READ CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU ANSWER!! What breathing or dead artists (along the lines of Immortal Technique, Lupe Fiasco) keep/kept true Hip Hop/Rap alive? That FREQUENTLY DO NOT emcee about bullshit metaphors and about THEM using drugs, hustlin', and violence. It could be reflection on the past though. If you say Kanye West or Lil Wayne, I MIGHT SLAUGHTER YOUR CHILDREN AND EAT THEIR INSIDES!!
Even those artists have some "meaningful" songs. Even some songs on the Carter III have some good meaning. But artists that always have some meaning would be Talib Kwali.
Well, let me clarify..I meant MOST of their songs are meaningful and I know only 2 songs of Lil Wayne's that are actually meaningful and don't proclaim about the qualities of the song I do not like. Kanye..I'd give him one.
Aesop Rock is an excellent lyricist and rapper, with some really creative music. You might like to give his music a listen.
Talib Kweli, Jedi Mind Tricks, RZA/Genius, Outerspace (Time will tell is an awesome song), Dead Prez, The High and Mighty, Binary Star, Sweatshop Union, CunninLynguists, Illogic. Those are just the ones that popped into mind because thats what I've been listening to lately. I'm sure I can think of more, just having a mental block. Most of these emcees have meaningful rhymes, not the drug/money/hoes fad of the shitty "popular" rappers.
Dutchmassive - Butterflies(Not his best, but it has special value to me) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmDRfMNCnPA"]YT Link[/ame] Gang Starr - Mass Appeal [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EWJ9JrxU0g"]YT Link[/ame] Black Star(Mos Def & Talib Kweli) - Definition This song has ridiculous lyricism, listen close. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx5aVI2zsFE"]YT Link[/ame] Hieroglyphics - You Never Knew [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNxELHj-nSM"]YT Link[/ame] Jay Z - Public Service Announcement Could only find a live show version, but it's the best I could do. :/ [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHJASbgXqrY"]YT Link[/ame] Jedi Mind Tricks - Uncommon Valor(A Vietnam Story) This is a deep song, maybe even emotionally moving. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r0KpWMNxnM"]YT Link[/ame] People Under the Stairs - Acid Rain Drops Great toking song. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dr1kQDGgRk"]YT Link[/ame] PM me if you want more, hope this helps.
No. No. And no. Y'all are seriously not giving him good music. Aesop Rock. Illogic. Qwel. Enough said. No other artists compare. Except ones you haven't heard of like myself and other underground intellectuals. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWLqvETU1bQ"]YouTube - Aesop Rock- Big Bang (Float)[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQqFEy-FNhA"]YouTube - illogic- 1, 000 Whispers[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um3csusa8"]YouTube - Qwel - Spider On The Web[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFJAVaOgYG8"]YouTube - Aesop Rock- Coma[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duqvHQlwzjw"]YouTube - Illogic-Celestial Clockwork[/ame][ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqrAjIzZNuQ"]YouTube - Qwel - Pinnocchio Syndrome[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qqgW72_J7k"]YouTube - aesop rock - yes and ya'll[/ame]
can't go wrong with aesop rock, atmosphere, cage, and michael franti & spearhead their not hip hop but shits fire
"bullshit metaphors, the outcome is always obvious" try company flow [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZpDEaNsYls"]YouTube - Company Flow - 12. 89.9 Detrimental[/ame]
MOS DEF Nas Binary Star Black star Talib Evidence Termanology Gangstar The roots Dead Prezz Cyprus Eminie Mac Dre Mac Mall Outkast COmmon Method man Red Man Wutang Clan Matisyahu Phacyde Beastie Boys The liks The fugees
iont care what nobody say the best rappers is young jeezy n gucci mane.even tho gucci NEVER raps with a purpose.
Fatlip from the pharcyde has some sick solo shit. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Reqg9aCRGHQ"]YouTube - Fatlip - Today's Your Day (Whachagonedu)[/ame] One be lo from Binary Star is also sick [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vffQIUXMZ2I"]YouTube - One Be Lo - Axis[/ame]
a tribe called quest , group home , gangstarr, the old school outkast from their first 2 albums , goodie mob , digable planets , the roots , especially the shit from their albums illadelphia halflife and do you want more , warren g , some of big l , geto boys , and some of bone thugs and harmony. pretty much any old school rappers that started rapping before 1998 when rap became mainstream pop shit have some of those type of rap songs that talk about REAL shit.