The Weekly Dive: Hip-Hop
Starting a new series for the start of the new year. Let's get it rolling! |
1 | | Macho Man Randy Savage Be A Man
Before 2023 gets into full swing and I focus more on new stuff, I want to take time to check out genres I haven't explored as much as I'd like to and do some deep divin'.
The genre this week is HIP-HOP. I want to get a bunch of recs regardless of release day! Whatever you think is the cream of the crop or things that are a must-listen, send them my way.
I hope/expect this to fill quickly, so I'm limiting everyone to FIVE RECS. That way everyone has a shot at providing their only top shelf collection of recs.
Let's get it started! |
2 | | Nujabes Luv(sic) Hexalogy
Johnny's rec
Calming, peaceful lo-fi vibes. Beats are lovely, although I think it's at its best when an emcee is bringing them to life. 4.0 |
3 | | Eyedea and Abilities By the Throat
Johnny's rec
Experimental, intriguing beats, with a punk edge and strong emo sensibilities. Brutal listening experience given the additional context. 4.0 |
4 | | MIA Kala
Johnny's rec |
5 | | Snoop Dogg Doggumentary
Johnny's rec |
6 | | Cannibal Ox The Cold Vein
Mort's rec
Appropriately cold and vicious. 4.0 |
7 | | Three 6 Mafia Mystic Stylez
Mort's rec
I respect this release, but do not personally enjoy it. 3.0 (which was my original rating it seems, and I think I'll keep it) |
8 | | Death Grips The Money Store
Mort's rec
Despite this coming out and getting big when I was starting to get into music, I never really tried it out. Long overdue; the intensity here, both in terms of its hard-hitting, varied beats and aggressive rapping is massively entertaining. 4.0 |
9 | | GZA Liquid Swords
Mort's rec
4.0
Plenty of lyrical highlights here, and just generally good production. |
10 | | Joey Badass 2000
dedex's rec
3.5
This was a lot of fun, felt v much like a mainstream crowd-pleaser but not to the point where I got annoyed. Enjoyable for the most part. |
11 | | Lil Ugly Mane Uneven Compromise
dedex's rec |
12 | | Damso Ipséité
dedex's rec
3.5 |
13 | | A Tribe Called Quest The Low End Theory
dedex's rec
3.5
Just really didn't think the beats brought enough to the table, although the prominent bass did some serious heavy lifting. |
14 | | JAK3 Moonlight Radiation
dedex's rec
2.0
I tried to "get this," but eventually decided there was nothing to get. There's no real consistency to whatever atmosphere this thing attempts to create beyond purposefully production choices. Everything sounds broken and as if it were recorded with the artist trying to rap through a brick wall. |
15 | | Ini Center of Attention
Sloth's rec |
16 | | Sage Francis Personal Journals
Sloth's rec
A series of unrelenting lyrical gut-punches in a way that isn't often seen in hip-hop. Heartbreaking. 4.5 |
17 | | EPMD Strictly Business
Sloth's rec |
18 | | Seth Sentry This Was Tomorrow
Sloth's rec
4.0
Beats are ace, lyrics too. Perfect package. |
19 | | Snow 12 Inches of Snow
Sloth's rec
Very repetitive and grating at times. 2.0 |
20 | | Rakim The 18th Letter
MoM's rec
4.0
Same as Seth Sentry, just a good package. |
21 | | The Pharcyde Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde
MoM's rec |
22 | | Bone Thugs-N-Harmony E 1999 Eternal
MoM's rec |
23 | | Macho Man Randy Savage Be A Man
Placeholder for HOH - Livin in a Casket (not in database)
MoM's rec |
24 | | Mos Def Black on Both Sides
bg's rec
A lyrical tour-de-force. A powerful exhibition of writing and rapping technique all around. 4.5 |
25 | | The Roots Game Theory
bg's rec
The live band aspect gives the arrangements a bit more life. It's subtle, but it's there. And of course there is the ultimate x factor that is Black Thought. 4.0 |
26 | | A Tribe Called Quest Midnight Marauders
bg's rec |
27 | | Run the Jewels RTJ4
bg's rec
Heck yes, RTJ go hard. 4.0 |
28 | | Lauryn Hill The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
bg's rec
4.0
Great mix of rap and R&B, although it's mostly an R&B album at its heart. Great vocals, great hooks. |
29 | | WC The Shadiest One
Drifter's rec |
30 | | Ice-T O.G. Original Gangster
Drifter's rec
3.5
Goes on a bit too long tbh, although Ice-T is a lot better than I expected. |
31 | | Dubee Dubee a.k.a Sugawolf
Drifter's rec |
32 | | Paris Sleeping with the Enemy
Drifter's rec |
33 | | Madvillain Madvillainy
cylinder's rec
4.0
I finally got into this, mostly thanks to appreciating DOOM's contributions a lot more. RIP to the illest. |
34 | | Aesop Rock Float
cylinder's rec
3.0
Something about this guy's style gets grating to me after a while, can't describe exactly what. |
35 | | Genelec & Memphis Reigns Scorpion Circles
cylinder's rec |
36 | | Blackalicious Blazing Arrow
cylinder's rec |
37 | | P.O.S Never Better
cylinder's rec
Love this guy's style, always hits hard and comes packaged with an intensity that feels like it draws heavily from punk realms. The drum-heavy beats help with that level of power as well. 4.0 |
38 | | Aesop Rock Spirit World Field Guide
Coast's rec
3.5
See the first Aesop Rock on this list. |
39 | | UGK Ridin' Dirty
Coast's rec
4.0
I think I just really love funk in rap lol |
40 | | Adagio! New York To Philly
Coast's rec |
41 | | Kurupt The Streetz iz a Mutha
Coast's rec
4.0
Funky beats, hell yes. |
42 | | MC Solaar Prose Combat
Coast's rec
Didn't do much for me. I like some minimalist rap, but the beats and the rapping itself blended together and neither did much to be too distinguishable. At times enjoyable, but also not doing enough to stand out. 3.0 |
43 | | OutKast Aquemini
Alex's rec
4.0 |
44 | | Danny Brown XXX
Alex's rec
4.0
I used to hate this guy, maybe I need to try again. His tone, delivery, and lyrics are a perfect portrayal of someone experiencing fame and quickly losing grip of their sanity. |
45 | | Black Star Black Star
Alex's rec |
46 | | Suga Free Street Gospel
Drifter's rec
4.0
I'D RATHAH GIVE YOU MAH BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETCH |
47 | | Despicable Meditations
DungeonBoy's rec |
48 | | Doomtree False Hopes XII
MoM's rec |
49 | | Bahamadia Kollage
Trif's rec |
50 | | DJ Krush Strictly Turntablized
Trif's rec |
51 | | Boldy James and The Alchemist Bo Jackson
botb's rec |
52 | | Genesis Owusu Smiling with No Teeth
botb's rec |
53 | | Griselda WWCD
botb's rec |
54 | | JPEGMAFIA Veteran
botb's rec |
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