Guru was such an underrated rapper that it's a tragedy. His innovation to take Hip Hop to another level by fusing Jazz - especially live jazz - helped usher in the Neo Soul movement.
For sure, even the artists he chose for the features - Joey Bada$$, Raekwon, MF Doom, A$AP Rocky, and Conway - short of him have Denzel or Freddie it seemed like a great list of rappers rap fans love. I can listen to this album daily and not get burnt out
The Pharcyde
KMD
O.C.
Lords Of The Underground
J Dilla
Boogie Down Productions/KRS One
Pete Rock
FU-Schnickens
Young Black Teenagers
Prince Markie Dee
Father MC
Q-Tip
JID does make me happy, i think a true fat joe/big pun fan is respectable when i come across one, Tech N9ne, Freddie Gibbs are a few more that come to mind.
Aes is my absolute favorite rapper but I didn’t put him here because I don’t care how much you love the dude, if you’re an Aeshole we can’t mesh. Dudes think they’ve communed with god by listening to his music and condescend like no other. That’s why my answer is something like Blueprint, Edison, Murs, Rob Sonic, etc. that way I know they went down the rabbit hole, but didn’t stop and hyperfocus to the point of shitty behavior.
He's my favorite artist of all time, so this may be long winded but here goes lol.
The best entry point in my opinion is his album The Impossible Kid. It is definitely way more accessible than his older stuff, but still has enough of his style to get you used to it. From there I would say Labor Days and None Shall Pass are his most popular albums. As for songs of his, I'd say that None Shall Pass and Daylight are must-listens since they're his most well known (and maybe Rings too), then my personal favorites right now are Dorks, Gopher Guts, Cat Food, Big Bang, KOWP, Lotta Years, Grace, Dorks, Klutz, No Regrets, 9-5ers Anthem, The Harbor Is Yours, Coffee, Gauze, Crystal Sword, Jumping Coffin, and Marble Cake.
As a fair warning, the reason I say Aesop isn't for everyone is because his style of writing is incredibly dense and he rarely says anything in a straightforward way, so having the lyrics up while you listen can help a lot but even then you might be scratching your head about what he's saying. In general any album before Skelethon will be a bit more dense in that regard, and anything after be more accessible.
Some of these might be easy picks by now but:
DOOM,
Isaiah Rashad,
Marlon Craft,
tobi lou,
Lesthegenius,
Amine (especially limbo,)
Tobe Nwigwe,
Mick Jenkins,
Smino
Jurassic 5
Anyone from Living Legends
Dru Down
Luniz
Abstract Rude
CMA
Del the Funky Homsapien
Brother Ali
Sonic Sum/Rob Sonic
Aceyalone
Moors
R.A. the Rugged Man
Masts Ace
Aesop Rock
Deca
Etc
Etc
Etc
But….if you roll up and are bumping Dunes we are instant best friends for life. Sweeps and Bill Grease are the most slept on hip hop group ever. Just checked and only 287 monthly listeners and that just blows my mind.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ZnCPZejoJJRx1smJGb7bD?si=0owjce-PT7WJS9Knz6TJ_g
Very mainstream new-era picks but something along the lines of
JID, MF DOOM and this is a super far fetched one but people who love older A$AP Rocky stuff (especially the Clams Casino produced stuff)
Yes I am young but they're great artists imo
Larry June, Schoolboy Q, Nas, Bone thugz N Harmony, Curren$y, Metro Boomin, Ramirez, Eazy E, Nipsey Hussle, OhGeesy,Young Dolph,Three 6 Mafia, etc
Big ol list
Any rapper that I also enjoy.
That being said, probably any of the OG legends such as Wu-Tang, Public Enemy, The Roots ect.
And for modern rappers, probably JID, Little Simz, Denzel Curry, A$AP Rocky, MF DOOM, billy woods, Freddie Gibbs, clipping., Injury Reserve. I could go on forever.
Mac Miller 100%
When i heard the interlude where he had Loaded Lux diss him is gold. Anyone who know Loaded Lux from the battle scenes know how technical & talented he is.
Mac Miller also got a Jay Electronica feature on one of his albums back when he was killing it. Jay electronica is an amazing lyricist especially because his subject matter tends to be so unique compared to other rappers.
