Classic by Hieroglyphics

Hieroglyphics is monolithic.

I’m gonna keep this short ’cause I’m feelin’ lazy (least I’m still posting). If you don’t know about Hiero, they created some of the best hip-hop in the late 90’s, early 00’s, and were among the best in the underground scene at the time.

I chose “Classic” because I already featured a song (“You Never Know“) from their first album, 3rd Eye Vision, and I’d say it’s one of their most notable songs. It’s got a classic beat, literally, which I’m guessing is why they named it “Classic” (I connect the dots just for you). As always, check it & give back some love (comment).

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A Stoner’s Guide on Beats to Blaze to .1st Edition.

featuring the Top 10 Hip-Hop Songs to Blaze to

I decided for this very special occasion that I’d feature some of my favorite beats to blaze to. First I’ll start out with my “Top 10 Hip-Hop Songs to Blaze to” and then I’ll move on to a few good albums.

Now, the original list featured over 40 songs and included genres other than hip hop, but I decided to cut it down to a top ten hip-hop list for now. If y’all like it then i’ll post some other genres to blaze to. I also included a few of the best albums to blaze to, which are a must see.

So sit back, relax and enjoy.

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Chains by R.A. the Rugged Man

"Keep on knowin' what you know; end up in chains."

I realized a few days back that I didn’t have much East Coast hip-hop on here, so I thought I should contribute something. R.A. the Rugged Man was the first thing that came to mind, he caught my attention when I started listening to Jedi Mind, Apathy, Celph Titled and all the other locally known East Coast underground acts. I was introduced to him by one of Jedi Mind Tricks’s songs, “Uncommon Valor”, where he spits faster than an M-16 (it’s about the Vietnam war). R.A. is one of the fastest flow-ers (not flowers) coming from N.Y. with some phonetically fresh phrasing to back it up. “Chains” is a good example, but probably not the best (i’ll post that soon enough). Check it out and tell me if you’re just as impressed…

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The Beautiful by Abyssinian Creole

"Beauty is your true nature."

First, I gotta say a little on AbCreole before I get to the featured song. Back in the early days of this site, I featured an album by AbCreole, Sexy Beast. It is, without a doubt, one of my favorite hip-hop albums of all time. I wanted to get their music out, again, because I feel most of you probably haven’t searched that far back on the site, and they are definitely worth mentioning, again… and again. Unfortunately, they haven’t created anything new since, other than collaborating on some solo projects, so I decided to put a favorite of mine from Sexy Beast. If you like this one then check out their others in my original post on Sexy Beast. And so with that I present you the feature, “The Beautiful” by Abyssinian Creole…

The reason I chose “The Beautiful” is because of the lyrics (if I wanted to go for the beat, it would’ve been “Unconfined”). Although, every track on Sexy Beast has its own deep meaning, this one especially rings true for me. The two MC’s, Teodros & Khingz, spit such inspiring lyrics that seem to flow more fluid than syrup on waffles (they’re the lyricists, not me). Most of their music, including this one, deals with their African roots, but like I said in the original post – their music may not directly relate to everyone, but it can be appreciated by anyone.

Another funny note about my post on Sexy Beast – Khingz from Abyssinian Creole commented on the article, pointing out my mistake in thinking they were under the Mass Line Media label. Let’s just hope my research skills have improved since then…

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If I Could Teach the World by Bone Thugs

"But nobody knows when it all unfolds."

Originally, “If I Could Teach the World” was gonna be my first feature from Bone Thugs, but “Ghetto Cowboy” is what got me into the group, so I had to put that out first. I’ve been listening to Bone Thugs since middle school, but not by choice – my friends loved ’em, but I did not. Actually, I didn’t even start appreciating hip-hop until my late high school/college years, and didn’t get into Bone Thugs until I heard Ghetto Cowboy a few years later.

“If I Could Teach the World” is my more recent favorite of Bone Thug’s. It may be the only song, wait, the only thing on earth that could make me feel like a thugsta. And if you ask anyone who knows me, they’d probably say that I’m the farthest thing from a thugsta there could be. Just me saying thugsta right now, sounds completely foolish in my head. …But all kidding aside, the song is a passionate, soul-searching piece that everyone should give a listen to, even us not-so-thugstas.

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Hellohihey by Lifesavas

For all those arrogant MC's.

I wanted to feature another song from Lifesavas’s latest album, Gutterfly: The Original Soundtrack (2007), but I already featured “No Surprise” a while back, so I wanted to go with something from their first album, Spirit in Stone. I haven’t been listening to these guys as much lately, mostly because they haven’t come out with anything new for a while, but this feature, as well as many other tracks by ’em, are a must have for any hip-hop head.

