Ten Hip-Hop Album Recommendations-Part 2

Young Hov!

This post is the remaining 5 hip-hop albums I'd recommend to check out if you are looking to get into some 'good rap'.  Its in no particular order-don't think of these as 6-10.  Each album has a description, a first track to get you into it and a follow up track to keep you in it.  If you dig the album, check out the recommended follow up album.

Anything here you like?  Anything I left out?  Leave a comment below

Also, definitely check out Part 1 which you can find HERE.

Jay-Z - The Blueprint

Jay-Z is king right now, gracefully transitioning from drug dealer to media mogul with ownership in restaurants and basketball teams.  When you hear Jay brag, it is larger than life-but believe it, it is completely true ('Shit, I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can').  The Blueprint is just that, a blueprint for his move from domination of the rap game, to domination of, well, whatever he chooses to touch.  This is the album of a self-made man.

Track: IZZO (H.O.V.A.)
Follow Up Track: The Ruler's Back
Follow Up Album: Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury



Snoop Doggy Dog - Doggystyle

In general my tastes for rap and hip-hop run east, Chicago is about as West as I go.  But the West Coast has produced some greats (some argue 'the greatests') in rap: Dr. Dre, N.W.A., Tupac, Snoop Dogg, etc all hail from California.  Of these, Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle is my indisputable favorite.  This is perfect BBQ music, and if anyone questions your selection you're allowed to pull trump; they are wrong, you are right.

Track: Gin and Juice
Follow Up Track: Murder Was The Case
Follow Up Album: Dr. Dre - The Chronic



Blackstar - Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Blackstar

Yeah, I'm doubling up on Mos Def here, but it almost can't be helped, this album is that good.  One day Mos and Talib decided to put out an album, and it was even more amazing than the two of them separately.  Talib and Mos bounce off each other as easily as the beats bounce off the speakers.  This is about as fun as rap gets.

Track: Definition
Follow Up Track: Brown Skin Lady
Follow Up Album: Mos Def - Black on Both Sides (if you already checked that out, Talib Kweli - Quality)



Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill

Personally, this isn't my favorite Beastie Boys album; early Beasties was frat-rap with a lot of casual misogyny and Licensed to Ill lacks the spirituality and inventiveness that makes later albums so much more interesting.  But this is still a great album and undeniably a classic album.  The Beastie Boys, when it comes down to it, were about friendship and here they are in their purest form, goofing and riffing and acting like idiots because thats what young guys do when they get together with their friends.

Track: The New Style
Follow Up Track: No Sleep Till Brooklyn
Follow Up Album: Beastie Boys - Hello Nasty

The Weeknd - House of Balloons

People will scoff at my inclusion of The Weeknd in here.  This album came out last year, it was a free self-release, and really closer to R&B than it is to rap.  All of these are fair arguments.  Here are mine: 1) I believe the most interesting things that happen in hip-hop are when genres are blended, this album is a beautiful blend of hip-hop, R&B, trip-hop, and so much more; 2) I tossed around a lot of albums that are producer focused (J-Dilla's 'Donuts' is definitely more 'classic'), but I believe amongst them this stands best as an album, to be listened to; 3) There's not much new on this list, after Kanye's 2010 the next closest is 2004.  This album is one of my favorites from 2011.  Warning: this music may create babies.

Track: What You Need

Follow Up Track: House of Balloons / Glass Table Girls

Follow Up Album: J-Dilla - Donuts

Ten Hip-Hop Album Recommendations-Part 1

Andre 3K and Big Boi, in a patriotic moment.

So a week ago I got a great email from my brother-in-law.  He's looking to get more into 'good rap' (as he puts it) and wanted my recommendations of artists to check out.  I was looking for a project and this seemed like a lot of fun.  So, I brainstormed and put together this list for him.

This isn't a 'Top 10 Hip-Hop Albums' list; this is more of a '10 Hip-Hop Albums I Would Want With Me On A Deserted Island (in no particular order)' list.  I readily admit-I have no qualifications with the exception that I'm a pretty strong fan of rap, hip-hop, and associated genres, which is really the only qualification that counts.

Take a look below.  Each entry has a description for some context, a recommended first track to listen to and then a second in case you like what you hear.  If you're jamming to this album and want some more in that vein, I've also provided a recommended follow up album.  The entires below are in no order whatsoever.

I'd be curious in what anyone's opinions are.  Do you agree with these choices?  What would be on your list?  Is any of the stuff below new to you?  Leave a comment below.

Tune in next Thursday for Part 2.

