Introducing me to Rap (or rap hip-hop)

[RealSS]

Can you recommend rappers, and some of their songs, in particular that I may be interested in?

I hate to propel the 'best pop star of all time' (Moby) argument laid on Eminem, but in all honestly I've never really been into rap other than Eminem, who is by far my favourite artist. May I point out that I find Eminems 'pop' songs like My Name Is rather irritating, with among my favourites being Rock Bottom and Role Model, so it's not that I'm only into pop music.

Moving on, as I said recommend some rappers and some of their songs that will help me to get into them. Funnily enough I've been giving Tyler the Creator a go after Em shouted him out the other week, and I've enjoyed his stuff. Reminds me of Em in his early days.

Thanks!

[Master Chief]

Tyler The Creator is an average, over-hyped cock.

Check Royce, Tech N9ne and Joe Budden out. AND since you like Em, I suggest you check out a very similar dude that goes by the name of Hopsin.

[One Mic]

J. Cole

I think you'll like this. It's an easy song to "get into", decent production etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o9dXLNuXic

Thoughts?

If you like that, then I can proceed with more info. Didn't want to overload you in one post.

[Devil'sAdvocate]

how abt ya check out the dude called crooked I.

check out masta ace.

make sure to check out royce and joe budden solo work.

check out rakim and biggie and public enemy and g rap and snoop

and My Name Is is not a pop song,it is very lyrical and extremely hip hop.

[One Mic]

and My Name Is is not a pop song,it is very lyrical and extremely hip hop.

It's corny/wacky as fuck. Can't stand that piece of shit.

Even Em said it was a "goofy song" and hoped people didn't think it was a true representation of the SSLP

[Rollimeo]

hopsin

Joe Budden

nas

[Devil'sAdvocate]

and My Name Is is not a pop song,it is very lyrical and extremely hip hop.

It's corny/wacky as fuck. Can't stand that piece of shit.

Even Em said it was a "goofy song" and hoped people didn't think it was a true representation of the SSLP

ignorance.

[RealSS]

Thanks for the great response! Keep 'em coming, I'll give them all a listen and then give you my feedback. It's much appreciated.

Tyler The Creator is an average, over-hyped cock.

Just thought I should point out that when I said he 'reminds me of Eminem' I simply meant in terms of his outrageous lyrics, i.e. 'raped a pregnant bitch and told my friends I had a threesome'. As I said, I've enjoyed it, but there is only so much I can listen to.

[Hiphopdane]

I think you'll enjoy the albums below, especially Lifestylez (...) if you want to hear a rapper whose style is somewhat similar to Eminem's:

Nas - Illmatic
Big L - Lifestylez ov da poor and dangerous
Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt
Common - Ressurection
Mobb Deep - The Infamous
Talib Kweli - Quality

[Sam.]

cunning linguistics - a piece of strange .
sadistik- the art of dying and balancing act .

[Manly Moose]

I would suggest buying Doggystyle or Ready To Die. If your just getting into hiphop most all of the other stuff suggested will probably seem boring to you.

[Satire]

I would suggest buying Doggystyle or Ready To Die. If your just getting into hiphop most all of the other stuff suggested will probably seem boring to you.

As much as I hate to admit it this is probably true. You really don't fully appreciate good hip-hop until you understand some technicalities and find what it is that you as a listener look for in a song.

On the other hand, the first post linked Hopsin & Tech N9ne who are probably some of the most accessible independent artists out right now.

[Mahmoud48]

Listen to kanye lil Wayne young money Good Music g unit 50 cent busta rhymes chris brown

[WakeUpShow]

For veterans:
Biggie (Ready to Die)
Nas (Illmatic)
Jay-Z (The Black Album)
Copywrite (The Life and Times of Peter Nelson)
Snoop/Dre (The Chronic 2001)
Slaughterhouse (Slaughterhouse)

For young guns:
J.Cole (Friday Night Lights + the songs Cheer Up, Lights Please and a few others)
Hopsin (RAW)
Kendrick Lamar
Kid Cudi (Man on the Moon and Man on the Moon 2)

[KillahBee]

Common's album BE is really easy to get into so I'd reccommend that as one of first albums for you to check out, along with The Roots - How I Got Over and Game Theory

then move onto whatever has been mentioned here, and also:

Outkast - Southernplayalistic, ATLiens, Aquemini and Stankonia

Wu Tang Clan - 36 Chambers

GZA - Liquid Swords

Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...

Ghostface Killah - Ironman and Supreme Clientelle

then if you feel like moving to more experimental, or a less "mainstream" style, check out artists associated with Rhymesayers and Rawkus Records, and maybe a couple of albums released on the Def Jux label too, though I wouldn't dive into any of them without accustuming yourself to the majority of stuff already listed here