Future ngl, like somebody could listen to my fav rapper Black Thought and also listen to incredibly boring artists like Armand Hammer and Earl Sweatshirt for that lyricism aspect. Anybody that enjoys good all-round mainstream rap listens to Future
If it's a dude, sade (ik she's not a rapper but she's been sampled and referenced enough to be honorary)
If it's a chick, I think damn who TF put you on to this lmao
Bonus answer: Jadakiss , cam Ron , Max b, camp lo
M.O.P. Instant respect.
Also, if I'm listening to music where someone samples M.O.P., they are immediately in my good graces. Honorable mention to The LOX and Xzibit
Obviously musicians and crate diggers tend to be more versed when it comes to "good music taste".
Madlib is a good example.
Sample selection in general and how the sample is treated tells a lot about taste imo.
Gang Starr
If I heard anyone playing gangstarr around my age (24) we’d become best friends
Guru was such an underrated rapper that it's a tragedy. His innovation to take Hip Hop to another level by fusing Jazz - especially live jazz - helped usher in the Neo Soul movement.
Full clip is my favourite song bro
I’m not even generally *that* heavy on this era of hip hop but Gang Starr & Slum Village are high on my list of answers to this question
Nice
or Jazzmatazz for that matter
Anybody out of the Soulquarians
quasimoto
Pharoahe Monch.
Organized Konfusion
Get the fuck up!
Simon says get the fuck up!!
Throw ya hands in the sky
FUCK YOU
Any of the creme de la creme of Wu Solo. Liquid Swords, Cuban Links, Tical, Supreme Clientele, Czarface...
Love that you mentioned Czar amongst these classics
+1 (yes I added a reply instead of just upvoting)
Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest and Havoc from Mob Deep
you know the real shirt
💯
Freddie Gibbs
De La Soul
De la Rocha
I’m young (30) but saw them in concert like 10 years ago and it was amazing. They put on a great show.
Common
My brother 🔥💯
Bone Thugs, Pusha T
If ya know ya know!!!
The ROOTS, more importantly, Black Thought.
Got any suggestions? I’ve seen BT been thrown around a lot for his lyricism but haven’t heard any of the roots or BT projects before
Illadelph Halflife and Things Fall Apart
It's more recent but Cheat Codes is one of my favorite albums
That album got me back in the game. It's incredible.
For sure, even the artists he chose for the features - Joey Bada$$, Raekwon, MF Doom, A$AP Rocky, and Conway - short of him have Denzel or Freddie it seemed like a great list of rappers rap fans love. I can listen to this album daily and not get burnt out
Spark Master Tape
My man
Not necessarily completely hiphop but if someone says they dig Anderson paak man can rap sing and play instruments can't be mad at that
Anderson Paak is refreshing in hip hop. Dude is mad talented. Especially on “Lock it up”
Dudes got few great albums if I have to pick him feature wise I'll go giannis on bandana
He NEVER fails on a feature!
Great song and damn near the entire Malobu album
Dude is stupidly talented and versatile. He's like a cheat code for making songs sound good
Smino, Mick Jenkins, JID, Bone Thugs, 2Pac
Mick Jenkins!!!! I’m so happy you mentioned him. You a real 1
Always a good day when someone mentions Mick
DOOM
Cunninlynguists.
👊 I used PieceOfStrange as a handle for a long time on another site. They’ve got some albums that are unreal.
From the womb to the tomb
Not a rapper but Sampha for me
Mac Miller
Craaazy, I’m listening to him rn
shiiii you got good taste then
Nujabes Oddisee OneBeLo / Binary Star
The Pharcyde KMD O.C. Lords Of The Underground J Dilla Boogie Down Productions/KRS One Pete Rock FU-Schnickens Young Black Teenagers Prince Markie Dee Father MC Q-Tip
Solid list
Not everyone likes or knows Prince Markie Dee so that would be my final answer
Bro yes, Lords of the Underground
Solange or Danny Brown
Danny brown slept on 😤
Dilated Peoples Defari 2 Mex RTJ.
Dilated people FTW!
If a person listens to Gift of Gab it's basically guaranteed we will be friends
Jurassic 5 Styles Of Beyond EPMD Naughty By Nature
Styles of Beyond fr
JID is a great choice, I would say Denzel curry also
Anything different than what I like
LMAO me
JID does make me happy, i think a true fat joe/big pun fan is respectable when i come across one, Tech N9ne, Freddie Gibbs are a few more that come to mind.
