Recommend good Rap/Hip-Hop songs/groups

[Beffudled Sheep_v1legacy]

Seriously? No one has mentioned Aesop Rock yet? For shame, Escapists! For shame!

Spoiler

Hell, just buy the album Labor Days. You know what we call that shit where I'm from? We call that shit dope!

*Ahem*

So yeah... Aesop Rock is good if you want your hip hop to be a bit more poetic. Though bear in mind that you'll might want to re-listen to a lot of his songs in order to understand what he's saying. You hear it the first time and you hardly have an idea of what he's saying. You look up the lyrics and you have even less of an idea than before. So yeah. Aesop Rock is a lot of fun to listen to if you want to deconstruct his music. That and the beat is just nothing short of sick!

EDIT: WHAT?!? No Sage Francis either?! Come on people! If [user]Vault101[/user] were still here, she'd be all over this shit!

Spoiler

Let me put it like this: Sage Francis made the first rap song to make me cry. He makes it a much more personal experience and feels a lot more emotional and open than a lot of other rappers.

The only exception is Slug from the group Atmosphere, but thankfully someone already posted an example of that. That said, I'm gonna post my favorite song of their's anyway!

Spoiler

And hell, I haven't seen anyone post Deltron 3030 yet, so allow me...

Spoiler

You know the Gorillaz? You remember the rapper from the song Clint Eastwood? That's this guy. And he's fucking awesome! I'll admit, he's a little bit... nerdier than most other rappers that I've heard, but I like that. It gives him much more personality, which makes him stand out.

I uh... like talking about music. <.<

You, you are awesome. Seriously, OP, just listen to this dude, he knows his shit.

As for my own contribution I'll go with everything the guy I quoted has posted and some Eyedea/Oliver Hart.

Spoiler

 

[War Penguin]

Seriously? No one has mentioned Aesop Rock yet? For shame, Escapists! For shame!

Spoiler

Hell, just buy the album Labor Days. You know what we call that shit where I'm from? We call that shit dope!

*Ahem*

So yeah... Aesop Rock is good if you want your hip hop to be a bit more poetic. Though bear in mind that you'll might want to re-listen to a lot of his songs in order to understand what he's saying. You hear it the first time and you hardly have an idea of what he's saying. You look up the lyrics and you have even less of an idea than before. So yeah. Aesop Rock is a lot of fun to listen to if you want to deconstruct his music. That and the beat is just nothing short of sick!

EDIT: WHAT?!? No Sage Francis either?! Come on people! If [user]Vault101[/user] were still here, she'd be all over this shit!

Spoiler

Let me put it like this: Sage Francis made the first rap song to make me cry. He makes it a much more personal experience and feels a lot more emotional and open than a lot of other rappers.

The only exception is Slug from the group Atmosphere, but thankfully someone already posted an example of that. That said, I'm gonna post my favorite song of their's anyway!

Spoiler

And hell, I haven't seen anyone post Deltron 3030 yet, so allow me...

Spoiler

You know the Gorillaz? You remember the rapper from the song Clint Eastwood? That's this guy. And he's fucking awesome! I'll admit, he's a little bit... nerdier than most other rappers that I've heard, but I like that. It gives him much more personality, which makes him stand out.

I uh... like talking about music. <.<

You, you are awesome. Seriously, OP, just listen to this dude, he knows his shit.

As for my own contribution I'll go with everything the guy I quoted has posted and some Eyedea/Oliver Hart.

Spoiler

Thanks! I'm glad I share the same tastes as at least a few people here, yourself included! Also, I've always heard of Eyedea, but never heard anything by him. Until now. Holy shit... Where the fuck has he been all my life?

 

[Launcelot111]

In my pantheon of hip hop royalty, Public Enemy is king, queen, pope, and prime minister. Das Racist is court jester. I don't ask for much more.

 

[Wickatricka]

Have a weird obsession with Southern rappers

Z-ro -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjLcJVw3Mtk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji1EDCmrKw8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEI_hf8plHg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e70ASgUTSVs

Then If I have to say Tupac then I really don't want you to listen to rap anymore because you should already know about him.

Biggie is also awesome as fuck -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwt4AYQi_i8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EVT5ONR0w0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rogvlB2SP4k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GygEAcFFMVs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FURc6VHyYV0


Yes I'm sure there's some stuff about gangs in some of this but that's just what comes with rap.

 

[Beffudled Sheep_v1legacy]

Seriously? No one has mentioned Aesop Rock yet? For shame, Escapists! For shame!

Spoiler

Hell, just buy the album Labor Days. You know what we call that shit where I'm from? We call that shit dope!

*Ahem*

So yeah... Aesop Rock is good if you want your hip hop to be a bit more poetic. Though bear in mind that you'll might want to re-listen to a lot of his songs in order to understand what he's saying. You hear it the first time and you hardly have an idea of what he's saying. You look up the lyrics and you have even less of an idea than before. So yeah. Aesop Rock is a lot of fun to listen to if you want to deconstruct his music. That and the beat is just nothing short of sick!

EDIT: WHAT?!? No Sage Francis either?! Come on people! If [user]Vault101[/user] were still here, she'd be all over this shit!

