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alansmithee
Jan 25, 2007

Goodness no, now that wouldn't do at all!


Was getting time for a new thread. The old thread was getting a little wore out.

This is the place to discuss anything rap/hip-hop and, in a new eadditon, R&B! There's often a bit of cross-discussion anyways and the old R&B thread is largely defunct (it may be archived now, I'm unsure) so I think as they're closely related having them in the same place could bring in some interesting discussion (there's a first time for everything). So now we have all the "urban" music under one happy umbrella. Also as this is a general-purpose megathread most discussion will gravitate to current events and newer releases, but feel free to discuss older stuff-you may be putting someone on to something they previously missed, or just get some new views.

Rap has largely resisted the genrefication of other music types, but that doesn't mean there's not some general descriptors in common usage. Although they're largely related to whatever region the music started in. But when people discuss:

East coast/NYC rap they're typically talking about heavy reliance on samples (usually more obscure, but not always) and a focus on lyricism and street topics. Examples include
Mobb Deep
Biggie
Nas.
Although this stuff has fallen a lot in popularity since 2000 or so, there's always some dudes doing similar stuff and as of late there's even been some a more direct revival in this style.

Southern Rap they're probably talking about heavy basslines, lots of drum machines, simple lyrics and a focus on hooks. Examples include
UGK
Three 6 Mafia
Juvenile.
If you notice those three songs don't share that much in common, and that's because actually southern rap is heavily regionalized and not all that homogeneous. Texas doesn't sound like Memphis doesn't sound like New Orleans doesn't sound like Miami. Atlanta kinda sounds like all of those but everyone knows Atlanta's not the south anyways. Also I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that some southern music labels had a very profound effect on the rap music business (No Limit and Cash Money, in particular) with how they were able to take their regional, underground sounds to a national level.

West Coast rap they're probably talking about something Dre or someone connected to him made. Examples include
Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre.
Due to Dre and his associated stuff being so popular and him generally working in more gangsta rap styles, west coast rap is still viewed largely as gangsta rap when the term's being used. As with the south, there's a lot of stuff from the west coast that's actually quite diverse (and some of it wasn't even made by Dre) but for the most part it's not really bubbled up into a greater national consciousness. The Bay area's always had their own really strong scene (where you get dudes like Too $hort, E-40, Mac Dre) and there's actually always been a really big "alternative" or "underground" sound from a lot of west coast artists (going way back to the early 90's with the Pharcyce and Heiro) but that's not the stuff people usually think of with "west coast rap"

Underground/backpacker/alternative rap they're probably talking about something that's focused on super-heavy lyricism, more "experimental" production, and/or more abstract topics. Examples include
DOOM
El-P
Aesop Rock.
A lot of this music was made in response to the more street/gangsta rap topics that were getting a lot of focus in the mainstream. Alternately, you get a lot of experimentation with pulling in different types of production and more outside genre influence. Alternative rap is often what you'll see stuff referred to where musically the sound would otherwise be the same but it's from a more mainstream/popular artist (Kanye, arguably Outkast, etc) since the other two terms are kinda mutually exclusive with being signed to a large label. "Backpacker" became a loaded term in the mid 2000's after the white dudes who got into this type of rap music first and helped make it popular because it was more "intellectual" decided it wasn't "authentic" enough for them and decided displaying evidence of an education past 8th grade in rap was a bad thing. Even though the term's not used often anymore as a perjorative, the spirit of white dudes hating negros using words was still quite alive in the last thread and will likely continue to remain.

Gangsta rap they're probably talking about something with aggressive lyrics and production talking about "street" topics (drugs, killing, pimping, money etc). Examples include
N.W.A.
Ice Cube
Kool G Rap.
As mentioned above, you'll sometimes see this used interchangably with west coast rap but in general I've seen it used in a more broad context. This is also largely what most general people who don't actually listen to rap seem to imagine it's all like.

