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[DaCocoBrova]

B.G. and Mac (still in prison) were the only good things to come from No Limit and Cash Money. Yes, I think Lil Wayne sucks and I am confused as to why there is so much hype around him.

Charisma... Swagger... If he wasn't so damn coked up/pilled up/syruped up... He'd drop a hot 16 more often.

All his 2007 features have been laughably bad lyrically.

 

[Prine]

So am i the only one who loves

love this so far

 

[Master Z]

If this has already been posted, my bad... I don't usually read threads about hip hop here on GAF.

But this dude right here is talented and reminded me why I love(d) hip hop. He also makes it very obvious that there's hardly any talent in the game anymore.

Do NOT sleep...

http://nahright.com/news/2007/08/18/video-joell-ortiz-rap-city-freestyle-817/

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lIU9VWEnkjM


Nobody is seeing this dude.

Yeah Ortiz got skills. Not too many kats can come off the top like that these days. Hopefully dude gets some shine and doesn't end up virtually ignored like a Joe Budden...

Its the fantasy aspect that drives people to buy those records.

Music is a popular form of escape. Most rap albums sell to suburban white kids, like myself. Why do we get into it? Its a thrilling experience, far more interesting than the vanilla and boring drudgery of white suburbia. So if we hear 50 Cent rapping about he was getting a blow from a girl while shooting some punk in the face, its far more interesting than anything that we have experienced in life.

The kind of life where sagging your pants is some kind of controversy in the neighborhood, its really easy to sell fantasy rap to this audience. That and the beats.

Yeah, but I think the problem here is that this fantasy has been exploited past the breaking point so now even the impressionable suburban white kids are getting bored of it, hence the big drop in record sales...the genre needs some fresh ideas.

So am i the only one who loves

love this so far

Yeah, this album surprised me and is pretty much all I listen to right now. A great, great album that Talib put together there!

 

[mckmas8808]

No Limit made people pay attention about what was coming out of the South and New Orleans in particular. Other than that, they were terrible. Even cornier than "Chicken Little Soup", it was so cookie cutter and unoriginal that sometimes I even forgot what I had in my CD player: Mystikal or Kane and Abel. C-Murder maybe?

Rap was much worse 10 years ago because it depended entirely on labels.
.

BULLSHIT!!! In 1997 hip-hop was in a WAAAAAAY better stance than it is now. Hell the music sales show you that.

Yes Tupac and Biggie died around that time, but the quality of music that you heard on the radio and TV was waaaaaay better. Everyone knows this.

 

[mckmas8808]

That is to tap into the female consumer base. I don't think we'll be seeing girls run up and buy GZA and Common albums (I'm waiting for the anecdotal references to prove me wrong). Executives know that girls like cell phones and like to dance. Hence, they started putting more danceable and ringtone-easy tracks to get money.

Not to bring it to consoles but its the same thing as Nintendo moving from Mario/Zelda/Metroid to Brain Age/Nintendogs/Wii Fit. Its just about expanding the profitability.

That isn't to say that I think women are the fault of the failure of mainstream rap but it does play a considerable role that cannot be ignored.

Great example I think. But at least with the videogame systems games like GEARS, MGS4, and Grand Theft Auto get the same push from the industry execs, magazine writers, TV host etc that games like Wii Fit, Brain Age, and Nintendogs get.

Rappers like GZA, Talib, etc will never get the same amount of airplay as guys like Mims and Plies. It doesn't matter how good the song is or what the subject matter is about.


For example. WHY THE FUCK DIDN'T THIS SONG GET MORE PLAY?!?!?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCPgTqunOHg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCPgTqunOHg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCPgTqunOHg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCPgTqunOHg


WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON WITH SAIGON?!?!?! "Pain In My Life" is what hip-hop needs. It even has a decently popular R&B singer named Trey Songz in the song. It's saying something while at the sametime has a sound that could have been a hit on mainstream radio and TV.

