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Damn right I like the life I live, cause I went from negative to positive

9 May, 2008

Slightly different type of post today. I've been listening to a lot of newer rap in the cubicle lately (I'm like Michael Bolton in Office Space "Sup g?"), and I have come to the conclusion that i seem to always come to when i think about contemporary rap: rap music really has gone downhill in the last decade or so. And of course that doesn't mean there aren't great songs coming out now, or that there aren't great artists, it just means there aren't as many and they aren't producing like the greats. The music today is also much more listenable and accessible. I think the beats being put under the lyrics are better than they've ever been. But as a whole body of work, today's talent doesn't match the older breed.

Also, as a disclaimer, I should note that I am in my mid 20s -- too young to really have appreciated anything before Naughty by Nature. I've gone back and listened to a lot of rap from before my era and like much of it, but it just seems immature. Not in message or style or skill, but more in sound.

With all that said I give you:

The Fifteen Best Rap Songs Ever

What makes a rap song great? Like other forms of music a different element of a rap song can stand out. The delivery, the lyrics, the beat- heck even the video... because of this my list may seem (likely depending on your tastes) eclectic or narrow-minded. And, to preemptively answer any criticisms- I don't care what you think. It's my site, my list. There's a reason I don't allow comments, and this is it!

Basically this list is a big fuck you to all of the people who say that rap music isn't art, isn't as musical as some other genre, isn't skilled, doesn't use traditional instruments ¹, whatever. This is a place for that person to start, to build an appreciation off these songs.

Here they are, in no particular order, with a favorite line

• Notorius BIG - Juicy
  The quintessential rap song. Even as a huge Tupac fan I always loved this song - it's just so inspirational, and comes off as genuine. "And if you don't know, now you now" (the best line is actually the post title!)
• Bubba Sparxxx - Deliverance
  I know, a bit of a dark horse, huh? But if you bought this album and listened to it (not many of you did, it only sold like 300,000 copies) you know it was one of the best rap albums ever, lyrically and sound wise. This song was emblematic of it, and had a sweet O Brother Where are Thou video! "Solid on the surface as I crumble within/But legends are made out of vunerable men"
• Common - The Light
  A real love song is less that rare in the rap medium - particularly one without an R&B crossover. This is just a great love song, regardless of genre. "I want to be the one to make you happiest and hurt you the most"
• Dead Prez - Hip Hop
  You probably don't think you know this song, but you do. Watch some Chappelles' Show and listen to the song playing as he takes the stage; yep. Aside from a beat that just flat out knocks, the lyrics are great and have something to say. "if you a liar-liar, pants on fire Wolf-cry agent with a wire/ I'm gon' know it when I play it"
• Tupac Shakur- So many Tears
  It would probably be possible to make a passible version of this list with all Tupac. He really was that good. He had so much to say and said it so well. If there is a song that shows how alone a person can feel better than this, I haven't heard it. "I'm barely standin, bout to go to pieces, screamin peace"
• Outkast - Babylon
  Not their most popular song by far, in fact it was on thier second album, before most people had even heard of them. But this song is just beautiful, so wide lyrically and such an experience when it's listened to. "but they make it seem that my music and crime are a team/but i'm speakin the truth not dreams"
• Dayton Family - What's on my Mind II
  I know, you have no idea who the Dayton Family is, but you should. If nothing esle for this song. The anger and resentment that comes across in this song creates an amazingly strong emotion for the listener. A quick trip to wikipedia to read up on the group (with another click to read the history of their hometown) might help their bitterness make more sense. "My future's blind, now tell me, what's on yo mind?"
• M.O.P. - Ante Up (Robbin' Hoods)
  This is a goosebump song, meaning that the first time I heard it I literally had goosebumps by the time it was finished. Not easy to listen to if you aren't a rap fan, but it's a measure of appreciation. Violent lyrics, yelling, cursing, but still awesome. "Things that we need, money, clothes, weed indeed, Hats, food, booze, essentials, credentials"
• Goodie Mob - Soul Food
  You love Gnarls Barkley now, you should love Cee lo THEN. This song needs nothing more said. "Everything that I did, Different things I was told, Just ended up being tood for my soul"
• Method Man & Redman - Da Rockwilder
  Best. Beat. Ever. If this song doesn't make you want to do the goofy dance from the video you aren't human. Seriously. Proof that lyrics don't have to be poignant to be great. "Doc-Meth back in the flesh, blood and bones"
• Talib Kweli - Ms. Hill
  Another song you've probably never heard. It's a tribute to Lauren Hill, who he toured with when he was a part of BlackStar. The song is genuine, and one of the best by Kweli and that's saying a lot! "you give us hope, you give us faith, you the one/they don't like what you got to say but still they beg you to come"
• Tupac Shakur- Dear Mama
  I don't know of anyone who has given this song an adequate listen and thought that hasn't shed a tear. It's that emotional. "And when it seems that I'm hopeless/You say the words that can get me back in focus"
• Dr. Dre & Snoop - Nothin' but a G thang
  Probably the first great gangsta rap song. This song really had no redeeming feature, other than that it's a ton of fun to listen to... Seriously, and even with that you know you love this song. "When I'm on the mic, it's like a cookie, they all crumble."
• Ghostface Killah (Of the Wu-Tang Clan) featuring Mary J. Blige - All That I Got Is You
  In the current age of overproduced southern catchphrase rap, giving this song a listen is a wonderful reminder of what's best about rap music. It reminds you that all rap is is poetry set to music. Sometimes it's bad poetry, sometimes it's this. Poignant is the only word to describe the stories told in the song. It's rough, it's hard to understand at times, but it's also brilliant. "Sometimes I look up at the stars and analyze the sky/And ask myself was I meant to be here... why?"
• The Roots - Can't stop this
  It's meta, it's a tribute to Jay Dilla (you don't know who he is, but you should) rapped over one of his beats. It's a great listen, and it's over one of Dilla's beats. "I'm comin' from all the streets that never been cleaned/and speakin' for any faith that never been seen"

Honorable mentions (this list will probably grow!)

• Talib Kweli - Get By
• Kanye West - Family Business
• Common - I used to love H.E.R.
• The Roots - Don't Say Nothing
• Eric Sermon - Music

So, there you go. The best rap music ever. GO, LISTEN!!!

¹ Of course the Roots play their own instruments, so you're a moron anyways.