Spoiler

Let me put it like this: Sage Francis made the first rap song to make me cry. He makes it a much more personal experience and feels a lot more emotional and open than a lot of other rappers.

The only exception is Slug from the group Atmosphere, but thankfully someone already posted an example of that. That said, I'm gonna post my favorite song of their's anyway!

Spoiler

And hell, I haven't seen anyone post Deltron 3030 yet, so allow me...

Spoiler

You know the Gorillaz? You remember the rapper from the song Clint Eastwood? That's this guy. And he's fucking awesome! I'll admit, he's a little bit... nerdier than most other rappers that I've heard, but I like that. It gives him much more personality, which makes him stand out.

I uh... like talking about music. <.<

You, you are awesome. Seriously, OP, just listen to this dude, he knows his shit.

As for my own contribution I'll go with everything the guy I quoted has posted and some Eyedea/Oliver Hart.

Spoiler

Thanks! I'm glad I share the same tastes as at least a few people here, yourself included! Also, I've always heard of Eyedea, but never heard anything by him. Until now. Holy shit... Where the fuck has he been all my life?

Underground man
I'm actually surprised you haven't come across him as he, Slug and Aes knew each other and collaborated on a few songs.
For example

Spoiler

Sadly Eyedea died in 2010 of "opiate toxicity".

 

[Stryc9]

Ice Cube:
Da Lench Mob:
Geto Boys:
That's a good start at least. Old school is the best way to go.

 

[Total LOLige]

Ice Cube:

This wouldn't be a hip hop thread without a good old fashioned hip hop rivalry.

 

[balfore]

I'd recommend Astronautalis, very alt hip hop but I find him quite catchy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FdUdvajOp0

 

[Polarity27]

How'd we get this far in without a mention of Queen Latifah? "U-n-i-t-y", still one of my favorites.

 

[War Penguin]

Seriously? No one has mentioned Aesop Rock yet? For shame, Escapists! For shame!

Spoiler

Hell, just buy the album Labor Days. You know what we call that shit where I'm from? We call that shit dope!

*Ahem*

So yeah... Aesop Rock is good if you want your hip hop to be a bit more poetic. Though bear in mind that you'll might want to re-listen to a lot of his songs in order to understand what he's saying. You hear it the first time and you hardly have an idea of what he's saying. You look up the lyrics and you have even less of an idea than before. So yeah. Aesop Rock is a lot of fun to listen to if you want to deconstruct his music. That and the beat is just nothing short of sick!

EDIT: WHAT?!? No Sage Francis either?! Come on people! If [user]Vault101[/user] were still here, she'd be all over this shit!

Spoiler

Let me put it like this: Sage Francis made the first rap song to make me cry. He makes it a much more personal experience and feels a lot more emotional and open than a lot of other rappers.

The only exception is Slug from the group Atmosphere, but thankfully someone already posted an example of that. That said, I'm gonna post my favorite song of their's anyway!

Spoiler

And hell, I haven't seen anyone post Deltron 3030 yet, so allow me...

Spoiler

You know the Gorillaz? You remember the rapper from the song Clint Eastwood? That's this guy. And he's fucking awesome! I'll admit, he's a little bit... nerdier than most other rappers that I've heard, but I like that. It gives him much more personality, which makes him stand out.

I uh... like talking about music. <.<

You, you are awesome. Seriously, OP, just listen to this dude, he knows his shit.

As for my own contribution I'll go with everything the guy I quoted has posted and some Eyedea/Oliver Hart.

Spoiler

Thanks! I'm glad I share the same tastes as at least a few people here, yourself included! Also, I've always heard of Eyedea, but never heard anything by him. Until now. Holy shit... Where the fuck has he been all my life?

Underground man
I'm actually surprised you haven't come across him as he, Slug and Aes knew each other and collaborated on a few songs.
For example

Spoiler

Sadly Eyedea died in 2010 of "opiate toxicity".

Oh fuck, really? Shit, man... Feel kinda bad finding out about him so late as I did. Like I said, always heard of him, just not from him. Changing that though!

 

[Beffudled Sheep_v1legacy]

Seriously? No one has mentioned Aesop Rock yet? For shame, Escapists! For shame!

Spoiler

Hell, just buy the album Labor Days. You know what we call that shit where I'm from? We call that shit dope!

*Ahem*

So yeah... Aesop Rock is good if you want your hip hop to be a bit more poetic. Though bear in mind that you'll might want to re-listen to a lot of his songs in order to understand what he's saying. You hear it the first time and you hardly have an idea of what he's saying. You look up the lyrics and you have even less of an idea than before. So yeah. Aesop Rock is a lot of fun to listen to if you want to deconstruct his music. That and the beat is just nothing short of sick!

EDIT: WHAT?!? No Sage Francis either?! Come on people! If [user]Vault101[/user] were still here, she'd be all over this shit!

Spoiler

Let me put it like this: Sage Francis made the first rap song to make me cry. He makes it a much more personal experience and feels a lot more emotional and open than a lot of other rappers.

The only exception is Slug from the group Atmosphere, but thankfully someone already posted an example of that. That said, I'm gonna post my favorite song of their's anyway!

