Here’s a late night open thread for you kids. What songs should the essential rap collection include? I’d throw in Sugar Hill Gang, Run-DMC, the Bloodhound Gang, NWA, Public Enemy, Easy-Mother-FUCKING-E, Snoop, Dre, Jay-Z, Biggie, and the other obvious ones (Eminem), but I’m old, fat and white. Also, I was never a fan of Tupac. So what rap greats belong in an essential collection?
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[…] ‘ ‘Ante Up’ ‘ 2000 Madvillain ‘ ‘Fancy Clown’ ‘ 2004 Madvillain ‘ ‘ALL CAPS’ ‘ 2004 Missy Elliott ‘ ‘Get Ur Freak On’ ‘ 2001 Mobb Deep ‘ ‘Shook Ones pt. II’ ‘ 1995 Mos Def ‘ ‘Mathematics’ ‘ 1999 Mystikal ‘ ‘Bouncin’ Back’ ‘ 2001 Nas ‘ ‘Life’s a Bitch’ ‘ 1994 Nas ‘ ‘NY State of Mind’ ‘ 1994 Nas ‘ ‘Ether’ ‘ 2002 Nas ‘ ‘One Mic’ ‘ 2002 Notorious BIG – ‘Gimme the Loot’ ‘ 1994 Notorious BIG – ‘Machine Gun Funk’ ‘ 1994 Notorious BIG – ‘Juicy’ ‘ 1994 Notorious BIG – ‘Everyday Struggle’ ‘ 1994 Outkast ‘ ‘Rosa Parks’ ‘ 1998 Outkast ‘ ‘B.O.B.’ ‘ 2000 Outkast ‘ ‘So Fresh So Clean’ ‘ 2000 Pete Rock & CL Smooth ‘ ‘They Reminisce Over You’ ‘ 1992 The Pharcyde ‘ ‘Oh Shit’ ‘ 1994 The Pharcyde ‘ ‘Passing Me By’ ‘ 1994 Positive K ‘ ‘I Got a Man’ ‘ 1992 Public Enemy ‘ ‘Welcome to the Terrordome’ ‘ 1990 Raekwon ‘ ‘Ice Cream’ ‘ 1995 Raekwon ‘ ‘Cold Outside’ ‘ 2009 Rich Boy ‘ ‘Throw Some D’s’ ‘ 2006 The Roots ‘ ‘Thought @ Work’ ‘ 2002 The Roots ‘ ‘The Seed 2.0′ ‘ 2002 Run-DMC ‘ ‘It’s Like That’ ‘ 1984 Slick Rick ‘ ‘Children’s Story’ ‘ 1988 Snoop Dogg ‘ ‘Gin and Juice’ ‘ 1993 T.I. ‘ ‘What You Know’ ‘ 2006 Talib Kweli ‘ ‘Get By’ ‘ 2003 Too Short ‘ ‘The Ghetto’ ‘ 1990 Tupac ‘ ‘I Don’t Give a Fuck’ ‘ 1991 Tupac ‘ ‘Old School’ ‘ 1995 Tupac ‘ ‘California Love’ ‘ 1996 Tupac ‘ ‘I Ain’t Mad At Cha’ ‘ 1996 Tyler, the Creator ‘ ‘Yonkers’ ‘ 2011 UGK – ‘International Player’s Anthem’ ‘ 2007 Warren G ‘ ‘Regulate’ ‘ 1994 Wu-Tang Clan ‘ ‘C.R.E.A.M.’ ‘ 1993 Young Jeezy ‘ ‘Go Crazy (remix)’ ‘ 2005. Read more on Old Skool Rap […]
Joel
No ATCQ? De La Soul?
Son of Prog
They only released one album, but Cannibal Ox is great.
Yutsano
No Beastie Boys or Wu-Tang Clan?
EDIT: SIR-MIX-A-LOT! DUDE!!
BGinCHI
Am I the only one who knows/remembers the song “Space Cowboy”?
I grew up with Rapper’s Delight and Grandmaster Flash, and that was in the rural midwest. So my expertise is limited.
Though I was an early Prince fan (early 80s).
Craig
Bloodhound Gang, Jesus. That is distressing.
Eric B and Rakim
Various and sundry bits of the Wu Tang, esp. Gza and Ghostface
Tribe, of course.
El Cruzado
This screams for a Balloon-Juice vs. TNC crossover.
BGinCHI
For you classic country music fans, you may recognize rap in the work of Whispering Bill Anderson.
Just add quicker thinking, obscenity, and crotch grabbing.
Steeplejack (phone)
Mos Def, Black on Both Sides. Maybe not “rappy” enough? But I like it a lot.
Hunter Gathers
Too Short.
You have to admire anyone with the, shall we say, intestinal fortitude to rap about receiving fellatio from Nancy Reagan.
The Newtster
Who cares?! They all need to get off my lawn! Why aren’t you all paying attention to me instead?!
sloan
@BGinCHI: Yeah, let’s get some White Lines in there.
Steeplejack
@Steeplejack (phone):
Mos Def, “Umi Says.”
Damn it. I was going to bed, just checked Balloon Juice one last time on my Droid, like you do, and saw this thread. Thought about Mos Def but didn’t decide to get up and get on the real computer until I thought of Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth’s “They Reminisce over You” and knew I wouldn’t be able to get it out of my head until I heard it again.
Mission accomplished. I shall return upon the morn.
eemom
Fight The Power from Do The Right Thing.
Also too, the raptastic version of Take This Job and Shove It from the end of Office Space.
(why yes, I am a middle aged white ‘burbie mom who hasn’t been out of the house in 20 years; why do you ask?)
Craig
White Lines (still) gets tagged as a Grandmaster Flash song, but it was all Melle Mel (with an assist from Liquid Liquid).
Steeplejack
No rap collection would be complete without “Straight Outta Compton.”
eemom
@Hunter Gathers:
hey! that reminds me of a joke from the early 1980s, long before OJ Simpson was a murderer, that involved OJ and the Reagans.
The punch line was “That you, OJ?”