So, I was debating between two songs from Spirit in Stone – one with a better beat, one with the a better storyline – and unlike my usual self, I went with the lyrical selection. Sorry “It’s Over“, maybe next time, this one goes to “Hellohihey” for its well crafted story and witty dialogue. The song portrays an egotistical MC, played by Vursatyl, who thinks he is God’s gift to hip-hop. Typical rapper right… well, the story comes together in the end with a humble closing, which is refreshing to hear amongst all the misogynistic rap coming out these days.

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Watch Yr Step by Cancer Rising

"Let me introduce the most fly orator(s)."

Another group from Seattle… I think I may be a little bias in geographic locations, but the Northwest really is coming out with the best emerging hip-hop (which I like to mention over and over again). Cancer Rising may not be the top acts from the region, but they do have some top quality MC’s. Both Judas & Gatsby take on different rap styles, both working well off each other and DJ TilesOne’s beats. I especially love Judas’s style.. or maybe Gatsby’s… I really don’t know who… whoever’s @ 1:10. The dude simply has character, the #1 thing I look for in an MC: character, character, character! It’s by far the one thing that sets great MC’s apart from the rest of the mess… and gets ’em featured on this site!

Bruce Illest (featured on this track) may be an even better example of character in rap; he definitely gives Judas & Gatsby a run for their money. Although, one thing that bugs me about him is how reps his name every so often (even if it’s only a couple of times). I understand that artists want to get their name out there, but it starts to get tedious after a while. Maybe not in this case so much, but I’ve seen it overused a couple of times, and it really ruins it for me (for some reason). Doomtree is a good example; I respect the group, they’re from my home state of Minnesota, and they’ve got a bunch of talent, but listening to ’em shout off their name every ten words gets annoying, I know your damn name, I don’t need it repeated in my head. I guess it’s not that big of a deal, I just need shit to talk about (and I love to ramble… on… and on…. and on (ok, I’m done).

Check it, listen up, and tell me who brings the best out of three… my vote goes to Bruce Illest (love his name, by the way).

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Paper Shaper Shifter by Mel Gibson and the Pants

"My biorhythm is awesome."

Mel Gibson and the Pants is one of the groups I love to show off to others; (1) because anyone outside of Minnesota doesn’t know about ’em, (2) the instrumentals are a complete mashup of a few different genres, unlike anything I’ve ever heard before, and (3) Harold Sander’s (MC for the group) voice is sexy as hell. They’ll actually be my most featured group on here after this is released (other features of MGP include w/ Guitar, as well as a single from the album, Beat it Loose). The group may not be the most prolific in quality hits, but when they hit it, they hit it right, and Paper Shaper Shifter hits it right…

Paper Shaper Shifter is one of the first songs I really got into with MGP. It’s a little different from their usual drum & bass, electro-rock beat, but still shows their unique style of music. As always, Harold Sander’s comes up with some interesting lryics, voiced in a stylish & saucy way. I was actually going to name this site after some of the lyrics off this song, “my biorhythm is awesome” (the site was originally going to be BiorhythmAwesome.com, among others), but I liked Silence Nogood best.

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Jus Biz by Diverse

"Diggin' my music is more than just biz."

A friend of mine from Chicago told me about Diverse and a few others from Illinois. Been listening to ’em all lately, and although Diverse wasn’t my overall favorite, Jus Biz has been one of my favorite singles so far. Diverse just hasn’t put enough out yet for me to really grasp his sound. My first thought of him was that he sounded a hell of a lot like RA Scion from Common Market. It may not be as apparent in this song as in others, but their voices are damn near close. Other than that I really like Diverse’s rap style, he’s got real character. He often collaborates with RJD2, Prefuse 73 & Madlib, so you know his beats are gonna be quality, definitely including this one. Tell me what ya think, and check me out on twitter ’cause I need more followers! :D

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She Said by The Pharcyde

"I'll give you the world if you want."

This is my 2^nd posting of The Pharcyde (1^st post). I actually should’ve posted this one first, but at the time I was really into Runnin’. Anyways, I’d have to say that She Said is in one of my favorite hip-hop classics. Ever since I started listening to it (been a while), it’s always had that uncanny ability to bring out all those damn emotions in me (particularly when inebriated); and not just in this song, the Pharcyde do it consistently, emanating passion and soul throughout their music, which sadly isn’t found in hip-hop enough these days. If half the rappers had what these guys did in the 90’s, you wouldn’t need me to go digging around through endless shit to find “real hip-hop” (but that’s what I’m here for). Give it a listen and light one up (if ya got it), it’ll make it all the better ;)

Best part @ 2:53 – goddamn does Tre Hardson lay down some of the best rhymes I have ever heard in a song.

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