the best of modern hip-hop/rap

Posted by: ErikL on 28 May 2003

the downtempo discussion got me thinking i need some new ideas. i seem stuck on dan nakamura's projects, blackalicious, the roots, and jurassic 5. mos def, common, and taleb kweli haven't excited me.

recommendations? looking for some dirty beats.
Posted on: 28 May 2003 by Mike Sae
I'm of the firm belief that American rap just isn't up to much these days. Even a lot of the Anticon boys have gotten too weird for me.

Do you have The Streets yet?

For the dirtiest in beats, try French and Japanese rap.

There's a short but sweet thread on Japanese hip hop here:
http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=67019385&f=38019385&m=5831939824&r=4461939924#4461939924

For French, try MCSolaar, Menage A 3, Gued1, La Rumeur (My favorite). There's an amazing french rap compilation called "Rap Story" that you need to buy now.

I fully admit I can't find many of these albums locally and have been reduced to downloading them on MP3. Hopefully you'll have better luck.

Enjoy.

PS If you want quick, brainless bootleg beats try
http://gybo.proboards4.com/index.cgi?#general

[This message was edited by Mike Sae on THURSDAY 29 May 2003 at 03:48.]
Posted on: 28 May 2003 by ErikL
i'm south of you.

i do have the streets- it was in my rotation through xmas or so.

sorry, but i'm still bumming that i actually paid to watch matrix reloaded today.
Posted on: 29 May 2003 by Minky
quote:
Originally posted by Ludwig:

sorry, but i'm still bumming that i actually paid to watch matrix reloaded today.

Ludwig,

How bad was it ? I haven't seen it yet but I know a lot of people who have and reports go from "utter shite" to "OK I suppose" e.g. no one really, really liked it.
Posted on: 29 May 2003 by Mekon
Lately I've been listening to...

Sixtoo - Duration
Sage Francis - Makeshift Patriot
Radioinactive - Pyramidi
Atmosphere - The Lucy Ford EP
Antipop Consortium - Shopping Carts Crashing
Legs - The Red Album
Mummy Fortuna's Theatre Company - Born of Man and Flies
Sole - Selling Live Water
Buck 65 - Square
Mr Lif - Emergency Rations
cLOUDDEAD - Peel Session

And today Nufonia Must Fall by Kid Koala, and the Them[selves] reissue arrived. My wanted list is horribly backed up at the mo'. Hopefully I'll pick up the new Odd Nosdam, Primitive Plus by Edan, The Dorian 3 album, maybe the TES album, some more stuff by Slug, and some solo stuff by Adeem next month.
Posted on: 29 May 2003 by ErikL
minky- just keep your expectations low. the action scenes were great. the story was not half as good as the first movie. it's worth seeing on a rainy sunday afternoon at a 40% discount, for example.

mekon- you must have an enormous budget for new music! i'll have to sample a few of those online...
Posted on: 29 May 2003 by Mekon
I wish. I am a poverty-stricken post-grad.
Posted on: 03 June 2003 by Jens
Mike,

Can you give more details on this French compilation called Rap Story? Just looked for it at Amazon and Chaos, and can't find it. I reckon French is a good language for rap, and want to hear more of it.

Cheers, Jens
Posted on: 03 June 2003 by Mike Sae
Jens,

In all honesty, I found it on MP3 and I've never been able to source a proper copy in Canada.

You're right though, French is a great language for rap. They've got real groovy beats going as well, unlike the stilted and awkward sound that's coming out of the States at the mo.
Posted on: 04 June 2003 by Mekon
Oh the little french stuff I have heard, TTC (great album on Big Dada), Supa Saian Crew, and MC Solaar have stood out.