Trap is southern gangsta rap so you'll usually get simpler lyrics and a heavier reliance on drum machines. Examples include
Gucci
Waka
Jeezy.
This subgenre is the most recent of these to emerge and is still evolving somewhat, depending on how you'd classify dudes like Young Thug, Migos, Future etc who've definitely brought in different production styles and aren't quite as "gangsta-y" in their raps (although Migos apparently were just involved in a shootout on the road so idk). Drill (which may not even be a thing still) is essentially Chicago trap rap by dudes like Keef, Durk, and other functionally illiterate teens. Also remember the white dudes who used to ride hard for underground "intellectual" poo poo? Yeah this is what they like now. Trap and Drill likely don't have a long shelf life (as distinct subgenres) and will eventually just be rolled up under the "gangsta" label, but since they're still kinda hot and commonly used terms I figured they should be mentioned.

Conscious rap they're probably talking about something that's non-gangsta in topic and usually focused on social issues. Examples include
A Tribe Called Quest
The Roots
Talib Kweli.
Now, I said before that when this term is used people are probably talking about some rap that's focused on social issues or something. What they're REALLY talking about is something that has jazzy/smooth production and may or may not actually be socially "conscious". There's also a lot of overlap here and with the alternative rap category. But the key here actually isn't lyrical content, it's jazzy production. NWA and P.E. were both socially conscious groups (at least early NWA) but try to slip either of them in a Starbucks playlist and watch how fast the cops will be called on you (the answer is "very fast").

That list is hardly exhaustive but it should be at least a starter for people truly new to rap and to help give a shorthand when people are throwing terms around describing stuff. Also out of all music I think only EDM and it's various genres are still as evolving the rate rap is, which also makes classification more difficult. But I did think it would be good to add at least a small overview of some of the common themes and terms used. If anyone does think there's any big misses let me know and we can work on getting them added.


FAQ:

How do I find new music?
There's a ton of rap music getting released daily. No seriously, today alone I've had 3 emails sent announcing new Lofty305 albums (to go with the 2 I got earlier this week talking about his side project releases). In general most people use blogs of some sort for general releases. These can vary from link dumps, to places that only cover a particular region, to sites that do few but more in-depth updates discussing new music. There's a lot of variety.

Social media sites also are a great place for finding out about new music, especially for less mainstream artists. I've found a lot of music I enjoyed by following similar links on youtube/soundcloud/bandcamp of stuff I've looked up, checking out music dudes whose music I like talk about, and similar things.

Also rap's become a lot more mainstream so most of the "big" names and even some medium names you can get from the regular music sites (pitchfork, etc).

Hi, I like [artist x]/I'm just getting into hip-hop, who should I listen to?
Most people are happy to give suggestions. Just make sure and give enough to work with. Some examples and more importantly why you like them. Do you like the production, the rapping, the subject matter, or what? Help us help you!

Where can I download [artist x]/can I get a link to [artist x]'s new tape?
Moreso than other music, there's an issue in rap with albums being "leaked" early on various "sites". As per forum rules, posting links to any :filez: is bad and can get you probated/banned. Also if you're discussing some new leaked album, don't mention where you got it or anything similar.

On the flipside, many albums stream previews on the various commercial sites and these are A-OK. As well as posting any links to free mixtapes or links from "official" sources. I don't believe this has been much of an issue so far and it'd be nice to keep it that way. And if there's any questions if something's fine to post a link, pm a mod first.

Why is most rap all about guns, hos, and money? Why are they saying all this mean stuff about gays/women?
There's discussion to be had about these topics. But if you're gonna go into some "real hip-hop" vs. "rap" discussion don't even bother-I and some other people are just gonna call you a clown in various ways. Also complaining when someone calls a woman a "bitch" in a song while ignoring the rest of the song filled with murder and drug sales is not a good look.

Thread Guidelines/Rules:
Don't just drop links to songs/videoes/mixtapes with no discussion. There's more than enough sites that are just link dumps, and this isn't PYF. Chances are if something's not notable enough for you to spend time actually discussing why people need to listen, it's not worth their time to actually listen to it.

As mentioned above, don't post links to retail albums.

Discussion is cool, bitchfits aren't. Sometimes it's best just to agree to disagree.

Also I did crack a couple jokes above; realize they were mostly tongue-in-cheek. However, also realize that for the most part rap/hip-hop is still heavily entwined with black culture/identity and that white people (really, non-blacks) are still largely outsiders. So Wellington J. Farnsworth III, born in the Connecticut suburbs, listening to Freddie Gibbs talk about shooting (black) dudes in Gary has totally different connotations and symbolism and whatnot than Balthazar Greer, born in Detroit, listening to the Eagulls sing about...whatever the hell they sing about (seriously can someone tell me?). Also understand why some people may not appreciate Iggy Azalea/Riff Raff/white blog rapper du jour getting their appropriation on and becoming famous for it while more talented, less white artists get no mention.

