On April 22 2013 13:04 jeeeeohn wrote: I feel like everyone in this thread is way more knowledgeable than me, haha.
As for Kanye, why no love for 808's and Heartbreak? Sad album, but probably my favorite of his.
I liked it for listening but it wasn't one of his best vocally. Although his production on it is ridiculous.
I'm a big fan of drake unlike many here :p.
I have a big split between rapping ability and ability to make music. It's like, Nas, who is a fantastic rapper, but sometimes can't put together an amazing album worthy of his rapping skill. So while Drake or something isn't always the best rapper his music sounds good, I can listen to it over and over again, and I have fun playing it.
I consider albums as "good" if i can loop it over and over again without being bored, mostly cause I almost always have music playing. So for me, Graduation can go on that list cause there's always a level of depth I can listen to, whether its his words, production, flow, or the little samples thrown in.
I'm not a huge Drake but I agree with you completely overall. Nas gets so much hype, and while I can appreciate his lyricism, I'm almost never imprssed with his albums. He seems almost hilariously music deaf, and has the rare ability to bring the worst out the otherwise talented producers he works.
Music in hip-hop matters hugely, and I love a good lyrical artist. But it needs to be paired good beats, otherwise it means nothing to me.
Its also why Jay-Z>>>Nas to me. Jay-Z, even at his most commercial makes fantastic production choices, consistently across albums, whereas Nas makes horrible ones:
When Jay-Z makes a commercial song he still manages to sound genuine and makes epic (in the most literal sense) songs like Empire State of Mind, whereas Nas makes cynical and terrible shit like this: + Show Spoiler +
In my opinion Nas is the better rapper but you are indeed right about Jay Z having fantastic production choices although I will say that the only albums by Jay that I actually enjoy are Reasonable Doubt and The Black Album. Nas has had some serious slip ups when it comes to albums but I suppose that comes with the pressure of always having to match or top Illmatic. Sucks that his first album is also one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time.
Also, I saw someone mention Bay Area hip hop so I'll just say that Andre Nickatina is criminally underrated.
808s and Heartbreaks was not a hip-hop album. Loved the shit out of the drums on that album but if I wanted to listen to some guy croon I'd take Bon Iver over yeezy any day.
On April 21 2013 07:44 TNK wrote: What do you guys think of Kanye West specifically his albums The College dropout, Late Registration, and My Beautiful Dark Twist Fantasy? I know he is a massive asshole but I think he may have made some of the best Hip Hop albums around.
I fucking love Kanye West's music, though my favourite album by him is probably Graduation, it was the first hip hop album I ever got into or bought. All of the above are incredible though.
Graduation was a pretty big fluff piece imo. It's one of his albums that appeals to the mainstream and not too many tracks that are actually significant. College Dropout and Late Registration imo probably set the bar for mainstream alt hiphop in the past decade. Yeezy will never make another album like either again, unfortunately.
In your opinion
I heartily disagree that it lacks significant tracks. Even the singles bar good life are significant either for content or production.
And songs like I wonder, Everything I am, Flashing Lights and Can't Tell Me Nothing are all great, and as good as anything he put out on Late Registration or College Dropout. Plus The Glory bangs hard ;P
I think that MBDTF and Graduation are both better than College Dropout and Late Registration (though its insanely close with late registration and them, all 3 are incredible), I disagree that he hasn't been able to improve on them.
