Talk of NWA on a n other thread reminds me again of how often in the last few years someone has recommended some hip hop album to me and I’ve put it on only to find myself groaning within minutes at lyrics which are not only infantile and/or offensive, but are pretty much the same infantile or offensive lyrics I groaned through last year and the year before that.
I don’t mind any amount of swearing and I’m cool with songs that I disagree with (several of my favourite reggae songs take time to remind me that I will burn in hell) and tbh if the music is strong enough I can stomach a great deal.
Still, I thought it would be nice to start a collaborative Spotify playlist of 21st Century hip hop tunes with lyrics that don’t appall, and in some cases are actually pretty good. And one from Dizzee Rascal, who gets points for trying when those who should are shirking..
Please add more. Most of mine are from the usual suspects and I can’t wait to hear some “new” (*just so you know, there will be swearing and I haven’t tried to censor the “N” word).
21st Century Rap With Lyrics You’re Not Ashamed Of – A Spotify list
by 9 Comments
Ooh and I wanted to include this one but I couldn’t find it on Spotify:
http://youtu.be/5UH0B4CSn3w
(El-P Stepfather Factory)
Don’t look at me guv…. stopped listening in 1991. Discovered these people that use their voices to make music. Not human beatboxers…. “singing” it’s called. Remarkable. And you can’t be offended by the lyrics because you can’t f***ing understand them.
Can’t post a link, but how about Fuck Your Stuff by P.O.S.
The Amerikan Jeremy Vyle show with music, what’s not to love?
Cannibal Ox
Excellent comment Mr Blast. It is a bit Jezza Kyle with beats. If they can do A Jerry Springer opera why not a JK hip hop Fantasia?
I was disparaging towards the second Can Ox album the day Blade Of The Ronin came out. I was actually referring to Gotham which It turns out was an “extended E.P.” (Where’s my nit comb, I have some picking to do..)
BOTR is actually pretty good. Some of the lyrics are well bonkers:
My kids are tough they eat iron candy
my girlfriend’s tough she wears iron panties
but I prefer bonkers to dumb…
how do you feel about running naked backwards through a field of dicks?
Mos Def’s The Ecstatic wasn’t at all infantile or offensive. Despite that, it’s a great record.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5RIrcW7E_4
Toumani Diabate’s son Sidiki (also a great kora player) who is singing about wanting peace. This should past muster.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07qfBXVs20o