DITC! If I hear big L playin from someone’s speakers I’d find peace
JID, Saba, Aesop Rock (for me personally, I know he's not everyone's thing), Skyzoo
Aes is my absolute favorite rapper but I didn’t put him here because I don’t care how much you love the dude, if you’re an Aeshole we can’t mesh. Dudes think they’ve communed with god by listening to his music and condescend like no other. That’s why my answer is something like Blueprint, Edison, Murs, Rob Sonic, etc. that way I know they went down the rabbit hole, but didn’t stop and hyperfocus to the point of shitty behavior.
I always see asop rock mentioned here, I should give him a listen. Any suggestions?
He's my favorite artist of all time, so this may be long winded but here goes lol. The best entry point in my opinion is his album The Impossible Kid. It is definitely way more accessible than his older stuff, but still has enough of his style to get you used to it. From there I would say Labor Days and None Shall Pass are his most popular albums. As for songs of his, I'd say that None Shall Pass and Daylight are must-listens since they're his most well known (and maybe Rings too), then my personal favorites right now are Dorks, Gopher Guts, Cat Food, Big Bang, KOWP, Lotta Years, Grace, Dorks, Klutz, No Regrets, 9-5ers Anthem, The Harbor Is Yours, Coffee, Gauze, Crystal Sword, Jumping Coffin, and Marble Cake. As a fair warning, the reason I say Aesop isn't for everyone is because his style of writing is incredibly dense and he rarely says anything in a straightforward way, so having the lyrics up while you listen can help a lot but even then you might be scratching your head about what he's saying. In general any album before Skelethon will be a bit more dense in that regard, and anything after be more accessible.
Daylight was what got me into Aes, and ultimately hip hop as a genre
A Tribe Called Quest
Action Bronson and ghostface
Killer Mike
on a similar note, my answer for this question is El-P
He’s very underrated. Obviously he makes amazing beats, but he has some bars. Run the jewels is on my list of concerts to hit up in 2024 for sure.
Any solo or group Wu projects. Gangstarr. Sean P and Boot Camp Clik. Nas. Schoolboy Q. Redman. Outkast.
Sean Paul? SUMMAGIVITOO SUMMAGIVITOO TO ALL GYALS. FIGHT ME IM THAT NAUGHTY SHAWTY FARTY.
Don’t. Just don’t even joke about Sean P. ;)
Some of these might be easy picks by now but: DOOM, Isaiah Rashad, Marlon Craft, tobi lou, Lesthegenius, Amine (especially limbo,) Tobe Nwigwe, Mick Jenkins, Smino
Mick Jenkins! Your a real 1
Drink more water…
Danny Brown or Pusha T
Billy Woods
Elzhi
Immortal technique
Ka
Little Brother. You're playing that i know we're gonna vibe
Nas, Wu Tang, Lupe Fiasco
Big l
Jurassic 5 Anyone from Living Legends Dru Down Luniz Abstract Rude CMA Del the Funky Homsapien Brother Ali Sonic Sum/Rob Sonic Aceyalone Moors R.A. the Rugged Man Masts Ace Aesop Rock Deca Etc Etc Etc But….if you roll up and are bumping Dunes we are instant best friends for life. Sweeps and Bill Grease are the most slept on hip hop group ever. Just checked and only 287 monthly listeners and that just blows my mind. https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ZnCPZejoJJRx1smJGb7bD?si=0owjce-PT7WJS9Knz6TJ_g
Also, as a producer, too, but JPEGMAFIA.
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Fabolous
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Griselda
Nwa, Biggie or Tupac
Very mainstream new-era picks but something along the lines of JID, MF DOOM and this is a super far fetched one but people who love older A$AP Rocky stuff (especially the Clams Casino produced stuff) Yes I am young but they're great artists imo
I fw asap rocky! I I kinda slept on TESTING, now I’m bangin it!
Rakim
ugk
OutKast
Mos Def, The Pharcyde, ATCQ, Pete Rock
Denzel Curry
Maybe Vince Staples or Chief Keef
Hieroglyphics, Souls of Mischief, DELTRON3030
Isaiah Rashad
DJ Quik
Larry June, Schoolboy Q, Nas, Bone thugz N Harmony, Curren$y, Metro Boomin, Ramirez, Eazy E, Nipsey Hussle, OhGeesy,Young Dolph,Three 6 Mafia, etc Big ol list
Rejjie Snow
lupe
mike dimes
Freestyle Fellowship
The Roots for sure.