The problem with Graduation is it's the point where Kanye loses touch with much of his roots. The entire album is introspective in the way that it's his way of announcing to the world "yo nagas I made it in the rap game thx mom Imma go buy some more LV and chains cause that's what my people do when we get famous and no whiteys can hold me down now!" But it's also a massive superficial statement that kinda gets boring. Let's take each track you mentioned into perspective: + Show Spoiler +
Good Life is about celebrating his success and that success entails money bitches and chains - typical boringass rap backed with top notch production, brilliantly woven vocals that you can expect from Kanye. I Wonder is an introspective piece about his dreams and aspirations. Would've been a deep and pronounced track if it wasn't filled with what every other rapper wants. Everything I Am is also a introspective track, but this one's about how all of his haters made him what he is today - all of his detractors that drew attention to the fact that he isn't a rapper pretty much made him one overnight, and he's completely satisfied with that outcome. Pretty much a reiteration of Em's 'The Way I Am' Flashing Lights is just about some dude that can't get a grip on his relationship with a girl, nothing really much to say here. Can't Tell me Nothing is likewise an introspective track about fame and how he's a rebellious man that rose up under the system to row row fight the power. Boring as well and kind of an immature take on societal norms.
Whereas Graduation was all about Kanye and how big his head is, College Dropout and Late Registration was more of a dissertation on his perspective of society, as well as his experiences with what he perceives to be a harsh, unfair system. In that way, his first two albums actually spoke to people, whereas Graduation was simply a chest pounding brag masked in introspection. As KRS One would probably opine, Kanye transitioned from an MC to a rapper. (at least, that's what I think he'd say if it falls in line with what I remember him saying a couple years back. think he also said something similar about emceeing and rapping in a collab with Kanye and Common iirc.)
Don't get me wrong, I'm not hating on the album. Production-wise, it's probably only second to MBDTF as the most accomplished thing he's done. Yet spiritually and lyrically, it falls far behind his debut and sophomore albums. Despite all of that shit I just said Good Morning is one of my all-time favorite tracks, lol.
RA the Rugged Man for the most overlooked/understated/slept on hip hop artists that came out in the 90s? Everyone in the rap game who's anyone knows him and yet maybe 4/5ths of people who listen to hip hop don't listen to him. Am I the only one who thinks he's dope?
On April 22 2013 13:04 jeeeeohn wrote: I feel like everyone in this thread is way more knowledgeable than me, haha.
As for Kanye, why no love for 808's and Heartbreak? Sad album, but probably my favorite of his.
I liked it for listening but it wasn't one of his best vocally. Although his production on it is ridiculous.
I'm a big fan of drake unlike many here :p.
I have a big split between rapping ability and ability to make music. It's like, Nas, who is a fantastic rapper, but sometimes can't put together an amazing album worthy of his rapping skill. So while Drake or something isn't always the best rapper his music sounds good, I can listen to it over and over again, and I have fun playing it.
I consider albums as "good" if i can loop it over and over again without being bored, mostly cause I almost always have music playing. So for me, Graduation can go on that list cause there's always a level of depth I can listen to, whether its his words, production, flow, or the little samples thrown in.
I'm not a huge Drake but I agree with you completely overall. Nas gets so much hype, and while I can appreciate his lyricism, I'm almost never imprssed with his albums. He seems almost hilariously music deaf, and has the rare ability to bring the worst out the otherwise talented producers he works.
Music in hip-hop matters hugely, and I love a good lyrical artist. But it needs to be paired good beats, otherwise it means nothing to me.
Its also why Jay-Z>>>Nas to me. Jay-Z, even at his most commercial makes fantastic production choices, consistently across albums, whereas Nas makes horrible ones:
When Jay-Z makes a commercial song he still manages to sound genuine and makes epic (in the most literal sense) songs like Empire State of Mind, whereas Nas makes cynical and terrible shit like this: + Show Spoiler +
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2de0RBcqiE
In my opinion Nas is the better rapper but you are indeed right about Jay Z having fantastic production choices although I will say that the only albums by Jay that I actually enjoy are Reasonable Doubt and The Black Album. Nas has had some serious slip ups when it comes to albums but I suppose that comes with the pressure of always having to match or top Illmatic. Sucks that his first album is also one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time.
Also, I saw someone mention Bay Area hip hop so I'll just say that Andre Nickatina is criminally underrated.