Spoiler

And hell, I haven't seen anyone post Deltron 3030 yet, so allow me...

Spoiler

You know the Gorillaz? You remember the rapper from the song Clint Eastwood? That's this guy. And he's fucking awesome! I'll admit, he's a little bit... nerdier than most other rappers that I've heard, but I like that. It gives him much more personality, which makes him stand out.

I uh... like talking about music. <.<

You, you are awesome. Seriously, OP, just listen to this dude, he knows his shit.

As for my own contribution I'll go with everything the guy I quoted has posted and some Eyedea/Oliver Hart.

Spoiler

Thanks! I'm glad I share the same tastes as at least a few people here, yourself included! Also, I've always heard of Eyedea, but never heard anything by him. Until now. Holy shit... Where the fuck has he been all my life?

Underground man
I'm actually surprised you haven't come across him as he, Slug and Aes knew each other and collaborated on a few songs.
For example

Spoiler

Sadly Eyedea died in 2010 of "opiate toxicity".

Oh fuck, really? Shit, man... Feel kinda bad finding out about him so late as I did. Like I said, always heard of him, just not from him. Changing that though!

Yep. I remember googling to see when his next album was gonna drop and I see "eyedea found dead in his home. Cause unknown". I was shocked to say the least.
Eat his stuff up, but slowly. He has a lot but no more will be coming so don't burn yourself out

 

[Hedge]

(sorry i don't know how to spoiler or inbed)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki6YTXyITaQ - Drapht- jimmy ricard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSFT2OKcdk0 - Hill top Hoods - nose bleed section

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyzrKPcLpBw - Butterfingers - FIGJAM (F**k im good just ask me)

also seth sentry. i dont like most of his stuff but this one song is good

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOH15_pqWZ4 - seth sentry - dear science

this is all Australian hip-hop and i find its quite different to other types. in fact its usually referd to as "skip-hop" in music store and such

 

[welker_83]

bliss n eso, 360, hilltop hoods, drapht, seth sentry are all great bands/artists/groups
can any one guess were i live from those bands

 

[God's Clown]

Kid Cudi is pretty great. My Top songs from him:

Ghost!

Spoiler

Up Up and Away:

Spoiler

Pursuit of Happiness:

Spoiler

 

[springheeljack]

Organized Konfusion is amazing Kool G Rap is another really great mc M.O.P are excellent
Cella Dewals R.A the rugged man Jedi Mind Tricks Celph Titled Brand Nubian Dead Prez

There are just so many more

 

[ungothicdove]

The last year or so I've been getting more into hip-hop and rap. Nas and Biggie are the first two that were my introduction to non-pop rap. Wu-Tang is my current fave, and the members have a lot of good "solo" (they guest on all eachother's work) stuff too. I'm trying to make my way through it, but there's so much. GZA's Liquid Swords, Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Ghostface Killah's Ironman, and Cappadona's The Pillage are all good solo efforts to check out. I really like ealy to mid 90's East Coast rap if you haven't noticed...

Spoiler: Nas-NY State of Mind

Spoiler: Wu Tang-C.R.E.A.M.

Spoiler: GZA-4th Chamber

Spoiler: Raekwon-Ice Cream

Spoiler: Ghostface-Daytona 500

Spoiler: Cappadonna-Slang Editorial

Another current favorite is MF DOOM. All caps when you spell the man's name. His MM...Food album is good, plus he's been part of so many collaborations...Madvillian, King Geedorah, JJ DOOM, DANGER DOOM. I'm starting to listen to some Gang Starr as well.

Spoiler: MF DOOM-Guinnesses

Spoiler: JJ DOOM-Guv'nor

Spoiler: DANGERDOOM-Benzie Box

Spoiler: Madvillian-America's Most Blunted

Spoiler: Gang Starr-Code of the Streets

And last but not least, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Dr. Octagon's Dr. Octagonecologyst album. It's a weird, quirky album but I love the beats and his nonsensical sci fi rhymes give me much enjoyment.

I'm going to have to agree with the people that have said Bliss N Eso and The Hilltop Hoods. They are a couple of great ausie hip hop groups.

Spoiler: Dr Octagon-Waiting List

 

[Ipsen]

Putting up People Under the Stairs. Call em underground, call em whatever, but they definitely have a 'golden age of hip hop' sound (to perhaps use the term loosely). What I find magical about them is that their lyrical 'flow' consistently close to the rhythm of their music. Doesn't hurt that the music is pretty damn good too. Keeping your lyrics close in rhythm to your track is such a basic premise of hip hop, but I feel, compared to most music today, that spirit is somewhat lost; good thing that they are still making music this way to this day. Well, here's a sample.

Spoiler: The LA Song

Also, good on WarPenguin for bringing up Aesop Rock. His last album didn't catch me quite like his others did, but I find him one of the most intriguing rap artists out there.

 

[Offworlder_v1legacy]

Damn ninja'd on Pete Rock And CL Smooth.

Oh well, at least it was mentioned. But a group similar to that is Horrorshow. very laid back and jazzy hip-hop. They're Australian, so I don't know how you feel about that but check them out regardless.