quote:

Originally posted by FragileKidA:

quote:

Originally posted by DFelon204409:
Kanye is one of the worst things in "hip hop" right now. "Stronger" was an affront to Daft Punk and repetitive rapping undermined flows everywhere. His new single is repetitive and boring. He still produces some good tracks but he's a subpar emcee.

To each their own I guess. Hip hop is a lot more than just how good the MC is at rapping. If you are trying to argue that West isn't as good of a producer as he is made out to be, I'd argue you are wrong. I consider him to be one of the premiere producers making music and his rapping and flow is only improving because he is constantly making music and practicing.

Well of course he is 'premier,' but judging from that last album it seems he's also a one trick pony running himself into the ground. His sampling antics on that last album didn't really work.

quote:

Originally posted by DFelon204409:

quote:

Originally posted by FragileKidA:
Well, it looks like 2008 has been an underwhelming year for hip-hop. However, DOOM (formally MF Doom) has announced that he will have a new album out in October on Lex Records. It should be a fine return for him after four years since his last solo album, so I look forward to it.

Also, it looks like Kanye West might release his new album in December. There is hope.

Kanye is one of the worst things in "hip hop" right now. "Stronger" was an affront to Daft Punk and repetitive rapping undermined flows everywhere. His new single is repetitive and boring. He still produces some good tracks but he's a subpar emcee.

Kanye is a subpar emcee? I don't see it. Say what you will about his production and constant sampling but Kanye as an emcee is one of the blessings of any era in hip hop.

I went to the malls and I balled too hard
'Oh my god, is that a Black Card?'
I turned around and replied, why yes but I prefer the term
African American Express
-Last Call

Those four bars blew my mind on my first listen and his presence is spread out consistently as hell on that album, his best album. While I'll agree that his quality has sloped downward from record to record it's by no means dramatic. Not only is Kanye lyrically on-point but his subject matter varies and he can often weave a pretty vivid picture on wax. Through the Wire and Big Brother come to mind as examples of this.

I'm very curious on what you consider a "talented emcee."

I'm kinda shocked that no one's mentioned it yet, but....

THE GZA! THE GENIUS!

Pro Tools is hardcore.

Oh, and Roots and Common Market, too. Flying Lotus is good but a little esoteric for everyday listening. Lil' Wayne is, as was mentioned before, inconsistent but brilliant in spots (really sub-par in others). And I'm trying to goad my friend Steve into a fight by telling him he's just too scared to admit he likes the new Nelly album

(Oh and if anyone DID mention Pro Tools...sorry, missed the post...read over 4 pages in 2 minutes, I prob. missed SOMETHING. Maybe.)

My hip-hop listening in 2008 has been erratic at best. I have enjoyed Cadence Weapon, The Cool Kids, some parts of Lil Wayne's album (definitely not the whole thing)...

still, I'm looking forward to Murs and Cyne.

quote:

Originally posted by I Am The Red Wizards:
Oh, and Roots and Common Market, too.

Damn, I forgot about The Roots. Rising Down is a hot album.

The Cyne album leaked ages ago. Rather disapointing.

Okay so Blue Sky Black Death / Jean Grae - Evil Jeanius is highly enjoyable.

I'm picking up Dela's Changes of Atmosphere as we speak.

Either you love him or never heard of him, Devin The Dude is coming out with his new record, Landing Gear. Arguably he's one of the most underrated in hip hop. He's been in the game for like 10 years +, but Rap-A-Lot never really pushed his projects. 5 songs have leaked so far and people overall are feeling it. He's always consistent and although he never strays from lyrical content, he's hilarious.

devin the dude www.devin-the-dude.com

2008 has been an AMAZING year for hip-hop and music in general. People Under The Stairs just dropped FUN DMC, earlier this year we had Pete Rock's "NY's Finest" That group eMC with Masta Ace came out with their debut album "The Show" which is great. I thought Nas' Untitled was great as well. 9th Wonder and Buckshot released their album "The Formula" which is good stuff in fact let me just list it all out:

All Natural - Elements (Fire)
Artofficial - Fist Fights and Foot Races
Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold
AZ - Undeniable
Blueprint - Blueprint vs. Funkadelic
Cache 22 - Classic Material
Damu The Fudgemunk - Overtime
Damu The Fudgemunk - Spare Time
Freddie Joachim - In With Time
G Frequency - Let's Begin
Giant Panda - Electric Laser
Guilty Simpson - Ode To the Ghetto
GZA - Pro Tools
Heiruspecs - 10 Years Strong
Heltah Skeltah - D.I.R.T.
Ice Cube - Raw Footage
J-Live - Then What Happened
J. Rawls & Holmskillit - J. Rawls Presents... Holmskillit
Jazz Liberatorz - Clin d'oeil
Jean Grae - Jeanius
Dr. Dooom - Dr. Dooom 2
Keith Murray - Puff Puff Pass
Killer Mike - I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II
Kool G Rap - Half a Klip
KRS-One - Adventures In Emceein'
KRS-One - Maximum Strength
Large Pro - Main Source
Lone Catalysts - Square Binizz
Lyrics Born - Everywhere at Once
Murs & 9th - Sweet Lord
Murs - Murs for President
Positive K - Back to the Old School: Origins of Hip-Hop
Presto - State of the Art
Ras Kass - Institutionalized Vol. 2
Reks - Grey Hairs
Rip One - Epitome
Roots - Rising Down
Samon Kawamura - Unfold
St/mic - Life's Work

And there's a bunch of stuff I have yet to listen to.

^ Please.. half of those albums are mediocre. I know, I am harsh, but honestly you have to look at the big picture. Yes, Roots and GZA are some shining beacons of hope for 2008, but the year has far from proven to be a good year (Nas, Ice Cube, Murs, even KRS were all disappointing).

Although I am interested in this Blueprint album..

I'm Sorry To Say but Hip Hop Is Dead

You Need To Listen to Grime.

Go On Youtube and Type

dot rotten - how life goes
or durrty goodz - marijuana

Half of those are mediocre? Man for you to say that I doubt you've even listened to half of 'em. And in the time between those posts I've found even more great hip-hop albums. Probably most notable being Tronic from Black Milk. But also the new albums from Raashan Ahmad, Funky DL, Think Twice, DL Incognito, JMT, DJ Deckstream, DJ Babu, Fat Jon, J. Rawls, Dela, Shawn Lee & Clutchy Hopkins, Illa J, Incise, Prodigy, Onyx, Hell Razah, Problemaddicts, Devin the Dude, Skrooge, Outerspace, Count Bass D, Braille, Beat Konducta, Q-Tip, Scholarman. Oh and I really liked that DOOMED mixtape from Mike Waxx.

2008 is straight jammin, y'all just need to know where to look.