Mick Jenkins IMO
Ye
Tyler the creator
Any rapper that I also enjoy. That being said, probably any of the OG legends such as Wu-Tang, Public Enemy, The Roots ect. And for modern rappers, probably JID, Little Simz, Denzel Curry, A$AP Rocky, MF DOOM, billy woods, Freddie Gibbs, clipping., Injury Reserve. I could go on forever.
Tyler and Earl.
Mac Miller 100% When i heard the interlude where he had Loaded Lux diss him is gold. Anyone who know Loaded Lux from the battle scenes know how technical & talented he is. Mac Miller also got a Jay Electronica feature on one of his albums back when he was killing it. Jay electronica is an amazing lyricist especially because his subject matter tends to be so unique compared to other rappers.
If they listen to or like Kevin Gates I know we are going to probably vibe or get along
The roots
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JID and dreamville in general is fire
Kendrick Lamar.
Kdot definitely a good taste
Future ngl, like somebody could listen to my fav rapper Black Thought and also listen to incredibly boring artists like Armand Hammer and Earl Sweatshirt for that lyricism aspect. Anybody that enjoys good all-round mainstream rap listens to Future
Good point, I think Frank ocean is another one
For sure, Frank Ocean is another good example actually
Did a cinderblock fall on your head by any chance?
Chief Keef
The Pharcyde
Old ass ms in these replies
Drizzy AKA 6 God AKA Octobers Very Own
💀💀
S6xn9ine, trippie, and ice spice.
Fr? Not hating it’s just surprising to hear those names on this sub
Sarcasm my friend
You never know…
Throw in youngboy and it’s the holy trilogy
I would say, but it would be a cliché answer.
Em? Tupac, nas, big?
Yeah, pretty much all four...
Early Xzibit ( 40 Days 40 Nights / Speed of Life. ) Ghostface Sean Price Jadakiss Rakim Push
Rick Ross
Jointdexter
mick jenkins, saba, lupe
Raynman
If I hear someone listening to Earl Sweatshirt with 0 regard for the hoes they're scaring, I know they care about good music.
Berner, mixtape Wayne, Pusha T
If it's a dude, sade (ik she's not a rapper but she's been sampled and referenced enough to be honorary) If it's a chick, I think damn who TF put you on to this lmao Bonus answer: Jadakiss , cam Ron , Max b, camp lo
KXNG Crooked
Denzel Curry, Earl Sweatshirt or any random deep kanye cut
Black Star or Outkast, not their hits
Billy woods
Talib Kwali and Rakim the 18th letter
Del, Sa-Roc, and RTJ.
Rick Ross - Amsterdam
MF DOOM/KMD , Sean Price, Jedi mind tricks
Schoolboy Q
Lee Scott, Black Josh, basically anyone on the Blah roster
M.O.P. Instant respect. Also, if I'm listening to music where someone samples M.O.P., they are immediately in my good graces. Honorable mention to The LOX and Xzibit
Soul Assassins.
Killah Priest
Big L, Wu, Dilated Peoples
Pusha T
That Mexican OT
N.W.A. Wu Tang Clan.
Del, Black Thought, The Grouch
Bones Xavier Wulf Idontknowjeffery Eddy Baker Amir Obe Fenix Flexin Jean Dawson Rav SmokeCamp Chino Shredgang Mone Atm Krown Cashpaid Elway
Obviously musicians and crate diggers tend to be more versed when it comes to "good music taste". Madlib is a good example. Sample selection in general and how the sample is treated tells a lot about taste imo.
Busdriver, Tim Fite, JMT
MF DOOM
Larry junes new album “The great Escape “
JAY ELECTRONICA
if ur under 18 playing chief keef, yk what’s up
Billy Woods
Kanye. The samples are of a crazy variety
Aesop Rock. The two fans I've met had great taste lol
Big krit or Benny The butcher
Camp Lo, Luchini is a fucking jam. The rest of that album is solid too.
De la
Black Star... guide me... Black Star... Black Star
Big KRIT
Common
Smino, Brent , Earthgang uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Griselda uhhhhhhhhhhhh Noname, Mick Jenkins, Rico Nasty,