Tag Archive for Hip Hop

6th March 2012

Shabazz Palaces* – Swerve

Hip Hop has undergone a big renaissance in my affections recently after I had just about given up hope on it. Artists such as Oddisee, DTMD, Roc Marciano and Jay Electronica have both excited me and restored some of my faith in the current scene.

This track is super fresh and I love the sound, it’s funky and slightly eccentric. It reminds me a little of Bay Area rappers such as Blackaliscious, Lyrics Born or The Coup. Additionally, I happen to think that Shabazz Palaces is an excellent name.

RjK

*Artist #399

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Roc Marciano* – Hide my tears

It has been too long since I posted some hip hop. NYC-rapper Roc Marciano is someone I came across relatively recently. What I really like about this is it’s old school vibe. It sounds as though it could have been recorded 15 years ago despite only being released in 2010. 

RjK

*Artist #389

Kanye West – Good Morning


This is taken from Kanye’s third album, Graduation. It has a very catchy hook but the main reason for me posting it is that it contains what might be my favourite hip hop lyric: 

I’m like the fly Malcolm X, buy any jeans necessary…

Which is high praise considering how rich a genre it is for vibrant language. It works on several levels. Also, an enjoyable video here.

RjK

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Joy Denalane featuring Lupe Fiasco – Change

 

I first came across German singer Joy Denalane when she featured on remixes of two favourite hip hop tunes, Common – Go and Raekwon – Heaven and Hell. She has a great voice.

This is an irresistible burst of positivity, which is welcome in what is turning out to be a challenging week for me.

RjK

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Oddisee – The Carter Barron

 I wanted to post something mellow for a Sunday night as I prepare myself for the jarring prospect of my first Monday morning at work of 2012.

This is taken from Oddisee’s Rock Creek Park album which was one of my favourites from last year and is very relaxed and easy on the ear.

 RjK

5th January 2012

Jay Electronica* – Mind detect heart 

As I mentioned earlier in the week finding a new artist every day was becoming too demanding, so after completing my year of new artists I began 2012 by revisting some of my old favourites. However, as I move forward I want to keep the spirit of new and varied music alive. To do this my plan is to post an artist that is new to the blog each Thursday. I may do this on other days also but I intend do it without fail on New Artist Thursdays.

I have been listening to this guy, a rapper from New Orleans quite a bit this week. He first grabbed my attention when this tune began with a sample of an impassioned preacher thundering the following:

You got a hell of a nerve! If my rhetoric is too strident, who better to correct me than my brothers and my sisters?…

My only response to that was wow! His rhymes are strong too, clever and nuanced. Overall it is just refreshing to hear something a bit different from a hip hop song. 

RjK

*Artist #366

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Kano – Nobody don’t dance no more

This is a favourite from my university days. It is languid and funky and I think the hip hop meets garage flavour is interesting. 

RjK

20th December

DTMD – Untitled

This is the best new hip hop song I have heard in ages, probably this year. Whilst that is less of an accolade than it might seem (I find myself somewhat disillusioned with the current scene) this is still pretty great and I have been feeling it all week.

The supreme hook is so fresh and catchy and the rhymes are by Oddisee, a favourite I highlighted earlier in the year. A pretty winning combo.

/RjK

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The Notorious B.I.G. – Juicy

I can’t post Tupac without posting Biggie as well. It is a little bit of a cliche, nerdy white guys liking gangster rap but this is irresistible.

RjK

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Miguel featuring J.Cole – All I want is you

This is silky smooth. I don’t know too much about either of the artists but I heard it on the radio yesterday and it grabbed me. I tend to be drawn to things that sound a bit different to whatever I have been listening to at the time. I haven’t been listening to much hip hop or R’nB lately and so the timing was perfect.

RjK