So what the hell do I like?

Not to get obscure, but...


I don't have a hatred for all off today's rap music (like I've said in previous posts, I refuse to group all of it under hip hop). There are some artists out there that I'm really feeling. Here's a list in no particular order. I'll either provide a YouTube vid, audio track, MySpace/Homepage link, and perhaps a comment or two...


FOREIGN EXCHANGE

"Let's Move"

Beats by Dutch (!!!) producer Nicolay with rhymes by Phonte Colman of Little Brother. Now get this...they NEVER met face to face nor spoke with each other before and during the recording of their debut album, Connected. They met on a hip hop message board, and they would send each other their beats and rhymes via IM. They liked what they were doing, so they completed the album that way. Another great track from this album is "Nic's Groove."

theforeignexchangemusic.com



MURS

"Murray's Revenge" One of the dopest videos to come out in a long time. Anybody in their late 20's to early 30's can point out the video game, but can you make out the MOVIE reference? Hint: It's in the beginning of the video...


"Better Than The Best" I had to include a second video. His videos are very innovative.

Also check out "Risky Business" featuring Shock-G and Humpty Hump. I can't believe MURS got them to reunite for this track!!! Another video to peep is "Hustle" featuring John Cena. Yes, that John Cena, the most loved/hated current WWE wrestler depending on who you ask. The video for "Hustle" is actually a remix of the track. The remix also features E-40 and Chingo Bling, but they were not included in the video.

MURS proves that not all L.A. based rappers are gangbangers. He's been in the rap scene for a while now, but since he's not raping about Locash or another slum, he's not getting any love.

mursmusic.com



PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS

"Acid Raindrops"

Another L.A. based crew that keeps it laid back with some serious production going on.

An excerpt from their website:
Los Angeles residents Michael Turner (Double K) and Christopher Portugal (Thes One) came together as People Under The Stairs in the mid-1990s , through a common love of record digging, making beats and the classic hip hop sound of The Beatnuts and Freestyle Fellowship.

Thes One and Double K worked together making music and soon had a completed debut in the shape of 'The Next Step'. Released in 1998 the album was an unexpected success, especially in the UK, securing the duo a record deal and several overseas tours.

myspace.com/peopleunderthestairs


JOELL ORTIZ

A freestyle from BET's "Rap City." That show is still on?

My boy, MERCADOK let me know about this dude. Brooklyn based rapper, Joell Ortiz is a diamond in the rough. He reminds me so much of Big Punisher. He's had label issues these past couple of years. He was with Dr. Dre's Aftermath, but they kept on shelving his project, so Ortiz asked for his release. I hope he gets a great distributor, because his shit is tight! Check out the track "Hip Hop." Here's the intro to "Hip Hop."

Yo, do me a favor...accidentally step on your white sunglasses
We don't wear those over here, this is Hip Hop
This is Carhardtt jackets...Timberland boots unlaced...
This is Champion hoodies...chicken wings and french fries
R.I.P. pieces on handball courts...this is us still fightin' police brutality
This is hip hop!!

Enough said, kids...

myspace.com/joellortizofficialfanpage


CALLE 13

"Atrévete Te, Te"

Let me say this first...this is not reggaeton! Reggaeton is Latin based form of reggae, which I'm not a fan of. Residente (the resident), and El Visitante (the visitor) are half brothers from San Juan, Puerto Rico. They bring a sound blending cumbia, samba, salsa, electronica, jazz, and more. They are known for their extremely witty lyrics, and have been known to spit fire at current artists; Puff Daddy (that's what I know him as), 50 Cent, Redman, and others. At times they're considered vulgar, due to their use of double entendre. Calle 13 are not liked by the Reggaeton community, because they have won many accolades in the Latino urban industry, and feel that they are in the shadow of the rappers. Another track to check out is "Chulin Culin Cunflai" featuring Voltio and Academy Award winning, (I believe it's a law you have to introduce them as such) Three Six Mafia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calle_13_(band)


This quick list consists of other artists I'm feeling. Most of them you already know.


Lupe Fiasco
Geeky rap at it's finest. Who the hell raps about Zelda and make it sound so fly?


Rhymefest
"Blue Collar" baby! Quite arguably the most slept on Hip Hop album in the last couple of years.

Joe Budden
If his record sales were better, you'd know him. "Pump It Up" is one of the dopest party tracks in recent history.

Atmosphere
A mainstay in the indie hop hop scene. They did have one commercial hit with "Trying to Find a Balance"

Peanut Butter Wolf
Stones Throw Records alum. Why hasn't this producer/dj/lyricist received the shine he deserves?!

Ludacris
You know who he is. Moving on...

T.I.
Another dude you know. Let's continue...

Obie Trice
He deserves alot more props, but unfortunately he's in the shadow of Eminem & 50 Cent. How the hell did D-12 get more exposure than Obie?! "The Setup" is such a great track and video.

Jean Grae
The queen of idie hip hop. Check out "Love Thirst"

The Roots
A hip hop band. Real instruments...no Pro Tools or Fruity Loops here, kids. Black Thought's lyrics are frequently overlooked.

Dialated Peoples
DJ Babu's project. Kanye West brought them to the mainstream with "This Way" and shined on their own with "Back Again."

Camp Lo
A very niche duo from the Bronx. The are heavily influenced by the 70's Blaxploitation era. "Black Nostaljack" is the perfect example.


Brother Ali
Shout out to B.H. Shan for letting me know about this cat. An albino looking Bubba Sparxxx, but with ten times the better lyrics, and no Mr. Collie park to give him wack ass beats. "Take Me Home"

Common & Talib Kweli
Common and Talib Kweli fall in this list, but they really shouldn't. They've been in "the game" for a while, but radio never gave them love because they didn't have that "hit" sound. Common's "Go" and Talib Kweli's "Hot Thing" are what really made them stand out to the common folk. Why? They're sexually based songs and are produced by the "it" producers of the present. Not that there is anything wrong with that. I really like those tracks. I just wish it didn't take those type of songs for them to shine.

So that's who I like out there right now. Hopefully, you'll check them out and you'll get to like them as well. I'm always looking for a new artist to check out, so by all means, drop me a line in the comment section.

Thanks for reading.