People Under the Stairs may not be the biggest hip-hop duo, but they are well known throughout the underground scene. Not only do they catch the beat right with their rhymes, but their instrumentals are something fresh & innovative. I decided to go with The Breakdown as the first feature of theirs because it’s the song that’s stuck with me the most. It may not have the lyrics that Acid Raindrops has, or the soothing beat of San Fransisco Knights, but the rhymes posses a finesse trademark of P.U.T.S.
[audio:TheBreakdown.mp3|titles=The Breakdown](Download Link in Post)
My knowledge of rap outside the U.S. is… well, minimal. The problem is that rap, like music, has a language barrier. But, to go one step further, rap also has a barrier in dialect, which for most other music isn’t as big of a concern. For example, when I hear Canadians rap, my spine cringes when they pronounce about as aboot (e.g. Classified). Thankfully some talented hip-hop artists have broken this barrier, one being Pete Philly of Pete Philly & Perquisite.
I could get into more on why there are these barriers, but, honestly, who gives a shit. :) Let’s get to the music…
[audio:MysteryRepeats.mp3|titles=Mystery Repeats](Download Link in Post)
Intuition showed me that a good MC doesn’t flow to the beat, but flows to his own… intuition (not just because of his name). He brings on a character of his own, weaving tales instead of spittin’ shit. I may be biased to the laid-back beat, but you can’t deny Al Bundy‘s appeal. Don’t let the stupid title get ya wrong (also see Mel Gibson and the Pants), the song is a trip through wordplay, and a fun one at that. Have a listen, and let me know what ya think…
Oh ya, I found this at Pot Holes in My Blog, props.
[audio:AlBundy.mp3|titles=Al Bundy](Download Link in Post)
Yea yea, a lot of you are gonna know this one. The Roots are pretty well established now, but I’ve been listening to this one for years and can’t get enough. What makes it good is the mix of the Root’s instrumentals with neo soul singer, Cody Chesnutt; the two blend well. Another reason for my admiration for this song is the lyrics, which uses some “ballsy” euphemisms. ;)
The original song, Seed, was featured in Chesnutt’s only LP, The Headphone Masterpiece, which was release in late 2002. I’ve included the original in the player below for your listening pleasure, though it’s really not that good.
[audio:TheSeed.mp3,http://silencenogood.net/mp3s/Seed.mp3|titles=The Seed (2.0),The Seed](Download Link in Post)
DJ Okawari is one hard fella to find. Well, most Japanese artists I’ve researched are… probably ’cause I don’t know Japanese. Anyway, here’s another Japanese DJ that blends up a mix of electronica, jazz and hip-hop… nothing special, I know, but give it a listen. It has a solid beat accompanied with a soulful sax (you know I love me some sax).
Another thing I’d like to point out is the amazing artwork for this album. But, to truely appreciate its intricacies you need to look at the full-sized version, provided here. All cover art for Okawari’s albums are done by Marumiyan.
[audio:AnimalForest.mp3|titles=Animal Forest](Download Link in Post)
At first, I was skeptical of the Music Genome Project; it seemed like just a fancy way of matching similar artists. But as the project has grown, it’s starting to display more & more interesting matches. In fact, I found Stonyridge Terrace on Pandora (DJ Frane‘s radio station), which uses the technology behind the Music Genome Project.
[audio:StonyridgeTerrace.mp3|titles=Stonyridge Terrace](Download Link in Post)
Hieroglyphics are among the best hip-hop groups of all time. The group has quite a few solo talents including Del, Opio, Pep Love & some of the other members. I had a lot of finely crafted songs to chose from Hiero, but I decided You Never Know should be the first.
I love me some chilled out music, and You Never Known is as laid-back as it gets. As always, I’m a man of few words (or should be)… let the music speak for itself.
[audio:YouNeverKnow.mp3|titles=You Never Know](Download Link in Post)
I’ll admit it, I was wrong when I said, “[n]ever has a hip-hop album got it so right on the first track”, referring to an article on Mission Statement by Mayday. But, to my defense I did say “I over embellish at times”… which I do.
That aside, never has a hip-hop album got it so right on the first track. ;) But, seriously… The introduction (or reintroduction) on Blue Scholar’s self-titled album is a slick start to a legit album. Sabzi, DJ & producer, creates one chill beat, which Geologic (MC) lays some mighty fine lines to.
[audio:SolsticeReintroduction.mp3|titles=Solstice: Reintroduction](Download Link in Post)
Blackalicious consists of an MC, Gift of Gab, who’s best known for abstract & intellectual lyrics. Accompanied by Chief Xcel, DJ for the group who does a great job blending Gift of Gab’s groove stricken voice into his own funkified & hypnotic beats.
If I May is off Blackalicious’s first album, Nia. The song has, like usual, outstanding & rich instrumentals by Chief Xcel. Gift of Gab unfolds his unique talents, as well, but where this song differs is from the two featured acts: Lateef the Truth Speaker & Erinn Anova.
[audio:IfIMay.mp3|titles=If I May](Download Link in Post)
I’ve always wondered what style of hip-hop people outside the U.S. like. I decided to show a friend of mine from Wales Doomtree’s Flex, but had a feeling it wouldn’t be his “cup of tea”. I asked him if he liked it, and he told me “it sounded like a bunch of angry white kids”. At first, I got defensive, but eventually saw his point. The song sounds like a bunch of coked-up, hyperactive guys who may not know half the shit they say, but say it well.
[audio:Flex.mp3|titles=Flex](Download Link in Post)