PG Cooper
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And those who tasted the bite of his sword named him...The DOOM Slayer
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Post by PG Cooper on Sept 28, 2024 15:07:53 GMT -5
Dracula Neverending SnoBorderZeroIn the wake of Kendrick Lamar's prolonged murder of Canadian icon/unofficial Toronto Raptors mascot Drake, I found myself intrigued enough to at least go through the major tracks the two rappers threw down at each other. I also got a lot more context from Youtubers like Todd in the Shadows, FD Signifier, and Rap Critic. More importantly though, I really, really liked those Kendrick tracks, to the point of listening to "Euphoria" and "Not Like Us" essentially on repeat. After a while I decided to step it up a notch by going through Kendrick's discography, beginning with good kid, m.A.A.D city, which seemed the point where critical evaluation shot through the roof, and up to Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, which I heard people describe as a bit of a downer and tough listen but I personally thought it was excellent. Eventually I circled back to Section.80 and I really regret skipping over it at the start because it's awesome. I can see where future albums are more ambitious and cohesive but track for track Section.80 more than holds its own and probably has the best first/last song duos of any Kendrick album. Anyway, having gone through these records and learning I actually really love Kendrick's music, I think I should check out some more hip hop. My experience with rap up to this point outside of Kendrick has been pretty marginal, limited to what I've heard on the radio or at parties or in movies. In terms of full albums, I listened to Straight Outta Compton back when the movie came out and enjoyed it and I also listened to GZA's Liquid Swords after Drac brought it up on the podcast. Speaking of rappers who are also clearly nerds, I've also been listening to some MF Doom lately, especially Mm..Food and Take Me To Your Leader. And I listened to a disparate collection of Public Enemy tracks way back when I first saw Do the Right Thing. Otherwise, I'm a complete amateur and am looking to expand a bit. This might well be a short-lived phase but I figure as long as I'm curious I should explore some new music. I've tagged the board residents who I know are hip hop fans but anyone else is welcome to chime in. Which records should I seek out next? I feel like Tupac is an obvious choice given Kendrick's stated influence and there are a couple of other obvious names I'm at least aware of but any guidance would be appreciated. If it helps indicate my tastes, here's how I'd rank Kendrick's five albums: 1. good kid, m.A.A.D city 2. Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers 3. Section.80 4. To Pimp a Butterfly 5. Damn
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Dracula
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Post by Dracula on Sept 28, 2024 15:40:01 GMT -5
These recommendations might be a bit stuck in the 90s and 2000s but...
Nas - Illmatic (1994) This is pretty widely considered the Citizen Kane of Hip Hop (to the point that it now gets backlash from people sick of it being called the Citizen Kane of Hip Hop), kind of the point where East Coast rap graduated from the old school, though its innovations are maybe harder to understand out of context.
The Roots - Undun (2011): If you're into the serious storytelling stuff from Kendrick this is pretty similar, though with some instrumental stuff that's a little weird.
Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt (1996) His debut made when he was at his hungriest. He also had a very enjoyable feud with Nas you might enjoy looking into
Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993): Wu-Tang's debut as a group and easily their best and most fun.
Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury (2006): Features Drakes other greatest supervillain Pusha T, a generally less serious album than some of these but filled to the brim with bangers.
Run the Jules 1-4: Politically charged rap that tends to be enjoyed by the "rock kids."
The Marshall Mathers LP - Eminem (2000): His second album that responds to the controversy about the first album in some canny and scathing ways.
And while I'm loath to support him given his recent behavior the first five Kanye West albums are all immaculate.