To any BJer that can recount that joke – WITHOUT
cheatinggoogling, I solemnly swear to contribute $25 to a charity of your choice.msskwesq
The Best Rap Album: Dr. Dre snd Snoop Dog, The Chronic.
msskwesq
I’m also a huge fan of Kanye West and Jay Z…
xochi
Biz Markie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQBcur3cIIk&feature=related
eemom
@Craig:
I have no idea what any of that means, but: Rang dang diddly rang dang, SNUFF.
here4tehbeer
Diamond D (pretty much anything) but especially the “Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop” album.
The tracks “What you seek” and “Sally got a one-track mind” you may recognize.
4jkb4ia
LL Cool J, “I Can’t Live Without My Radio”. One of the very few rap records including “Rapper’s Delight” to make The Heart of Rock and Soul.
Afrika Bambaataa was there close enough to the beginning to be essential.
Nas! How did everyone in this thread forget him so far?
Definitely Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. TNC’s posts on her are sufficient reason to include her.
The prophet Nostradumbass
Ice Cube’s “AmeriKKKA’s Most Wanted” album.
MikeJ
It’s nice to have Ice-T, both in OG mode and in rocker (Body Count) mode.
Suprême NTM is great. Understanding French isn’t strictly necessary in my view, but the lyrics are worth understanding.
Here’s a song for our times from Speech.
wetcasements
“the Bloodhound Gang”
Wut?
JGabriel
@eemom:
Liquid Liquid was an indie (idependent label) post-punk (not punk, but influenced by its situationist and and anti-consumerist aesthetic (think New Order)) dance band in the early 80’s, most famous for the circa 1982/83 song Cavern, which rap “collective” Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel & the Furious Five sampled (i.e., snipped part of the song and looped it as the bass track) on their 1983 rap single / dance club hit White Lines (Don’t Do It).
This moment in 80’s alt music trivia brought to you by Former College DJ’s Geek Club, 1983-1986.
.
Djur
@Yutsano: Beasties and Wu-Tang for sure. If we’re talking about songs… “Shadrach” for Beasties, and… well, my favorite Wu-Tang track is “Swordsman” off Liquid Swords, but for the ensemble, let’s say “Protect Ya Neck”. I also really, really love “Glaciers Of Ice” (Raekwon) and “Daytona 500” (Ghostface).
Can’t leave out Nas. I’d like to say “the entirety of Illmatic”, but let’s say… “The World Is Yours” or maybe “Halftime”.
Cole might not be a fan of Tupac, but All Eyez On Me is one of my favorite albums. I guess… “How Do U Want It?” would be what I’d pick out.
Oh: “Criminal Minded”, also.
@Craig: Nothing wrong with the Bloodhound Gang, but no, I wouldn’t put them on any kind of rap list.
4jkb4ia
MC Lyte for being the best early female rapper.
Craig
@Djur: We will have to agree to disagree about whether or not there is anything wrong with the Bloodhound Gang but hopefully we can all agree that, on a list of the top 1 billion rappers of all time, they are standing out in the snow with their faces pressed against the glass. Probably not wearing any pants, either.
Jewish Steel
Let’s not forget UGK and the drrrty south.
Oh, and not to mention Matisyahu. (J/k! He is ridic.)
middlewest
Outkast surely deserves a mention.
hhex65
The Fat Boys, naturally, but also The Skinny Boys. Got to have human beatboxes in there
JGabriel
Just to get in a word for white Birmingham rappers, The Streets’ Turn the Page or Dry Your Eyes might be worth inclusion.
.
C.J.
Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest is a top 3 record of all time. Mandatory.
superfly
The R, the Eighteenth Letter, the Microphone Fiend, Rakim, the Jimi Hendrix of MC’s.
burritoboy
albums you need:
Del Tha Funkee Homosapien’s Deltron 3030
KRS-One’s Criminal Minded
Murs’ Murs for President
Latryx’ The Album
MF Doom and Madlib: Madvilliany
MF Doom and Danger Mouse: The Mouse and the Mask
MF Doom’s Operation Doomsday
The Roots’ Things Fall Apart
Stetsasonic’s On Fire
Kool Keith (as Dr. Octagon): Dr. Octagonecologyst
4jkb4ia
@middlewest:
Yes, you need someone to represent the South that was actually about lyrics.
Common and Gang Starr from the TNC vault.
Elias Schewel
The Roots (but I’m from Philly)
Big L
And I second any motion to ATCQ and De La Soul
Murakami
Anything from Del the Funkee Homosapien though if you can have only one, get Deltron2020.
De la Soul, Tribe Called Quest, and Digable Planets should also be in there for when you feel like a DFH. And can’t forget Kool Keith.
Since you’re including things from the ’90s, throw in DJ Shadow who had the best mix/beats album of the decade.
If you like the beats and are willing to try something new, try Clams Casino’s instrumentals. (Illest Alive is a good place to start. Or something really lush like All I Need)
And since it’s late at night, here’s some dance music properly mixed for our paranoid and delusional times.
JGabriel
middlewest @ 31:
Oh yeah, definitely. But where to begin and where to stop?
Well, here’s three anyway:
Rosa Parks
Bombs Over Baghdad
Ms. Jackson
.
duck-billed placelot
Where the ladies at? Lauren Hill, yes, obviously.
Missy Elliot, Eve, Lil’ Kim, M.I.A., Remy Ma, M.I.A….
JGabriel
@duck-billed placelot: Yep, all of them too.
.
Amanda in the South Bay
MC Hammer?
duck-billed placelot
Also, this is one of the few non-Anne-Laurie posts in a long time to make me happy instead of outraged/sullen/depressed
David Koch
This Obama/Jay-Z mash up is ill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R2pOZuBd_U
JGabriel
Wait, no Geto Boys yet?
Mind Playin’ Tricks On Me
As AlverezTommy says: “You know it’s real rap when it’s 240p.”
.
Killjoy
Cool Breeze, OutKast, and Goodie Mob
Vodkamuppet
@MikeJ: I got arrested for shoplifting once when I was a kid and I was wearing a Body Count t-shirt, right around the time Cop Killer came out. Needless to say, the police were not pleased with me.