Also I've not mentioned R&B much in the OP, so anyone who wants to do a writeup of that let me know and I'll add it. Most of my experience has just been what I listened to personally and I've not been as involved with what's going on in R&B in the last few years outside of a few acts. But I'd actually have a lot of questions in that area so I hope we do get some people who are more tuned in to what's going on.

alansmithee fucked around with this message at 00:29 on Dec 29, 2015

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alansmithee
Jan 25, 2007

Goodness no, now that wouldn't do at all!


reserved for websites or something idk yet

alansmithee
Jan 25, 2007

Goodness no, now that wouldn't do at all!


For content:

New ep from Chicago duo Hurt Everything (they had that song "Golden" with Alex Wiley, I think). Everything I've heard from it is ridiculous so far, Chicago's got a lot of different stuff going on musically, and a lot of it is good.

http://www.audiomack.com/album/hurt-everybody/hurt-everybody-ep

alansmithee fucked around with this message at 14:01 on Jul 4, 2014

Budget Prefuse
Sep 26, 2011

i approve of this new thread

Quantum of Phallus
Dec 27, 2010

Free Gucci

Angryhead
Apr 4, 2009

Don't call my name
Don't call my name
Alejandro




Halfway through the new Gucci project, Trap House 4. Solid stuff so far.

"Oh yous a drug user? / Man you know Gucci got it
They call me Gucci Google / If I don't got it, find it"


Another Person
Oct 21, 2010
Looking forward to this place being where I catch all of the news just like the last one. It pretty much gave me most of my favourite albums of the years.

Robert Analog
Feb 16, 2008

shyah
Aww yeah new thread

Crumbletron
Jul 21, 2006



IT'S YOUR BOY JESUS, MANE
That's a great OP Alan.

Does Jay Rock plan on putting out an album any time soon or is he just gonna keep owning dudes on their own songs for a while still?

Plum Chaser
Jul 2, 2011

by Lowtax
Hell yeah, new thread.

Trap House 4 stream if for whatever reason you don't have it.

Hashtag Nascar
Jan 4, 2012

Parachute Underwear posted:

Does Jay Rock plan on putting out an album any time soon or is he just gonna keep owning dudes on their own songs for a while still?

It's going to come out next according to TDE, his was scheduled after ab soul according to tops posts on twitter.

These days was pretty mediocre, oxymoron was decent but not as good as the hype suggested. That said I think Jay Rock has a lot to prove since Follow Me Home came out like 3 years ago and we've only heard verses here and there from him which owned though.

Hashtag Nascar
Jan 4, 2012

Also,

Plum Chaser
Jul 2, 2011

by Lowtax
http://i.instagram.com/p/qAr8gvML-s/

thathonkey
Jul 17, 2012
Good call on bringing R&B into the mix but I resent that the OP says Atlanta isnt really the south. That better have been one of the "tongue and cheek" parts :colbert:

Quantum of Phallus
Dec 27, 2010

Babyface Mingo posted:


Trap House 4 stream if for whatever reason you don't have it.

Thanks man.


Also someone please repost the Jeezy/HOV track from last thread, what a banger.

serbp
Nov 30, 2013
Hey guys, I recently started listening to Roc Marciano and Ka, and I was wondering if anybody could recommend (preferably newer) rappers who use the same type of production, or just actual producers if you can't think of any rappers

like similar to the beats 17:10 and 26:00 on this one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1hDpufNXd0

and at around 34:00 and 37:30 on this one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N92qRfDSxQ

serbp fucked around with this message at 15:45 on Jul 4, 2014

Dr. Shithead
Jun 27, 2008

You got your rhythm goin' now?
I feel like lupe got swept under the rug in that intro.

edit: still a great post, even without lupe.

Dr. Shithead fucked around with this message at 15:53 on Jul 4, 2014

doctor thodt
Apr 2, 2004

by Jeffrey of YOSPOS
Nice op alan.

