The Hip-Hop Thread - free legit music downloads aplenty

[VlaSoul]

One of my New Year's resolutions is to give more music a go in the genres I have a blind spot for and hip-hop and classical music are probably my two biggest. I use to like the early Kanye albums a lot and the bigger hits from people like Eminem but I've never really delved into it beyond that.

Someone recommended Midnight Marauders by A Tribe Called Quest to me, and it's superb, so looking for some more recommendations if anyone has any?

Well if you liked Midnight Marauders then more Tribe albums are a good shout I think. The first album; People's Instinctive Travels and their Paths of Rhythm, and the second album; The Low End Theory, are very worth checking out. De la Soul is a similar type of group which I would recommend if you can find their albums since most of their stuff still isn't on spotify.

I'd also recommend Black Star by Mos Def and Talib Kweli for a harder edged rap album that still falls into that sort of alternative space that Tribe and early Kanye occupy. Obviously check out Kanye's later stuff too if you liked his early stuff.

[Tomous]

One of my New Year's resolutions is to give more music a go in the genres I have a blind spot for and hip-hop and classical music are probably my two biggest. I use to like the early Kanye albums a lot and the bigger hits from people like Eminem but I've never really delved into it beyond that.

Someone recommended Midnight Marauders by A Tribe Called Quest to me, and it's superb, so looking for some more recommendations if anyone has any?

Well if you liked Midnight Marauders then more Tribe albums are a good shout I think. The first album; People's Instinctive Travels and their Paths of Rhythm, and the second album; The Low End Theory, are very worth checking out. De la Soul is a similar type of group which I would recommend if you can find their albums since most of their stuff still isn't on spotify.

I'd also recommend Black Star by Mos Def and Talib Kweli for a harder edged rap album that still falls into that sort of alternative space that Tribe and early Kanye occupy. Obviously check out Kanye's later stuff too if you liked his early stuff.

Thanks, will look into those!

Regarding Kayne, I loved his first 2, the third was okay but he kind of lost me on 808s & Heartbreak. What's a good album to go back in on?

[VlaSoul]

One of my New Year's resolutions is to give more music a go in the genres I have a blind spot for and hip-hop and classical music are probably my two biggest. I use to like the early Kanye albums a lot and the bigger hits from people like Eminem but I've never really delved into it beyond that.

Someone recommended Midnight Marauders by A Tribe Called Quest to me, and it's superb, so looking for some more recommendations if anyone has any?

Well if you liked Midnight Marauders then more Tribe albums are a good shout I think. The first album; People's Instinctive Travels and their Paths of Rhythm, and the second album; The Low End Theory, are very worth checking out. De la Soul is a similar type of group which I would recommend if you can find their albums since most of their stuff still isn't on spotify.

I'd also recommend Black Star by Mos Def and Talib Kweli for a harder edged rap album that still falls into that sort of alternative space that Tribe and early Kanye occupy. Obviously check out Kanye's later stuff too if you liked his early stuff.

Thanks, will look into those!

Regarding Kayne, I loved his first 2, the third was okay but he kind of lost me on 808s & Heartbreak. What's a good album to go back in on?

No problem. In terms of Ye I'd say just go for the next one after 808s; My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

[Rocsteady]

One of my New Year's resolutions is to give more music a go in the genres I have a blind spot for and hip-hop and classical music are probably my two biggest. I use to like the early Kanye albums a lot and the bigger hits from people like Eminem but I've never really delved into it beyond that.

Someone recommended Midnight Marauders by A Tribe Called Quest to me, and it's superb, so looking for some more recommendations if anyone has any?

Only just saw this; I'd recommend some Jay Z for the good commercial stuff (Blueprint 1, the Black Album, Reasonable Doubt). Dr Dre the Chronic is a must; Nas - Illmatic is generally regarded as th best of all time but is a little more difficult to get into.

Any Kanye except 808s and his last couple. I'd recommend giving Yeezus a listen with an open mind; musically it's extremely exciting, to me at least.

Kendrick Lamar's good kid mad city is a modern classic.

I wouldn't have recommended mos def or talib tbh, think they're a difficult starting off point.

[<]:^D]

what kind of classical are you into/have liked in the past?
i know this is the hip-hop thread but seeing as there isnt a classical music thread i guess ill help?