Anyway, am I the only one who remembers The Fat Boys?
eemom
@David Koch:
DHS or it didn’t happen.
delphi_ote
Yo, Balloon Juicers, I’m really happy for you. Imma let you finish, but Kanye is one of the best rappers of all time.
OF ALL TIME!
(P.S. John Cole doesn’t care about black people)
Spiffy McBang
Yeah, JC… the Bloodhound Gang, good god. Save a little face and edit that shit out of there.
I guess an “essential rap collection” would fill up with great, better-known artists first, but two guys no one’s mentioned (and I’m not surprised) are The Last Emperor and Immortal Technique. They deserve to be in any collection based on lyrical depth, and their skills are off the wall.
Last Emp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPT566kdsOk (never mind the average quality, all the other versions are worse remixes)
Tech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AXnS3y4knQ&feature=related (IMO, listen without watching the lyrics)
Vodkamuppet
Oh! Not sure that it’s essential for a serious hip hop mix but Dee Dee Ramones rap album is possibly the most unintentionally hilarious thing I’ve ever heard. YouTube it.
Larime the Gimp
@Vodkamuppet: I remember them!
I’ll add:
Kool Moe Dee
Tone Loc
Doug E Fresh & Slick Rick
ETA: Heavy D
moderateindy
Probably more in the category of Chicago house music but back in my college days Laid Back’s, White Horse, was the shit. Also, Newcleus’ Jam on it has to be included. Boogie down productions and KRS-One have to be in any list about rap or hip hop. My Philosophy from BDP is just as relevant now as it was back in the day. And don’t forget Big Daddy Kane
H.E. Pennypacker, Wealthy Industrialist
My fav rap album is Tricks of the Shade from a 90’s Philly band called The Goats. It’s almost a concept album in the genre. A must own!
Brian S
No Salt-n-Pepa? What the hell, y’all?
ImJohnGalt
Thank goodness someone mentioned Kool Moe Dee & Doug E. Fresh.
Kurtis Blow’s original “Basketball” has it all over the shite that was Bow Wow’s version.
You gotta have some Whodini in there, even if it’s just “Five Minutes of Funk” or “Freaks Come Out at Night”.
You should have a Big Daddy Kane tune or two.
No (old Skool) rap collection is complete without “Fly Girl”, by Boogie Boys.
De La Soul, Das Efx would be in my collection. Whoever mentioned “Space Cowboy” was thinking of The Jonzun Crew.
Definitely some “Radio”-era LL Kool J, Newcleus (“Jam on It” is a classic)
I’d probably also include some old Run DMC, UTFO, and most certainly “Regulate”, by Warren G.
Anyway, I went into the wayback machine for this, because I figured everyone else would have you covered for contemporary rap. (Although if you haven’t heard them, I’d suggest having a listen to Brother Ali and La Coka Nostra [two different artists]).
MikeJ
@Vodkamuppet: I saw Ice-T open for himself at the old 9:30 club. First set rap, second set Body Count. Was almost as cool as when I saw Sonic Youth open for the Beastie Boys at some dump in between DC & Balmer.
Jc
Glad someone put in eric b and rakim there. Also mos def, roots – roots show is AMAZING. In terms of pure enjoyment, those two and cypress hill are my fave to see. The best from cypress just kicks the entire set, same with roots.
Also, a personal fave, though not really essential – Brand Nubian fan.
Must have listened to everything is everything 1000 times. Whole album is amazing, and doesn’t even have any songs that really became big., not like slow down or punks jump up.
I’ve left out the obvious late 80,s early 90’s of course, b/c everyone knows them.
Outlast, lil Wayne, both have some great stuff.
ImJohnGalt
@Vodkamuppet: No, you’re not. Someone above mentioned them. *Love* the “Human Beat Box”. Brrrrrrrr-stick ’em, ha ha ha stick ’em!
I gotta go through my old skool collection now.
Short Bus Bully
@The prophet Nostradumbass:
You called it before I could. Fucking AMAZING album…
Short Bus Bully
@C.J.: Fuck yes.
Jc
The correct pop-hip pop gets no love, but still is fun to dance to the once every few months I’m out with younger friends clubbing. Much more natural to dance to.
ImJohnGalt
You know what? Screw this. All you need is at The Rub.
Make sure you click through “older entries”. It goes all the way back to 1979. And it’s downloadable. For free.
You’re all welcome.
sherifffruitfly
Whatever hasn’t been yet mentioned among:
Grandmaster Flash (White Lines in particular)
Blondie: Rapture.
The Colors Soundtrack (their version of Paid In Full is teh shit)
Run DMC (besides some of the famous ones, old stuff like King of Rock and You Talk Too Much)
Tupac: California Love
Too Live Crew (no matter what Tipper says)
Raven
Frank Zappa Trouble Every Day
You know we got to sit around at home
And watch this thing begin
But I bet there won’t be many live
To see it really end
‘Cause the fire in the street
Ain’t like the fire in the heart
And in the eyes of all these people
Don’t you know that this could start
On any street in any town
In any state if any clown
Decides that now’s the time to fight
For some ideal he thinks is right
And if a million more agree
There ain’t no Great Society
As it applies to you and me
Our country isn’t free
And the law refuses to see
If all that you can ever be
Is just a lousy janitor
Unless your uncle owns a store
You know that five in every four
Just won’t amount to nothin’ more
Gonna watch the rats go across the floor
And make up songs about being poor
AlladinsLamp
Gil Scott Heron
Mortimer
Doubling up on Brand Nubian and Tribe Called Quest (esp. Low-End Theory),adding Poor Righteous Teachers, Pharcyde, and Re-up Gang…
Napoleon
There is nothing essential about rap.
homerhk
@H.E. Pennypacker, Wealthy Industrialist:
Absolutely with you on that one. Fantastic album, played it to death while I was at university. Now sadly you can’t buy it anywhere but I got myself a copy from ebay. Much of that album was about poppy bush but listening to it while Bush the younger was in power and the themes were just as relevant.
