife locked in the boot of his car and Deja vu is about a gritty battle with addiction whilst Without Me is essentially a long-winded rant about how excellent he is. All in all, rap isn't for kids. That said, I loved Real slim shady when I was nine or ten.

 

[Dok Zombie]

See I like all the typical G-Funk, west coast 90's stuff, Dre, Snoop, Xzibit, Tupac, Ice Cube etc... I enjoy the catharsis and escapism of it.

More intelligent stuff... DZK has some really witty lyrics, but is way worse than Eminem for shocking lyrics, so mebbe not for you.

Foreign Begger's are worth a listen, really good British hip-hop.


Also, all the geeks love MC Chris!

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

Contrary to what a certain user (*cough* fluffybacon *cough cough*)thinks of them. i think Insane Clown Posse or Twiztid are some good groups.

 

[Infinatex]

--Snippy--

As a musician, I consider rap, hip hop and reggae some VERY bad music genres, and some other musicians don't even consider them to be music at all, just rubbish. I think Eminem could be something interesting for you, but unfortunately I don't even know any other, and as I said, I consider them the lowest music genre.

As a hip hop artist, and someone who has an appreciation of all music genres I find this type of comment highly closed minded. You probably haven't listened to much more hip hop then what's played on TV and in popular media in general. There is a big difference between real 'hip hop' (Atmopshere, POS, Brother Ali, Talib Kwali Bliss N Eso) and "pop rap/RnB" (Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, Flo Rida, anything autotune..). The fact that you would blatantly discount a whole range of genres just with no explanation of why just show your ignorance. If you don't have anything to contribute to the discussion they you probably should just stay out of it and keep your opinions to yourself.

--Snippy--

Back to the point... I would probably say something like "Horrowshow - Inside Story" would be a really great place to start. It is 2 Aussie guys from Sydney (emcee and beat maker) and they have a very clean sound that is quite easy to listen to. Also someone like Brother Ali (check out the new album "US") would be worth a listen too.
EDIT: If you want some really chilled sounding stuff check out "Asheru".

 

[Dok Zombie]

Anyone said Asher Roth yet? I can't be arsed to check.

 

[WakeTheDead1]

Im not too big on rap but i do enjoy the Roots, think they play the instruments too which i like

 

[DocBalance]

1. Minimal swearing. I'm sorry, but I don't like to listen to somebody rape the English language for 3 minutes. I don't mind a few swears, but if every third word would have to be censored in the presence of children, keep it to yourself.

I disapprove of people disapproving of swearing.

Anyway, on topic, Eminem is awesome. Try Stan, Without Me and Deja Vu.

You misunderstand me, sir. I don't disapprove of swearing. That's a personal decision. I just feel like if it's every third word, it takes me out of the music too much. That and I like to be able to share music with my little brother, and eventually (WAAAAAAAY down the road)my children if I'm lucky enough, so I judge it by the idea that if I wouldn't want younger children listening to it with me, then I probably shouldn't be listening to it.

meh, any opportunity to use that video. Anyway, those songs are relatively swear free. However, out of those songs, Stan ends with a him talking about driving into a river with his pregnant wife locked in the boot of his car and Deja vu is about a gritty battle with addiction whilst Without Me is essentially a long-winded rant about how excellent he is. All in all, rap isn't for kids. That said, I loved Real slim shady when I was nine or ten.

I understand, it's a pretty funny video. I have this conversation a lot with people, because I'm kind of in the middle in a field full of people one way or another. Let's just say my opinions on language and intent are interesting to say the least

"Stan" is one of the few Eminem songs I've actually listened to all the way through, and I'll admit it's pretty good, thought-provoking material right there.

Thanks to everyone of the suggestions, they rock so far, keep 'em comin'.

 

[wordsmith]

Anyone said Asher Roth yet? I can't be arsed to check.

I picked his album up, there's some pretty decent stuff on there. As I Em and Y.O.U are standout tracks by the way.

<spoiler=Hilltop Hoods: Nosebleed Section><youtube=k8jVw0VFK1Q>

You're my favourite person in this thread right now, that's an awesome song.

Lupe Fiasco and Hilltop Hoods are very definitely the place to start for conscious rap. If you want something a little heavier, try Pegz or Funkoars. Neither are "fuck this ho I'mma cap yo ass", but What's Ya Malfunction? (Funkoars) and Burn City (Pegz) are both worth a spin or three.

If you're looking to buy a new album, you could do worse than this (aka my favourite album) [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hard-Road-Restrung-Hilltop-Hoods/dp/B000Q3633O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1271372576&sr=8-1]

 

[fanklok]

I see what you did OP posting one of those impossible to answer logic questions.

Hehe I jest, while I do not view Rap as actual music, I respect Rappers as artists (just not the musical kind).

Now OP if you're main musical preference is the Rock area of it all then I suggest Rage Against the Machine, unless someone already decided to suggest that and I didn't notice.
Judge for yourself

 

[PayneTrayne]

Wu-Tang Clan and Immortal Technique. Definitely some fun times ahead for you right there.

 

[Jsnoopy]

Try some Kid Cudi. He doesn't swear excessively, has great beats, and pretty intelligent lyrics. If you've heard "Day n Night"(the radio stations where I live overplayed that too much), don't judge him by that, he has wayyyy better stuff.

 

[adderseal]

De La Soul are definitely one of the more original rap groups out there, and old skool stuff like Run DMC is great fun. Eminem is brilliant; he swears a fair amount but I don't think it's excessive. Beastie Boys are brilliant.

EDIT: Damn, I seem to have been ninja'd on all 4 counts. Also, listen to D12 and Eminem's Purple Hills. One of my favorite rap tracks. Careful about Purple Pills though, that's the uncensored no-holds barred version

 

[Aerodynamic]

Wu-Tang clan, Immortal Technique, and Ol Dirty Bastard come to mind.

And good god, I am a metal and rock buff, and I just have to say RATM are fucking awful.

 

[Stabber1010]

Tried Jurassic 5? They've got the kind of rap I like.

 

[Orcus The Ultimate]

Spoiler: Fatal Bazooka

Again, French. These guys are from France, though. They're hilarious, and make fun of the gangsta-rap phenomenon.[/quote]

yeah i remember when they released the funk, then rock, then the stach stach song...

Freakin hilarious lyrics...

ok so here i have a few French Hiphop/Rap music:

113 - "Trop Puissant"

Faf LaRage - "Mr Claude"

Sniper musics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLUdg6Ajz6k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv3dLD3hZes

Shurik'n - Samourai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BilFJB3H10s


Manau - La Tribu de Dana

(Manau Kick ass)
etc

 

[Composer]

does this count??