What are the classics from 2000 up til now? I definitely have some favorites but they're mostly from the most acclaimed rappers, so I'm sure I'm missing tons of good ones! Throw 'em at me.

Clipse: Grindin', When the Last Time, Ride Around Shining...well almost anything from "Hell Hath."
Ghostface: Shakey Dog, Nutmeg (or once again almost anything from "Supreme Clientele."
Dizzee Rascal: Fix Up, Look Sharp
El-P: Tasmanian Pain Coaster
Outkast: BOB, Hey Ya, Ms. Jackson
Eminem: Stan
The Streets: Turn the Page
Jay-Z: IZZO, Dirt Off Your Shoulder, 99 ProblemsBig Pimpin (I guess it counts as this decade since it was released on the album only a few days before the end of 1999 and then in single form later in 2000), Ignorant Shit,
K West: Through the Wire, All Falls Down, Flashing Lights, Heard Em Say, Diamonds from Sierra Leone


I'm sure I'm missing stuff from El-P, Common, Edan, maybe T.I. or Cannibal Ox and and I don't know who else.

1.Eminem- Lose Yourself
2.Jay-Z- 99 problems
3.Kanye West- Jesus Walks
4.Nas- Made You Look
5.Eminem- Stan
6.The Clipse- Grindin
7.Fabolous- Breathe
8.Scarface- Someday
9.Ludacris- Southern Hospitality

My shortlist:

Mr. Me Too - Clipse
Daylight - Aesop Rock
Touch The Sky - Kanye West (Feat. Lupe Fiasco)
Stepfather Factory - El-P
Upgrade - Lil Wayne
Nutmeg - Ghostface Killah
Pigeon - Cannibal Ox (Hard to pick just one)
What You Know - T.I.
Intl' Players Anthem - UGK (Feat. Outkast)
Heart Of The City (Ain't No Love) - Jay-Z
Oh Boy - Cam'ron
Galang - M.I.A.
Hate It Or Love It - The Game And 50 Cent
Loose Yourself - Eminem
3030 - Deltron 3030
Kick, Push - Lupe Fiasco
B.O.B. - Outkast

quote:

Originally posted by Lawrence_Of_Suburbia:
My shortlist:

Mr. Me Too - Clipse
Daylight - Aesop Rock
Touch The Sky - Kanye West (Feat. Lupe Fiasco)
Stepfather Factory - El-P
Upgrade - Lil Wayne
Nutmeg - Ghostface Killah
Pigeon - Cannibal Ox (Hard to pick just one)
What You Know - T.I.
Intl' Players Anthem - UGK (Feat. Outkast)
Heart Of The City (Ain't No Love) - Jay-Z
Oh Boy - Cam'ron
Galang - M.I.A.
Hate It Or Love It - The Game And 50 Cent
Loose Yourself - Eminem
3030 - Deltron 3030
Kick, Push - Lupe Fiasco
B.O.B. - Outkast

Oh my GOD! I was just thinking I was too old to have an opinion but the downloads I've been enjoying are really brand new in genre and sound. Feeling old is just realising that every song you hear is a rip off of something you've heard a million times before and not understanding why kids don't search for something new on line. Feeling young is doing something or hearing something you have never experienced before, because it takes you back to a time when music was new. There is a whole world of new rap music out there but you have to be your own man and decide what is good for yourself because you won't be brainwashed into listening to what the big companies want you to. Forget the crappy charts and explore what has really been happening this past few years. I had given up completely until I went to CNET's 'download.com underground rap section. When I have a little more time I will drop a list of the best of the new. Ofcourse, most of the stuff mentioned here is included in the more commercial sections at 'download.com but why cling onto the chart mush when you can hear the future? This also goes for all the other genres mentioned here.

And that makes the songs I listed any less amazing?

Also, in what universe do Deltron 3030, El-P, and The Ghostface Killah rule the charts?

The single greatest track is still

Canibus - Poet Laurette II

That song really is something...Thanks for the rec.

If you liked that, he also has a couple versions of "Poet Laureate Infinity" from his newest album from 2007. It's an 11-minute epic; but gets repetitive because the production isn't as varied. The idea was that users could mix and match the verses to create their own version of the song using their favorite verses.

More:

Grand ol' Party Crash - Cage (please ignore the somewhat dated Bush bashing.)
Rhinestone Cowboy - Madvillain (I love when Doom walks away from the mic after the first verse for a minute, and then comes back and picks up where he left off. Classic)
The Healer - Erykah Badu
Ether - Nas
Discipline 99, Pt. 0 - Quasimoto
Room With A View - Brother Ali
Trying To Find A Balance - Atmosphere
Return Of The B-Boy - Mr. Lif (A seven minute rap epic.)

quote:

Originally posted by Lawrence_Of_Suburbia:

Ether - Nas
Room With A View - Brother Ali
Return Of The B-Boy - Mr. Lif (A seven minute rap epic.)