JBP
Gotta go with Tribe’s “Scenario”, Mobb Deep’s “Shook Ones Pt. 2”, EPMD “Whatcha Sayin'”, Tupac’s “Hit em Up” (greatest diss song ever), Eric B and Rakim’s “Paid in Full”, Run DMC “Kings of Rock”, “South Bronx” by Boogie Down Production, “Busta Move” (because it’s fun) by Young MC, “Welcome to the Terror Dome” by Public Enemy, “Flava in ya ear” Craig Mack (remix with Biggie and others), “Nas is Like” by Nas and for something slow, “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss” by PM Dawn (with the True sample from Spandau Ballet).
Raven
Check out Tupac in “Gridlocked” with Tim Roth. Two junkies in Detroit try to get into rehab. Hilarious flick.
harlana
Mark Halperin hearts Newt
Fucen Pneumatic Fuck Wrench Tarmal
mobb deep
bone thugs n harmony
Ben Cisco
@AlladinsLamp: AlladinsLamp nailed it with THE reference, the one from whom all things rap flowed. RIP Gil.
Tim
@xochi:
Damn, beat me to it.
Maxwel
None, rap isn’t music. It’s acting.
burnspbesq
There are only two essential rap songs.
One is the precursor to all of rap, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.”
The other is “The Message.”
The rest? No thanks.
burnspbesq
Also too, happy 91st birthday, Dave Brubeck. More musical talent than the aggregate of every rapper who ever lived.
SiubhanDuinne
@burnspbesq:
Yes.
@burnspbesq:
Yes indeed.
Bludger
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
The only album you would ever need. I dare say, one of the best albums ever produced in any era.
jeffreyw
Yo! Kids!
Off my lawn Yo!
Yo kids! Kids!
Off my lawn!
Git git dammit!
vernon
Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel, The Sequence, Afrika Bambaataa, Kurtis Blow, Spoonie Gee, Kool Moe D, Big Daddy Kane, KRS-One and Boogie Down Productions, Rakim.
Brubeck? Jazz for people who don’t like jazz? Frosting without any cake? Chickenshit.
4tehlulz
No Gangstarr? Let me fix that.
Also:
NAS
Wu Tang
Grandmaster Flash
Ice-T
NWA
NWH
Public Enemy
polyorchnid octopunch
Classic late 80s rap from north of the border:
Dream Warriors http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXAJZmlRMdc
Maestro Fresh Wes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pzull7scV2Y
Shuffle Demons: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZnLjRi_g9o
master c
another vote for the Chronic. and PM Dawn.
RalfW
Beastie Boys and Cypress Hill are my two additions (both mentioned upthread, but I’m sayin’ it again.
Fucen Pneumatic Fuck Wrench Tarmal
@burnspbesq:
dude that is funny as hell. i don’t even think lawrence welk listened to that lawrence welk bullshit.
Lawnguylander
Outkast is the best hip hop act of all time.
MF Doom has already been mentioned but here he is having fun with Talib Kweli on that Danger Mouse album.
Lawnguylander
Also, check out this Big Boi/Black Keys mash up by Wick-It the Instigator. Available for free download with a little bit of googling.
Corbin Dallas Multipass
Deltron 3030?
Wag
Idiot Wind by Bobby Dylan
Elizabelle
Can we haz new thread?
Can we really haz a Dave Brubeck thread?
(Prepared to be schooled, rap affecianados.)
91 years old today. The real deal.
Omnes Omnibus
Most rappers I can think of have already been covered, but here is some Schooly D.
russell
Don’t you know that I’m a gangster of love?
Gil Scott Heron and Grandmaster Flash, all good. Don’t forget Kool Herc!
But the real great unsung hero of rap is Clyde Stubblefield. If that guy isn’t cashing a giant royalty check each and every day, there is no justice in this world.
Raven
@Wag: Jokerman
Comrade Baron Elmo
Seconding Gang Starr, De La Soul, Eric B & Rakim and Tribe Called Quest.
Also Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, Mantronix (“nee-dle-to-tha-groove…”), MF Doom, Jungle Brothers, Del (dude’s got a great triple CD set that came out this year that’ll run ya about fifteen bucks), Kool Keith (particularly in his Dr. Doom and Dr. Octagon guises), Main Source, The Coup, LL Cool J’s (first and fourth albums especially), J. Dilla, Pharcyde (mainly their first), Brand Nubian (ditto), and Madlib. Pretty much anything by Madlib, including his DJ mixes.
A few obscure rap CDs worth tracking down: New Kingdom: Paradise Don’t Come Cheap, Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf: Big Shots, Downtown Science: Downtown Science. And kudos to them that mentioned The Goats’ Trick of the Shade, yo.
Problem is that hip-hop, especially old school, is more of a singles than an albums music… and there are dozens of acts who dropped a killer 12-inch or two and never made it to the LP leagues, or the album wasn’t all that. One need only point to such cold crushers as Funky 4 + 1 “That’s the Joint,” Fearless Four “Rockin’ It,” Crash Crew “Breaking Bells.” or Sequence “Monster Jam.”
Tommy Boy had a 12-disc box set of (mostly) Eighties hip-hop singles that was the mutha-effin’ BOMB. I burned a five-disc best-of from that box that will rock the party all damn night.
pukebot
meh, alot of boring shit in this thread so i’m gonna bust an all caps in your ass. GUERRILLA FUNK BY PARIS.
BattleCobra90000
Since this is a BJ list, I submit MC 900 Ft. Jesus
Donut
Probably all of these have been mentioned already, but missing from Cole’s list:
Tribe Called Quest
Beastie Boys
Outkast
the Roots
Ice T
More on the pure pop tip, but still fun:
Young MC
Salt-n-Peppa
And 2 Live Crew, just because.
I read this list and it shows I am 40.
EIGRP
I don’t know anything about rap, so I’ll add 2 Live Jews and Ice T to the mix.
Eric
Lawnguylander
I don’t see the need for a Dave Brubeck thread when we can make fun of that soulless hack and his crackuh-ass-crackuh fans right here.
