Hip-Hop Hall of Fame

Other Steve · October-5th-2004, 01:11 PM

A new thread to ponder, spinning out of the "Queen Latifah Jazz" thread in Speak Out. There, I suggested that one possible reason for Latifah's new jazz/R&B disc, The Dana Owens Album, was a sense of built-in obsolesence in hip-hop, a music that seems to blow through and dismiss its icons relatively quickly, especially women. Here's what I posted there:

Quote:

It raises an interesting point, and one not germane to this thread or forum: What hip-hop albums are most likely to stand the test of time? Which ones will remain durable for future generations? Does hip-hop have a Sgt. Pepper, an In a Silent Way, a Red Headed Stranger? I'm sure that the answer is "yes," but I'm curious to know what records y'all think are the ones that hold up.

So what about it? Which hip-hop albums do you go back to? Which ones remain germane long after the topicality has faded? I'll start by listing a few (and since I'm at work now, I can't really elaborate, but maybe later...). I'm really looking forward to seeing what you all have to say on the subject; I'm far from an expert, so I expect to be thoroughly schooled here.

Run-DMC - Raising Hell
Boogie Down Productions - Criminal Minded
Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
Public Enemy - Fear of a Black Planet
N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton
De La Soul - Three Feet High and Rising
Doctor Dre - The Chronic
Wu Tang Clan - Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers)
Company Flow - Funcrusher Plus

Obviously there are a great many more to be added to this list, but that's where I'll start off the top of my head. I look forward to seeing what you all feel should be added.

For starters, Ozzy: Paid in Full or Follow the Leader?

Sergio Zamora · October-5th-2004, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Other Steve

For starters, Ozzy: Paid in Full or Follow the Leader?

I'm gonna say 'Paid in Full', because I think it has the songs folks remember the most (at least I do)

How'bout 'The Low End Theory'?

Probably my single favorite classic song of all time would be BDP's 'The Bridge is Over' (on 'Criminal Minded')

Enforcer · October-5th-2004, 01:26 PM

Dr. Dre - The Chronic and Arrested Development - 3 Years, 5 months, and Two Days in the Life Of would both make my list. Maybe 2. A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Mauraders?

Actually, everything on your list also, Steve.

Rob C · October-5th-2004, 01:34 PM

I'd add Ice-T's "OG: Original Gangster" and Ice Cube's "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted". And Beastie Boys "Paul's Boutique" and "Check Your Head".

I don't know if it fits the bill, but I always thought Son of Bazerk's "Bazerk Bazerk Bazerk: Featuring No Self Control and the Band" was a "lost classic". It's uneven, but the best tracks are just a total trip. Plus, the cover is my avatar.

Speaking on built-in obsolescence: It always annoyed me (when I listened to rap regularly, which was a decade ago) how often rappers dropped the year into their lyrics. It was supposed, I guess, to make the track sound fresh and new, but there's an example of guaranteed obsolescence. Even one of the greatest rap tracks ever, PE's "Fight the Power", begins "1989! The number, another summer..." (Wow, make it FIFTEEN years ago that I regularly listened to rap. See, there you go!)

Enforcer · October-5th-2004, 01:35 PM

I have to confess that I've been paying special attention to Flavor Flav on Surreal Life.

Embarrassed that he just admitted to watching it,
Larry

Other Steve · October-5th-2004, 01:39 PM

Rob, you're right: Paul's Boutique was an egregious omission. But Check Your Head? Really? Have to investigate.

The Low End Theory definitely belongs on any list, check.

I wasn't sure which Ice Cube album would hold up best... my favorite track is still "It Was a Good Day."

Rob C · October-5th-2004, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Nagel

I have to confess that I've been paying special attention to Flavor Flav on Surreal Life.

Embarrassed that he just admitted to watching it,
Larry

Thank God I'm not the only one.

Noj · October-5th-2004, 01:46 PM

I think there are more classic tracks than albums, but I'd add...

The Beastie Boys - Ill Communication and all preceding albums
Ice Cube's first two lps and ep
Too Short - Short Dawg's In The House
EPMD - first few
Gang Starr - Step In The Arena
Jeru Tha Damaja - Wrath Of The Math
Bahamadia - Kollage
The Coup - Kill My Landlord
Snoop's first one with Dre
Del Tha Funkee Homosapien - I Wish My Brother George Was Here
Boogie Down Productions - Return Of The Boom Bap
KRS-One - I Got Next
Black Sheep - A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing
De La Soul's first four
A Tribe Called Quest's first three
The Roots - first three
Redman - first three
Common Sense - first three
The Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride II, Labcabincalifornia
Outkast's every album
Goodie Mob - Soul Food
Digable Planets - only two albums
Ol' Dirty Bastard - both albums
GZA/Genius - Liquid Swordz
Ghostface Killah - Iron Man
Raekwon - Only Built For Cuban Linx
Jurassic 5 - EP
Aesop Rock - Labor Days
Aceyalone - A Book Of Human Language, Accepted Eclectic
The Grouch - Making Perfect Sense...well, really every Grouch album is good
Quasimoto - The Unseen, any Madlib-produced project has beats galore...

This new cat K'os (chaos) is supposed to be the goods.

Dr Dave · October-5th-2004, 01:55 PM

Ahem. How soon we forget, etc.:

Root Doctor · October-5th-2004, 02:01 PM

Can't quibble with the choices listed above. I'd add this overlooked gem:

Juju · October-5th-2004, 02:03 PM

Please don't forget four heavily influential early '90s albums:

NAS -Illmatic

Notorious B.I.G. - Ready To Die

2Tac - Me Against The World

Jay Z - Can't Knock The Hustle

A good litmus test these days is how many samples of them find their ways into new hip-hop, ever increasing the incestuous sampling of samples of samples of samples ....

