[quote][i]Originally posted by hutter[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by jumpshift[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by randy[/i]
<br>ALWAYS SUCKED!!!![:D]
[/quote]
But what about some of the rap groups who make put out thoughtful and meaningful lyrics and make good quality music?
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A Tribe Called Quest comes to mind.
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For videos and tunes from yesteryear, take yer butt over to:
http://nealsnow.multiply.com/
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I just saw the Tribe last weekend at the Berkeley Community Center. Nice blast from the past. Here is a list of hip hoppers that haven't bought into the ideas of bling/gangsta:
Anything from the Quannum label. Artists include Lateef the Truthspeaker, Lyrics Born, Blackalicious, Lifesavas, Curumin, General Elektriks. Lateef has done a couple of Fatboy Slim's recent singles.
Crown City Rockers - These guys are all Berklee trained and use the Roots' formula of live instruments and an emcee. They even have a female keyboardist. Great live band.
DJ Shadow
Cut Chemist
Jurassic Five
Common - used to be extremely homophobic, but was able to evolve. I saw him freak out at a San Francisco concert when he saw two guys kissing. We later had a long discussion via email (a musician that answers his email, cool) talking about the social responsibility of rappers and their lyrics. One of his life-long friends subsequently came out of the closet and then died of AIDS. His friend completely changed Common's views on homosexuality and he has become one of the leading voices for tolerance within the hip hop community.
Mr. Lif
J-Live
Procussions
Mos Def
I can come up with 50 more if you want 'em. I think the perception problem with Hip Hop is that MTV, radio and the major record labels have completely altered the public perception of what hip hop is. They've so solidly focused on the amoral and superficial "artists", leaving the true innovators with no airplay, exposure, or ability ot market themselves. I've said it before but I'm really disappointed in my fellow new wavers/punks that are so quick to jump on the "hate rap" bandwagon. We were the kids that listened to the music that society didn't want us to. We were the ones that told the major labels to get a clue or fuck off. Most of the people I've encountered on this board, at least on this issue, seem to have turned into bland xeroxes of the same people that always condemned new wave and punk.