let's take time for a Hip Hop break.

For the most part, my faith in the state of hip hop these days is lacking to say the least. The hip hop that is being mass marketed by the mtv generation is just not my thing, I can't get into it. As Common said "if I don't like/ I don't like it/ that don't mean that I'm hating". Not to say that there isn't quality hip hop being made, it's just harder and harder to find and the time and effort it takes to wade through all the shit is just more than I'm willing to deal with. Having said that I wanted to bring to light a few of the jems that I've run across; some new, some not. For the record, I don't count myself a hip hop aficionado, I just know what I like, and these songs are the poop. Let's begin shall we?

Doom- "That's that"

From Doom's most recent album Born Like This. More recently known as MF Doom, he has dropped the MF I think in order to complicate google searches. I have some of his older albums, my favorite being under the name Danger Doom, the album he did with DJ Danger Mouse. Danger Mouse most famous as being the guy who has produced projects with Rick Rubin-like frequency and diversity. Gnarls Barkley- check, Beck- check, Gorillaz-check, The Black Keys-check, anyway you get the idea. Back to Doom..... Born Like This is full of obscure movie samples and kung fu references, add to the equation guest spots by Raekwon and Ghostface Killa under his Tony Starks alias, and it's sure to get 36 Chambers comparisons. Although the tracks with previously mentioned Wu Tang brethren are damn good, it was the 2:15 of "that's that" that (that's 4 that's in a row for those keeping score at home) had me hooked. The song starts out with Doom getting into it instantly, he's got 4 words in by the time the song is 2 seconds old. The song is like one big freestyle, no chorus, no hook, just sick line after sick line. The melody is built on the strings that are reminiscent of something out of The Shining. No mention of his bling or how many chicks he bangs, it's thinking man's Hip Hop. Listen below:




Wale- "w.a.l.e.j.u.s.t.i.c.e"

Wale started out as a rapper/producer in the Washington D.C. scene and quickly gained notoriety locally. He released a couple mixtapes; 100 miles and running and The mixtape about nothing, which was loosely based on Seinfeld, not sure how that works. On "w.a.l.e.d.a.n.c.e.", Wale raps over Justice's track "d.a.n.c.e", which is brilliant. Seriously, when it kicks in, you will be making your dance face.



The Hood internet- "Save me concubine"
The Hood Internet: honestly, I don't know much about who they are, how many there are, etc. Essentially they take tracks by two people and remix it, not unsimilar to what Wale did with the Justice track. They release a song every couple of days. Sadly, most of them fall short, some fall really short. But every once in a while they nail it, which is the case with "save me concubine". It's Ghostface's lyrics over the music of Beirut. Damn good, also check out the Matt and Kim/ Beastie Boys track, it's kicking like van damn. Go to their site to listen:
www.thehoodinternet.com

living legends, the grouch- "artsy"
This one was a suggestion from my friend Matt. I know nothing other than these guys work closely with Slug from Atmosphere on occasion. I'm to lazy to do any research. The track it GREAT!!!
Sample lyric: "you aint artsier than me/ cause you talk real soft and drink chai tea". Seriously.




blue scholars- "southside revival"
Coming out of Seattle, the dopest hip hop since Sir Mix a lot...... well way doper (is doper a word?). I heard this several years ago on KEXP, loved it, still love it. The lyrics are relevant, no ignorance. A classic!!!!!!!!



IF you want mp3's of any of these tracks, e-mail me and I'll send it to you.