[Tomous]

what kind of classical are you into/have liked in the past?
i know this is the hip-hop thread but seeing as there isnt a classical music thread i guess ill help?

Please do! I don't know where to start really.

I tend to put on a random chilled classic Spotify playlist first thing in morning when I get up with my son but apart from that nothing outside videogame and film soundtracks really.

[Tomous]

One of my New Year's resolutions is to give more music a go in the genres I have a blind spot for and hip-hop and classical music are probably my two biggest. I use to like the early Kanye albums a lot and the bigger hits from people like Eminem but I've never really delved into it beyond that.

Someone recommended Midnight Marauders by A Tribe Called Quest to me, and it's superb, so looking for some more recommendations if anyone has any?

Only just saw this; I'd recommend some Jay Z for the good commercial stuff (Blueprint 1, the Black Album, Reasonable Doubt). Dr Dre the Chronic is a must; Nas - Illmatic is generally regarded as th best of all time but is a little more difficult to get into.

Any Kanye except 808s and his last couple. I'd recommend giving Yeezus a listen with an open mind; musically it's extremely exciting, to me at least.

Kendrick Lamar's good kid mad city is a modern classic.

I wouldn't have recommended mos def or talib tbh, think they're a difficult starting off point.

Cheers mate, much appreciated!

Will add these to the list

[<]:^D]

what kind of classical are you into/have liked in the past?
i know this is the hip-hop thread but seeing as there isnt a classical music thread i guess ill help?

Please do! I don't know where to start really.

I tend to put on a random chilled classic Spotify playlist first thing in morning when I get up with my son but apart from that nothing outside videogame and film soundtracks really.

this sounds like me

my recommendations would be:

Beethoven Piano Sonatas 8, 14, 21, 23 (14 is the Moonlight Sonata, very famous)
Copland - Appalachian Spring
Grieg - Peer Gynt
All of Joe Hisaishi's Studio Ghibli soundtracks are fantastic if you havent heard them all
Sibelius - Symphony 1, 2, 4 all excellent
Mahler - Symphony 5

just to get started

[jiggles]

Any time I take a period away from hip hop and want to ease back into it I always end up listening to Yeezus and (very specifically) the first 4 tracks of RTJ2. The dirty electronica just sucks me in, then I start feeling the lyrics and I’m ready for this again:



And then I’m off to the races. Might be an idea

[VlaSoul]

One of my New Year's resolutions is to give more music a go in the genres I have a blind spot for and hip-hop and classical music are probably my two biggest. I use to like the early Kanye albums a lot and the bigger hits from people like Eminem but I've never really delved into it beyond that.

Someone recommended Midnight Marauders by A Tribe Called Quest to me, and it's superb, so looking for some more recommendations if anyone has any?

Only just saw this; I'd recommend some Jay Z for the good commercial stuff (Blueprint 1, the Black Album, Reasonable Doubt). Dr Dre the Chronic is a must; Nas - Illmatic is generally regarded as th best of all time but is a little more difficult to get into.

Any Kanye except 808s and his last couple. I'd recommend giving Yeezus a listen with an open mind; musically it's extremely exciting, to me at least.

Kendrick Lamar's good kid mad city is a modern classic.

I wouldn't have recommended mos def or talib tbh, think they're a difficult starting off point.

I recommended Blackstar because the album's very listenable and I guess a similar vibe to Tribe in some ways since I assumed 90s underground would be the best bet in terms of what he's liked so far. Gonna second all of your recommendations tho haha; would also add 2001 if we're talking Dre.
I prefer To Pimp a Butterfly to Good Kid, but the latter is a better place to jump in

Honestly in terms of Kanye I think that no matter how much I love it all everything he's made Yeezus onwards is kinda difficult to recommend to anyone, with Pablo being the highlight of the post Yeezus era. The last two were alright honestly but you kinda have to be into kanye to enjoy them I think.

[BTB]

One of my New Year's resolutions is to give more music a go in the genres I have a blind spot for and hip-hop and classical music are probably my two biggest. I use to like the early Kanye albums a lot and the bigger hits from people like Eminem but I've never really delved into it beyond that.

Someone recommended Midnight Marauders by A Tribe Called Quest to me, and it's superb, so looking for some more recommendations if anyone has any?