OutKast - Stankonia

If you ask OutKast fans which album is their best, you will have rabid proponents for almost each one, there are at least four that critics would consider 'classics'.  I chose Stankonia because its as wild and inventive as OutKast got, while still remaining a strong duo.  Later albums saw them separate a bit, but here they're still trading verse for better verse for even better verse.  Similar to Mos Def's Black on Both Sides, its almost prophetic how fresh and relevant Stankonia has remained.

Track: Outkast - B.O.B.
Follow Up Track: Outkast - So Fresh, So Clean
Follow Up Album: Outkast - Aquemini



Mos Def - Black on Both Sides

This is Mos Def's massive solo debut.  Recorded over 10 years ago, every single issue he raps about sounds as if he pulled it from headlines today.  Water scarcity, racial profiling, excessive misogyny and materialism, he covers it all while still remaining upbeat and optimistic about our potential as humans to transcend.  This album is one of two rap albums I have on an iTunes playlist called 'Perfect Albums'.

Track: Mos Def: Hip-Hop
Follow Up Track: Mathematics
Follow Up Album: Blackstar - Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Blackstar (if you already checked that out, Talib Kweli - Quality)



Kanye West - My Beautiful, Dark, Twisted Fantasy.

I think that Kanye is one of the most creative musicians working in the world today, and for years I've said that Kanye is hip-hop's Radiohead. And the masterpiece MBDTF his Kid A, where he shows how insanely talented, creative, and far-reaching he is.  His production is glorious and his inspirations are numerous; he utilizes indie rock, soul, revolutionary poetry, you can go on and on with this album.  This is the second rap album on my 'Perfect Album' playlist.

Track: Kanye West ft. Pusha-T - Runaway
Follow Up Track: Kanye West - Lost in the World ft. Bon Iver
Follow Up Album: Jay-Z and Kanye West - Watch The Throne



The Fugees - The Score

I struggled with this selection.  I really wanted to represent a solid female MC on this list and I was balancing between this and The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (her solo debut following The Fugees).  In the end the tipping point was that The Fugees is simply more of a rap album.  The chemistry between these three is unquestionable and is probably a reason this rap classic is very commonly found in 'non rap lovers' collections

Track: How Many Mics (okay, and the classic track, Killing Me Softly)
Follow Up Track: The Mask
Follow Up Album: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill




The Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free

Mike Skinner is a white Brit, growing up in a tradition of jungle, garage, and other more electronic oriented inspirations.  You'll hear that the production (the music, as opposed to the words, you hear) on A Grand is different from most of the other albums on this list.  But this man is an incredible storyteller, better than any other artist on this list.  This is a concept album, an easily followed story instigated by the loss of a thousand dollars that takes the listener through bar nights, cheating girlfriends, and fights with friends.

Track: Dry Your Eyes
Follow Up Track: Fit But You Know It
Follow Up Album: The Streets - Original Pirate Material

Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: A Souvenir To Myself

About a year ago I started posting Azerbaijani rap tracks on this blog.  I wanted to familiarize myself with Azerbaijani rap and I figured the best way to do that would be to post a track a week.  However, after almost 40 posts, I've run out of steam on this.  I still like many Azerbaijani artists but, just like in the US, most of what's released isn't that great and I found I was no longer proactively hunting down Azeri rappers.

What I'm trying to say is; this is the last regular post of Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire.  But its a doozy.  Below is a 75 minute set of the best and brightest in Azerbaijani rap.  I figured this would be a fitting final flourish for this project, and it will probably end up being one of my favorite souvenirs from my time in Peace Corps.

I really hope you enjoy listening to this.  I certainly enjoyed making it, and listening, researching, and writing about these rappers for the past year.  Listen to it below, download it HERE.



Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire Compilation Mix

1) H.O.S.T. - H.O.S.T.
2) Qaraqan - Qaraqan Qayitdi
3) A-Team - Mene Money
4) Xan ft. Kavkaz Clan - Imza
5) PRoMete - Sus
6) Capo ft. Baku Beat - Milk and Coffee
7) AiD ft. Ayka - Hisslǝr Danişanda
8) A-Team - Arzularimi Qirma
9) Uran - Maşin Yolu
10) Baku Beat - Ara Gunlǝr
11) Qurd - Rǝqs Edir Hǝr Kǝs
12) H.O.S.T. - Mǝni Qaytar
13) Uran - Saray Şarilǝri
14) Uran ft. Ramil - Zonda
15) Qaraqan - Validǝynlǝr
16) Caspian Clan ft. Baku Beat - True or Not True
17) Enemy - 23:44
18) Xan ft. Kavkaz Clan - Yağış Olaram
19) Burito - Vdox
20) Kavkaz Clan - Arzular
21) A-Team - Don't Fall Down

Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: Elshad Xose ft. MC Murad - Eşq-Qǝrǝz

Elshad is a big name in Azerbaijani Rap, he's credited with being the most commercially successful rapper, and continued his rap-tastic lifestyle by going to jail on chargers of drug possession.  I don't know if he still holds this title, I certainly see far more H.O.S.T. worship than Elshad Xose, but he's still respected.

