In the midst of our hip-hop documentary production, Tyree Harris and I have debated over who we would consider to be a high quality rap artist. The rap industry is wide open as of present, and there does not seem to be a filter sifting out the cream of the crop. While the subjects we are interviewing for the documentary are not quite as accomplished as most of the people on this list, we chose people that are moving hip-hop in a promising direction.
These five artists exemplify what hip-hop should be. We chose people that aren’t necessarily braggadocios, but rather people that break out of the now generic obsession of cars, luxury items, money, and being fly. They have in some way stood out from an otherwise mediocre harvest. The twist is that these artists are not big names. They are not headlining their own tours. You are not likely to see or hear about these folks on television. These are quality artists who in spite of not being superstars are still gaining a sizable amount of clout and respect. In no particular order the list is as follows:
1) Dom Kennedy
Dom Kennedy is the epitome of what West Coast/California rap is all about. It’s about capturing a slow vibe and bundling that with a lifestyle that moves at a brisk pace. It’s about leisure. It’s about post-modern funk. It is about harnessing the energy of a young, progressive and eclectic constituency. It is the type of music that reminds you of the carefree days of summer. Kennedy has been masterfully recreating a summery feel in his music for a while now; the Leimert Park native’s latest release, From the Westside With Love II, is filled with mellow joints that are ripe for those looking for a more mature sound. Some of his previous hits to check out include “1997,” “Designer Sh*t,” “Grind’n,” “Menace Beach,” and “Watermelon Sundae.”
2) Young Marqus
This young talent is particularly exciting because he is better than most rappers right now and he is 11 years old. He puts my faith back into his entire generation, and makes a claim that all is not lost. That all is not sugar coated or watered down. Whether or not his words are his own is not as big of an issue when you consider that many adult rappers also have “ghost writers,” or uncredited songwriters, and yet we still give them credit for being good. Nevertheless, his delivery and beyond-his-years savvy are admirable qualities for this young phenom. And unlike many other contemporary gimmicky young rappers, he’s not about that “bubble gum pop” style like Willow Smith or Lil Twist. The majority of his appeal is that for the first time since Kris Kross there is a child rapper who is not corny or annoying. Its kind of refreshing. The Lupe Fiasco prodigy’s hit mixtape song “Respect Me” pairs a sampled Jay-Z chorus with the young man’s vocals. Together the message is plain: respect me because I’m talented and serious like Hova himself.
3) Meek Mill
If you are a fan of Rick Ross and his Triple C/ Untouchable Maybach Empire collective then you are probably aware of Meek Mill. After some success on his own, Meek Mill recently joined up with Ross and has been a prominent addition. Meek Mill featured Rick Ross on his latest hit, “Tupac Back,” which pays homage to the legendary rapper Tupac Shakur and packages it with an incendiary beat. Mill is not necessarily conscious or political, but he is a nice break from that type of rap. This one is for the hip-hop head that is searching for a “hard” sounding rapper. Because just like any other music genre you need variety, so feel free to consider this the artist of your cathartic release.
4) Kendrick Lamar
http://youtu.be/ep0hay4Qw54
This rapper recently graced Eugene with a performance at the Cuthbert Amphitheatre that largely went misunderstood. Misunderstood because it was a set that was largely conscious placed between sets that emphasized more hedonistic pursuits. His vocals bounced off a crowd that missed the deep meaning of his songs and instead opted for the self-destructive messages of Wiz Khalifa’s (the headliner’s) set. However, in a redemptive opportunity he is featured here because he has what many popular raps lack these days: substance, depth, and realism. And he delivers it all in a complex envelope of allusions, word play and metaphors that are not easily deciphered at first listen. Moreover unlike other notable Compton alumni—he’s not about gangbanging or anything negative that one might associate with “Hub City”.
5) Mistah Fab
Yeah, Fab already achieved some notoriety for his Hyphy track “Ghost Ride It” back in 2007. However, Mistah Fab has since shed his Hyphy persona and is attempting to put out music that is more conscious of issues within the Oakland community. In his song “Didn’t I Tell You,” he addresses police brutality, juvenile delinquency, acting hard, and ignoring the wisdom of older generations. He also stresses the destructive nature of smoking and drinking: both those that partake in it and the merchants of poison who sell it. Fab seems to be advocating for education, both social and academic. Mistah Fab symbolically links backpacks and knowledge in “Boom Bap,” in which we first notice his new form and in which we dons a backpack while reciting his clever lyrics. He even has gone so far as organizing backpack giveaways in North Oakland to help foster education amongst the youth. Mistah Fab’s Hyphy departure signals the arrival of a matured artist concerned about something relevant for a change. He is an entirely different artist than he was, which is why you should get to know him — again.
Five up-and-coming rappers you should know about
Daily Emerald
September 6, 2011
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