@simao - Quick question, and pardon my ignorance. Is there a way to DM you on this site? I'm new so I don't know the ropes yet.
Some of the better lyricists and musicians in rap and hiphop?
Going old school, I’ve always admired Chuck D’s powerful voice and his lauded expression and articulation in his delivery. Along those lines, Outkast’s voices and hooks are classic. And Nas’s lyrics are as good as anything ever released in the genre. You combine PE’s Nation of Millions with Nas’ Illmatic and sprinkle in some "Ms. Jackson" and you have the first 20 years of hiphop.
Nowadays Anderson .Paak delivers beautifully, as did Mac Miller (rip).
Please note the topic and add constructively to the conversation.
Nowadays Anderson .Paak delivers beautifully, as did Mac Miller (rip).
Please note the topic and add constructively to the conversation.
Showing 11 responses by ggoggin
@glupson. That’s a legitimate question. To answer more generally, it’s clearly been tempting for many of us to respond to provocation - I’m sure that I’m guilty as charged. But giving in to that temptation hasn’t yielded a very satisfying result. I believe most of us are capable of something better. What do we collectively want this thread to be - a conversation between audiophiles who can respectfully agree to differ, or another descent into toxicity? I favor the former and will do my very best to behave accordingly. I hope that you and others feel the same way. |
@whipsaw Her whole band was great, but I particularly remember her keyboard play Federico Gonzalez Pena. At some point he would solo on MiniMoog and just take you way out there. Such a fine musician. This clip from Sessions at West 54th includes an interview with her as well as live performance of four tracks. For someone so talented, she's so humble. A true artist who reminds me what it is to be human. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHojX0PLKms |
Me’Shell Ndgeocello: searing social commentary, master-level bass grooves, and superb vocal phrasing on tracks like Soul on Ice, Shoot’n up and Gett’n High, Make Me Wanna to Holler, (the anti-homophobic) Leviticus:Faggot, Mary Magdalene - all to a background that draws heavily on ’70s soul. And that’s just her first two albums. Listen to her phrasing on the Bill Withers song Who Is He and What Is He to You. If you don’t get it, try singing it the way she does. I’ve seen her live on numerous occasions, always surrounded by awesome musicians, and she consistently just blows me away. |
@simao That's a great story. I remember Washington Heights from '83 on - I had a few friends up there on Fort Washington & 175th, 181st, and Cabrini Blvd (which was a whole different thing). NYC was quite different back then - regular people could afford to live in the city. I look back on that time with great fondness, although I don't think I really appreciated what it was and what was going on at the time. The blindness of youth etc. etc. I spent a lot of time on the LES as well, and it was all salsa all the time down there - also a great vibe. |
Some here won’t need this, but for anyone who’s historically challenged when it comes to hip hop - here’s a link to an overview in Wikipedia that clarifies its origins in the Bronx, among other things. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip_hop_music |
West Village one bedroom 1983 (my apartment) $318/month Average cost today: $3,500/month Given standard landlord metrics, this would require a minimum income of around $140K. In the early 80’s a lot of creative people could afford to live downtown - not so much anymore. As a result it’s nowhere near as interesting an environment today as it was back then, IMO. |