Agent Intellect
Absurd Anti-hero.
I've been asked a few occasions about the type of hip-hop I listen to - not often, but I think the fact that I listen to it is sort of an enigma around here. So, I've decided to make a thread talking about and showcasing some of my favorite artists. When I first decided to make this thread, I was going to go by sub-genre's of hip-hop, but when I thought about it, it's difficult to pinpoint a single sub-genre for one artist because in hip-hop (as I'm sure in other music) the style an artist utilizes evolves over time. I think, especially with independent hip-hop, the music comes from an individual who can mold his or her style to their changing feelings and dispositions. So, I've decided I will go by artist and showcase some of my favorites (bear in mind this list is no where near exhaustive).
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Aesop Rock:
Eyedea and Abilities:
Atmosphere:
Wu-Tang Clan:
Doomtree:
El-P
Miscellaneous:
I may add more later if I'm not lazy.
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Aesop Rock:
Aesop Rock is probably the first independent emcee I got into, and I've followed his work ever since. His style is very abstract/subjective, and when listening to it it can often sound like gibberish, because he uses words, concepts, and imagery with loose associations and relatively obscure references.
His first two albums ("Music for Earthworms" and "Appleseed") are pretty much impossible to find. I only own them as files on my computer because Madoness directed me to a website where I could download them. Here are some songs from these two albums:
His third album ("Float") is probably my favorite of his:
His fourth Album ("Labor Days") and fifth album ("Daylight") were his first on the label Def Jux (where he still is) and is the one that made him 'popular' (in the underground/independent scene):
His sixth Album ("Bazooka Tooth") had some strange/creative beats that took me a while to warm up to when I first got the album, but I've since fallen in love with them:
His seventh Album ("Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives") is a short, eight track album. But, it has one of my favorite songs (Holy Smokes):
His eighth and latest album ("None Shall Pass") certainly goes with the trend in independent hip-hop of using live instrumentation in some songs. If you listen to this and then something from "Earthworms" or "Float" you can really tell how much his style has evolved:
His first two albums ("Music for Earthworms" and "Appleseed") are pretty much impossible to find. I only own them as files on my computer because Madoness directed me to a website where I could download them. Here are some songs from these two albums:
His third album ("Float") is probably my favorite of his:
His fourth Album ("Labor Days") and fifth album ("Daylight") were his first on the label Def Jux (where he still is) and is the one that made him 'popular' (in the underground/independent scene):
His sixth Album ("Bazooka Tooth") had some strange/creative beats that took me a while to warm up to when I first got the album, but I've since fallen in love with them:
His seventh Album ("Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives") is a short, eight track album. But, it has one of my favorite songs (Holy Smokes):
His eighth and latest album ("None Shall Pass") certainly goes with the trend in independent hip-hop of using live instrumentation in some songs. If you listen to this and then something from "Earthworms" or "Float" you can really tell how much his style has evolved:
Eyedea and Abilities:
Emcee Eyedea and DJ Abilities probably evolved the most over their short career (R.I.P. Eyedea). Eyedea became known as a freestyle battle rapper, and when his first album dropped ("First Born"), it was very heady, metaphysical, and conscious style. The second album (Eyedea sans Abilities "The Many Faces of Oliver Hart") was also philosophical, but it was closer to the philosophy of the cynics and less about metaphysics, having a commentary on society. The third Album ("E&A" with Abilities again) was much less philosophical (although it still maintained that style) and more clever, braggadocio battle rap style - but, it's probably some of the best beats that Abilities has made. In 2007, Eyedea released a grungy/alternative rock album ("The Some of All Things or: The Healing Power of Scab Picking") with his band Carbon Carousel. It was quite a while before Eyedea and Abilities released another rap album ("By the Throat") which I can only describe as grunge rock (it has a lot of angst and even some 'emo' vibes to it). Eyedea died October 16, 2010 from a drug overdose.
First Born:
Oliver Hart:
E&A:
Carbon Carousel:
By the Throat:
First Born:
Oliver Hart:
E&A:
Carbon Carousel:
By the Throat:
Atmosphere:
Atmosphere is the emcee Slug and producer Ant. Their style has remained relatively consistent over time, having a very down-to-earth, conscious rap style. He talks a lot about the trials and tribulations of life (with a definite leaning toward those living in the working class). The first album "Overcast!" was a lot more lyrical based (but still very much conscious rap), and everything after that has been a lot more content based (not heavy on clever punchlines, but more like storytelling and conceptual).
Overcast!:
God Loves Ugly:
Sevens Travels:
You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having:
When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold:
I haven't had a chance to pick up Atmosphere's newest album "The Family Sign" yet so I'll reserve judgment on that one.
Overcast!:
God Loves Ugly:
Sevens Travels:
You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having:
When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold:
I haven't had a chance to pick up Atmosphere's newest album "The Family Sign" yet so I'll reserve judgment on that one.
Wu-Tang Clan:
I don't listen to much new stuff by Wu-Tang Clan anymore (nothing after "The W" really) but they are pretty much the people that got me into hip-hop in the first place, and in my mind are the pinnacle of 90's hip-hop. So, I almost feel obligated to showcase them.
36 Chambers:
Forever:
The W:
Each of the ten members of the Wu-Tang Clan also have solo albums, and there are too many to go through. I will say that some of my favorites from the group are GZA's albums, Method Man's albums, Raekwon's first album, ODB's first album, and RZA's albums.
36 Chambers:
Forever:
The W:
Each of the ten members of the Wu-Tang Clan also have solo albums, and there are too many to go through. I will say that some of my favorites from the group are GZA's albums, Method Man's albums, Raekwon's first album, ODB's first album, and RZA's albums.
Doomtree:
Doomtree is actually a label, with the artists P.O.S., Cecil Otter, Sims, Dessa, and more. However, I've only just gotten into these artists within the past 6~ months, so I haven't had a chance to listen to all of their material. So, this is going to be sort of a 'best of' (in my opinion) showcase.
P.O.S.:
Cecil Otter:
Sims:
Dessa:
P.O.S.:
Cecil Otter:
Sims:
Dessa:
El-P
He's the founder of the label Def Jux (the label Aesop Rock is on) with two albums on his label. Even though he doesn't have much solo work out, he's collaborated with a lot of other artists (he's featured on a lot of the artists on his label) and he does a lot of producing. He does a lot of science fiction undertones in his music, and generally has a dystopian feel to it (he even references Orwell's "1984" on several occasions). His first album ("Fantastic Damage") definitely shines in the beat department, but El-P greatly improved his flow by the second album ("I'll Sleep When You're Dead") which also features some amazing beats.
Fantastic Damage:
I'll Sleep When You're Dead:
Fantastic Damage:
I'll Sleep When You're Dead:
Miscellaneous:
These are a few other artists I like:
Sage Francis:
Immortal Technique:
Jedi Mind Tricks:
Brother Ali:
Astronautalis:
Cannibal Ox:
Sage Francis:
Immortal Technique:
Jedi Mind Tricks:
Brother Ali:
Astronautalis:
Cannibal Ox:
I may add more later if I'm not lazy.
Saw u post them in the now listening thread.
