Beats, Rhymes & Life: A Journey Into Hip Hop
 

Welcome!

I'd like to make this a place where I introduce the MB community to the full spectrum of hip hop out there. I understand a lot of people dismiss this genre without really giving it a chance, so I'd like to pick out albums of relevance within the genre, give detailed reviews and sound clips (via the medium of YouTube). I'd like to encompass the full range of hip hop in these reviews and provide for all levels of previous knowledge about the genre. I'd like to shine a light on not only the music, but other aspects encompassing an album. This may be an album of politic relevance at the time, a genre-influencing album such as the jazz-hop revolution or simply instrumental hip hop. There'll be no 50 Cent and Lil Wayne here, I'll hopefully be able to introduce people who are unfamiliar with the genre with quality album rather than the commercial junk which tarnishes its name, as well as offer some lesser known gems for already fans of hip hop.

About me? I'm a 21 year old graduate in Biology living in the UK. I was first exposed to hip hop music about 10 years ago (a sticker saying 'parental advisory' was both intriguing and tempting back then, right?). Although I didn't know much about it then, I believe I have a fairly deep knowledge of the genre now. I think a common reason people don't give the genre a chance is that they can't 'relate' to where some of this music comes from. I can see where they are coming from at times, but I feel there is a wealth of intelligent lyricism if you persist through the junk. I feel the genre often displays emotion in its rawest form, ranging from anger to love. I'm personally a fan of more layed back hip hop, instrumental and jazz influence sub-genres, however I obviously started out listening to more trashy, common albums when I was younger. There's been many stops in the hip hop journey, all of which have influenced my habits and led me to where I am now. I guess that's what music is all about, the journey and influences which have impacted upon the present, and I guess for many people the journey will continue. It's a fluid process, and who knows where it will stop.

So yeah, I'll be reviewing a variety of albums here. Career defining albums, landmark albums which changed the way hip hop was viewed and influential albums in the genre. I'll also be calling upon many of my favourites ranging from laid back instrumenal hip hop to the jazzy sound of A Tribe Called Quest. I'll throw in some international hip hop to demonstrate the scene around the globe and hopefully provide accessible and quality hip hop to people who ar emaybe unfamiliar or put off by the genre to filter the wheat from the chaff, the real lyrics and beats from artists solely indulging in rims and quims. Hopefully people with give some of these a chance.

I'm not claiming to be some sort of omnipotent hip hop deity, I'm simply recommending and presenting what I feel is the best examples of the broad spectrum of hip hop. Get involved with a discussion, check some of the albums out and just ask if you need a link. I'll do my best. Hopefully as this goes on a repertoire of great and diverse hip hop albums will have accumulated in one place for people who want to explore hip hop for the first time or seek a new direction or album they haven't heard.

I'l also maybe include a 'Monthly Mixtape' which deviates from a specific album and includes a handful of tracks from a variety of albums. I think this may help display a collection of tracks in one place to download; maybe artists/tracks which maybe wouldn't get a look in due to the albums they are on. It will also be easier to demonstrate the range of artists this way, being able to include some lesser known artists rather than restricting this to albums.

Enjoy the ride.. :)

Ah, I was looking for some Hip-Hop recommendations earlier in the week, so I shall be keeping an eye on this! Good luck :).

Is a quim a real thing?

Anyway, this will be interesting hip hop is probably the genre I spend the most time with these days. I'll be especially interested in the international stuff - I've never really pushed past English speaking countries.

I'm excited. Should be interesting to see what you put up, outside of a few rap groups from the 90's, some trip hop, and a bit of underground/alternative stuff, my hip hop knowledge is actually pretty limited. Should be interesting to get some recommendations that aren't the god awful cross of hip hop and R&B that seems so prevalent these days...

Due to the name of the journal, I feel there's no better place to kick off this journey than with one of my favourite artists, A Tribe Called Quest. A hugely influential group in the genre, they formed in 1985 and were part of the Native Tongues Posse, a group of like minded hop hop artists in the late 1980's. Along with artists such as De La Soul and The Jungle Brothers, they pioneered a new brand of hip hop which was typified by jazz samples and culturally relevant intelligent and open-minded lyricism. ATCQ consists of Q-Tip, Phife Dawg and Ali Shaheem Muhammad, with a few other short-term members for certain albums. This core has remained the same through the decades into the present, with Q-Tip (rapper/producer) also possessing an impressive discography of smooth, laid back hip hop.

With such a amazing collection of albums, I could have probably chosen any of their releases, however I decided on their second album titled The Low End Theory. The album has a lid back swagger from start to finish, characterised by the jazzy beats and smooth flow of Q-Tip and Phife Dawg. The double barreled emcee attack works so naturally here, where in other groups this can often seem forced. A sort of tag-team interplay between the two exists, often trading short verses on similar themes. Lyrics are always thoughtful and refer to a variety of social issues at the time, ranging from date-rape to consumerism and trends in American society at the time.