Surly Duff
Essential rap songs? Well, the ones I have not seen listed so far that I would include would be:
Pete Rock & C. L. Smooth “They reminisce over you”, Wu-Tang Clan “C.R.E.A.M.”, ATCQ “Scenario” and “Eleectric Relaxation” (or about 20 others), Dre & Snoop “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ thang”, Pharcyde “Passin me by”, Talib Kweli “The blast”, Warren G. & Nate Dogg “Regulate”, Slick Rick & Doug E Fresh “Ladidadi”, Marley Marl & the Juice Crew “Symphony”. That’s a good start.
There are so many more artists that are great, but I wouldn’t include on a “Rap Essentials” list: Blackalicious, People Under the Stairs, J-Live, Immortal Technique, Little Brother, Foreign Exchange, etc.
invisible_hand
blackalicious
black star (mos def, talib kweli)
tribe called quest
de la soul
zubalove
De La Soul
Tribe Called Quest
Beastie Boys
LL Cool Jay
Cypress Hill
House of Pain (“Just Another Victim”)
3rd Base and MC Serch (“Back to the Grill”) had one or two note worthy jams.
Common
Mos Def
Mark S.
Some guy at Clownhall:
Ah yes, that was such a happy tale.
Shit, conservatives are so warped these days, maybe they do think it’s a pro-capitalist novel.
Mark S.
@Mark S.:
Whoops, forgot
via
Brian R.
The Bloodhound Gang? I’m white, but Jesus Christ, you must be practically translucent.
I’d say:
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Kool Moe Dee
Big Daddy Kane
Public Enemy
EPMD
LL Cool Jay
Eric B. and Rakim
NWA
De La Soul
Black Sheep
Tribe Called Quest
Black Star
Blackalicious
Asheru
The Roots
Outkast
Mos Def
Biggie
Kanye West
Jay-Z
The Golux
I guess it marks me as an old fogy that I’m surprised that it took 69 comments before someone expressed my attitude about rap – meh.
Though I admit there are a few Beasties’ numbers that I like, and I found some of Fatboy Slim’s stuff amusing.
vernon
YES to Gang Starr. HELL YES to Slick Rick and Doug E Fresh!
Who remembers “Double Dutch Bus”? I know it’s corny, but that was THE CUT back in 3rd Grade!
Hey, Pat Boone turned 91? Tell Mater to set out a tea.
Nick L
Souls of Mischief, 93 Til Infinity.
FlipYrWhig
@Mark S.: I think they’re mixing up the Joads and the Clampetts.
Matt Finnigan
Sage Francis. By far, not the weirdest guy to come out of Providence, but if you want a good rapper, he’s one that I’ll put up there. Not if you’re thinking “retrospective” or “shit people will recognize”, mind you ….
HT
Milk is chillin, Gizmo’s chillin
What more can I say, top billin
That’s what we get, got it? Good
And since you understood…
redbeardjim
I can’t believe I’m the first to mention Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock.
Hit it!
grape_crush
YT’s Thinking of a master plan.
A Tribe Called Quest
Fu-Schnickens
Cypress Hill
Geto Boys
The Pharcyde
Public Enemy
The Fugees
Just to name a few. Also liking Jurassic 5, Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Common…
nastybrutishntall
@burritoboy: This. And I’d include Blackalicious’ “Nia” on there as well.
nevsky42
Solo Ice Cube crushes solo Eazy-E. AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted, Death Certificate and The Predator are must-owns. After that, he’s merely good.
4jkb4ia
@114: That made “The Heart of Rock and Soul”, too. But it was about #980 and was included to make a point about pop more than one about rap. I don’t think even Dave Marsh would say it was essential. So I demurred.
Hey John, I think I saw what you did making the title from “Country Grammar”.
This thread has turned out really well now that actual hip-hop heads have showed up.
Cassidy
The Gangstagrass album.
4jkb4ia
That would certainly include burritoboy@36. I will go look for some of those.
Ian
Can’t believe the list has gone this long without Busta Rhymes
break ya neck
http://youtu.be/GrghtXWfVYM
gimme some more
http://youtu.be/eHHT7dTmw8U
put your hands where my eye can see
http://youtu.be/1chIpba4yQ4
pass the courvoisier
http://youtu.be/JAYXRtNxsGA
touch it (remix)
http://youtu.be/GDtn_FtU614?t=42s
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
ImJohnGalt
For those that missed my link above, The Rub has a 32-part “History of Hip Hop”, with a mix from each of the years from 1979 to 2010. All downloadable, and all free. Go grab ’em if you’d like to get a real picture of how the form has evolved over 3 decades.
Moses2317
Public Enemy
The Roots
3rd Bass
Jurrasic 5
Blackalicious
Outkast
Tribe
KRS-One
De La Soul
Ice Cube
Eminem
Bone Thugs ‘n Harmony
Howlin Wolfe
@msskwesq: Don’t know how Cole could have left them off, either.
Mitch
Bloodhound Gang? Are you fuckin serious? It’s redundant to say De La Soul, but you have to get Buhloone Mindstate. Also, Illmatic by Nas is widely regarded as one of the best rap albums of all time. For something more recent, check out MF Doom (or just “Doom” now). Either Madviallainy, Mmmm…Food, or Dangerdoom, they’re all good.
mattH
Wu-Tang Ponies for those who haven’t seen it.
burnspbesq
@Lawnguylander:
Ignoramus.
Jado
LIMP BIZKIT!!!!
And now everyone’s heads will explode…
burnspbesq
@vernon:
“Hey, Pat Boone turned 91.”
My, aren’t we witty.
dswagz
The Chubbster – Chubb Rock
& Kool Moe Dee
Represent.
