Semi-non mainstream rap for folks.

[Hampton]

I thought some people might find this useful, I see a lot of people talking about rap is mostly what they see on MTV and all that other shit, so here's a short list of rap artists/groups that are either political, not talking about how big their tires are, or both. Hope this helps expand yo' mind and by all means add to the list:

Tech N9ne- You can go here (http://www.teccanina.com/main/index.php?id=media) and download some of his songs, I recomend 187 On A Hook (he has the last verse), Absolute Power, Devil Boy, I'm A Playa, Ima Tell, The Grench, The Industry Is Punks. He also came out with a song called "Beef" on the BEEF soundtrack which is also awesome. Crazy flow, crazy lyrics.

Deltron 3030 or Del the Funky Homo Sapien: Self Titled (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004YYXL/qid=1067151456/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-5666568-8289615), Future Development (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005NNW3/qid=1067151505/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-5666568-8289615?v=glance&s=music) and Both Sides of the Brain.

Dead Prez: Just came out with a new album, Get Free or Die Trying (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000CD5F6/qid=1067148560/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-5666568-8289615). Soon to release a real album I hear.

The Coup: Steal This album (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000069CLP/qid=1067151384/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-5666568-8289615) and Party Music (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005N6RO/qid=1067151384/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_2/002-5666568-8289615).

The Roots: Phrenology (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00007B9DP/qid=1067151255/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-5666568-8289615), Things fall apart (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000I5JL/qid=1067151255/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/002-5666568-8289615?v=glance&s=music) and Do You Want More?!?!?! (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000003TB6/qid=1067151255/sr=5-1/ref=cm_lm_asin/002-5666568-8289615?v=glance).

K-Os- His album The Exit is very sexy. Good tracks: Fantastic, Freeze, Superstarr Pt. 1.

Blackalicious: Blazing Arrow (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000065DJ4/qid=1067149507/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-5666568-8289615) is a great album. Stuff like Paragraph President, First In Flight, Chemical Calisthentics.

Little Brother: Listening (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000089CGF/qid=1067149669/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-5666568-8289615) is a uber sexy album and an awesome group.

Outkast: Speakerboxxx (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000AGWFX/qid=1067151671/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-5666568-8289615), Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000013GB/qid=1067151671/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_7/002-5666568-8289615?v=glance&s=music), Stankonia (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00002R0MA/qid=1067151671/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/002-5666568-8289615?v=glance&s=music).

Dilated Peoples: Expansion Team (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005PJG8/qid=1067149770/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-5666568-8289615) and The Platform (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004SDQ2/qid=1067149770/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_2/002-5666568-8289615) are good albums.

Jedi Mind Tricks- Visions of Gandhi (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000AGWIL/qid=1067149904/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-5666568-8289615) is their latest and it's awesome. Good tracks: Tibetan Black Magicians, Walk With Me, Kublai Khan.

Talib Kweli- Everbody knows this guy, if you don't own Quality (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000719UL/qid=1067150045/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-5666568-8289615), Reflection Eternal (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000067CLQ/qid=1067150045/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_2/002-5666568-8289615), or Black Star (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000067CLT/qid=1067150045/sr=2-3/ref=sr_2_3/002-5666568-8289615) you are a sick motherfucker.

Mos Def- Black on Both Sides (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00001XDNV/ref=m_art_bow_2/002-5666568-8289615?v=glance&s=music).

Common- Stuff like Like Water for Chocolate (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004S51H/ref=pd_sim_music_3/002-5666568-8289615?v=glance&s=music) and Electric Circus (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00007FGLT/ref=pd_sim_music_1/002-5666568-8289615?v=glance&s=music) is delicious.

Jurassic 5- Power in Numbers. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006J9OZ/ref=pd_sim_music_1/002-5666568-8289615?v=glance&s=music)

Immortal Technique- Go and download these songs and be blown away: Dance the Devil, Obnoxious, the poverty of philosophy, revolutionary, dominant species, Internally Bleeding, The 4th Branch. Then go buy the album here. (http://www.viperrecords.com/imtech/about.shtml)

Public Enemy: Such classics as It takes a Nation of Millions (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000024K1/qid=1067150556/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-5666568-8289615) and Fear of a Black Planet (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000024IE/qid=1067150556/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_2/002-5666568-8289615).

Tupac- Songs such as Letter to the President, Holla at Me, Life Goes On, Nothing to Lose, Starin at the World Thru My Rearview, Dear Momma, Changes, Hell Razor, White Mans World, Only God can Judge Me, Can't C Me, All Out, Me Against the World, Violent, Thug Style songs that people might overlook due to the sterotype that Tupac carries with him. He is the best.

NWA- Straight Outta Compton. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006JJ51/qid=1067150794/sr=5-1/ref=cm_lm_asin/002-5666568-8289615?v=glance) Fuck tha Police biach.

Nas- Illmatic (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000029GA/qid=1067150922/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_2/002-5666568-8289615). Classic.

Canibus- Rip the Jacker (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00009Y3PI/qid=1067150980/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-5666568-8289615). New album full of battle raps. If you get no other song, get Poet Laureate II and cry at its greatness. Not to mention 2000 B.C. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004UAOW/qid=1067150980/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/002-5666568-8289615?v=glance&s=music) and Can-I-Bus (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000AFWY/qid=1067150980/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/002-5666568-8289615?v=glance&s=music).

Krs-One- Kristyles (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008OLYM/qid=1067151110/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-5666568-8289615). The legend is back.

[synthesis]

I just got back from a Hieroglyphics concert (Del the Funky Homosapien's group); Little Brother opened for them.

Very enjoyable.

[Hampton]

Nice. I was going to go see them some time this month but it was in the middle of the week and I have class ass early in the morning so I didn't go.

[Umoja]

On Dead Prez, I was coming out the Holland Tunnel yesterday, and saw a Poster on the NYC side that said DPZ "F**k the Law" in Stores now. So, I was glad I wasn't driving because I started freaking out.

[andresG]

Speaking of Little Brother, I just downloaded some tracks off "God's Stepson" which is some 9th Wonder remixes of Nas' songs.

Too sexy.


P.S.
Hampton, how could you mention Common and not include "Resurrection"?
Blashphemy!

[Hampton]

Whoops! I knew I missed one, yea, that's an awesome album.

[Alejandro C]

what about Paris.

for some reason i just discovered him. i go to guerillafunk.com to read their stuff every once in awhile and i always see stuff for him but just yesterday did i get some. its damn fine.

[Umoja]

Paris is great, download "Evil" and "What would you Do?" off his site.

[Alejandro C]

oh yeah, you also forgot Kool Keith, how could you. also known as doctor octogon, dr. dooom, black elvis, mr. gerbek. he is the most unusual artist since wesley willis (r.i.p.) but much more creative. his hip-hop is unmatched.

[celtopunk]

I can't believe I'm the only one that brings up Michael Franti & Spearhead or Steve Zearle and Red Dagger.

[praxis1966]

Can't believe noone has mentioned The Last Emporer. Rookies. There's also alot of good dance hall out there. Damian Marley and Beenie Man to name a couple.

Edit: I'm sure many of you have heard it already, but Zack de la Rocha, KRS, and Last Emporer got together on a track called CIA. It came off the Lyricists' Lounge compilation. Definately worth a gander.

[Rastafari]

sorry, but Dancehall is satan's music.