All round musical connoisseur and
part-time turntablist br0ke recently started podcast
called
Rap Radio and kindly asked me to put together a podcast. I had to ask what
'rap' really meant! The result is a collection of eighteen hiphop
tracks that contain some of my favourite raps... They've also got
great beats.
I tried not to go for anything too
obvious and also tried to include a wide range of artists from
underground to commercial, old to new.
I'm really happy with my selection
which is a rare thing for me to say.
There are five episodes so far of the
podcast and I'm honoured to say I was the first guest. Br0ke's
previous four are all more than worthwhile listens. He knows his
shit!
Below is a short summary of the reasons
for my track selections and you can listen to my Rap Radio Podcast
below.
Vein - Cannibal Ox
I could have picked any track from this album. In fact I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is my favourite rap album of all time. I know it should be something like PE's "takes A Nation of Millions..." but everything about this album really gets me.
NYC Cops - Heems
I recently had a conversation with a friend at the Chasm album launch who - given MCA had just died - was lamenting the state of hiphop and how there are no rappers around who would influence the lives of people like the Beastie Boys and PE did for our generation. I mentioned Das Racist and, in particular, Heems. He disagreed but I reckon Heems has great rhymes and his politics are spot on. This is just one example.
Intergalactic - Chasm feat. Vast Aire, Dialectrix
In case you hadn't guessed yet, Vast Aire is my favourite MC. To hear this new track from Australia's best beatmaker is awesome. Vast is on form and Dialectrix verse is great too.
Three Amigos - Taskforce & Braintax
Taskforce, Braintax. Say no more.
Outrageous - Primeridian
I only have a few Primeridian tracks and this, obviously, is one of them. I know nothing about them but I love the tracks of their's I have.Thiscomes off a compilation from the now defunct Stealth magazine (so did the last track, coincidentally). Stealth was the best hiphop magazine this country ever saw and probably one of the better worldwide.
Ghost of Christopher Wallace - Jay Electronica Feat. Puff Daddy
I don't like Puff Daddy or whatever he's called but there were some real gems from these internet only releases he did - at least I think they were internet only. Jay Electronica is a great MC. I've never heard a bad verse from him. This is good.
Fo Yo Sorrows - Big Boi Ft. George Clinton
Lyrically, this is my favourite Big Boi track.
So Wonderful - G-Side
Great political lyrics from one of the better southern rappers.
Motion 2000 - Polyrhythm Addicts
Back in the day I used to work at a local music magazine. Another employee was none other than Ozi Batla of the Herd/Astronomy Class fame. He put me on to this. Apani B Fly rocks this track.
Weight - Indelible MC's
One of my favourite tracks from the first Jazz Fudge mixtape "Architects of the Great". I forgot until compiling this that it is also from the "Lyricist Lounge Vol. 1
M.A.R.S - Large Professor Feat. Cormega, Action Bronson, Roc Marciano, saigon
This is a pretty incredible collaboration with everyone at the top of their game. Some tasty new stuff for y'all from the forthcoming Large Pro album.
Straight Outta - Celsius
"Kickin it to Hell and Back" is Australia's most underrated hiphop album. This is just one of the reasons it's so great.
Shut 'Em Down - Public Enemy (Pete Rock remix)
Heavy hitting even with the more laid-back Pete Rock beat. Public Enemy changed my life. You can read all about that in a
previous blog entry . Chuck D's lyrics from classic era PE are timeless. They'll always be relevant... at least until society improves.
Wishing (feat. Masta Ace) - Edo G featuring Pete Rock
I first heard this track when it was featured on an episode of Boondocks. If you don't agree with the sentiment of this track, you suck.
Above The Clouds - Gang Starr
This track can speak for itself
You Can Never Feel My Pain - Prodigy of Mobb Deep
Despite all the reasons I can think of not to like the album this is from, "H.N.I.C.", I still love it and this is the standout, lyrically. People who haven't heard this album need to check it out.
Only The Strong Survive - DJ Krush w/ CL Smooth
Best rap on a DJ Krush track. Ever.
Back Like That feat. Ne-Yo Ghostface Killah
Who knew I'd like a track featuring Ne-Yo? Some soulful Ghostface ish to take you out.