Bill Murray
As a hipster, I only go for good, obscure stuff, so listen to People 4 Prez by The Perceptionists (also Mr. Lif’s later stuff is good too). Follow that with Seattle’s great hip hop group Blue Scholars
splittee
one for new avenues and one to show you’re down.
for the fogies, A$AP Rocky will set you straight:
http://youtu.be/KuZ2QZKYj7c
and for the people that can only relate when white people do rap (for some weird reason), off ice cube’s classic amerikkka’s most wanted, “the nigga you love to hate”:
http://youtu.be/UN2D9yct2tY
Herbal Infusion Bagger
What, no love for MC Stephen Hawking?
http://www.myspace.com/mchawking
Admittedly, the continual toll the Cambridge/MIT theoretical physicist gangsta wars marred his career up until a truce was negotiated by Stephen Weinberg.
snabby
Gotta add some Third Bass.
Tone in DC
@JGabriel:
Definitely remember that track.
Black Sheep, too. “Flavor of the month”.
gbear
Late to the game here and didn’t read previous 136 comments, but I’ll toss The Disposable Heroes of Hiphopcracy into the mix. Really literate stuff.
Bubblegum Tate
@Comrade Baron Elmo:
One of my favorites. I would love to do a record with Bosco Money, except that he quit rapping.
To showcase how great beats used to be, the first albums by Cypress Hill and Main Source must be represented. Low Profile’s “We In This Together” should get some bump–either “Pay Ya Dues” or “A Funky Song.” And nobody has said Digital Underground yet? Seriously? Shock G is a muthafuckin’ genius, and DU goes so much deeper than “Humpty Dance.”
One of my personal favorites would be Super Lover Cee and Casanova Rud, but not everybody gets as hyped on them as I do. Supe just sounds like what I think a rapper is supposed to sound like, even if he’s lyrically just average. Also gotta give a nod to Stezo, as his “It’s My Turn” was the first time the Skull Snaps break was ever heard, and people went crazy for it (plus, check him out doing the Steve Martin in the video!), and to the Beatnuts for having amazing beats and one hilarious rapper (Psycho Les).
And finally: X-Clan. Brother J is the shit.
Chukwu
I think that the Black Key’s project Blakroc is a pretty solid album. As for essentials that haven’t been mentioned yet, gotta go with Slum Village (Specifically Fantastic vol 1 & 2). The late great J Dilla was one of the best producers to ever do it.
A somewhat related question: why do people always feel the need to trash rap music in rap threads? I don’t come to other music threads and talk shit about Phish.
Tractarian
The Low End Theory is the greatest rap album that has ever been, or ever will be, produced. It, itself, is as good as any greatest-hits collection.
Bubblegum Tate
Special Ed–“I Got It Made” or “The Mission” or “Come On Let’s Move It” or, for a slept-on album cut, “I’m Special Ed”
Poor Righteous Teachers–“Rock Dis Funky Joint” or “Shakilya” (the 12-inch version with the Maynard Ferguson loop)
Lord Finesse–“Baby You Nasty” or “Return of the Funky Man”
Fuck, I could go on for days….
O'Shea J
Oooh, I love rap lists!
Here’s my unnecessarily long contribution, which omits some great acts that just couldn’t fit (mostly for the underground rap collector).
The originators of the new school rap sound:
Public Enemy – the first three albums are arguably the greatest three album run of any band, ever. Changed the whole sound of music and shaped, along with Chicago acid house, most of today’s popular music.
Boogie Down Productions / KRS-One (first two solo albums only) – close to the greatest of all time
Eric B. and Rakim – two of the most important rap records.
NWA – pioneered “gangsta” rap and made two brilliant records (Straight Outta Compton and Niggaz4life)
Beastie Boys
Sure Shots:
De La Soul (have not missed on a record yet)
Common (brilliant his whole career, but Resurrection, One Day It Will All Make Sense, and Like Water for Chocolate are the standouts)
Outkast (everything)
ATCQ (pretty much everything)
Jungle Brothers (first two albums only)
Black Sheep (A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing only)
The Roots (pretty much everything)
Brand Nubian
The Pharcyde (first two albums)
Del tha Funkee Homosapien (plus the whole Hieroglyphics family)
Wu-Tang Clan (including ODB, Ghostface, Raekwon, GZA, Method Man and Inspectah Deck solo records as well – Only Built 4 Cuban Links is one of the great albums of all time)
Kool Keith (the Heironymus Bosch of hip hop?)
The Alkaholiks (completely underappreciated their whole career)
Under the radar:
Aceyalone – best rapper currently plying his trade. (also, Freestyle Fellowship’s Innercity Griot’s is one of the best records of the 90’s)
KMD (MF Doom before the transition – Mr. Hood and Black Bastards are brilliant)
Jay Dee / J Dilla, particularly Jaylib and early Slum Village records
Busdriver (the Sun Ra of hip hop)
The Clipse (the modern version of the ‘gangsta’ sound)
Consequence
K-Os (representin’ rural Canada, of all places)
Pigeon John
The Cool Kids (kickin’ it old school in 2011)
Bonus:
Anything Madlib touches, i.e. Lootpack, Yesterday’s New Quintet, Quasimoto, OhNo (particularly the Gangrene project)
Can’t go wrong:
Redman, Run DMC, Organized Konfusion (and Pharoahe Monch), Kool G. Rap, Main Source, The Beatnuts, Ultramagnetic MC’s, Camp Lo, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, E-40, Geto Boys (took NWA’s game and raised it), Biz Markie, Diamond D, Digital Underground, Kanye West, Kool Moe Dee, Ice-T (first three albums), Lupe Fiasco, Big Daddy Kane, Diamond D, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Ice Cube (first three albums), Goodie Mob, Ed OG (first record), Dana Dane, EPMD, LL Cool J, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Black Star (Mos Def + Talib Kweli), Blackalicious, Souls of Mischief, Ludacris, Black Moon, Mobb Deep, Cypress Hill (first two records), Lord Finesse, Positive K, Digable Planets, Murs, Black Milk, Jeru tha Damaja, Kardinall Offishall, Nas, Leaders of the New School, X Clan (agreed with the above – Brother J is the shit), Masta Ace, Nice & Smooth, Poor Righteous Teachers, Schooly D, Too Short
And props to those who were in on the Occupy Everywhere action before it was cool:
Paris
The Coup
Dead Prez
Intelligent Hoodlum (currently ‘Tragedy Khadafi’)
Captain Goto
I listen to live jazz 3-4 times a week, and I find it a transcendent experience. Being friends with the musicians probably helps that way.