You might enjoy the Romesh Ranganathan 'For the Love of Hip Hop' show on BBC - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000ynmg

Usually a lot of classic hip hop tracks and some a bit more obscure and he usually has a bit of history or background info or why that song/artist is special to him which is nice. I've definitely found some good stuff from there that I haven't listened to before.

[Tomous]

Thanks all

[Tomous]

Have had the Black Album by Jay-Z on this morning, strawberry floating brilliant

[Rocsteady]

One of my New Year's resolutions is to give more music a go in the genres I have a blind spot for and hip-hop and classical music are probably my two biggest. I use to like the early Kanye albums a lot and the bigger hits from people like Eminem but I've never really delved into it beyond that.

Someone recommended Midnight Marauders by A Tribe Called Quest to me, and it's superb, so looking for some more recommendations if anyone has any?

Only just saw this; I'd recommend some Jay Z for the good commercial stuff (Blueprint 1, the Black Album, Reasonable Doubt). Dr Dre the Chronic is a must; Nas - Illmatic is generally regarded as th best of all time but is a little more difficult to get into.

Any Kanye except 808s and his last couple. I'd recommend giving Yeezus a listen with an open mind; musically it's extremely exciting, to me at least.

Kendrick Lamar's good kid mad city is a modern classic.

I wouldn't have recommended mos def or talib tbh, think they're a difficult starting off point.

I recommended Blackstar because the album's very listenable and I guess a similar vibe to Tribe in some ways since I assumed 90s underground would be the best bet in terms of what he's liked so far. Gonna second all of your recommendations tho haha; would also add 2001 if we're talking Dre.
I prefer To Pimp a Butterfly to Good Kid, but the latter is a better place to jump in

Honestly in terms of Kanye I think that no matter how much I love it all everything he's made Yeezus onwards is kinda difficult to recommend to anyone, with Pablo being the highlight of the post Yeezus era. The last two were alright honestly but you kinda have to be into kanye to enjoy them I think.

Yeah I guess I can't really disagree with any of that tbf.

2001 I find a little hit or miss; it's quite inconsistent and everyone already knows the best tunes. Except xplosive, tho the lyrics ruin that one to an extent.

I love pablo but aye, wouldn't generally recommend it to others so much. I've given Donda a really good go but he's clearly fallen off a bit. Although I am still hyped for the Netflix docu coming out soon on kanye.

[VlaSoul]

Have had the Black Album by Jay-Z on this morning, strawberry floating brilliant

Check out the Blueprint if you haven't, that's the best one imo

Yeah I guess I can't really disagree with any of that tbf.

2001 I find a little hit or miss; it's quite inconsistent and everyone already knows the best tunes. Except xplosive, tho the lyrics ruin that one to an extent.

I love pablo but aye, wouldn't generally recommend it to others so much. I've given Donda a really good go but he's clearly fallen off a bit. Although I am still hyped for the Netflix docu coming out soon on kanye.

Fair enough yeah. Kanye's current hyper religious phase is for sure one of his career low points. Donda's really beautiful in some places but it's over long and has duds. Hopefully the next album is less gospel

[Mafro]

Kanye's religious phase is weird but there's one or two songs on each album that are absolute bangers and among his best I'd say (Ghost Town, 4th Dimension, Selah, Use This Gospel, Jail, Jonah). Other than that they're pretty forgettable.

[Rocsteady]

Kanye's religious phase is weird but there's one or two songs on each album that are absolute bangers and among his best I'd say (Ghost Town, 4th Dimension, Selah, Use This Gospel, Jail, Jonah). Other than that they're pretty forgettable.

Yeah that's fair. Donda has so much filler, chop it in half and you've instantly made a huge improvement.

[Rocsteady]

Have had the Black Album by Jay-Z on this morning, strawberry floating brilliant

That's actually my favourite of his, probably partly for nostalgia reasons. Was the first hip hop album I properly got into as a kid.

The Gladiator sample

[VlaSoul]

Kanye's religious phase is weird but there's one or two songs on each album that are absolute bangers and among his best I'd say (Ghost Town, 4th Dimension, Selah, Use This Gospel, Jail, Jonah). Other than that they're pretty forgettable.

I'm not sure I'd include the 2018 albums in that phase, he doesn't talk about God so much there comparatively. Also I think Ye and KSG were pretty good

u right about JIK and DONDA tho

[Rocsteady]

KSG was good. Ye is probably his second worst album after JiK I reckon.

Although 808s is about there too