My attitude towards him so far has been a bit ambivalent.  From what I hear he's okay, but nothing has blown me away.  Months ago I posted Gencelik, a nice summer jam, but it was too close to The Fresh Prince for me to truly take him seriously.

Eşq-Qǝrǝz however hovers closer to Missy Elliot and Timbaland when they were just getting into their Indian beats.  Elshad creates a strong character in this track, it really seems as if he's a completely different person.  He's seductive and smokey here; far more enticing and dangerous than what I've heard before, and simply from his vocal performance.  I like it.

Check it out below.  Props to RapRock.Az for the post.

Elshad Xose ft. MC Murad - Eşq-Qǝrǝz (which means Love-In Short (as in, a long story made short))



Check out more Hip-Hop In The Land Of Fire HERE

Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: A-Team-Publika

Oh A-Team, how I love you.  I get ready for the day to your pump-up tracks and I dream about going to your concerts at night (seriously-when will I be able to get to one of your shows? I want to give you some money already!)  I saw Publika randomly on youtube and did a little research to see where it came from.  And for my work I was rewarded with a new album to download, A-Team's 2010 'La Edri'

But really, A-Team, I want to see you before I go.  If you will do this for me, I will learn the words to one of your songs (in Azeri!) and rap along with you when you perform it.

Your Friend,
Josh

A-Team - Publika (which means 'Audience')



Check out more Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire Here

The 10th Anniversary Summer Mix-2012

Currently I'm in Istanbul.  Tomorrow night I'll board a bus that will take me to my private boat, where 15 awesome people and I will sun on the deck, swim in the sea, and listen to lots of great music.

This year's Summer Mix was designed specifically with this trip in mind.  There are a lot of people coming and I wanted to put together a mix that would be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their musical tastes.  I want this to be a perfect soundtrack to a perfect summer moment, and this mix is filled with classics in hopes of hitting the mark here: Prince, Rolling Stone, Notorious BIG., Beach Boys, etc etc.

Enjoy The 10th Annual Summer Mix; I think its one of my best.  Check it out and download it HERE:

10th Anniversary Summer Mix-2012

1) The Rolling Stones - Sympathy For The Devil
2) New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle
3) Sloan - Unkind
4) Notorious BIG - Juicy
5) Stevie Nicks - Edge Of Seventeen
6) Beastie Boys - Sure Shot
7) The Beach Boys - Sloop John B
8) The Rapture - How Deep Is Your Love?
9) Prince - Sign 0 The Times
10) Violent Femmes - Blister In The Sun
11) The Pixies - Here Comes Your Man
12) A Tribe Called Quest - Scenario
13) Spoon - The Underdog
14) Katy B - Broken Record
15) OutKast - Rosa Parks
16) Japandroids - The House That Heaven Built
17) Frank Ocean - Songs For Women

Hip-Hop From The Land of Fire: Faust & Ramil - Arzular

I've mentioned the new album by Faust & Ramil of the KavKaz Clan a lot in passing on this blog, but I realize that up till now I haven't actually posted a track off it.  As an album, I haven't yet been blown away, but I do find myself going to this one track.  I really dig the guitar pedal effect on 'dreeeams' and the bass is nice and heavy.  Check it out below.

Faust & Ramil - Arzular (which means 'Dreams')



More Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire

Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: Def Il ft. A-Team Kill A Motherf*cker

Certainly one of the more obscene track titles in Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire; I was assuming that the track would mainly be bluff and fluff hiding behind a shock-tastic title, but its actually quite solid.  New rapper (to me at least) Def Il begins in quadruple time over a plunking piano.  Its a relief to hear them trade off stanzas in the intro-you worry they'll do damage to their mouth rapping so fast.  This is a great intro track to Def Il and I'm excited to see more from him in the future.

Props to RapRock.Az for the post



Previous on Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: Ado

Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: Ado - Soz Verirem

Well, there's been a bit happening in the Azeri Rap micro-universe to catch up on after having been gone for a week (I can't imagine what coming back from Turkey will be like..)  Uran released a solid video, Remo and Hell Resident each came out with new singles, and Faust and Ramirez of Kavkaz Klan are busy doing more and more to promote their new album.

