I actually had a massive issue trying to find hip hop I liked. I love words more than anything, and really liked the form when I was younger but in pre-internet days, is was tough to find the music that wasn't about fronting or money, etc.. Gangsta was really big back then, but didn't really talk to me. I had several Jurassic 5 albums growing up, which is really good, but often pretty light (though tight) lyrically.
Then, later I discovered Saul Williams and things changed. I went on to discover Sage Francis, Brother Ali, Doomtree (incl Dessa and Sims' solo stuff) and plenty of other poetic and engaging artists. It was a 'dig a little deeper' scenario for me, but at the time I didn't know where to start.
It's weird when I see hip hop fans talking about their favourite Kanye or Lil' Wayne song, I just can't access it. Even Jay Z does nothing for me. It's not me being 'hipstery' or anything, I just need the lyrics to move me a little.
I actually had a massive issue trying to find hip hop I liked. I love words more than anything, and really liked the form when I was younger but in pre-internet days, is was tough to find the music that wasn't about fronting or money, etc.. Gangsta was really big back then, but didn't really talk to me. I had several Jurassic 5 albums growing up, which is really good, but often pretty light (though tight) lyrically.
Then, later I discovered Saul Williams and things changed. I went on to discover Sage Francis, Brother Ali, Doomtree (incl Dessa and Sims' solo stuff) and plenty of other poetic and engaging artists. It was a 'dig a little deeper' scenario for me, but at the time I didn't know where to start.
It's weird when I see hip hop fans talking about their favourite Kanye or Lil' Wayne song, I just can't access it. Even Jay Z does nothing for me. It's not me being 'hipstery' or anything, I just need the lyrics to move me a little.