TheDonald

In today's rap world, I feel that white rappers haven't been given their fair shake. Many have damaged the landscaped for all white rappers (i.e. Vanilla Ice, VH1's White Rapper Show, John Cena, etc) and doomed the legitimate ones to a relatively small, underground following. Each week I will profile and shine the starlight on a deserving white rapper. Please provide feedback/suggestions/etc during this process. The first white rapper to be spotlighted will be El-P. I will have his review up later today. Enjoy!

TheDonald

Jaime Meline, better known as El-Producto (which literally translates into "The Product") began his hip-hop career in 1992. Alongside his friend and DJ, Mr. Len, he released his first single, "Juvenile Techinques" in 1993. The single gained him much recognition and respect in his local Brooklyn music scene.

In 1996, rapper Big Juss joined the duo and they began to call themselves "Company Flow". They released their first EP, Fancrusher, which led to their signing with Rawkus Records.


Fancrusher was produced almost entirely by El-P. The record failed to produce any hits. After signing their with the major label, Company Flow added some tracks to the album and re-released it as Fancrusher Plus. While still failing to produce any major hits, the album was very solid. It is now widely regarded as one of the most ground-breaking and influential alternative hip-hip albums of all time.

A disagreement between El-P and Rawkus Records led to Company Flow leaving the label in 1999, prompting El-P to start his own record label, Definitive Jux.

Company Flow disbanded in 2001, leading to El-P's start as a solo artist. His first solo album, Fantastic Damage, was released in 2002.


The album was widely praised by critics, and spawned such hits as "Deep Space 9mm" and "Fantastic Damage."

In 2004, El-P turned his attention to a different area of the musical spectrum. He teamed with The Blue Series Continuum to produce a jazz-fusion record entitled High Water.


High Water received praise from all sides of the music industry. The album's electronically-tinged jazz-fusion was a far stray from El-P's usual raw, aggresive, lyrical style, but put his musical versatility on display to the masses.

TheDonald

Most recently, in March of 2007, El-P released I'll Sleep When You're Dead, undoubtedly his best album to date.


The album has featured collaborations with Trent Reznor, Aesop Rock, The Mars Volta, and other artists. It has been his most successful album thus far. The album spawed the major hits "Smithereens (Stop Cryin)", "The Overly Dramatic Truth" and "Flyentology."

With his discography and history summed up, let's take a look at the immense style in which he creates his music

El-P's style is virtually impossible to sum up in a single word. He delivers his lyrics in an aggresive, raw manner. His lyrics hinge on word-association and deep metaphors.


In his lyrics, El-P displays political undertones and often questions the nature of humanity and the reality of what is really real. He often makes elusions to science fiction and fantasy in his lyircs, and criticizes the social norms.

With over 15 years of experience under his belt, El-P has only gotten better with time. Each album tops the last, and his lyrics eminate more and more with each track that he puts out. My hat goes off to El-P.

Cghost

Yeah, he's good stuff. His new one is quite good.

TheDonald

A little feedback would be appreciated. I am doing this thread to introduce people to new artists, so please check out their links

Next week will feature Aesop Rock.

sleepy jack

Tasmanian Pain Coaster is a great song. Omar & Ceddy<333 that is all.

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[MERIT]

I fully intend to resurrect this thread when I find some free time. If anyone else would like to contribute just lemme know.

sleepy jack

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[MERIT]

Ethan, you got a haircut?

sleepy jack

You noticed!

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