Look into underground hip hop, there’s all sorts of awesome music of much higher caliber than mainstream rap/hip hop.
Mf Doom, Busdriver, Kool Keith (and his many many aliases), Aesop Rock (not ASAP Rocky or whatever), and I’m sure lots of newer stuff I’m not even familiar with. Digable Planets are pretty big and they’re good (and old, like me)
I’ve dabbled into some underground stuff. I like hopsin for one. I’ve heard of Mf Doom but couldn’t pick out a song.
For me it’s less the rapper themselves it’s what they’re rapping about.
I don’t like music I can’t relate to and I can’t relate to most rap songs. I’m not out here thuggin or poppin caps, doing drugs and fuckin bitches. I don’t even really want to do those things. So that erases almost half the damn genre out the gate.
I like certain rap songs like tech9’s Dysfunctional or Am I a Psycho or Eminem or NF’s stuff but for the most part I can’t stand most of it.
And the glorification of “thugging” is what I mean by raps negative impacts.
I don’t like music I can’t relate to and I can’t relate to most rap songs. I’m not out here thuggin or poppin caps, doing drugs and fuckin removed. I don’t even really want to do those things. So that erases almost half the damn genre out the gate.
I promise I’m not trying to spam you with stuff, but here are two I’d recommend, with that specific criticism in mind I listen to what I listen to because of the lyrics for the most part, and I’m not into those things either.
Some folks don’t like Atmosphere’s style much, but I’m recommending these to you because of their lyrics, specifically. (Personally I think these are both bangers though.)
I’ve had a hard time getting into Aesop Rock, but he comes up so often I should try again.
I have enjoyed most Busdriver that I’ve heard, but I admit I often have to look up his lyrics to understand them, and it’s probably discouraged me from exploring his catalog more than I have. My fave that I’ve heard of his is Much, partially because he slows it down a bit.
Digable Planets - I only knew them for The Rebirth of Slick for decades. Took a deeper look a couple years ago and was blown away. They are high on my list now. Love their sound. Good recommendation there!
I hear you on Busdriver, I tend to not listen to the words and just hear it as a sort of instrument so it doesn’t matter what he’s saying. But for those that do, I could see it being too much, same with Kool Keith.
I’ll check out Brother Ali, I’ve heard of him but not his music.
Look into underground hip hop, there’s all sorts of awesome music of much higher caliber than mainstream rap/hip hop.
Mf Doom, Busdriver, Kool Keith (and his many many aliases), Aesop Rock (not ASAP Rocky or whatever), and I’m sure lots of newer stuff I’m not even familiar with. Digable Planets are pretty big and they’re good (and old, like me)
.
I’ve dabbled into some underground stuff. I like hopsin for one. I’ve heard of Mf Doom but couldn’t pick out a song.
For me it’s less the rapper themselves it’s what they’re rapping about.
I don’t like music I can’t relate to and I can’t relate to most rap songs. I’m not out here thuggin or poppin caps, doing drugs and fuckin bitches. I don’t even really want to do those things. So that erases almost half the damn genre out the gate.
I like certain rap songs like tech9’s Dysfunctional or Am I a Psycho or Eminem or NF’s stuff but for the most part I can’t stand most of it.
And the glorification of “thugging” is what I mean by raps negative impacts.
I promise I’m not trying to spam you with stuff, but here are two I’d recommend, with that specific criticism in mind I listen to what I listen to because of the lyrics for the most part, and I’m not into those things either.
Some folks don’t like Atmosphere’s style much, but I’m recommending these to you because of their lyrics, specifically. (Personally I think these are both bangers though.)
https://youtu.be/CnkSW_J5Fww
https://youtu.be/DOSUexERmhA
I’ve had a hard time getting into Aesop Rock, but he comes up so often I should try again.
I have enjoyed most Busdriver that I’ve heard, but I admit I often have to look up his lyrics to understand them, and it’s probably discouraged me from exploring his catalog more than I have. My fave that I’ve heard of his is Much, partially because he slows it down a bit.
Digable Planets - I only knew them for The Rebirth of Slick for decades. Took a deeper look a couple years ago and was blown away. They are high on my list now. Love their sound. Good recommendation there!
I’ve got to also recommend Brother Ali.
I hear you on Busdriver, I tend to not listen to the words and just hear it as a sort of instrument so it doesn’t matter what he’s saying. But for those that do, I could see it being too much, same with Kool Keith.
I’ll check out Brother Ali, I’ve heard of him but not his music.
IMO you are in for a treat. His voice is something else IMO and I love his style.
Here’s one of my favorites (fairly, ah, opinionated): Uncle Sam Goddamn
Also -
Can’t Take That Away (Just nice.)
(Also pretty opinionated:) Mourning in America
Listened to some yesterday and today, I dig it, thanks!
So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