Nas - One Mic
Brother Ali - Rain Water
Mr. Lif - Phantom

Are all better than those respective songs. IMO. But props on the Cage, that track is great.

I'm making a playlist of all these songs you recommend (75% of which I haven't heard yet), so keep them coming if anything comes to mind.

Thanks.

Why are there two versions of this thread?

quote:

Originally posted by BContrat:
I'm making a playlist of all these songs you recommend (75% of which I haven't heard yet), so keep them coming if anything comes to mind.

Thanks.

Yes, I have downloaded the albums containing the tracks listed here and listened to some but will get round to having a better skip through he albums soon. Any of you experts out there able to help me find my favourite rap music style? I like the 'double key' stuff; no, I really love the double key stuff, no, there is nothing better in the universe than the double key stuff. You know, when the rapper is in the same key as the music it really sucks and sounds so boring and simple. I noticed only a few rappers will really exploit the sick and beautiful music created by two keys. There are hundreds who never copy the key of the music but only a few really exploit it as a style and theory. To my ears it's all about numbers and new combinations of numbers giving the artist true originality. The brainless bandwagon repeat of music using the same numbers stops the evolution of rap and all music. I'll be so happy if anyone can find me some double key rap, or even in any genre.

quote:

Any of you experts out there able to help me find my favourite rap music style? I like the 'double key' stuff; no, I really love the double key stuff, no, there is nothing better in the universe than the double key stuff. You know, when the rapper is in the same key as the music it really sucks and sounds so boring and simple. I noticed only a few rappers will really exploit the sick and beautiful music created by two keys.

I consider myself a rap guru and all, but I really have no idea what you're talking about with "double keys". Isn't it best for a rapper to go with the beat? That is what flow is all about. A lesson in flow is best exhibited by

B.I.G. - Respect

But I doubt that's what you mean.. perhaps you can give an example of a rap song that fulfills what you're looking for.

The correct answer here is obviously "Gasolina."

quote:

Originally posted by Q:

quote:

Originally posted by BContrat:
I'm making a playlist of all these songs you recommend (75% of which I haven't heard yet), so keep them coming if anything comes to mind.

Thanks.

Yes, I have downloaded the albums containing the tracks listed here and listened to some but will get round to having a better skip through he albums soon. Any of you experts out there able to help me find my favourite rap music style? I like the 'double key' stuff; no, I really love the double key stuff, no, there is nothing better in the universe than the double key stuff. You know, when the rapper is in the same key as the music it really sucks and sounds so boring and simple. I noticed only a few rappers will really exploit the sick and beautiful music created by two keys. There are hundreds who never copy the key of the music but only a few really exploit it as a style and theory. To my ears it's all about numbers and new combinations of numbers giving the artist true originality. The brainless bandwagon repeat of music using the same numbers stops the evolution of rap and all music. I'll be so happy if anyone can find me some double key rap, or even in any genre.

If you're rapping, you're not really in a key cos the normal speaking voice isn't really pitched. I'm confused.

I'll try and think of some songs that change keys, I guess...but most producers will either pitchshift stuff so it fits in the key or edit it in some other way so it 'fits' with the rest.

quote:

Originally posted by Q:
Oh my GOD! I was just thinking I was too old to have an opinion but the downloads I've been enjoying are really brand new in genre and sound. Feeling old is just realising that every song you hear is a rip off of something you've heard a million times before and not understanding why kids don't search for something new on line. Feeling young is doing something or hearing something you have never experienced before, because it takes you back to a time when music was new. There is a whole world of new rap music out there but you have to be your own man and decide what is good for yourself because you won't be brainwashed into listening to what the big companies want you to. Forget the crappy charts and explore what has really been happening this past few years. I had given up completely until I went to CNET's 'download.com underground rap section. When I have a little more time I will drop a list of the best of the new. Ofcourse, most of the stuff mentioned here is included in the more commercial sections at 'download.com but why cling onto the chart mush when you can hear the future? This also goes for all the other genres mentioned here.

Please forgive me if I refuse to take you seriously until you reveal all this good shit that CNET turned you on to.

quote:

Originally posted by Vitun_Krapula:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Q:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by BContrat:

If you're rapping, you're not really in a key cos the normal speaking voice isn't really pitched. I'm confused.

I'll try and think of some songs that change keys, I guess...but most producers will either pitchshift stuff so it fits in the key or edit it in some other way so it 'fits' with the rest.

