Surprise me...?

Question

I come in peace [from the Rock category lol]

When their favourite music genre is criticised some Rap/Hip-Hop lovers claim that the Rap/Hip-Hop that is popular [on MTV and such] isn't an adequate representation of what these music genres really are.

So i'd like you to name a song or two i could hear for free on YouTube or something, that aren't on MTV, that aren't necessarily popular, and that you feel properly represent those genres.

Thanks for your time.

RQ.

If you're wondering why i'm asking, it's because I feel it's unfair to judge a type of music without having listened to what the fans consider "the greats".

I dislike it when people hate on rock, and judge solely on what they've heard on the radio and popular music channels.
Rock is so much more than that, a lot of people haven't listened to the bands we consider the greats and focus on bands that even most of the true rock "community" feel aren't being true to what rock music really is.

I figured Rap/Hip-Hop might be the same.

RQ.

Oh i'm not trying to convert myself at all "evil conscience *spit squadron*", I just don't want to continue being ignorant of a genre that some say is misrepresented by radio/tv etc.
If what is mainstream [which isn't to my taste] is not what "true" rap, then i'd like to know what is, and hopefully, as you said, try to appreciate/respect it.

RQ.

Answer 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl54ABY8VgY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERQzl4xDpXk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RfxV070-Ho&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQMfGm8H9Lc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-_IFAt8ka0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2slNZqm6IU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfXwmDGJAB8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siBCajh2g5E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaurA3enDlI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpjsRMVXRGY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cjv7hEAytU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aL_awH7vog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeFE72G1ltA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9twbBh2Hd0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_a519_Cy5k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFjF96IPLis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_JShSIf6es

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtftuSHnWVY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs8Zb2dXsFU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUn-GpJAbWw&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpRjuGeftCM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSH5FQ2KMas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS7E_XzEP-8&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nikRHtwzkUk



PS Some Of Those Songs The others Mentioned I Don't Think That The Will Chang Your Views If Your A Non-Fan

Answer 2

First off all Rocket Queen, can i just appluad you on your attempts to at least broaden your horizons rather than dismissing an entire genre.
Obviously, hip hop is a wide genre with many different styles. So below i've listed songs that vary to each other. Then, if you hear one you think sounds promising, you can then ask to hear some similar songs/artists.

Lupe Fiasco - The Instrumental
Talib Kweli - Get By
K-Os - Man I Used To Be
Common - Be
Dogg Pound - Dogg Poung Gangstaz
Big L - Holdin It Down
Twista - Adrenaline Rush
Scarface - My Block
Federation - What If I Had A Gun

All of the above are on YouTube. You might hate most of these, but you never no, you might just like one ;)

Answer 3

Dead Prez - Hip Hop

Anything by KRS-One or Public Enemy

Common - I Used To Love Her

Pete Rock and CL Smooth - T.R.O.Y

Audio Two - Top Billin'

And you'll need to hear some Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaata to get an idea about the roots of hip hop.

(my own personal opinion is to ignore the chart stuff like 50 Cent etc, it's more pop than hip hop.)

Happy hunting!

Answer 4

Tribe Called Quest...popular to us Iono about u but they have good music
Talib Kweli starting to pick up a lil press but still has great music
Little Brother, The Roots, Common of course, DelaSoul...if you like the Gorillaz they have done work with them...Jean Grae look her up...Basically the hip hop heads dont like that Soulja Boy crap, they arent feeling Lil Momma, or most of that ish from the South thats just bandwagon ish...They lack creativity and rap is about lyrical content and skill...Not just beats and making words rhymes...If that were the case I would rap too...lol Something like how rock fans dont care much for POSERS...feel me

Hope you like my list of artist/groups to listen to

Answer 5

Most of these answers are really going to be helpful. The best links are from escobar. If you listen to those songs and dont like hip hop, than hip hop is just not ur thing. Nothing wrong with that, ive heard plenty of country and it just aint my thing. What ya like is what ya like. Thanks for trying to be openminded... its rare.

Answer 6

I really dont think that this is going to "convert" you, that is hard (if not impossilbe) to do...however, I hope that you look at the links (i listened though all of them) and I hope you gain appreciation/respect for rap...

Answer 7

(I don't know if you are after good lyrics or good beats or a positive message).

Some that I like are:

Talib Kweli & Hi Tek - The Blast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg74C2sGPM4

Common - The Light
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xHWD9L30fQ

DMX - Slippin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W1s2bLn8PU

Beanie Siegel - Feel It in the Air
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3tGU5UpOW8

Mos Def - Ms Fat Booty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqbzy1tNSu0

Nas - Memory Lane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bdGHe_x_NQ

Answer 8

Listen to one of ma favourites on youTube:

summer nights by Lil'Rob
or

Just a Moment by Nas ft Quan
or

Hey MA by Cam'ron ft Juelz Santana

Answer 9

anything from the thug law chapter two album- big syke

Answer 10

Nas, if i ruled the world, the fugees, ready or not.