[ATM]

I've seen it a million times.

Somebody mentions rap, and about 20 comments follow with people saying how much they hate it, and how it isn't music. They claim that is just about money, killing, hoes, etc.

I can't really get angry with these people, for the sole reason that the radio is full of that bullshit. Someone will usually come along and say, "The underground has much better stuff." But without actually hearing some good rap, statements like that don't accomplish much.

So all I ask is that everyone gives rap an honest listen. If you like it, great, if not, then at least you have an educated opinion on it.

To understand rap, you need to know a little about the origin.

Rap is part of the hip hop culture, which also includes graffiti and break dancing. It came out of the South Bronx in the late seventies, stemming from funk and disco. It emerged as a form of self expression for the black and hispanic community in New York. Conditions in these neighberhoods were poor, and the way the people expressed this was through rap. Crews started to form, to give members identity, and this is deeply rooted in the hip hop culture.

Early rap recordings:

* Sugarhill Gang - Rappers Delight

http://s21.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1DQ47TVCK9EV727DLDSHFSWQCY

* Grandmaster Flash - The Message

http://s21.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=28S7IWX4P8KBU22M9IOH4CNZ89

*Run DMC - My Adidas

http://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1LSE6RTUNT57D0A1HVAYXR793K

*2 Live Crew - We Want Some Pussy

http://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=285JSDABNWTHM2JHQMZLMJSGWF


East coast rap:

*Beastie Boys - Fight For Your Right

http://s44.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1U0W2TQXCV1C11RTNWILVIF0HY

No Sleep Til Brooklyn -

http://s44.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0RB18LQ26X89H13Q7XEE0P0Z1P

*Public Enemy - Don't Believe the Hype

http://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0EL3LZRKPUX8J2JCZLYF18W25B

*Notorious BIG - Machine Gun Funk

http://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1325TMUHYKOZN05GHMYJ96PO29

*Nas - One Love

http://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0LOF7CQR49BP71U07YPNZGQ89I

*Wu Tang - Wu Tang Clan Ain't Nothin' To Fuck Wit

http://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3CHIV9VII20KM302WJ5D7FHVVX

Also check out Jay Z.

Gangsta rap:

*2pac - Hit 'Em Up

http://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2O5HOMOYB97O13SFW7IFWANBEN

Also check out NWA.

Okay, now that you have a background, let's move into some of my favorites:

*Benefit - Proceed With Caution

http://s7.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3HLOTKBRZWX1K14227175DICSD

*De La Soul - Me, Myself and I

http://s10.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0XU3IUXPBVBSQ1LOEASY5MCF7B

Potholes in my lawn

http://s10.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=15OVV1YU2VU6B1F1HGOG5FNP23

*Edan - Rapperfection

http://s49.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3PUQH502RQDKR09IKOUTPSH3CY

-Rock an Roll

http://s49.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3DIQZBJ6Y5Q9E33Y5S4VL9DA2N

*Non Prophets - Tolerance Level

http://s47.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1M629CH9524Z53B2N2UWRCAT0B

*Atmosphere - Shoes

http://s47.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=322FWM0BGJ0X51JTS9U1VQTFYF

*Propellerheards (featuring De La Soul) - Oh Yeah

http://s47.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0IK0X0UR0SR238LTO3UIFVYU5

That should get you started. Enjoy.

-Special thanks to Bartender for help with this

A new FG should be ready by May 29th.