Thankyou for giving some thought. I agree that producers will 'pitch shift' into key to make it sound like every other rapper; for the money and I also agree that rap/dialogue has no specific musical key, so what you say is true so we are already dealing with two keys but only the best rappers will exploit it . I still hold tight to the respect I have for those rappers who dare to exploit the exploration of dialogue key. I'm sure we know that those who cling onto the key of the music backing are not really rapping but singing. Like the producers who restrict anything new they are just going round in circles causing saturation of bandwagon ringtones culture. I haven't had much time recently and will get round to checking responses and suggestions soon. the list I add will most likely make you laugh or throw up or at least disagree but you must know how sick I am of the same old 5 notes from the same key they use to reach children. At a production course I took in 97 it was explained to me that the target audience for chart music then was 8 to 13 year old children. The teachers were not happy when I thought I invented a double harmonic key; Debussy was expelled for the same thinking because the church rule that we should never venture beyond one key. Here is a quick list (in no specific order)of some old favourites;
Boh Stacks-Move Ya Feet
The Art of One Mind-The Broke Song Featuring Strange Fruit Project
Romaine-Movin On.
Approach-Hey Yall
Tha Foundation-Tell me Baby
Poet1-What What What
The Kajmere Sound Vol3.1-Tread Lightly n8e Ft Jon B.
milkfat-Xavier Colquait (Saute)
Get Wit It Click-Come Home With Me
Solomon of da Chosen Onez-Green Money ack
Tadou-I Be Wakin Up feat[1] Tyrant
Sphere of Hip Hop-Let It Go f[2] Cookbook Uno Mas (L.A. Symphony)
HEARSE RYDA-WHAT S THE HAPS
the gift of gab -the ride of your life
Lispy Doobiko-I Want That ft[1] Lootchiano.
M[1].C.M.-Nitelife.
North Click-Dadadadah
Tim Mutt-Weapons Drawn
Nino_Brown-Talk to You.
UrbanGemz-Aristokats feat, Benz Grima Jimmy Screech.
Character Traits-Moving Day.
I'm looking for anything which may seem 'out of key' to you, or out of tune; you will all be my heroes if you find anything or anyone brave enough to experiment with key. Jazz and classical musicians have a different tuning for their instruments. Multiple keys were invented at the beginning of the last century and also used in ancient tribal culture, but yes, it's true that you could not sell that sort of music to children so, we may never get there again, and how can we respect something which does not develop evolve or dare to change? Be my heroand my best friend for life; find some new fun stuff.

quote:

Jazz and classical musicians have a different tuning for their instruments.

Erm, no. Sorry. a piano is tuned the same way if you're playing jazz, classical, or pop. Same with a saxophone. With guitars, yes there are plenty of alternate tunings, but those don't generally depend so much on the style. Ie for folk or bluegrass you might hear a dropped D or DADGAD once in a while, but there's nothing in the rule book that says you can't use those tunings for other styles of music. You can strum the chords to a Dylan song in standard tuning, or you can spazz out like a maniac and not even play any notes, just make noise. and you don't have to change the tuning. radical, eh?

quote:

Originally posted by Vitun_Krapula:

quote:

Jazz and classical musicians have a different tuning for their instruments.

Erm, no. Sorry. a piano is tuned the same way if you're playing jazz, classical, or pop. Same with a saxophone. With guitars, yes there are plenty of alternate tunings, but those don't generally depend so much on the style. Ie for folk or bluegrass you might hear a dropped D or DADGAD once in a while, but there's nothing in the rule book that says you can't use those tunings for other styles of music. You can strum the chords to a Dylan song in standard tuning, or you can spazz out like a maniac and not even play any notes, just make noise. and you don't have to change the tuning. radical, eh?

Each note on a piano has four strings; each tuned slightly different. The first piano was tuned straight using the pitch theory of Pythagoras and it sounded horrible because exact mathematical tuning becomes dissonant beyond the octave. The sax player will adjust the reed to create a slightly different pitch and each violin in an orchestra is tuned slightly different to the violin next to it, to create that smooth fat sound. A lead instrument is the voice and must give variation of tuning to express human emotion. Yes, there must be a constant tuning against which other variations of tuning can stand out. I could agree totally with you on instruments but many vocal styles are different around the world and are not accepted on the sickly 'X-factor'. All good music must have a constant and a variable; a 'straight line and a curved line' having both the same is boring and expendable. Yes; you are right, because without conformed tuning the vocalist has nothing to work with or against and the audience don't get the benefit of the vocalist's identity. It's the sickly perfectly tuned vocals that make me heave. Even the traditional Chinese quarter-tone is a relief from all this conformed cloning. I'm not saying that commercial artists don't have the skill or will to explore but they all have to sell out to make a living selling simple music to children; they will only be remembered for the money they make.
Learning is not about opinions or being defensive when questioned; unless you were bullied at primary school, or by your parents. Let's stick to the facts.
If you find anything 'different' please let me know. It might be rapping or singing that you hate; as long as it is different, I will be grateful forever.
Dare to be different, dare to be yourself