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Post by Neverending on Sept 28, 2024 17:22:43 GMT -5
10 ESSENTIAL RAP SONGSStraight Outta Compton is finally in theaters. It has 86% at Rotten Tomatoes and is expected to gross $40-50 million in its opening weekend. So as some of you head out to watch the movie, you may feel like you lack knowledge about the rap genre. Never fear. Here's a quick crash course. 1. RAPPER'S DELIGHT (1979)Love it or hate it, it's the song that put rap on the musical map. 2. RAPTURE (1980)Any time you hear a pretty girl singing in a rap song, you can blame Fab 5 Freddy. 3. THE MESSAGE (1982)Arguably, the most important rap song of all-time. 4. WALK THIS WAY (1986)The moment rap music went mainstream and the song that turned Rick Reuben into a mega producer. 5. FUCK THA POLICE (1988)Arguably, the 2nd or 3rd most important rap song of all-time. 6. BIG POPPA (1994)This is what 90% of rap music sounded like in the 1990's. I could have used other examples but this list needed at least one Biggie song. 7. DEAR MAMA (1995)Obligatory Tupac song. 8. STAN (2000)Obligatory Eminem song. 9. STRONGER (2007)This is pretty much what rap music has become in the early 21st century. I could have used other examples but this list needed at least one Kanye West song. 10. SAME LOVE (2012)Rap music is notoriously homophobic and anti-women, so this song was a game changer. You won't see the effects right away. You gotta wait at least a decade or two. Since you're a metal head, you might like more aggressively charged artists like Ice Cube, DMX, Mystikal and Ludacris. You might also like Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliot |
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PG Cooper
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Post by PG Cooper on Sept 28, 2024 21:03:26 GMT -5
I have heard Walk This Way and a handful of proper Run DMC tracks. You Talk Too Much is a banger. I also have some familiarity with the work Ice T did in Body Count.
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Sept 28, 2024 21:15:40 GMT -5
10 ESSENTIAL RAP SONGSStraight Outta Compton is finally in theaters. It has 86% at Rotten Tomatoes and is expected to gross $40-50 million in its opening weekend. So as some of you head out to watch the movie, you may feel like you lack knowledge about the rap genre. Never fear. Here's a quick crash course. 1. RAPPER'S DELIGHT (1979)Love it or hate it, it's the song that put rap on the musical map. 2. RAPTURE (1980)Any time you hear a pretty girl singing in a rap song, you can blame Fab 5 Freddy. 3. THE MESSAGE (1982)Arguably, the most important rap song of all-time. 4. WALK THIS WAY (1986)The moment rap music went mainstream and the song that turned Rick Reuben into a mega producer. 5. FUCK THA POLICE (1988)Arguably, the 2nd or 3rd most important rap song of all-time. 6. BIG POPPA (1994)This is what 90% of rap music sounded like in the 1990's. I could have used other examples but this list needed at least one Biggie song. 7. DEAR MAMA (1995)Obligatory Tupac song. 8. STAN (2000)Obligatory Eminem song. 9. STRONGER (2007)This is pretty much what rap music has become in the early 21st century. I could have used other examples but this list needed at least one Kanye West song. 10. SAME LOVE (2012)Rap music is notoriously homophobic and anti-women, so this song was a game changer. You won't see the effects right away. You gotta wait at least a decade or two. Since you're a metal head, you might like more aggressively charged artists like Ice Cube, DMX, Mystikal and Ludacris. You might also like Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliot Ahem. |
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PG Cooper
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Post by PG Cooper on Sept 28, 2024 21:24:43 GMT -5
I did have a Will Smith phase as a kid. Parents don't understand.
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Sept 28, 2024 21:41:05 GMT -5
My wife can crush any 1996-2002 Will Smith song. Word for word.
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Post by Neverending on Sept 29, 2024 3:50:02 GMT -5
I have heard Walk This Way and a handful of proper Run DMC tracks. You Talk Too Much is a banger. Only a true fan knows that song. Good work, Coop. You may also enjoy Joe Perry & Nelly. I did have a Will Smith phase as a kid. Parents don't understand. My wife can crush any 1996-2002 Will Smith song. Word for word. Don’t let Dracula bullshit you. Big Willy Style and Wild Wild West soundtrack were bangers. Coop, you might also enjoy pre-Fergie Black Eyed Peas. Or De La Soul Theoretically, that’s what Dracula would have been listening to at the time. But don’t let him bullshit you. This was his jam. |
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frankyt
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Post by frankyt on Sept 29, 2024 10:02:11 GMT -5
Nobody gonna mention cypress hill?
Also I'd think you might like Lupe fiascos the cool. Fun concept album little more socially conscious than some pics here, closer to a k dot sensibility perhaps.
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Sept 29, 2024 13:58:19 GMT -5
Just as long as Coop is aware of where all rap roads lead to.
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Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Sept 29, 2024 14:29:21 GMT -5
Just as long as Coop is aware of where all rap roads lead to. All roads lead to Weird Al. |
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PG Cooper
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Post by PG Cooper on Sept 30, 2024 10:16:35 GMT -5
Just as long as Coop is aware of where all rap roads lead to. I could recite the lyrics in my sleep. |
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Post by Neverending on Sept 30, 2024 11:02:46 GMT -5
I could recite the lyrics in my sleep. His R. Kelly parody is his masterpiece. |
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