fans of underground rap?

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?

I just downloaded the HOJ mixtape off of iTunes...couldnt wait. Ill just burn a copy. I wanted to listen at work today.

I'm the type who likes the actual albums... cover art, flap, etc... it's all important to me.

[Brandwin]

Re: fans of underground rap?

So, did anyone pick up Wade Waters "Dark Waters' ?

How is it?

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?

So, did anyone pick up Wade Waters "Dark Waters' ?

How is it?

I was thinking about picking it up, but in the deciding moments, I chose not to. The mixtape had a couple great tracks on it, but the cd as a whole wasn't too impressive, so I decided to pass. If the cd recieves acclaim from the underground hiphop community I might think about investing on their 2nd try... or either of their solo albums... I like Solstice better than Haysoos though.

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?

CD's to look forward to...


Artist: Hi-Tek
Album: "Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip"
Producer(s): Hi-Tek
Release Date: October 17th

Reason: Hi-Tek has produced gems, and some say Talib Kweli was at his best in Reflection Eternal, when he was hooked up with Hi-Tek. He's the type of producer that is easy to identify. He has unique style, and most of his stuff is hot, but that's not the only reason to get this album. Last time he went solo on the production of an album (not counting Hi-Teknology Vol. 1) was on Reflection Eternal with Talib. Get your fill now. Some of the artists featured on this album are... Q-Tip, Kurupt, Talib Kweli, Ghostface Killah, Common, Jadakiss, Papoose, Raekwon, The Game, Bun B, Devin the Dude, J-Dilla, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, Slim Thug, Mos Def, Raphael Saadiq, Bootsy Collins, himself (yes, Hi-Tek is rapping), and much more.

Chance of Buying it: For people who want to hear some great artists go over some great beats... it should be high.


Artist: CL Smooth
Album: "American Me"
Producer(s): Heatmakerz; Kay Gee; Tramp; Mike Lowe; Squarta; DonJoe & Del; Pete Rock
Release Date: October 31st

Reason: Come on! This is CL Smooth's first release since 1994's Main Ingredient... and Pete Rock is on it. CL Smooth hasn't even released much independent stuff. Only a few songs (less than 10 I believe). If I must go into it a little more, let me tell you if haven't heard CL before, you have done a disservice to yourself. This guy has as much talent or more-so than the best in the rap industry. Mike Lowe is also producing, and he has done stuff with O.C. ... another great artist.

Chance of Buying it: 100%!!!


Artist: Xzibit
Album: "Full Circle"
Producer(s): Keith Shocklee; Xzibit; Jelly Roll; Rick Rock; DJ Quik; Daz Dillinger
Release Date: October 17th

Reason: Xzibit is always fun to listen to, and with his decent radio hits, he usually strikes with a gem on everyone of his albums. I would say on "W.M.D" it was "Back to the Way it Was". A lyrical talent, you have to be somewhat scared with what he may have to offer here. XXL Magazine gave the cd an XL but explained that he fights a seesawing battle with "purgatory" and "popularity". With his cd's not recieving super amounts of popularity like he was getting when he hooked up with Dre... he may go the mainstream-friendly route with this one. He even features The Game.

Chance of Buying it: I have to hear further reviews before I make a 15 buck decision.

[sportsdude]

Re: fans of underground rap?

CD's to look forward to...


Artist: Hi-Tek
Album: "Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip"
Producer(s): Hi-Tek
Release Date: October 17th

Reason: Hi-Tek has produced gems, and some say Talib Kweli was at his best in Reflection Eternal, when he was hooked up with Hi-Tek. He's the type of producer that is easy to identify. He has unique style, and most of his stuff is hot, but that's not the only reason to get this album. Last time he went solo on the production of an album (not counting Hi-Teknology Vol. 1) was on Reflection Eternal with Talib. Get your fill now. Some of the artists featured on this album are... Q-Tip, Kurupt, Talib Kweli, Ghostface Killah, Common, Jadakiss, Papoose, Raekwon, The Game, Bun B, Devin the Dude, J-Dilla, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, Slim Thug, Mos Def, Raphael Saadiq, Bootsy Collins, himself (yes, Hi-Tek is rapping), and much more.

Chance of Buying it: For people who want to hear some great artists go over some great beats... it should be high.


Artist: CL Smooth
Album: "American Me"
Producer(s): Heatmakerz; Kay Gee; Tramp; Mike Lowe; Squarta; DonJoe & Del; Pete Rock
Release Date: October 31st

Reason: Come on! This is CL Smooth's first release since 1994's Main Ingredient... and Pete Rock is on it. CL Smooth hasn't even released much independent stuff. Only a few songs (less than 10 I believe). If I must go into it a little more, let me tell you if haven't heard CL before, you have done a disservice to yourself. This guy has as much talent or more-so than the best in the rap industry. Mike Lowe is also producing, and he has done stuff with O.C. ... another great artist.

Chance of Buying it: 100%!!!