FREE GUWOP

Boywhiz88
Sep 11, 2005

floating 26" off da ground. BURR!
Let's not forget the fact that at this time we are about BONES.

BONES is a white kid out of LA. He's been pretty prolific but with more quality control and lyricism than Lil B. I don't know how to describe him aside from a metal kid rapping. I am a huge fan of TeenWitch, a concept album based around the Columbine shootings.

There's a photo of him floating around in front of the school off of his recent tour. I can't find it and well. :effort:

ANYWAY:

Here's how I got into BONES:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vxQrK2YALQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdyudRRJCws
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnS_wzuhm74

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BMKxY7Rdyg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJcgP7MSdAA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIIjO9XgtCg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjYxJXyo2RA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-oViVLOqZo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3Kc8uzRRes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfJDb0Hg6u4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFGfUOnsqEw

Enjoy BONES.

EDIT: Also

doctor thodt posted:

Nice op alan.

FREE GUWOP

Henchman of Santa
Aug 21, 2010
Great OP. You were the one who mentioned Open Mike Eagle's new album, right alan? Because I listened to it last weekend and thought it was great. Especially the Hannibal Burress feature.

Wezlar
May 13, 2005



thathonkey posted:

Good call on bringing R&B into the mix but I resent that the OP says Atlanta isnt really the south. That better have been one of the "tongue and cheek" parts :colbert:

When I get off the airplane in Atlanta what time is it?

Previous Jesus
Jun 5, 2013

serbp posted:

Hey guys, I recently started listening to Roc Marciano and Ka, and I was wondering if anybody could recommend (preferably newer) rappers who use the same type of production, or just actual producers if you can't think of any rappers

like similar to the beats 17:10 and 26:00 on this one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1hDpufNXd0

and at around 34:00 and 37:30 on this one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N92qRfDSxQ

Maybe newer Blockhead? The first one kind of reminded me of him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omya36p7Kc4

HoneyBoy
Oct 12, 2012

get murked son

Gonna quote this again in a few years.

40 lbs to freedom
Apr 13, 2007

havent had a chance to listen to all of it yet but that fredo/scooter joint off of guccis new tape is a banger

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDz0hG34J3M

Plum Chaser
Jul 2, 2011

by Lowtax
Trick Trick, Eminem and Royce Da 5'9" have a track called Twerk Dat Pop Dat. Lol

Dr. Shithead
Jun 27, 2008

You got your rhythm goin' now?

Quantum of Phallus posted:

Thanks man.


Also someone please repost the Jeezy/HOV track from last thread, what a banger.

I can't stop listening to this poo poo.

Jeezy - Seen It All Feat. Jay Z (Prod. By Cardo)

Robert Analog
Feb 16, 2008

shyah
Another Person made a great BONES post in the last thread with links to all his stuff since they're scattered around and some are hard to find I thought it'd be good to have them here:

Budget Prefuse
Sep 26, 2011

Robert Analog posted:

Another Person made a great BONES post in the last thread with links to all his stuff since they're scattered around and some are hard to find I thought it'd be good to have them here:
come on dude

doctor thodt
Apr 2, 2004

by Jeffrey of YOSPOS
Trap House 4 might be top 5 of the year so far.

InnercityGriot
Dec 31, 2008

serbp posted:

Hey guys, I recently started listening to Roc Marciano and Ka, and I was wondering if anybody could recommend (preferably newer) rappers who use the same type of production, or just actual producers if you can't think of any rappers

Tha Connection are very close with Roc and their production style is often very similar (maybe a little jazzier), while Rozewood just released a mixtape called the Ghost of Radio Raheem which has a similar flavor. I think the minimalism of Roc and Ka's beats are pretty unique though, so you're going to have a hard time finding much more than that unless I'm missing somebody.

alansmithee
Jan 25, 2007

Goodness no, now that wouldn't do at all!


serbp posted:

Hey guys, I recently started listening to Roc Marciano and Ka, and I was wondering if anybody could recommend (preferably newer) rappers who use the same type of production, or just actual producers if you can't think of any rappers

like similar to the beats 17:10 and 26:00 on this one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1hDpufNXd0

and at around 34:00 and 37:30 on this one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N92qRfDSxQ

Newer stuff is gonna be harder to find, but not impossible. Doppelgangaz are quite similar in production (although tbh I didn't like their most recent album all that much). Boldy James "My First Chemistry Set" is also gonna be similar, although Alchemist doesn't strip down his production as much (nobody strips their poo poo down as much as Ka, excepting some scattered DOOM beats). Jeremiah Jay [producer if you wanna check for his other stuff] & Oliver the 2nd's "Rawhyde" is also similar (also I forget how good this album is, 2013 had like a million good releases).

