lately ive been interested in this kind of music but ive kind of disregarded it for many years so i am a total noob at finding new artists
i like artists like: a tribe called quest, public enemy, fat jon, immortal technique etc.
im mainly looking for mellow, instrumental groups with some funk/swing. some critera im looking for is:
-real sounding percussion (i guess like on some of the Tribe albums)
-some sort of melody, phrase or vamp. preferably vamp because thats what im into atm, in the vein of some funk guys like george clinton or herbie. the more funky the vamp, the better, real or synthesized sound im not into just the bass and rapping alone
-mellow, non abrasive tones
i dont mind something different to this, but this is kinda what i like atm. feel free to recommend completely different artists.
note: like i said im a total noob so im not sure if this is considered hip hop or not.
Alright, these aren't all really that much like what you suggested because most of your description is quite different, but then you did mention Fat Jon who IS like a lot of this stuff, so...I'll just list my favorite underground/djs:
Sadistik, Atmosphere, Prolyphic and Reanimator, Pez, Blu & Exile, Sage Francis, Athletic Mic League, Mr. J Medeiros, Pez, Thomax (remixes underground shit), Cise Starr, CYNE, Nomak, Soulstice, Simon Kawamura, Shin Ski, Unknown Prophets, Living Legends, anything by the living legends individuals (LuckyIaM, Eligh, The Grouch, etc), Dj Okawari, Abstract, Substantial, Wordsworth, Masta Ace, Cunninlynguists, Aesop Rock, Eyedea & Abilities, Edo G,
Groups more kind of like Immortal Technique - Army of the Pharoahs, Jedi Mind Tricks, Apathy, don't know too many more cause I don't like most of that militant stuff; out of Immortal Technique I only like the couple of songs like Caught in a Hustle and Dance with the Devil.
If you're just lookin for the stuff like Fat Jon specifically, it would be DJ Okawari, Nujabes, Simon Kawamura, Shin Ski, and Nomak
check out the roots (things fall apart) and jurassic 5 (quality control and power in numbers) to start with for more organic jazzy beats in hip hop. typical cats are another great group but they are pretty underground. i don't see how big L fits the criteria the OP is looking for, but he's sick as balls none the less.
kewl song by black thought of the roots:
i also recommend you check out some of clazziquai's blogs/threads.
EPT
