And back to our regularly scheduled program...
@orpheus10 Thanks for mentioning Meshell! I’ve always liked her work. Well recorded, too.
@orpheus10 Thanks for mentioning Meshell! I’ve always liked her work. Well recorded, too.
Some of the better lyricists and musicians in rap and hiphop?
Going old school, I’ve always admired Chuck D’s powerful voice and his lauded expression and articulation in his delivery. Along those lines, Outkast’s voices and hooks are classic. And Nas’s lyrics are as good as anything ever released in the genre. You combine PE’s Nation of Millions with Nas’ Illmatic and sprinkle in some "Ms. Jackson" and you have the first 20 years of hiphop.
Nowadays Anderson .Paak delivers beautifully, as did Mac Miller (rip).
Please note the topic and add constructively to the conversation.
Nowadays Anderson .Paak delivers beautifully, as did Mac Miller (rip).
Please note the topic and add constructively to the conversation.
- ...
- 85 posts total
whipsaw, Based on your posts, you have wrong impression of your posts. And of what rap is. In one of those closed threads, I provided a few (4? 5?) examples of rap from different countries. Not one of those examples had lyrics even remotely linked to anything you promote here. None. The ship you are clinging to has sailed decades ago. If you had clicked on the link for Articolo 31 concert then, you would have seen the audience really enjoying themselves. Young audience, at that. They have nothing to do, and may as well be completely disinterested, with topics so dear to you. It is not what rap is for them. For them, rap is fun, good times. I would bet that 90% of them have never heard of some of the leaders’ names mentioned in that old thread and that, out of remaining (generous) 10%, maybe 1% could tell you more than one sentence about those leaders. Still, they like rap and live in many geographical locations. Rendering innercities of Northern America small. Again, as an illustration of what rap is, check this link. See at around 58th or 59th minute. Watch the faces of opressed angry innercity people at 59:15. That is what rap is. Thankfully. Articolo 31 Così Com’è Live Tour - YouTube And again, to go with OP question, one of my favorites... Articolo 31 feat Bob Dylan - Come una pietra scalciata - YouTube |
So I’ve been listening to a lot of Pharoahe Monch lately, diving deeper into his catalog. What a gifted lyricist and perspective! And yes, rap is a worldwide phenomenon, but MC Solaar was not the progenitor of the genre. I mean, one of his main influences was South Bronx MC Africa Bambaataa, the South Bronx arguably being the birthplace of turntable DJ’ing and rapping as we know it (also tied into the huge graffiti movement and breakdancing crews of the time). I mean, you couldn't have your finger on the pop-culture pulse of the early-80's without having moved to "Planet Rock" at some point. That being said, Solaar was as influential as any artist in helping spread rap and hiphop from the American shores. |
glupson, I really, genuinely wish that you would be more honest. It’s as if you are confusing me with someone else. None of your accusations can be supported with evidence, which is why you have failed to present any. All you do is accuse, and without foundation. You say: Not one of those examples had lyrics even remotely linked to anything you promote here.Promote? I’m not promoting anything. Show us a quote of mine that might be interpreted as "promoting". I have been a defender of the genre from the beginning of the first (now deleted) thread, yet you suggest the opposite. I have, a number of times, pointed out that there is great variety. In fact, it was one of my first counterpoints to millercarbon’s blanket dismissal, before you were even in the discussion. While some influences can be traced further back, it was inner city American hip-hop that catalyzed the genre worldwide. It’s a simple fact, and in no way disparages those around the world who were touched by it, and subsequently added their own, unique branches to the tree. |
Me’Shell Ndgeocello: searing social commentary, master-level bass grooves, and superb vocal phrasing on tracks like Soul on Ice, Shoot’n up and Gett’n High, Make Me Wanna to Holler, (the anti-homophobic) Leviticus:Faggot, Mary Magdalene - all to a background that draws heavily on ’70s soul. And that’s just her first two albums. Listen to her phrasing on the Bill Withers song Who Is He and What Is He to You. If you don’t get it, try singing it the way she does. I’ve seen her live on numerous occasions, always surrounded by awesome musicians, and she consistently just blows me away. |
- 85 posts total