And yet, what Chukwu said. Sheer snobbery, IMHO.
Cpuppy
Westside Connection ! Anybody who can take a Nine Inch Nails song and accapella it into just as awesome Gangsta Rap epic is f’ing genius… not sure wear Ice-cube went after that
Ian
just for funs
MC Chris
fette’s vette
http://youtu.be/KwcVXnTN7D4
white kids love hip hop
http://youtu.be/-3wHOacltP4
DQ Blizzard
http://youtu.be/SA4rmVMbScc
Sentient Puddle
Hey, this thread is handy. I decided today that I want to get into The Roots a little more than what I currently know (which amounts to approximately The Seed 2.0). What’s a good starting point? It sounds like Things Fall Apart is the obvious pick, but anything else worth highlighting?
4jkb4ia
@123: Good gracious, I haven’t thought of “Request Line” in 25 years!
I actually have this book, in the same room as the computer, and the Wall Street pile got so high that I forgot.
Speaking of which, Ho has a great riff on “corporations are people” waiting for a Romney thread to be put into. Essentially her point is that even Adam Smith knew there was a conflict between owners and managers. If you focus on shareholder value one of the things that indubitably gets you is that the corporation is seen as the shareholders as one idealized shareholder–one person. And that has nothing to do with the legal fiction coming out of Santa Clara in its logic.
4jkb4ia
@Sentient Puddle:
Illadelph Halflife is a good record. It is either their first or second.
Bubblegum Tate
@O’Shea J:
“Arrest the President” is my shit. That record knocked my head sideways when I first heard it back in the day.
Also: Did I seriously forget to say Tuff Crew? What the fuck? TUFF CREW, DAMMIT.
jake the snake
@Craig:
Not going to argue about whether they should be consider rappers, but with the line, “You and me, baby, we’re nothin’ but mammals, so let’s do it like they do on the discovery channel”, they should be on some list.
For the ballad of Chasey Laine, also, too.
The Populist
Eric B And Rakim no doubt.
I’d also add old school NYC rap like UTFO and early LL Cool J whose first two albums kicked ass.
cthulhu
@wetcasements:Yeah, I am not sure I would juxtapose “Bloodhound Gang” and “NWA” though I do like both.
Anyway, what about DMX and Outkast?
O'Shea J.
@Bubblegum Tate
Too bad I have to work – you and I could go on all day. Currently playing: X-Clan’s Grand Verbalizer What Time Is It? Genius…
TOP123
@O’Shea J:
good list, and nice name reference, Mr. C.
Another late vote for Rakim…’ll say Peace.
mai naem
I recognize some of these names and that’s about it. I am an old fart I guess. Does Blondie’s Rapture count? “And the man from Mars just came on down and he ate the cars and he ate your head and then you’ll be singin’ in the rain Rapture seashore!!! Yeah, I think this proves that’s I’m an old fart.
pragmatism
MFDOOM/madlvillain. The best rapper with no chain you ever heard. Intricate rhymes and no choruses or hooks
Also too EPMD
gil mann
@Maxwel:
@burnspbesq:
Ha, I’m old enough to remember when dipshits like you were the majority opinion, then hip-hop took over the world, just like everyone who ever hurt themselves trying to breakdance knew it would.
How’s that ash-heap of history? Comfy?
burritoboy
Thanks for all the shout-outs.
I met Dan the Automator just randomly waiting for a burger at Johnny Rocket’s (no, I’m not joking) and he told me there was going to be a Deltron 3030 sequel in a few months….that was three years ago. Good to hear about Del coming out with new music.
Yeah, I was wondering why it took so long for somebody to mention Digital Underground. Shock G and Murs on Murs’ Risky Business are hilarious.
Here’s some white rappers who are actually good rappers:
MC Paul Barman
Aesop Rock
Ugly Ducklings
Mighty Underdogs should get a mention. I love Mr. Lif too.
Bubblegum Tate
@O’Shea J.:
Once I get started with the rap lists, it’s hard to stop. It’s probably good that I’m not home right now, otherwise I’d be going through my crates like crazy.
I got to open up for Brother J back in 2003 or so–I was so unbelievably excited for that. I got him to autograph the cover of one of my “Funkin Lesson” 12-inches (the Euro-import with the remix by the Stereo MCs); it’s currently framed and hanging on my wall.
Comrade Baron Elmo
I want to give another plug to the Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf Big Shots album, ‘cos it’s in print and too few folks have heard it. The Onion tapped it as #1 on their list of Great Hip-Hop Albums Known By Too Few. Nimble, groove-laden, crammed with great ideas yet absolutely accessible, this is a great rap album to play for folks who aren’t really into rap. If Charizma hadn’t been iced in a mugging at the age of 20 in 1993, there’s no doubt in my mind that he could’ve been a major player in the game.
If I can get just one of y’all to check out this killer album, my work here is done.
Comrade Baron Elmo
Arrrrgh! How could I have forgotten Blu & Exile’s Below the Heavens!? This lost 2007 hip-hop masterpiece is temporarily available again, so don’t sleep on it. Less than a year ago, this disc was fetching an easy hundred smackers on eBay and Amazon.
Okay, I’m really done now. Peace out.
nick
100 essential tracks. Dates may be inaccurate.
