Rap and Hip-Hop

There's tons of different styles and beats in hip-hop. I'm talking about this sampling technique where you sort of take... hm, I just don't know how to put it, there's this sense of incompleteness, of collage. It kind of trips you up.

edited 31st Jan '15 4:24:39 AM by TheHandle

I know what you mean, but I really don't think there's a name for it. Closest thing I can think of is "bump", which I think is a reference to the Adult Swim bumpers, which would often feature similar beats.

I'd recommend checking out Negrosaki's Short Bump Series albums if you like these kinds of beats.

That's exactly what I mean, yes!

And you've seen Samurai Champloo, so presumably you've heard of Nujabes?

I'd also give J Dilla's Donuts a try.

Anyone listened to Lupe Fiasco's Tetsuo & Youth? My God, what a display. Thought it was well put together, went through the whole album several times. His best work since The Cool, easily.

edited 19th Feb '15 8:37:50 AM by Hazzy

For some reason, I still haven't fully gotten through that album. From what I've heard it's far better than his last though.

I thought B4.Da.$$ was incredible. This is definitely going to be a strong year for Hip Hop, after that dry spell we got in 2014.

Well, I was thinking about how should I introduce myself for good 5 minutes, so here I come.

edited 21st Feb '15 5:26:11 PM by 0x524

Has anyone heard of Doomtree?

Aw man, they were in D.C. last month...

So, Kendrick's new album just dropped on Spotify. Anyone get a chance to hear it yet?

"Every nigga is a star"? Dammit, when will that word just fucking die already?

"We buried you, like, eight years ago!"
"Reports of my death were greatly exaggerated."

edited 18th Mar '15 1:59:48 AM by TheHandle

I'd say it has a good a chance of dying as its predecessor. So get used to hearing it in rap for the rest of your life.

Anyway, I was overall pleased with this album; how it's kinda like a Concept Album in the vein of good kid, m.A.A.d city, the monologue/poem that gradually unravels with each song until we can finally hear the whole thing on "Mortal Man", the general themes of what it means to be a black man in America, the lyrical content, the George Clinton production on the second track (eeeeee!), and how "i" was worked in. Very nice.

Is there someone out there making family friendly rap/hip-hop today like DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince once did?

edited 21st Mar '15 1:05:35 AM by DS9guy

Most recent example I can think of is Will Smith's solo career.

I feel like the response to Kendrick's album is a little too much, if you get what I mean. Everyone's calling this "one of the greatest rap albums ever" and I don't really feel the same way. I mean, it was a good album, no doubt, but when I was listening to it, I never got that "damn this is really a classic" feeling I got when I listened to GKMC. When I was listening to TPAB, I got what Kendrick was saying but it wasn't, like, life-changing or anything. I didn't stop what I was doing and just spent time thinking on the message of it, I just moved on. Maybe, I'm a bad example but that's at least what I did. Personally, I felt, while very good, the tracks were very cluttered in a way and the jazz sound kinda doesn't really work with some of Kendrick's flows in the album as a whole. I also felt like the final track was just kinda cheesy. Even with everything I said, I still enjoy the album but it wasn't the "oh so incredible great american rap album" everyone's proclaiming it to be.

I'd honestly give it a 8/10.

I'm curious, what difference is there between Hip-Hop and Punk attitudes? There seems to be tons of similarities between the two:

• Both appeal to a less fortunate working class.
• Both favor a do-it-yourself "pure talent" attitude against the manufactured "corporate" drivel.
• Both tend to have very left-wing viewpoints.
• Both have a general "screw the system" ideology.

Is it just that Hip-Hop is primarily for black people and Punk is primarily for white people? I'm talking just the ideologies here.

I think the big difference is punk really isn't about sounding good so long as you have something to say, while in Hip-Hop both are integral to a good track.

I mean, compare the Sex Pistols to Public Enemy. They both heavily criticized the government, but one is just more polished than the other.

edited 19th Apr '15 9:11:43 PM by PhysicalStamina

Isn't it the beat producer's job to do the polish while the rapper says something?

Rappers need to be witty. Punks just need to be relevant.

Plus, I'm guessing non-punks will take huge offense at being called punks:

It's both, really.

Pretty much. It's not just about saying something, it's about using intricate rhyme schemes, a smooth and consistent flow, and some clever wordplay to say it with. If you have a hot beat but the rapping sucks, it's considered a waste of a beat.

What do you all think about Doomtree?

The flow and poetry are pretty good. The fashion sense has room for improvement, but is Not Bad as far as hip-hop goes. The video had quiet energy to it.

edited 14th Jun '15 2:13:03 PM by TheHandle

even though they practically haven't been a duo since '97 any Organized Konfusion fans present, you know the group Pharoahe Monch originated from. if not i highly recommend all 3 of their albums since all 3 diversify and become darker while still hitting subjects too touchy for the superficial public ( the track "Hate" from their 3rd album comes to mind). also i recommend Diverse and Unspoken Heard

Wanton Cruelty to the Common Comma