I see so many guys in this thread talking this, "hip-hop is only talking about hoes, drugs, money, and jewels." It's straight bullshit. Hip-hop is alive. Again fellas it's the suits and program directors at radio stations that are screwing up hip-hop.

We really need to blame Clear Channel and Viacom to be honest. They are controlling what we hear and don't hear.

 

[Nabs]

^ exactly what i was saying

Saigon has an album with great music produced by one of the best producers in Hip-Hop today.........

but doesn't have a ringtone, so no release. Sorry.



Have you heard his new single????

http://www.themegatrondon2.com/2007/07/13/im-preparing-myself-to-meet-the-master/

 

[MrToughPants]

Thug Life Demo (LEAKED) is good albeit not so good quality.

High Till I Die OG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kic5CIOATx0

Niggaz in the pen (unreleased)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyO1M_f2ucI

Im Gettin Money OG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puIQmLaFIFo



more Pac unreleased OGs


Until the end of time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3kWYRAvwAQ

u can be touched

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYfNYWHTUvw

Words 2 my first born OG + Sax

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZZVZpyZ8IM

happy home

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEz6DwKqQpM

when thugs cry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clvAyDmibLc

 

[Timedog]

it wouldn't surprise me if there was such a thing :lol

http://www.myspace.com/sbcrew

 

[cryptic]

Pharoahe Monch just released a new tape.

Has anyone here purchased it yet?

I want to hear some impressions.

 

[Useff]

Pharoahe Monch just released a new tape.

Has anyone here purchased it yet?

I want to hear some impressions.

Overall, a disappointment.

But how can you not be disappointed with anything post-Stress...? It's pretty good on its own.

 

[trey360]

hip hop isn't dead, the wrong stuff is getting promoted. Record companies would rather promote ignorance than a message that makes people think. It's like that everywhere nowadays, ever wonder why Britney and Lohan is being promoted so much on the news? I say that we have to expose the underground because that is where the next song will come from, that will end the current shucking and jiving type of rap we are seeing now. Check this out, for one. True underground shit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzZAMFoRm5k

And rap is not all about guns, drugs and hoes. Never has been. Don't rely on the radio or the video of the week to influence your opinion on a whole genre.

 

[mckmas8808]

hip hop isn't dead, the wrong stuff is getting promoted. QUOTE]


You know what the funny thing is about this whole "hip-hop is dead" talk. Nas never meant that the songs and lyrics died.

He meant the execs aren't promoting the true DNA of what hip-hop is/was. When Nas said hip-hop is dead he meant the soul of it was gone. And now it's only about the money.

I personally think that it's dying, but not dead yet. I hope someone or people can come along and save it.

 

[glistenm]

So am i the only one who loves

love this so far

I found it rather boring.

 

[DaCocoBrova]

^

Soon the New Day and Country Cousins are all I listen to on that one.

 

[WrathOfOtaibah]

Eardrum was ok. Nothing that made me say, "Holy shit, that was awesome" or even "I need to play this again sometime." It wasn't terrible though.

Reminded me of Common's new album: a solid piece of work but kind of forgettable.

 

[mckmas8808]

Eardrum was ok. Nothing that made me say, "Holy shit, that was awesome" or even "I need to play this again sometime." It wasn't terrible though.

Reminded me of Common's new album: a solid piece of work but kind of forgettable.

I've listened to the first 5 songs last night and It's about a 4 out of 5. Very solid. Like you said like Common's new album. Country Cousins is great.

 

[Lo-Volt]

When Nas said hip-hop is dead he meant the soul of it was gone. And now it's only about the money.

As he proceeds to sell shoes in subway ads.

 

[Nozi]

I've listened to Hip Hop since its inception and have always tried to buy the latest albums and stay up to date, but the last year or so has been pretty painful. I've bought a load of albums and most of them have been disposable junk. I mainly listen to east/west coast stuff from the mid nineties now, it's like a different genre entirely.