But, perhaps more consequentially, Ado, the first female Azeri rapper I've ever come across, released her first single (that I've been able to find) this week.  Simple production compliments the soft but strong voice of Ado, whether when she's singing or rapping.  Check it out below.

SEO love to RapRock.Az

Ado - Soz Verirem (which means 'I Promise')



Oh alright, here's the new Uran Video since you asked so nicely.



Previous Hip-Hop From The Land of Fire: Enemy & Black

Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: Enemy & Black - 23:44

This past Saturday at MyMic Khachmaz was good for Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire.  I was able to hook up with 2 new rappers and get some contact info and material.  Both were really solid and I'm looking forward to some of the posts I have lined up.

This week's track comes from Enemy of Baku duo Enemy & Black, who came up for some stage time this past week.  I dig the barren aesthetic of this track, vocals and a slight supporting backing track.  No techno effects, no massive drums, just a man stressing over late night insecurities.

Also, Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire has started a radio show on GrupFM.com.  It comes on Wednesday at 9pm(ish) Baku time, which is Wednesday at 12pm EST.  This week will be week 4 and I'm fairly confident at this point that it actually will come on.

Enemy (of Enemy & Black) - 23:44



Previous on Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: Burito

Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: Burito - Na Vostochnom

I like how this song throws you a curve within the first two seconds of opening.  Expecting a quick beat, it immediately drops out to half-time.  But when Burito comes in, he's rapping as if it the beat stayed sped.  The production is simple, it sounds like it was created in GarageBand, but its well crafted.  It will be interesting to see what else Burito has in store for us this year.

Props to AzRap.Az for the exclusive

Burito - Na Vostochnom (which I believe translates to 'The Eastside', I'm not sure because it is using an Azeri alphabet to spell a Russia title)




Previous On Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: Hell Resident

Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: Hell Resident - 1 Il Paranoya

I'll be honest-I don't really understand what's being said in these tracks I'm posting.  Rap in one's native language is difficult enough understand; someone who scores an intermediate-high in language ability hardly stands a chance.  Sometimes this is a problem, I want to hear what Qaraqan, A-Team, and Uran are saying.  I want them to be as clever as I think they are.

Other times its a benefit.  If there was an American rapper named 'Hell Resident' I would probably pass them by, not wanting to hear (what I assume would be) their horror-video game inspired rhymes.  But when you don't know the language-well, who cares!  1 Il Paranoya is a short track, a fever rant alternating with a high-pitched vocal edit.  Of all the tracks I've been listening to this week, this one has stayed with me.  Give it a spin.

SEO love to RapRock.Az for the lead.

Hell Resident - 1 Il Paranoya (which means: 1 year, paranoid)



Previous Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: Qurd

Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: Qurd - Rəqs Edir Hər Kəs

Now this is some Azerbaijani hip-hop.  Within the first 2 seconds, I knew this was a track I had to post.  So far, much of the hip-hop I've heard in Azerbaijan is basically Azeri rapping over the American standard of produced beats, samples, or melodies.  Don't get me wrong-I love that genre, that's why I started this blog.  

This however sounds like it was taken straight from an Azeri toy (wedding).  Imagine this song's melody, increase the decibel level by a factor of a hundred and you'll have a pretty accurate sonic picture of a toy.  It would fit in pretty well, the title means 'Everybody Dance', and I bet if I play this song at softball practice at least 3 of my players will start dancing.  Its an ingrained audio cue since childhood.

SEO love to AzRap.Az

Qurd - Rəqs Edir Hər Kəs (which means: Everybody Dance)

Previous Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: Baku Beat

Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: Baku Beat - Ara Günlər

Last week I posted a track featuring and produced by Baku Beat, which was my first introduction to them.  I've been digging up some more from them and really enjoy the old school sound that they have.  They have a Jurassic 5 sound to them with easy beats and a revolving role call of members contributing their verses.  Ara Günlər has that posse cut feel, a nice and easy jam that bounces along.

Props to RapRock.Az

Baku Beat - Ara Günlər (which means 'Some Days' or 'These Days')



Previous on Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: Caspian Clan ft. Baku Beat

Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: Caspian Clan ft. Baku Beat - True or Not True

I'll be honest, ever since RapRock.Az's site redesign I've basically ditched it as my primary source of finding new Azeri rap.  But, as of yet, it hasn't been a big problem with AzRap.Az posting some great leaks and promos.  And I give them props for the new Caspian Clan track published.

I'm trying to get more into Caspian Clan recently based on Uran's strong mixtape and the strong one-offs they've been releasing.  I really like this team up with Baku Beat, who contribute their characteristic upright bass thump, it gives it a nice old school sound.  Check it out below.