Aesop Rock – “Daylight” – 2001
Afrika Bambaataa – “Planet Rock” – 1980
A Tribe Called Quest – “Oh My God” – 1993
Audio Two – “Top Billin” – 1987
Beastie Boys – “Car Thief” – 1989
Beastie Boys – “B-Boy Bouillabaisse” – 1989
Big Boi – “Shutterbugg” – 2010
Big Boi – “Shine Blockas” – 2010
Big Punisher – “Still Not a Player” – 1998
Black Star – “Respiration” – 1998
Cam’ron – “Hey Ma” – 2002
Cam’ron – “Soap Opera” – 2004
Clipse – “Zen” – 2005
The Coup – “Me and Jesus the Pimp in a ’79 Granada Last Night” – 1998
The Coup – “Ghetto Manifesto” – 2001
Curren$y – “The Day” – 2010
Cypress Hill – “How I Could Just Kill a Man” – 1991
De La Soul – “Eye Know” – 1989
De La Soul – “A Roller Skating Jam Named ‘Saturdays’” – 1991
Dizzee Rascal – “I Luv U” – 2002
Dr. Dre – “Lyrical Gangbang” – 1992
Dr. Octagon – “Blue Flowers” – 1996
E-40 – “Rapper’s Ball” – 1996
Eminem – “Kim” – 2000
EPMD – “Crossover” – 1992
Eric B & Rakim – “I Know You Got Soul” – 1987
Eric B & Rakim – “Follow the Leader” – 1988
Freeway – “What We Do” – 2003
The Fugees – “Fu-Gee-La” – 1996
The Game – “Hate It or Love It” – 2005
Geto Boys – “Mind Playin’ Tricks on Me” – 1991
Ghostface Killah – “Daytona 500” – 1996
Ghostface Killah – “Shakey Dog” – 2006
Goodie Mob – “Cell Therapy” – 1995
GZA – “Liquid Swords” – 1995
GZA – “4th Chamber” – 1995
Ice Cube – “Endangered Species” – 1990
Ice Cube – “A Bird in the Hand” – 1991
Ice Cube – “It Was a Good Day” – 1993
Jay-Z – “Can’t Knock the Hustle” – 1995
Jay-Z – “Big Pimpin” – 1999
Jay-Z – “Heart of the City” – 2001
Jay-Z – “Ignorant Shit” – 2007
Juvenile – “Ha” – 1999
Kanye West – “Family Business” – 2004
Kanye West – “Touch the Sky” – 2005
Kanye West – “Runaway” – 2010
Kool G Rap – “Streets of New York” – 1990
Kurtis Blow – “The Breaks” – 1980
Lauryn Hill – “Doo Wop” – 1998
Lil’ B – “I Seen That Light” – 2011
Lil’ Wayne – “Georgia Bush” – 2006
Lil’ Wayne – “Dough is What I Got” – 2007
Lil’ Wayne – “Let the Beat Build” – 2008
LL Cool J – “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” – 1985
Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz – “Deja Vu” – 1997
Luniz – “I Got 5 On It” – 1995
M.O.P. – “Ante Up” – 2000
Madvillain – “Fancy Clown” – 2004
Madvillain – “ALL CAPS” – 2004
Missy Elliott – “Get Ur Freak On” – 2001
Mobb Deep – “Shook Ones pt. II” – 1995
Mos Def – “Mathematics” – 1999
Mystikal – “Bouncin’ Back” – 2001
Nas – “Life’s a Bitch” – 1994
Nas – “NY State of Mind” – 1994
Nas – “Ether” – 2002
Nas – “One Mic” – 2002
Notorious BIG – “Gimme the Loot” – 1994
Notorious BIG – “Machine Gun Funk” – 1994
Notorious BIG – “Juicy” – 1994
Notorious BIG – “Everyday Struggle” – 1994
Outkast – “Rosa Parks” – 1998
Outkast – “B.O.B.” – 2000
Outkast – “So Fresh So Clean” – 2000
Pete Rock & CL Smooth – “They Reminisce Over You” – 1992
The Pharcyde – “Oh Shit” – 1994
The Pharcyde – “Passing Me By” – 1994
Positive K – “I Got a Man” – 1992
Public Enemy – “Welcome to the Terrordome” – 1990
Raekwon – “Ice Cream” – 1995
Raekwon – “Cold Outside” – 2009
Rich Boy – “Throw Some D’s” – 2006
The Roots – “Thought @ Work” – 2002
The Roots – “The Seed 2.0” – 2002
Run-DMC – “It’s Like That” – 1984
Slick Rick – “Children’s Story” – 1988
Snoop Dogg – “Gin and Juice” – 1993
T.I. – “What You Know” – 2006
Talib Kweli – “Get By” – 2003
Too Short – “The Ghetto” – 1990
Tupac – “I Don’t Give a Fuck” – 1991
Tupac – “Old School” – 1995
Tupac – “California Love” – 1996
Tupac – “I Ain’t Mad At Cha” – 1996
Tyler, the Creator – “Yonkers” – 2011
UGK – “International Player’s Anthem” – 2007
Warren G – “Regulate” – 1994
Wu-Tang Clan – “C.R.E.A.M.” – 1993
Young Jeezy – “Go Crazy (remix)” – 2005
O'Shea J.
@nick – thanks for the stab at a list. I was working on one today but work got in the way. A sample of my thoughts, in no order since I was just working on it as time allowed:
Brand Nubian – Who Can Get Busy Like This Man?
Brand Nubian – Wake Up
Brand Nubian – Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down (although the anti-gay slur isn’t cool…)
Positive K – Pass the Mic
Positive K – A Good Combination
Positive K – How The F–k Would You Know?
Prince Paul – Handle Your Time
Public Enemy – Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos
Public Enemy – Fight the Power
Public Enemy – Rebel Without a Pause
Public Enemy – Louder Than a Bomb
Public Enemy – Miuzi Weighs a Ton
Public Enemy – Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos
Public Enemy – Terminator X Speaks with His Hands
Public Enemy – Raise The Roof
Public Enemy – Shut Em Down
Public Enemy – Timebomb
Public Enemy – Welcome to the Terrordome
Public Enemy – You’re Gonna Get Yours
Public Enemy – Public Enemy #1
Public Enemy – B-Side Wins Again
@Bubblegum Tate – the Brother J signed copy is an awesome memento, especially on that 12″ with the Stereo MC’s mix – I hadn’t even thought of that record in years… We could go back and forth all day on that stuff…
NobodySpecial
One I didn’t see, and yes, I’m very late to the party.
Scarface – The Diary. “I Seen A Man Die” is worth the full price.