Hip-Hop How I Love Thee…

For all those that know me they know I love the music of Common and I love Chicago. So for that very reason alone you may have deduced that my favorite song from the South side MC is “The Corner.” After the general panning of his previous album there was much pressure to come back with a “Common album” and the man did not disappoint. The first single released was The Corner. With a slick beat from Kanye West who was at his scene stealing best with this beat and topped off with a phenomenal appearance by the Last Poets one would find it hard to disagree with Steve Juon of RapReviews.com assesment that the lyrical content of Common on this trackcontain profound observations of urban life that show why hip hop is the "black man's CNN.”

So in an age where hip-hop is constantly being bashed for being misogynistic and driven by excess, I would challenge you all to take a minute and as a friend of mine stated on numerous occasions “listen to the words, not for the words.” Simply meaning that because a song has profanity it does not take away from the creativity and originality of the genre, which has infused itself with every part of our culture. For you hip-hop novices allow me to give you five tracks you must listen to in no particular order.
5. Juicy: Notorious B.I.G.
4. Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek: The Blast
3. Outkast: Spottieottiedopalicious
2. Jay-Z: Mama Loved Me
1.Common: I Used to Love H.E.R.

Well friends go out there and immerse yourself in the real hip hop music, it will be a decision you will not regret.

Hip Hop Saved My Life

Alright, the title is a bit of exaggeration, but hip hop has been a major factor in my life. I'm not talking about what you hear on the radio or the latest "jam" from T-Pain, no I mean true hip hop music. Music that inspires you, makes you think, or takes all your problems away, even if it is just for three or four minutes. I couldn't tell you what I learned in the fourth grade as just a chocolate cub, but I can tell you that once the Puma heard "Do You Want More" by the Roots and it changed my life. I had never heard anything that amazing and like a young kid I thought this was as good as it got. As I got older I listened to more and more from artists such as Mos Def, Talib Kweli and DJ- Hi-Tek(in fact I consider their Reflection Eternal album to be one of the greatest albums of all-time), Outkast, Eric B. and Rakim, and of course being from the south I listened to Outkast. When my family, teachers, and church have all tried to reach me, sometimes just listening to a track off of Reasonable Doubt can do the trick. When I am a little stifled creatively I put in Stankonia by Outkast and just watch the juices flow. I get a little tired of hearing people just bash what they hear on the radio and immediately assume that all hip hop is the same. I urge those people to try and find more creative artists to listen to. Real hip hop is able to move you, make you feel good, and makes you think. Believe me, it's a good listen.