On the other hand, I've still found some good stuff out there:

Pharoahe Monch "Desire" (Not his best work, sure.. but refreshing anyway)
The Roots "Official Mixtape" (some old and new stuff, skillfully blended together)
Suga Free "Just Add Water" (One of the most musically accomplished and thorough hip hop albums I have heard in a long time)
Common "Finding Forever" (Some great tracks on here)

I'm hopeful Detox (if Dre ever releases it) will invigorate a lot of the lacklustre production out there right now.

 

[Nabs]

Hey Nozi, judging by your selections you may enjoy:

Brother Ali - The Undisputed Truth (actually, this album is geared more towards his fans, so maybe check "Shadows On The Sun" and the track "Rain Water" if you haven't)
Black Milk - Popular Demand (Check his "Pressure Mixtape" online for free)
Blu and Exile - Below The Heavens
Y Society - Travel At Your Own Pace (Insight and Damu, the LP isn't released yet but its worth keeping an eye on)
DJ Jazzy Jeff - The Return of the Magnificent
Hell Razah - Renaissance Child

and for anyone looking for someone to make hip-hop interesting, just find some Jay Electronica songs. Don't judge him by the name... believe me. Check out the Style Wars EP if you can find it, or at least "The Pledge".

 

[Nozi]

Hey Nozi, judging by your selections you may enjoy:

Brother Ali - The Undisputed Truth (actually, this album is geared more towards his fans, so maybe check "Shadows On The Sun" and the track "Rain Water" if you haven't)
Black Milk - Popular Demand (Check his "Pressure Mixtape" online for free)
Blu and Exile - Below The Heavens
Y Society - Travel At Your Own Pace (Insight and Damu, the LP isn't released yet but its worth keeping an eye on)
DJ Jazzy Jeff - The Return of the Magnificent
Hell Razah - Renaissance Child

and for anyone looking for someone to make hip-hop interesting, just find some Jay Electronica songs. Don't judge him by the name... believe me. Check out the Style Wars EP if you can find it, or at least "The Pledge".

I've got Shadows on the Sun, didn't really like it. I'll definitely check out the others though, I'm always on the hunt for decent hip hop. Thanks.

 

[Zilch]

Time for America to embrace electronic music, methinks.

I'll 'embrace' electronic music as soon as my new soulless robot overlords force me to.

 

[Nabs]

I've got Shadows on the Sun, didn't really like it. I'll definitely check out the others though, I'm always on the hunt for decent hip hop. Thanks.

no problem. and yeah a good starter is the song "rain water" it's a really good song I think anyone could enjoy.

 

[Blackace]

I'll 'embrace' electronic music as soon as my new soulless robot overlords force me to.

:lol :lol :lol :lol

 

[Oldschoolgamer]

So am i the only one who loves

love this so far

I just got this, and...yea. I need to give it some more listens, but, at the moment...it seems like its lacking something. Gusto? Umph? Life? I don't know. Listen is my favorite track at the moment.

Oh and KRS-One has been agitating me on some of his recent outings. Its always "real hip hop this, real hip hop that", and I'm like...you aren't helping the situation.

I'll 'embrace' electronic music as soon as my new soulless robot overlords force me to.

:lol :lol

 

[Kastrioti]

Hip Hop has been saved.

Soulja Boy- Crank Dat

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DHOxB8j2DtA

White boys going the Soulja Boy:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7ZE2OzguWHo

 

[HolyStar]

Dude, Soulja Boy is amazing. I like it. Everyone listen to it. Listen to it right now.

 

[Insane Metal]

TIME says rap music sucks

That´s the truth.

 

[Flo_Evans]

^ exactly what i was saying

Saigon has an album with great music produced by one of the best producers in Hip-Hop today.........

but doesn't have a ringtone, so no release. Sorry.



Have you heard his new single????

http://www.themegatrondon2.com/2007/07/13/im-preparing-myself-to-meet-the-master/

hot.

Hip Hop has been saved.

Soulja Boy- Crank Dat

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DHOxB8j2DtA

White boys going the Soulja Boy:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7ZE2OzguWHo

not so much... this is exactly the kind of shit TIME is talking about.