I believe in general the main caveats which need to be satisfied for a successful hip hop album are the beats, rhymes and life. Production on the form of the beats/instruments, the content and lyrics which are coupled with this, which are influenced by life.. the experiences and issues which are put across by the music. I feel all too often these ingredients are haphazardly thrown together. It is very rare that all three are pulling in the same direction and I believe this is one of those records where it is most apparent, and what a joy it is! The smooth an laid back beats match the thoughtful issues at hand, portrayed by the almost lackadaisical delivery of the two emcees. All too often a huge production and loud beat (which may sound stunning alone) overshadows the lyrics, or even worse, a verse which tries to match or overcome a cluttered beat which creates an unsavory listening experience and overcrowded tracks. A balance is needed, these factors need to compliment each other. It's almost as if the beats and rhymes on The Low End Theory were never separated, that they are symbiotic and could not exist apart. It really is a joy to listen to, liquid hip hop in the golden era.

Standout tracks? Take your pick. There's a handful of track which are prime examples of great jazz hip hop. Look no further than Jazz (We've Got), the clue is in the name after all! Released along with Buggin' Out as a single in 1991 with a pretty cool video in and around New York. Uber smooth and with various jazz samples, it's almost indescribably cool. Absolutely timeless and as described above, the natural fusion of the beat and the lyrics has never been so clear. The interplay and comradery between Q-Tip and Phife is evident setting each other up for the next verse, a nice touch and maintains cohesion such as the end of the first verse of Jazz (We've Got).

I don't really mind if it's over your head
Cuz the job of resurrectors is to wake up the dead
So pay attention, it's not hard to decipher
And after the horns, you can check out the Phifer

They say a picture/video tells a thousand words, but I think checking out the YouTube video below really gets across the theme at the time. The final verse of Buggin' Out is delivered acapella and the video beings in black and white and eventually turns into colour as the track goes on. Relaxing and uplifting. Many people associate hip hop with violence, greed and lyrics glorifying guns, money and material living. It doesn't have to be like that. Hip hop can be low key, jazzy and intelligent, and ATCQ helped to pioneer this ethos, their music transcending time and remaining as relevant and on point as it was back in 1991.



In summary we are rewarded with a thoughtful, pensive and groovy album which has stood the test of time. Personally I believe many early hip hop albums appear dated when viewed now, which is certainly not the case with the full ATCQ discography. The jazzy and soulful production has influenced many and is the benchmark for this branch of intelligent and jazz infused hip hop.

I realise fans of hip hop will have probably heard this already but it seemed a great starting point. I didn't really want to jump in with some more obscure things until I'd got a few classic and influential albums out of the way, building a solid base to kick on from you might say. So check it out, play it loud and unwind to the jazzy vibes of one of the finest groups to grace the genre.

We got the jazz, we got the jazz. We got the jazz, we got the jazz..

Very cool, awesome write up. Thanks for the rec

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This album won't change anything within the history of Hip Hop but it's still essential regarding an alternative look at the origins and a pointer that the scene was not always exclusive regarding the Bronx. It's a fantastic album that merits a listen.

Thanks jackhammer, I'll definitely take a look at that tomorrow!

I should have time to do my next album review too, hopefully..

I look forward to the next review. Hip-hop is a genre I have literally never listened to before, and that first album was brilliant. Aswell as Jackhammer's rec.

Cheers, keep em coming!

Rad Journal idea, I've been meaning to get into hip-hop myself. Looking forward a lot to see what you'll throw out next.

Fast forwarding roughly a decade to 2000, we come to one of my favourite hip hop albums. Reflection Eternal is a group comprising emcee Talib Kweli and producer Hi-Tek, whom you may have heard of before. It's quite a topical review actually as I believe their second album under this moniker. It was recorded at a time when both artists where relatively new to the scene, which makes this album all the more incredible considering they were both relatively inexperienced. The album was well received by critics, but it was an underground album which was far from mainstream and was likely very low-key at it's time of release with the airwaves dominated by big production rap/R&B fusion. The album continues with the theme of afrocentric and political/intelligent hip hop, with Talib Kweli being quoted as being influenced by members of the Native Tongues Posse (discussed int he previous reviews) such as A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul. It's likely that the pioneering album by Q-Tip and company inspired this duo to head in the direction of their niche. Despite Talib Kweli being from New York and Hi-Tek being a native of Cincinatti, the two came together and clicked to produce this project.

The album starts off with none other than an endorsement from one of the most influential black characters in history, Nelson Mandela. Okay, it's not actually him but Dave Chappelle doing a bloody good impression of him, but it immediately puts the album into context and gives the impression that although it's going to be fun, the issues tackled in many of the tracks will ranging from the problems in American culture such as violence and commercialism ("these cats drink champagne/to toast death and pain/like slaves on the ship talkin' 'bout who got the flyest chains" to love and hope.

