What Hip Hop / Rap track really opened up your ears to hip hop?

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   Genycisposted 14 years ago

   What's goin' on.  Wanted to get a feel for the types of tracks that really opened you to the world of Hip Hop?  I know it varies with different people.  What artist and track or album did it for you?  For me, there were several, but I think one of the tracks that did it was "I Gave You Power" by Nas, where he personified being a gun and giving you lyrically, the power of the gun bringing down youth back then.  Of course, I'd have to also say that Mobb Deep, and Wu-Tang (Raekwon's purple tape "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" to be more specific) added to it.  Now though, I'm not so sure what to think, as Soulja Boy type tracks or Stanky Legg type tracks just do not do it for me.
   
   What artist and track or album brought you into enjoying rap and hip hop?  Feel free to share...

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      DeeJay Primeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I did a hub on Rae..the compairison of both pt1 and 2. you should check it.

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      Friendlywordposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I started listening to rap after I heard an interview where Rap Artist explained why they are forced to to be outragious or go hungry. What impressed me most are two Rap songs that still got their message heard even with the offensive language. The first is ROLL THE DICE by Mickey Avalon and THE WAY I AM by Eminem and of course WHY by Jadakiss.

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   Arthur Fontesposted 14 years ago

   I am old school but back in the 80's I worked security in an under 21 club.  The first night there I heard The King of Rock by Run DMC and it blew me away.  Having come from more of a heavy metal past that song opened a whole new genre to me.

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      Genycisposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Ahhh, nice choice.. see, you know it really impacts you when you're mor into a different genre, and a song or track opens you right up to a new genre.  Nice to hear that!

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   Midasfxposted 14 years ago

   Mama said knock you out
   
   by LL Cool J
   
   &
   
   The Humpty Dance
   
   by Digital underground

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   A Texanposted 14 years ago

   In the words of Greg Allman "Rap is short for crap!"

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      Arthur Fontesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      What do you think of Rage Against The Machine?

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         A Texanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         More crap!

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            DeeJay Primeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            You sir are a closed minded numskull. Texas is short for @ss.

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               sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Being a thug is no way to live your life son.

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               A Texanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Listen Gangsta, because I choose to listen to music that doesn't have anything political or misogynistic to say doesn't make me close minded, it actually just makes me normal! However, if the best you can do is put me down  for being a "numskull" you could at least spell it right, playa!
               
               Numbskull, you're welcome

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            Genycisposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            lol!  Yeah, that's what I generally think of some other genres of music too so I feel ya

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               A Texanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Lots of Music can be considered crap.

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      Madame Xposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      

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         lyricsingrayposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         

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   lyricsingrayposted 14 years ago

   candy shop

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   Richieb799posted 14 years ago

   Its gotta be De La Soul and A Tribe called quest
   
   Groups like hiero really got me into hiphop, they were just bringing something more than gangster stuff, something with more flow.
   
   Its the progression of jazz

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      Friendlywordposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      The Godfather of Rap is Issac Hayes The first Rap Song was - I STAND ACCUSED!

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   sunforgedposted 14 years ago

   A tribe called quest, seconded!  - no specific track
   
   also Guru from GangStarr -  particularly ABove the clouds w/ inspectah Deck

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      DeeJay Primeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Above the Clouds is one of the sickist tracks ever. I could listen to that all day on repeat and not get sick of it.

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   sneakorocksolidposted 14 years ago

   I don't typically like rap and I hate the vile crap and the lifestyle it promotes. Everybody should want to grow up to be a punk thugger idiot.
   
   That said some artfull placement in other music is kinda cool. Rapture/Blondie Everybody dance now etc.

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      theageofcakeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      You haven't heard the right kind of rap - Listen to De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising or Arrested Development's 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... and you'll see that some sub-genres of rap/hip hop actually promote a very positive and often inspiring lifestyle. 
      
      The first rap song that really overtook me with a primal emotional impact was probably OutKast's "Bombs Over Baghdad."  But it wasn't until hearing Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's "The Message" that I saw the infinite potential the genre has in terms of lyrical content.   It was so brutal, honest, and vividly conveyed - I've yet to find a rap song that exceeds its utter brilliance.

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      jostaphaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      A few years ago I didn't listen to rap or Hip Hop for very similar reasons.  Then my friend introduced me to (or bombarded me with) a range of underground Hip Hop artists, record labels (Definitive Jux and Ninja Tunes amongst others) and collectives.  This was unlike any Hip Hop I'd heard before.  There was no real macho gangster mentality or aggression, just the odd tongue in cheek reference.  This music was about exploring the voice and experimenting with unusual rhythms and instrumentation - about taking Hip Hop and urban music to new, unchartered territory.  I was hooked.
      
      As for the first song that got me hooked, its hard to say.  It was probably No Regrets by Aesop Rock, a song about the life of an artist!  Other favourites include Lyrics Born, Sage Francis, Buck 65, Blockhead (instrumental Hip Hop), El-P, Everlast (from House of Pain), the Roots, Mike Ladd, Josh Martinez and K-os.

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   DeeJay Primeposted 14 years ago

   Easy-E, Boyz in the hood remix..I knew right then Billy Joel was out and Hip hop was the music for my soul.

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