Plus old-school proper:

EPMD - Strictly Business

Chris D · October-5th-2004, 02:07 PM

Rob Base and DJ EZ-Rock, "It Takes Two"

Rob C · October-5th-2004, 02:28 PM

This reminds me: I was at the movies this weekend and saw a preview for a silly comedy starring Ice Cube as guardian for two small kids. They go on a roadtrip and much wackiness ensues. Title: "Are We There Yet?"

I turned to my friend and said, "Huh. So I guess you CAN take the street out of the boy."

Enforcer · October-5th-2004, 02:49 PM

It seems like we should be listing an Erik B and Rakim disc here.

Sergio Zamora · October-5th-2004, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Nagel

It seems like we should be listing an Erik B and Rakim disc here.

They were

Thinking of a master plan...

Sergio Zamora · October-5th-2004, 03:08 PM

LL Cool J's first one might not be considered a classic, but I can't think of another hip hop album with more energy and exuberance. 'I Can't Live WIthout My Radio' was da bomb. Nothing he did afterwards compares.

Al in NYC · October-5th-2004, 03:17 PM

Flavor Flav and Brigitte Nielsen making out in a hot tub... my God how could you NOT watch?

Enforcer · October-5th-2004, 03:52 PM

Al,

Is it just me, or is Flavor easily the most likable character on that show? Character is my choice of word, as I don't buy into "reality" when people know they're on TV. On the other hand, that Jordan prick from New Kids On The Block is committing a particularly painful to watch form of career suicide by acting like a self-absorbed cock.

Rob C · October-5th-2004, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Nagel

Is it just me, or is Flavor easily the most likable character on that show? Character is my choice of word, as I don't buy into "reality" when people know they're on TV. On the other hand, that Jordan prick from New Kids On The Block is committing a particularly painful to watch form of career suicide by acting like a self-absorbed cock.

Flav is pretty likable, along with Charro; and the sitcom guy seems genuinely nice (though kind of boring as a "reality" character). The others are annoying in varying degrees.

Chris D · October-5th-2004, 04:09 PM

You all do know that Dave whatshisname is the guy excoriated by Alannis Morisette in "You Oughta Know"?

Enforcer · October-5th-2004, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris D

You all do know that Dave whatshisname is the guy excoriated by Alannis Morisette in "You Oughta Know"?

Yeah, I knew that. Dave's a local guy, but lives in Canada now. Or vice-versa, I forget which. Maybe neither, come to think of it. All I know is, he wears an Yzerman jersey, so he's obviously a pretty good guy.

AntManBee · October-5th-2004, 04:15 PM

My one and only nomination is Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy: "Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury".

Unless "Intonarumori" by Material counts, but maybe that's too peripheral?

Other Steve · October-5th-2004, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris D

You all do know that Dave whatshisname is the guy excoriated by Alannis Morisette in "You Oughta Know"?

You mean this...

... is who she went down... on... in... a... theaturrrrr?

Wonder if he made that face during?

Seriously, back on topic, two new discs from this year that I think might have some serious legs:

Mobb Deep - Amerikaz Nightmare
Kanye West - The College Dropout

walto · October-5th-2004, 04:31 PM

I always liked Chubb Rock.

Vince Kargatis · October-5th-2004, 04:51 PM

The Coup the Coup the Coup! I freaking love the Coup.

October-5th-2004, 05:06 PM

Am I missing it, or has no one mentioned Sugar Hill Gang?

Shame on all of you supposed hip hopsterz!!!

My top three:

The Message - Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five

Rappers Delight - Sugar Hill Gang

Fear Of a Black Planet - Public enemy

October-5th-2004, 05:07 PM

Current artists:

Outkast

Killer Mike

The Roots

Rob C · October-5th-2004, 05:12 PM

I was always a bit disappointed in Fear of a Black Planet. It Takes a Nation of Millions is one of my all-time favorite records of any genre, then the awesome Fight the Power single came out, so my expectations were probably just much too high.

On the other hand, I think their next record, Apocalypse '91: The Enemy Strikes Black is cool in inverse proportion to its title. In other words, it's extremely super cool. "Clear the way for the S--the S1Ws!"

Sergio Zamora · October-5th-2004, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob C

I was always a bit disappointed in Fear of a Black Planet. It Takes a Nation of Millions is one of my all-time favorite records of any genre, then the awesome Fight the Power single came out, so my expectations were probably just much too high.

It has a little too much filler, but I really dig it almost as much as 'It Takes a Nation...'. The Bomb Squad's aggressive sound collage approach to production sounds pretty revolutionary to my ears - leading the way to the RZA a few years later.

Monte Smith · October-5th-2004, 05:19 PM

The sad thing about building a Hip Hop Hall of Fame is you can't erect an east wing and a west wing or else everyone in the lobby'd get killed in a crossfire.

I'd have to second nominations for the Sugarhill Gang (my old school faves), Dr. Dre Chronic (in fact everything Dre is responsible for including Eminem), and TCQ The Low End Theory, the grooviest rap record of all time.

Shout out to two forgotten heroes: Frankie Smith of "Double Dutch Bus" fame and Basehead of Play With Toys.

"Copacabana? Oh man, this is soul night!"