fans of underground rap?

[jmood88]

Re: fans of underground rap?

lol. Honestly, it's not something he's "picked up". Much like Wyclef, Mos Def has always been a bit all over the place. It's just his "all over the place" is generally right in line with what hard core hip hop fans want to hear. With that said, I can't remember the details of his last album but I remember that he didn't really care too much about making money and I believe he didn't even want to make it.

I remember reading somewhere that Mos had given away burned copies of his album and was telling people to download it and the label got angry.

[wwharton]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Talib's album reached #2 on Billboard so he was pretty ground-breaking as of late... as in he broke thru the underground surface... but he was always on the verge.

I would love something black star for sure tho.

I guess you just gotta figure out what's considered "underground". Is everything underground before it hits the mainstream charts or is it people on indy labels? What's the definition. I'd say Black Star may have been underground initially but I wouldn't call Mos Def's first solo album underground at all, and therefore wouldn't call Talib's underground either. But that's just me. Plus it's been a looooooong time since they both started putting out solo albums so even if you say he/they "broke through" I'd say at this point they are already far past that point.

What'd you think about Eardrum X? I bumped like four or five tracks.. but I wasn't feelin it man. I have a feeling he reached #2 because he's with WB now.

And JMood.. are you serious?! I've been bumping "Beautiful" with Mary J. longinggggg for another Black Star. They go together like salt and pepper.

I think jmood is talking about Talib's solo work and I actually agree with him. I can find a hit... probably 2 hits on each of his albums, but since his first solo album, I'd struggle to find more than 2 songs I like.

I remember reading somewhere that Mos had given away burned copies of his album and was telling people to download it and the label got angry.

Maybe that's it. I'm really in the dark on what's going on there but I know Mos has never been about selling the most records which would piss a label off just by itself. As long as he keeps making music I'm happy though.

[Brandwin]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Well if you guys go check out Atmosphere's myspace page you will see a couple cool things. First you'll see they put up a webisode called "Paint it Gold". Basically what they want to do is answer a bunch of questions from the fans. Next thing is that they posted their 15-city tour.

You can send them questions at [email protected]

The cool thing is that Slug actually responds. I noticed the closest place to me was Washington DC and I am going to see Atmosphere before I die haha.

Anyways I asked him if I need to go up there and he said no, he'll be visiting Chapel Hill in the fall. Thought it was cool to get a response.

Now I get to go visit my favorite school and see my favorite artist. I have to say that made my day.

Nice. He is coming to Texas on May 2nd and May 3rd, which is a Friday and Saturday. Just got to pick which day...

I really didn't get into Atmosphere too much until a few months before "You Can't Imagine..." dropped.

I would love to go to the Brother Ali show in Dallas, but it's on a Wednesday night... =/

[heelsman22]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Well if you guys go check out Atmosphere's myspace page you will see a couple cool things. First you'll see they put up a webisode called "Paint it Gold". Basically what they want to do is answer a bunch of questions from the fans. Next thing is that they posted their 15-city tour.

You can send them questions at [email protected]

The cool thing is that Slug actually responds. I noticed the closest place to me was Washington DC and I am going to see Atmosphere before I die haha.

Anyways I asked him if I need to go up there and he said no, he'll be visiting Chapel Hill in the fall. Thought it was cool to get a response.

Now I get to go visit my favorite school and see my favorite artist. I have to say that made my day.

That sounds awesome, I'll probably try to make it to the show in Chapel Hill.

[gta95]

Re: fans of underground rap?

WHY not come to Philly? The only shows we are getting soon are Kanye's Glow In The Dark, and Brother Ali.

[ballerzinc]

Re: fans of underground rap?

WHY not come to Philly? The only shows we are getting soon are Kanye's Glow In The Dark, and Brother Ali.

Word, Philly definitely needs more good hip hop shows.

[wwharton]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Speaking of Philly, is the Roots still considered underground? I guess they should be, eh?

[Nivek]

Re: fans of underground rap?

I would NOT consider the roots underground. They've got underground appeal, but even most people outside of the rap game know who the roots are.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Speaking of Philly, is the Roots still considered underground? I guess they should be, eh?

I wish they never signed with Def Jam. Ruined one of my favorite groups of all-time.

They have another album set to drop this April called Rising Down, so I'm keeping the faith. Damn you Def Jam.

[Nivek]

Re: fans of underground rap?

As usual, Atmosphere is coming to Toronto at the Opera house.

Gotta love it!

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?

the roots are not underground

[Havok410]

Re: fans of underground rap?

I wish they never signed with Def Jam. Ruined one of my favorite groups of all-time.

They have another album set to drop this April called Rising Down, so I'm keeping the faith. Damn you Def Jam.

Really? I thought their last cd was solid. The last half of the album was especially dope. And the album was less commercial then "Tipping point" but not as experimental as "Phrenology".

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Really? I thought their last cd was solid. The last half of the album was especially dope. And the album was less commercial then "Tipping point" but not as experimental as "Phrenology".

Interesting. I could not bare to listen to their latest. After a couple times through I was left underwhelmed. You're exactly right though, their latest releases in general haven't knocked my socks off.

[Nivek]

Re: fans of underground rap?

my top 5 is tough to say as my preferences change with my mood, but if forced to pick here it is:

Talib Kweli - Get By
Del the Funky Homosapien - Stress the World
Blackalicious - Shallow Days
Common & Bilal - Sixth Sense
Atmosphere - Little Man

Ahhhhhhhh ****, I love that song. It's probably the most chill, laid back song you'll ever hear.

[wwharton]

Re: fans of underground rap?

I would NOT consider the roots underground. They've got underground appeal, but even most people outside of the rap game know who the roots are.

the roots are not underground

Generally I agree with both of you, but the question came because I see mention of Talib and Mos Def as being underground. I don't know if I'd even include Del or some others I've seen listed. I know it's hard to tell when you're closer to the main area for some people but just trying to get an idea of where the line is.

BTW, I thought the Roots last album was pretty good but the one before it got a mulligan from me (since everything else has been good but it was pretty poor). I may have them wrong too. I liked Tipping Point so maybe it was 2 albums before the latest that was doo doo.