ka - cold facts

brownsville's ka unleashes grief pedigree upon the world. stepping away from the recent wave of amateurish rhyming laid over lush, dense production, ka's shakespearean lyricism over beats that are in the same lane as the stuff on roc marci's album marcberg is refreshing, kinda. nothing new but it does (somewhat thankfully) step away from the swag/cloud rap thing that everyone seems to be doing now.

Cannibal Ox - The Cold Vein

I'm posting in [relatively] quick succession because I'm listening to Cannibal Ox again after a long time and was overcome by the sudden urge to share my experience. Cannibal Ox is about as gritty a hip-hop act as you can get, in terms of lyrical content. This shit is depressing. You have the regular "street" themes going on but the imagery is just incredibly creative and abstract throughout most of the record and the flow(s) is/are just magical. This is all topped off by El-P's production (a talented MC in his own right) whose grinding, just-the-right-amount-of-repetitive beats capture the atmosphere created by the lyrics perfectly. Symbiosis, is what I would call this.

In conclusion, it doesn't matter if you are or aren't a hip-hop fan, I would recommend this album to anyone who can appreciate creativity of lyrical content.

download

buy & support

R.I.P. Biggie

Biggie Smalls is probably the greatest MC of all time and this is widely considered to be his magnum opus.

DL here

Beautiful Minds - Killah Priest & Chief Kamachi

Lyrical heavyweights Killah Priest, a longtime Wu-Tang affiliate, and Chief Kamachi of Army Of The Pharaohs collaborate on Beautiful Minds, a record which demonstrates a remarkable synergy between the two all the while exhibiting their individual lyrical and poetic prowess. Having copped this album back in 2008, I still find the time to listen to this every time I'm in the mood for no-nonsense rap and it's never boring. If you're a fan of lyricism coupled with strong production and beats, then this one is definitely for you.

Rapidshare (yes, yes...I know. Mediafire isn't working for me at the moment and I could only find a rapidshit link)

OB4CL2-Raekwon

Raekwon is definitely one of my favourite Wu members and this album is testament to that. With killer rhymes over killer beats with even more killer guest appearances (RZA, GZA, Ghostface Killa, Inspectah Deck, Jadakiss and more), this album guarantees more than 2 listens if you're a hardcore rap fan like myself.

The Low End Theory?

Yup, classic hip-hop record from 90's rappers A Tribe Called Quest. At the time of their inception, ATCQ were considered unique within the hip-hop community, mainly for avoiding the gangsta rap popularized by fellow rappers. The lyrics often revolved around abstract yet transparent concepts such as consumerism. Also helped pioneer the jazz-rap movement.


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Wu-Tang Clan ain't nuttin ta fuck wit!

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) by Wu-Tang Clan



So I decided to follow suit with the previous hip-hop post and so here's The Wu, which is just straight up, hardcore rap. And very intelligently put together at that. The rhymes always have me smiling to myself because they're so well put together and how the Clan members just alternate through the verses is seamless. Check it out, it's a beautiful album.
Mediafire

I come with hip-hop...

The Roots-Things Fall Apart
link





So I don't really know that much about hip-hop, having begun to delve into it's somewhat underground artist's music not too long ago, but I do know what I like,and I like The Roots. Now pause your Lil' Wayne track and give this a try.

Dela- Changes Of Atmosphere
link






Now, Dela. Pretty awesome, instrumental hip-hop by some white guy. Incredible beats, outstanding production, perfect beach music, I find.

Black Star (no, not the Carcass song)

Check this. This is a group I've been listening to extensively. Featuring 2 of my favourite MCs of all time, Talib Kweli and Mos Def, this is not your typical radio plastic bullshit. No, this is BLACK STAR:hip-hop duo extraordinaire.

This album is AMAZING. The rhymes are sick, the flow is flawless and the beats are chilled out and laid back. Pretty much everything about this album is perfect. Greatly recommended.
Mediafire

And do support them by buying their album! Peace.