Artist: Xzibit
Album: "Full Circle"
Producer(s): Keith Shocklee; Xzibit; Jelly Roll; Rick Rock; DJ Quik; Daz Dillinger
Release Date: October 17th

Reason: Xzibit is always fun to listen to, and with his decent radio hits, he usually strikes with a gem on everyone of his albums. I would say on "W.M.D" it was "Back to the Way it Was". A lyrical talent, you have to be somewhat scared with what he may have to offer here. XXL Magazine gave the cd an XL but explained that he fights a seesawing battle with "purgatory" and "popularity". With his cd's not recieving super amounts of popularity like he was getting when he hooked up with Dre... he may go the mainstream-friendly route with this one. He even features The Game.

Chance of Buying it: I have to hear further reviews before I make a 15 buck decision.

I can't wait to hear that Hi-Tek album. His work on Reflection Eternal, well, we all know how ridiculous it was, hopefully he brings it again.

[JiggidyJames]

Re: fans of underground rap?

I can't wait to hear that Hi-Tek album. His work on Reflection Eternal, well, we all know how ridiculous it was, hopefully he brings it again.

Lead single is good. "Where it Started At" with Jadakiss, Papoose (!), Talib and Raekwon.

Hi-Tek is ready for a big year. He's been doing his thing with Aftermath and Dr. Dre for a couple of years now, so you know the studio got a little bit bigger and the equipment is a little nicer.

As for the CL Smooth album...I heard a Heatmakerz track a few weeks back. Kind of strange since they bring a different vibe than what I was expecting with CL, but I like the Heatmakerz, so I'm not complaining.

[billmatic]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Sick, I love Uncommon Valor w/ R.A. the Rugged Man.

I'm reaching the Jedi Mind concert this sunday, can't wait!

RA completely rips that verse, doing Vinnie like Em did Jay on Renegade.

I saw JMT w/ Immortal Technique and Outerspace a ways back in DC, it was definitely off the chain.

[3rdAnswer]

Re: fans of underground rap?

I should be getting the Chrome Children CD/DVD tomorrow.

[sportsdude]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Hey, I'm looking for some help, figured you guys would know best. I'd like to listen to some more Phonte. I don't listen to Little Brother that much since I lost the disc, and while I have the Perceptionists cd, I have a lot of other stuff that usually finds its way into my rotation before it. So what are some of his best songs, and does he have any solo work?

Also, random thought, but iTunes is pissing me off. They have some of the most obscure stuff ever, yet they don't have Dr. Octagon or Jedi Mind Tricks? What the ****? I know Apple has contracts with certain people and not with others, but this is ridiculous. I was thinking about legally purchasing the new albums from both of these two artists through iTunes, yet there is no option available for me to do so. I would like to punch somebody. End rant.

Also, I'm liking the most recent J Dilla album, "The Shining". I think I may pick that up tomorrow.

[Gmoney2002]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Hey, I'm looking for some help, figured you guys would know best. I'd like to listen to some more Phonte. I don't listen to Little Brother that much since I lost the disc, and while I have the Perceptionists cd, I have a lot of other stuff that usually finds its way into my rotation before it. So what are some of his best songs, and does he have any solo work?

Hmm that's a good question sportsdude, I'd like to know too. I only know of Big Pooh's solo album "Sleepers". He may have some singles around but as far as a LP goes......

Here's my best Producer list:

1. Primo(DJ Premier, mainstream yes(i.e Christina Aguielera) but does underground production too i.e Termanology, NYG'Z, Pitch Black)
2. 9th Wonder
3. Alchemist
4. Heatmakers(not as consistent as the Top 3)
5. Just Blaze(does underground production too)
6. Madlib

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Top 10 Producers:

1. 9th Wonder
2. Khrysis
3. Illmind
4. Kanye West
5. Analogic
6. DJ Premier
7. Kev Brown
8. Oddisee
9. Pete Rock
10. J-Dilla

I even did a Top 9 9th Wonder songs... I'll post that once I get the list out of my school notebook (school is so boring, I do this kinda stuff).

[3rdAnswer]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Top 10 Producers:

1. 9th Wonder
2. Madlib
3. DJ Premier
4. Kanye West
5. Pete Rock
6. Khrysis
7. J Dilla
8. RZA
9. MF Doom
10. Nicolay
11. Jay Illestrate

[pennstlbu]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Mind you, I don't listen to much hip hop now, and when I do it's mostly west coast, but here's my Top 10 producers:

1. Warren G
2. DJ Quik
3. Battlecat
4. Daz
5. Alchemist
6. Soopafly
7. Just Blaze
8. Fred Wreck
9. Rockwilder
10. Organized Noise

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Mind you, I don't listen to much hip hop now, and when I do it's mostly west coast, but here's my Top 10 producers:

1. Warren G
2. DJ Quik
3. Battlecat
4. Daz
5. Alchemist
6. Soopafly
7. Just Blaze
8. Fred Wreck
9. Rockwilder
10. Organized Noise

Warren G used to be good, and then he released a few cd's the last few years... Yikes! He still drops a hot track here and there, but he needs to REGULATE himself.

[pennstlbu]

Re: fans of underground rap?

I actually thought Warren's last CD last year, "In the Mid-Nite Hour," was a pretty good album. Not quite "Regulate...G Funk Era" but much better than his previous one, 2001's "Return of the Regulator." But his first 3 albums were unbelievably produced (his 2nd and 3rd albums were extremely underrated). If only he had produced 213's album. Now that album was dissapointing.