Jay-Z, I miss his old sound. But his charisma, at least that'll never die out. He's still got it regarding showmanship. (And that's probably how he snagged Beyonce eyyyyy)
Hell yeah he is, I just listened to some songs of his, and this guy needs more exposure! Thanks for the recommendation Surprised he's from SF though, lol.
Actually I agree with you andy. in that sense, I see why the first two > graduation. but since then, I do love how he's played off the big headedness. i strongly prefer MBDTF ( i just realized that the abbreviation has "dtf" lol) and WTT kanye over dropout/late registraton
and yes of course nas > jay z in terms of absolute lyricism and rapping ability, but as a musician, jay z outclasses him with the ability to make fantastic songs and albums.
i've always been very partial to American Gangster, although ironically i cant seem to get into Raekwon when it comes to the mafioso stuff
On April 22 2013 13:04 jeeeeohn wrote: I feel like everyone in this thread is way more knowledgeable than me, haha.
As for Kanye, why no love for 808's and Heartbreak? Sad album, but probably my favorite of his.
I liked it for listening but it wasn't one of his best vocally. Although his production on it is ridiculous.
I'm a big fan of drake unlike many here :p.
I have a big split between rapping ability and ability to make music. It's like, Nas, who is a fantastic rapper, but sometimes can't put together an amazing album worthy of his rapping skill. So while Drake or something isn't always the best rapper his music sounds good, I can listen to it over and over again, and I have fun playing it.
I consider albums as "good" if i can loop it over and over again without being bored, mostly cause I almost always have music playing. So for me, Graduation can go on that list cause there's always a level of depth I can listen to, whether its his words, production, flow, or the little samples thrown in.
I'm not a huge Drake but I agree with you completely overall. Nas gets so much hype, and while I can appreciate his lyricism, I'm almost never imprssed with his albums. He seems almost hilariously music deaf, and has the rare ability to bring the worst out the otherwise talented producers he works.
Music in hip-hop matters hugely, and I love a good lyrical artist. But it needs to be paired good beats, otherwise it means nothing to me.
Its also why Jay-Z>>>Nas to me. Jay-Z, even at his most commercial makes fantastic production choices, consistently across albums, whereas Nas makes horrible ones:
When Jay-Z makes a commercial song he still manages to sound genuine and makes epic (in the most literal sense) songs like Empire State of Mind, whereas Nas makes cynical and terrible shit like this: + Show Spoiler +
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2de0RBcqiE
In my opinion Nas is the better rapper but you are indeed right about Jay Z having fantastic production choices although I will say that the only albums by Jay that I actually enjoy are Reasonable Doubt and The Black Album. Nas has had some serious slip ups when it comes to albums but I suppose that comes with the pressure of always having to match or top Illmatic. Sucks that his first album is also one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time.
Also, I saw someone mention Bay Area hip hop so I'll just say that Andre Nickatina is criminally underrated.
Hell yeah he is, I just listened to some songs of his, and this guy needs more exposure! Thanks for the recommendation Surprised he's from SF though, lol.
Bay Area hip hop doesn't get enough love period. Lots of great new up and coming artists
I'm going to post a few of my favorite 'new' artists right now.
1. Action Bronson is sick i mean really fucking sick this dude is good. I really really really like the beats on this album but the production is a bit weaker than his other stuff but everything this guy is doing is fucking awesome. Blue Chips and Rare Chandeliers are both albums that you must listen to.
2. Flatbush Zombies are super creative and a lot of fun. awesome beats, interesting and over the top lyrics, just good hip hop in general. Juice has such an intoxicating voice im not sure what it is about it but i love it, some of the verses that he drops are absolutely fire. 3. BIG K.R.I.T is fucking awesome his latest mix tape has been on repeat on my ipod for ages the guy has an awesome flow a great voice, and beats that knock so fucking hard. . 4. Joey Bada$$ is fucking awesome the guy is really young and he's already got one of the best mix tapes that I've heard in ages. People compare him to Nas in his prime which i think is a pretty big dis to Nas to be honest. Joey is good but he's no where near Illamatic level Nas. I'm super excited to see this guy blow up within the next few years, I think he has a ton of potential. I mean he's only released one mix tape and he already has MF fucking DOOM producing a few of his songs... i mean yeah. .