Caspian Clan ft. Baku Beat - True or Not True



Previous on Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: A-Team

Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire Blast From the Past: A-Team - Arzularimi Qirma

Recently I was talking about the idea of musical memory, and the difference between a casual listener and a critic's musical memory.  I'm always impressed by the ability for the critic to make comparisons and identify influences and comparisons amongst other artists.  Its a skill that I wish I had, but alas, I'll never reach the lofty height of Matthew Perpetua.

So I thought about this question a lot when trying to identify where the melody line comes from on this track.  I'm convinced they're using a track I know well; it reminds me of 'Play' era Moby or a stripped down Four Tet, two very favorable comparisons.

Then, after finishing my first draft of this post, I finally realize where it comes from, it comes from the fact that I have already posted this track on Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire.  Talk about a lack of musical memory.  But I'm without internet at my house right now, and I basically have just one chance to write a post, so for the first time ever, we're doing: Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire Blast From The Past.  This is off A-Team's great album Repǝnt.

A-Team - Arzularimi Qirma (which means: Don't Break My Dreams)



Previous Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: Uran

Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: Uran - Maşın Yolu

Over the last couple weeks there's been a lot of buzz on Azerbaijani Rap blogs about Uran, an affiliate of rap group Caspian Clan.  A new music video, a new mixtape; Uran is making a strong pitch for March being his moment.

Uran isn't nearly as polished as A-Team but that works to his advantage.  His voice has the frantic style of a person who's only way to save himself is with the speeded defense he puts forth.  Its a refreshing change of pace from the calm and collected bravado more frequently heard in (Azeri) rap in general.  His production is good too, its more experimental and halting than commonly heard in Azeri rap.  Maşın Yolu is a great example of this, and you can hear his effort of trying to push beyond conventions of Azeri Rap.

If I hear anything in Uran's work, its creativity.  I can't tell what he's saying, but the way he's saying it and what he's saying it over, I can tell he's a smart and creative rapper who is so focused on challenging himself that he may not even see how much he is challenging Azeri Rap as a genre in general.  I look forward to seeing more of what Uran offers us.

Props to AzRap.Az for the mixtape drop.

Uran - Maşın Yolu (which mean's 'Road Machine')



Previous Hip-Hop From The Land Of Fire: PRoMete

Hip-Hop From the Land of Fire: PRoMete - Sonu Görünməyən Yol

Talk about perfect timing.  After all of this A-Team love, I was thinking this week that I'd like to be able to promote a H.O.S.T. affiliated track.  Then, what pops in my inbox, but an email from a former PCV (and current Caspian Dreamer) tipping me off to the fact that PRoMete (of the H.O.S.T. clan) just dropped a new track.

Its catchy-but I guess you could expect that when you're straight up ganking the instrumental from the Ratatat remix of Kanye's 'Diamonds of Sierra Leone'.  Still, its a listenable track, and helps me get my H.O.S.T. fix as the weather once again rebounds from winter.  Check it out below.

Hat tip to Aşiq Timo of the Caspian Dreamers for what's up.

PRoMete - Sonu Görünməyən Yol (which translates as 'Can't Be Seen At The End of The Road')



Previous Hip-Hop From The Land of Fire: Kavkaz Clan

Hip-Hop From the Land of Fire: Kavkaz Clan - Show Must Go On

I like rap.  I like Queen.  So, how could I say no to a combo of the two?  On 'Show Must Go On,' producer, Synaps, used an awesome sample from Queen's 'The Show Must Go On'.  Kavkaz Clan hasn't gotten much love on Hip-Hop from the Land of Fire yet, but this track could change that.  This release is the highlight of the week.

Props to RapRock.Az with the post.

Kavkaz Clan - Show Must Go On

Previous Hip-Hop from the Land of Fire: A-Team - Bǝzǝn

Hip-Hop From the Land of Fire: A-Team - Bǝzǝn

The more I find by A-Team, the more I like them.  Their production and rap flow is consistently good and they are one of the few Azerbaijani rap groups whose album I enjoy listening to in its entirety. Bǝzǝn is their newest single, posted on the blogs over the weekend.  I just posted some A-Team last week (which is one of my favorite Azeri Rap tracks, by the way), but since I'm still feeling them and I think the single is solid I figure I'd throw it up here.  Check it out below.

props to RapRock.Az for the post.

A-Team - Bǝzǝn (which means 'sometimes' or, perhaps for this track 'now and then')



Previous Hip-Hop from the Land of Fire: A-Team - Don't Fall Down