5 Intelligent Hip-Hop Albums

The best rap you won't hear on the radio

posted April 9, 2007

by Aidan Sundstrum of Verde

Aidan Sundstrum

Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Blackstar

Blackstar

Blackstar is made up of rappers Mos Def and Talib Kweli. Their name comes from activist Marcus Garvey's vision for shipping African-Americans back to Africa. Although the beats on the album are raw and simple, the lyrics are incredibly thoughtful.

The album highlights are the songs "Definition," which is a song honoring dead MCs like Biggy and Tupac, and "Brown Skin Lady," a laid back ode to smart, independent black women. This song is one of the few feminist rap songs out there and encourages the opposite of what sexist "radio rap" songs advocate. Another song on the album, "Respiration," is about the desperate acts impoverished people take just to survive; it also discusses faith, poverty and corruption. The lyrics from every song on this album are intellectual, interesting and beautifully poetic. This CD clearly establishes Talib and Mos as two of the top MCs of all time.

Party Music

The Coup

In contrast to the stark and raw beats of Blackstar, The Coup's beats are incredibly unique and funky and often borrow sound clips from the famous 70s funk band "Parliament." The Coup are from Oakland, and their lyrics usually are about either being forced to sell crack for a living or the communist revolution, a subject not often discussed in mainstream rap. Their lyrics are clever, not exceptional, but they make up for it with conviction and lyrical flow.

Dead Prez is a two-man group made up of members Stic-Man and M-1. Their music can best be described as passionate, angry and political; their beats

Some highlights are "5 Million Ways to Kill a CEO," which is a catchy anti-capitalistic track, and "Ghetto Manifesto," which is a song about poverty and desperation. Arguably the best track on the album is a collaboration with Dead Prez called "Get Up." The beat is reminiscent of the trunk rattling sounds of The Hyphy Movment (which is not unexpected since they are from Oakland, the birthplace of Hyphy.) "Get Up" is an energetic track about what Dead Prez and The Coup do the best: revolution. Even if you aren't a big rap fan, you might enjoy this album because the beats are good enough to listen to alone. If you do like rap, then this album is a must.

Revolutionairy Vol. 1

Immortal Technique

Immortal Technique doesn't exaggerate when he talks about his difficult life. He was born in Peru during a period of political unrest and violence. When He and his mother fled to America, he took up a life of crime until he went to jail, where he started writing lyrics. You might not be able to listen to this whole album all the way through because it is so intense.

Almost every line has insane rhymes and clever metaphors. Immortal Technique is especially talented at telling stories through his songs. For example, the song "Dance With The Devil" is a tale of a young man who grows up in the projects and becomes increasingly corrupt through drug dealing and gangs. Immortal Technique also presents relatively complex and intelligent political ideas about communism and advocates uprisings from Latino and African Americans in his raps. Another song, "No Me Importa," rhymes Spanish and English words while talking about women who don't respect themselves. Though Immortal Technique seems a little intimidating at first, this is a great album.

Get Free

Dead Prez is a two-man group made up of members Stic-Man and M-1. Their music can best be described as passionate, angry and political; their beats are original and focus more on electronic sounds and plenty of bass as opposed to the stark minimalist old school drum beats. They are critical of just about everyone in power and are especially critical of "mainstream" rap that's on the radio.

The best song on the album is called "Hip-Hop" which has an excellent beat and catchy lyrics. It talks about oppression and their hate for the radio. "Propaganda" is also a highlight from the album about exactly what the title suggests. They point out the multiple problems in the media and rap about Huey P. Newton and the Black Panthers. Dead Prez features some of the most passionate and earnest MCs I have heard, and their lyrics will definitely get stuck in your head.

Done By The Forces of Nature

Jungle Brothers

If you like old school, you are sure to like this. "Done By the Forces of Nature" was made in 1989, just as rap was starting to get recognition from artists and groups like Run DMC, Grandmaster Flash and Public Enemy. Their songs sound cheerful and upbeat, but a few talk about more serious issues.

"Acknowledge Your Own History" is one of these songs; the Jungle Brother's urge young African Americans to have pride, learn more about African history, and to disregard biased teachings. Another of my favorite songs on the album is called "Feelin' Alright." After listening to it, you really do feel alright; its fun and amusing lyrics have you feeling cheerful no matter what. One of the more famous tracks on the album is called "Doin' Our Own Dang;" it's about expressing yourself and being original. With this album The Jungle Brothers remain extremely influential in hip-hop today.