There's tons of other really awesome artists out there that are killing it right now but these just happen to be my personal favorites. The only artist I listed that I haven't seen posted already is Action Bronson so yeah, hope you guys enjoy the music.
On April 22 2013 13:04 jeeeeohn wrote: I feel like everyone in this thread is way more knowledgeable than me, haha.
As for Kanye, why no love for 808's and Heartbreak? Sad album, but probably my favorite of his.
I liked it for listening but it wasn't one of his best vocally. Although his production on it is ridiculous.
I'm a big fan of drake unlike many here :p.
I have a big split between rapping ability and ability to make music. It's like, Nas, who is a fantastic rapper, but sometimes can't put together an amazing album worthy of his rapping skill. So while Drake or something isn't always the best rapper his music sounds good, I can listen to it over and over again, and I have fun playing it.
I consider albums as "good" if i can loop it over and over again without being bored, mostly cause I almost always have music playing. So for me, Graduation can go on that list cause there's always a level of depth I can listen to, whether its his words, production, flow, or the little samples thrown in.
I'm not a huge Drake but I agree with you completely overall. Nas gets so much hype, and while I can appreciate his lyricism, I'm almost never imprssed with his albums. He seems almost hilariously music deaf, and has the rare ability to bring the worst out the otherwise talented producers he works.
Music in hip-hop matters hugely, and I love a good lyrical artist. But it needs to be paired good beats, otherwise it means nothing to me.
Its also why Jay-Z>>>Nas to me. Jay-Z, even at his most commercial makes fantastic production choices, consistently across albums, whereas Nas makes horrible ones:
When Jay-Z makes a commercial song he still manages to sound genuine and makes epic (in the most literal sense) songs like Empire State of Mind, whereas Nas makes cynical and terrible shit like this: + Show Spoiler +
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2de0RBcqiE
In my opinion Nas is the better rapper but you are indeed right about Jay Z having fantastic production choices although I will say that the only albums by Jay that I actually enjoy are Reasonable Doubt and The Black Album. Nas has had some serious slip ups when it comes to albums but I suppose that comes with the pressure of always having to match or top Illmatic. Sucks that his first album is also one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time.
Also, I saw someone mention Bay Area hip hop so I'll just say that Andre Nickatina is criminally underrated.
Hell yeah he is, I just listened to some songs of his, and this guy needs more exposure! Thanks for the recommendation Surprised he's from SF though, lol.
Bay Area hip hop doesn't get enough love period. Lots of great new up and coming artists
Damn straight. But then again, most Bay Area artists pride themselves on staying underground and not being mainstream. They know they're hidden diamonds in the rough
"3 of them are featured on Asap's 1Train and I really love all 3. "
You know I honestly haven't really given ASAP that much of a chance, for whatever reason. I don't know why, but I can't dig him... I know listening to him is more about beats and production rather than his lyricism but still, it's just so eh to me I dunno, I probably need to give him another chance.
How do you guys feel about Yelawolf? I enjoy some of the songs off of his first album but I really don't like his hardcore bro image.
On April 24 2013 17:00 Zackgsc wrote: How do you guys feel about Yelawolf? I enjoy some of the songs off of his first album but I really don't like his hardcore bro image.
Yelawolf is pretty fucking awesome. I don't know why his image would detract from his rapping at all. I'd suggest downloading Trunk Muzik Returns. Best thing he's released imo
On April 24 2013 17:00 Zackgsc wrote: How do you guys feel about Yelawolf? I enjoy some of the songs off of his first album but I really don't like his hardcore bro image.
Yelawolf is pretty fucking awesome. I don't know why his image would detract from his rapping at all. I'd suggest downloading Trunk Muzik Returns. Best thing he's released imo
EPT
Surprised he's from SF though, lol.