"This, is Nelson Mandela. I represent Johannesburg, South Africa. When I'm in Africa chilling out, I listen to Talib Kweli, and DJ Hi-Tek. Reflection. Eternal.."

So it begins. The album is a rollercoaster of energy, with some great upbeat tracks, amazing production throughout and the usual passionate and meaningful delivery from Talib Kweli. The flow of the album is perfect and it's an absolute joy to listen to in one go, with in my opinion some of the best saved until last with Good Mourning and Expansion Outro. In these reviews I'll hopefully be touching on a few of my favourite tracks with which to demonstrate the mood and style of the album which will hopefully make you go away and listen to it for yourself and decide on your own favourite tracks. You could probably select any two tracks from this album and it'd be a great advert. I can't emphasise the combination of soulful beats and thoughtfully deep and poetic lyrics on this album, an amazing combination.



Where better to start than Love Language (excuse the annoyingly brief intro to the YouTube link, couldn't find a better one), it's a track based strongly in the theme and love, the different types and nature of love and the beauty of it. The song is beautifully paced like the whole album, very relaxing despite the often frantic and rapid delivery of Kweli. I believe the message is that love is.. "more than pillow talk, it can't be translated, learn how to speak it, and become emancipated, it's a language." In addition to the great verses by Talib and the hook is delivered in French (I guess to demonstrate the universality of the theme), and can be translated as follows:

"L'amour n'a pas de, frontiere (Love has no boundaries)
Restes car je t'aime comme tu es (Stay because I love you as you are)
J'ai traverse l'ocean du verbe (I crossed an ocean of words)
Et je t'ai trouve (And I found you)"

Another amazing track is Good Mourning, which comes near the end of the album. The beat is beautiful, absolutely stunning, and the verses by Kweli again demonstrate his unique talent, it often seems like he's rambling on as complex rhyme structures build up on top of each other.The lyrics are meaningful and deep, no more so than the hook which is just a taster of what is addressed throughout not only this track but the album:

"Good mourning, good afternoon, good night
What have you done with your life?
Everybodys time comes to be embraced by the light
You only scared to die when you ain't livin right, man.
I'm puttin up a hellafied fight
Stay awake to the ways of the world"



Very few hip hop albums, in my opinion, have achieved this level of poetic political awareness portrayed in such a beautiful way. Often when culture and political issues are addressed in the genre, it's an excuse to be uber aggresive and the point often gets lost in this. This album is laced with thought provoking rhymes, revolutionary attitudes and beautiful production working in tandem. A great track on the album, Memories Live, is a great example of the influences and reasons for addressing these issue, explaining how memories and personal history all build up and influence attitudes, and how reflection is quite literally eternal.

Quite truly an incredible piece of hip hop. Despite addressing a range of issues, the message and feel of the album is positive.. a stark contrast to many other releases in the genre at the time. There's also something for everyone here, there's smooth hip hop and some great upbeat tracks. The beats are always impressive and interesting, as well as being experimental, much like ATCQ complimenting each other. If you want to listen to some real hip hop, check it out. Honest, thought provoking and dynamic. A true masterpiece in the genre, and much underrated.

Apologies if it's been a little rushed (I'll probably have to edit a few parts after re-reading). Just wanted to put it out there before the weekend, hopefully in future I'll have more time and work on one or two reviews over the weekdays and post something a little more polished! Thanks, and enjoy.

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Hopefully post another review tomorrow afternoon, and one at the weekend.

One new release, one classic!

Sorry for the delay. Did anyone check out RE-TOT?

Hey man, when we going to see a new update to this journal? Been looking for some more hip-hop to get into, and what you mentioned so far has been great... Also checked out that Digable Planets debut album, the one with Cool Like That on, so mad.

Great review of a great album. Is it just me or have Talib's last few albums been subpar when compared to his earlier work?

Maybe my expectations are too high but I've been disappointed with (though I still enjoyed them) most of his albums since Quality.

No, I feel the same way. He's still very good at his craft but Black Star and Train of Thought are such instant classics that he's kind of stuck competing with himself. It seems Vast Aire and Shamar have found themselves in a similar situation. How can they ever top The Cold Vein?

I agree, nothing has ever surpassed this release for him. There's the great album team up with Madlib which is quite good, but Reflecton Eternal is on another level in my opinion.

Also I apologise for my prolonged absence, I've been internetless whilst at home with the parents over the festive season but I'm back now so I'll hopefully be cracking on with some reviews int he near future as it's very thin o the ground at the minute! Also if anyone has any feedback that'd be great, i'm sort of just freestyling with the structure of the reviews so I've no idea if they're relevant or interesting.

Should they be shorter with more reviews? Are they right as they are? More detailed reviews? Let me know!

d&c.