Henchman of Santa posted:

Great OP. You were the one who mentioned Open Mike Eagle's new album, right alan? Because I listened to it last weekend and thought it was great. Especially the Hannibal Burress feature.
Yeah that was me. I love that album more every time I listen (which is a lot) and it's really the first one from this year I can think of as making any sort of year-end list (maybe god complex as well). It's also secretly the second darkest rap album in the last couple years or so (nothing's gonna top Cage's "Kill the Architect"). Speaking of which, I compared it earlier to Dour Candy by billy woods, but in hindsight it's probably more similar to a more subtle, less insular take on the same themes from Cage's album.

Crumbletron
Jul 21, 2006



IT'S YOUR BOY JESUS, MANE
Sonically that Boldy James album sounds a lot like the other big album Alchemist did last year, Prodigy's Albert Einstein. I liked both of those a lot.

Unknownmass
Nov 3, 2007
Give me some good patriotic rap songs its :911: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEH_ms8d1ws

doctor thodt
Apr 2, 2004

by Jeffrey of YOSPOS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch9c0eHmwaY

:911:

Budget Prefuse
Sep 26, 2011


:yum:

serbp
Nov 30, 2013

alansmithee posted:

Newer stuff is gonna be harder to find, but not impossible. Doppelgangaz are quite similar in production (although tbh I didn't like their most recent album all that much). Boldy James "My First Chemistry Set" is also gonna be similar, although Alchemist doesn't strip down his production as much (nobody strips their poo poo down as much as Ka, excepting some scattered DOOM beats). Jeremiah Jay [producer if you wanna check for his other stuff] & Oliver the 2nd's "Rawhyde" is also similar (also I forget how good this album is, 2013 had like a million good releases).

I listened to the Doppelgangaz new album and to Rawhyde as well, and I'm liking them so far. I'm also really liking that Boldy James album, more specifically the songs Moochie, Rappies, and Give Me a Reason. I've been recently listening to The Alchemist's work recently too, and I really like his style (his production work on Action Bronson's mixtape was amazing, and is the only reason I would listen to Action Bronson). if you could think of other stuff similar to him that's currently out there I would appreciate it (I also really enjoy when producers use old funk/jazz samples, or just try to have a jazzy/funky vibe with the song).

Budget Prefuse
Sep 26, 2011

gotta agree that dark comedy is loving fantastic. everything from the production to the lyrics (gently caress you if you're a white man that assumes I speak for black folks/gently caress you if you're a white man who thinks I can't speak for black folks) is on point. the closing song which is just random thoughts he wrote down because his show got cancelled is oddly touching too

links for people that haven't heard it yet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xcYhmRv7fk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gUCijrrE6s

Budget Prefuse fucked around with this message at 23:40 on Jul 4, 2014

Robawesome
Jul 22, 2005

Top in the traaaaaash

TH4 is sick, better than anything since The State vs. II

beer pal
Mar 30, 2010

alansmithee posted:

For content:

New ep from Chicago duo Hurt Everything (they had that song "Golden" with Alex Wiley, I think). Everything I've heard from it is ridiculous so far, Chicago's got a lot of different stuff going on musically, and a lot of it is good.

http://www.audiomack.com/album/hurt-everybody/hurt-everybody-ep

nice

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Plum Chaser
Jul 2, 2011

by Lowtax

Prefuse posted:

gotta agree that dark comedy is loving fantastic. everything from the production to the lyrics (gently caress you if you're a white man that assumes I speak for black folks/gently caress you if you're a white man who thinks I can't speak for black folks) is on point. the closing song which is just random thoughts he wrote down because his show got cancelled is oddly touching too

links for people that haven't heard it yet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xcYhmRv7fk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gUCijrrE6s

I would've ignored that album but I decided to listen to these two tracks, thanks Prefuse.

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