[stlrman]

Rap is one of my least favorite genres , but I was reading a review on Pitchfork about Kendrick Lamar's new album called Good Kid Mad City.
This album floored me with its melodies, lyrics, hooks, etc. I agree with most reviewers who call this album genius and an important work in the history of Rap/Hip Hop.
This was the highest rated album at Pitchfork. New York Magazine choose it as the number one Pop album, and tons of reviewers put this on the top 5 releases in 2012.
I am in the camp where 99% of Rap is shit, but this album is a masterpiece. IMHO
Give it a listen if you dare.
Todd

[Vapor Audio]

Alright Todd, you hooked me ... I'll check it out and report back.

[Berto]

Will have to check this out. Thx. I agree most rap, esp these days is shit. In the 90s I did enjoy boping to some Tupac and Biggie. IMO they broke the mold when those two talents died

[kenreau]

Thanks for the post, I will now check that out.

I'm in the same rap is crap (98% at least) camp, but had an eye opener recently listening to Frank Ocean 's “Channel Orange,” which just took home the Grammy for "urban contemporary" album.   I think "rap" music was getting such a bad rap   for a number of years that they re-branded it  "Hip Hop" or "R & B"???.  I guess the genre now falls under "urban contemporary" for more appeal to the masses.  Is "rap" still used as a contemporary music genre?

I must confess that I watched a good portion of the Grammys (from the DVR with a finger on the fast forward button more than it was off the button) and kind of enjoyed the mash up group of Chuck D, LL Cool J, Tom Morello and Travis Barker doing a medley of hits. 

Kenreau

[neekomax]

Yeah, Channel Orange is really good. It is definitely not rap (there's some rapping on it), but it does fall under the broader category of hip hop, and also modern R&B. Kendrick Lamar is a rapper, his is a rap album. Both are cool.

If you like Frank Ocean then do yourself a favor and listen to "Voodoo" by D'Angelo (or "Brown Sugar", but "Voodoo" is the landmark album). This is not just the best 'urban' album of the last 20 years, it is one of the best and most innovative album of any genre released in the last 20 years. In my very humble opinion, of course. Some of the people who contribute to "Voodoo" are Charlie Hunter, Roy Hargrove, Quest Love (drummer of The Roots), and the late producer J. Dilla, widely considered a genius (just google him). D'Angelo took a ridiculous amount of time and care making this album, recording and mixing it himself at Electric Ladyland Studios for years before its release in 2000, and basically invented a whole new sound, a la James Brown.

Anthony Hamilton's "Ain't Nobody Worrying" is also a great modern R 'n B album. He happened to be D'Angelo's backup singer on the Voodoo tour, and was up for the R 'n B Grammy this year.

/end rant

[lonewolfny42]

http://vimeo.com/50889669

[dB Cooper]

Here is my idea of rap Genius

[Diamond Dog]

Neekomax knows of what he speaks - Voodoo is a great album. The long-awaited follow-up is supposedly going to get dropped soon and I'm looking forward to it.
While we're at it, a shout-out for K'naan if you're going to dip a toe into the rap/hip hop thing. Good enough for Austin City Limits, good enough for you ? Damn straight.

D.D.

[TF1216]

Might I add Lyrics Born into this discussion?  I've seen him in concert and it's a fun event.  He has his wife (Joyo Velarde) sing with him on-stage.  You can hear her on many of his tracks.  He, and the entire Quannum Projects gang, are fun to listen to.  Lateef is another favorite of mine.

Lyrics Born's lyrics tell a story that make sense or can be followed.  I have found very few artists that can do that for me.     I hope you guys like him.  My favorite song of his has to be "Differences" which I can't find a decent link for.  It's about the 'differences' between he and his wife.  It's pretty hilarious, at the same time, clean and respectful.

LB's version of a love song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMQ5oCENBPU&list=AL94UKMTqg-9CYi_TFb5dPMdLQSJVbm3Yp
As heard on commercial (Diet Coke) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfWzyEWFu3I
Rap about his lost friend - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD8yTwgKHnA
About growing up Asian - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FA31SmIIxFU&list=AL94UKMTqg-9CYi_TFb5dPMdLQSJVbm3Yp
"Differences" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP_o30WEjmA

[roscoeiii]

Yeah, that Kendrick Lamar album and Frank Ocean are great. I was also really impressed by Killer Mike's "R.A.P. Music" produced by the excellent producer El-P. Another one worth taking a listen to.

[jackman]

Yeah, Channel Orange is really good. It is definitely not rap (there's some rapping on it), but it does fall under the broader category of hip hop, and also modern R&B. Kendrick Lamar is a rapper, his is a rap album. Both are cool.

If you like Frank Ocean then do yourself a favor and listen to "Voodoo" by D'Angelo (or "Brown Sugar", but "Voodoo" is the landmark album). This is not just the best 'urban' album of the last 20 years, it is one of the best and most innovative album of any genre released in the last 20 years. In my very humble opinion, of course. Some of the people who contribute to "Voodoo" are Charlie Hunter, Roy Hargrove, Quest Love (drummer of The Roots), and the late producer J. Dilla, widely considered a genius (just google him). D'Angelo took a ridiculous amount of time and care making this album, recording and mixing it himself at Electric Ladyland Studios for years before its release in 2000, and basically invented a whole new sound, a la James Brown.

Anthony Hamilton's "Ain't Nobody Worrying" is also a great modern R 'n B album. He happened to be D'Angelo's backup singer on the Voodoo tour, and was up for the R 'n B Grammy this year.

/end rant

I agree with you 100000%.  D'Angelo was an amazing and unique talent.  I'm not sure what happened to him but "Voo Doo" and "Brown Sugar" all classics (reminder to self to get them back to friend who borrowed them after a party), and D'Angelo is a monster talent.  He commands the stage (or commanded because I have not seen anything from him in years) like no other R&B artist.  I'm pulling for the guy to keep things together because he's a really special artist when he's on his game. 

OP - thanks for the reminder.  I've got to check out Kendrick Lamar.  Thanks!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygCeBoYD9ps

[MattTCG]

I was a fan of rap back when I was younger but haven't listened to any of it in 10 years. This album does have me intrigued so I'll give it a listen on MOG today.

Thanks for the heads up!!