So Day 01 it is. August 20, 2007. Today I'm gonna start off with something more mainstream than usually, just to get you guys started. But today's underground song is by Common, a huge figure in hip hop, and if you haven't heard of him, you've definitely not heard hip hop. His deep voice immediately takes you into his lyrics and combine that with the unique jazz beats (though common in a lot of underground hip-hop) that you won't really find anywhere else. The addition of samples and the R&B chorus really add a lot to this song, which from what I've interpreted is about basically the strive and struggle to live and the things in everybodys life. You won't find any lyrics about smokin weed or shootin in gang fights, this is the raw uncut feeling of living. So anyways, since this is kinda more mainstream, its easier to find the music video on youtube, so here it is:
This is street ra-dio, for unsung heroes Ridin in they regal, tryin to stay legal My daughter found Nemo, I found the new primo Yeah you know how we do, we do it for the people And the struggles of the brothas and the folks With lovers under dope, experiment to discover hopes Scuffle for notes, the rougher I wrote, times were harder Went from rocky starter to a voice of a martyr Why white folks focus on dogs and yoga While people on the low end tryin to ball and get over Lyrics are like liquor for the fallen soldiers From the bounce to the ounce, its all our culture Everyday we hustlin, tryna get them custom rims Law we ain’t trustin them, thick broads we lust in them Sick and tired of bunchin it, I look on the bus at them When I see them struggling, I think how I’m touchin them The People
The day, has come Now we, are one Just take, your time And then, you’ll find
This is street ra-dio, for unsung heroes Ridin in they regal, tryin to stay legal My daughter found Nemo, I found the new primo Yeah you know how we do, we do it for the people The people said that I was sharp on TV At the Grammy’s, though they tried to India.Arie me Got back stage, and I bumped into Stevie He said no matter what, the people gone see me Can’t leave rap alone the streets need me Hunger in they eyes, is what seems to feed me Inside peace mixed with beast seem to breed me Nobody believe, until I believe me Now I’m on the rise doin business with my guys Visions realize, music affected lives A gift from the skies, to be recognize I’m keeping my eyes on the people, that’s the prize
The day, has come Now we, are one Just take, your time And then, you’ll find
This is street ra-dio, for unsung heroes Ridin in they regal, tryin to stay legal My daughter found Nemo, I found the new primo Yeah you know how we do, we do it for the people From Englewood to a single hood in Botswana I see the I in We my nigga, yours is my drama Standin in front of the judge with no honor Barack stick, knight the people like Obama The karma of the streets is needs and takes Sometimes we find peace in beats and breaks Put the bang in the back so the seats can shake Rebel Cadillac music for the people sake The People
The day, has come Now we, are one Just take, your time And then, you’ll find
If you like this song, check out his recently released album Finding Forever (2007).
Well I like the song, but the thing I never get about hip-hop and rap is why do they have to dress so 'bad-ass' with straight rimmed caps and long pants, making funny hand gestures, saying, "yo waz up nigga dawg.."
I appreciate what your doing OP but Common hasn't been underground for a very long time. I'll definately check back to your other posts though, to see if you've got anything new that i've never heard of. Some Underground you might want to look into would be Nujabes, Living Legends, JMT, Swollen Members, POS Doomtree. Will post more if you are interested.
On August 21 2007 05:10 kidd wrote: I appreciate what your doing OP but Common hasn't been underground for a very long time. I'll definately check back to your other posts though, to see if you've got anything new that i've never heard of. Some Underground you might want to look into would be Nujabes, Living Legends, JMT, Swollen Members, POS Doomtree. Will post more if you are interested.
yeah, i'm already a huge nujabes and kero one fan, but i wanted to start off with something a little more mainstream than normal just to get people into it, i dont want to delve in to some guru or k-otix stuff and get people hating it already, i thought common did a pretty good job with this track to bring it more to the masses, so id thought itd be a good day 1 post.
i think common still has some talent and is willing to experiment like in electric circus, with stereolab, etc, but like all rappers who were good in the 90's he sucks horribly now compared to when he made "time travellin'", "nothing to do", etc, etc, the good ol' southside of chicago coolin cruising summer jams. But oh well maybe I just miss old school hip hop but one of the reasons I stopped listening to almost all hip hop is because of fucks like talib kweli who sings for the youth to teach them about how rap needs to be rid of guns and drugs when he's doing it for the same exact fucking reason to sell records only he lies more and tells himself he's doing it for a good cause. Lil'wayne shits on all the save hip hop fucks
Great song, glad you posted it for people to hear. Your taste seems really close to mine, although I haven't followed hip-hop as closely for the past 5-6 years. The Roots are probably my all-time faves, hope to see your input on them (though their heyday is over now).
Common, Mos Def, really all the people and groups you listed are <3.
On August 25 2007 15:09 Clutch3 wrote: Great song, glad you posted it for people to hear. Your taste seems really close to mine, although I haven't followed hip-hop as closely for the past 5-6 years. The Roots are probably my all-time faves, hope to see your input on them (though their heyday is over now).
Common, Mos Def, really all the people and groups you listed are <3.
yeah the roots are pretty awesome for the fact that they use a live band for their beats, kinda something you'll only see at a show of theirs, but they did release an album last year called 'game theory', in my opinion, it is a decent album but not great, hopefully they wont break apart like jurassic 5 and release some dope albums in the future.