My 10 Favorite Hip-Hop Artists: Part II, "Big Pun"

If I felt like I might've owed something to Lupe, I absolutely owe something to Pun. I remember the first time I heard him was on an Eazy-E mixtape I downloaded for a song with Biggie & Tupac. I was floored, not only with his talent, but that I had never even heard of him. I need to hear more. A trip to Newbury Comics supplied me with Pun's opus, Capital Punishment, the first CLASSIC Hip-Hop album I ever went to the store and purchased.

It made me realize I didn't know the first thing about the history of this genre. Whereas Rock'n'Roll celebrates its origins and older artists, rap is all about what's new and whose next. Older artists are often forgotten and disregarded for their experience rather than respected for it (How often do you hear a classic Pac joint on the radio? How often do you hear a new Drake song? I rest my case).

And so began a backwards search through classic albums that I continue to this day.

Like learning anything outside of the classroom, its on you to do the research. Discovering Pun inspired me to do my research. Capital Punishment led me to Big L, who led me to Q-Tip & KRS-One, and the deep cuts that go beyond the hits of BIG and Pac.

Now to praise Pun himself. He's one of the best lyricists ever, without making his lyrics complex for complexity's sake. His use of multisyllabic rhymes was unparalleled. His flow is one for the ages. Pun could write songs for all occasions: Songs For the Ladies, Club Bangers, Lyrical Exposés and Gangster Tracks for the Streets.

Point blank: I think he's the best to ever do it. So thank you, Pun. You left far too soon.

You May Have Heard: Still Not A Player – Big Pun

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(I had a lot of issues limiting the tracks to share with you, so I recruited 2 of the biggest Hip-Hop Heads I know, to offer up their personal favorites).

MFP's Required Listening: Album: Capital Punishment

Song: Twinz (Feat. Fat Joe)

Zack's Tracks: Twinz (feat. Fat Joe), Dream Shatterer, Super Lyrical, Glamour Life

Sid's Selections:

My 10 Favorite Hip-Hop Artists: Part I, "Lupe Fiasco"

I feel like I owe something of a debt to Lupe Fiasco. He's the reason I got into hip-hop. Sure, growing up I had a few rap albums (Willenium, Nellyville, Snoop's R&G), but they never inspired me to listen intently, to decipher the meaning and marvel at how an artist's cadence and flow become another instrument intertwined with the beat.

That was Lupe.

The day after my 16th Birthday, Lupe released his debut album Food & Liquor. Armed with a new iTunes gift card, I downloaded the album on a lark after reading User Reviews about how amazing it was. It didn't disappoint.

Lupe's second effort, The Cool, may be my favorite rap album of all time. I still play it from front-to-back without skipping (a sign of a true classic) at least once every other week. It was this album that really began to open me up to the true art hip-hop can offer its listeners. I became bewildered by the scenes the emcee could bring to life, using symbolism and metaphors that would make a high-school English teacher giddy.

Point-blank, Lupe is a nerd. He's super lyrical. His first hit was a skateboarding love story. He's proactive and takes a stand on real issues. When he raps about guns and drugs, he does so like a National reporter, not a faux 50 Cent. And he may be the first great rapper of a new generation.

You May Have Heard: Superstar - Lupe Fiasco

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(I had a lot of issues limiting the tracks to share with you, so I recruited 2 of the biggest Hip-Hop Heads I know, to offer up their personal favorites).

MFP's Required Listening: Album: Lupe Fiasco's The Cool.

Song: Kick, Push

Zack's Tracks: Hip Hop Saved My Life, Put You On Game, Gold Watch

Sid's Selections: Hurt Me Soul, Can You Let Me Know

My 10 Favorite Hip-Hop Artists

I've been in a listing mood lately. For whatever reason, people love lists. They can help bring order to chaos and quantify what is otherwise uncountable. Myself, I love allowing my big mouth to throw my opinions out there, at least when it comes to what I know (or what I think I know).

Before I start, I'll throw out my Honorable Mentions. I wouldn't feel right not giving a shout out to these great artists: KRS-One. Rakim. Outkast. Chuck D. The Roots. Common. Lauryn Hill. Black Star. Redman & Method Man. The Wu-Tang Clan. Kanye West.

Now without further ado, and in no particular order, my 10 favorite Hip-Hop Artists.

10. Lupe Fiasco

09. Big Pun

08. Big L

07. Joe Budden

06. Busta Rhymes

05. Nas

04. Jay-Z

03. Eminem

02. The Notorious B.I.G. /Biggie Smalls

01. Tupac Shakur / 2Pac

I'll cover each one in individual postings. Just wanted to give a little taste of where my mind's at right now.

Common Sense

With only 1 final standing between me and freedom, I'm anticipating posts to become more frequent again.

The recent controversy stirred up by Fox News and Friends against a certain rapper inspired me to revisit my Common collection. Listening to Like Water For Chocolate, Be, and a few spare tracks from here and there, it reminded me how essential it is to revisit the classics.

That said, Fox's claims labeling Common as a misogynist and endorser of cop killing is laughable. Jon Stewart did a great job ripping them, as he always does, so I'll save you my personal rant. Instead, let Common's music speak for itself.

Hip-Hop Thursday

"Nobody Believes Me"- Styles P

Story-telling tracks get slept on way too often in the hip-hop community. The radio is all about the beat, the hook, the chorus. Youtubers get caught up in who has the best punchlines or the smoothest flow. Give me a guy with the ability to paint a story and have it unfold around me-- thats what sets the emcees apart from rappers. Styles P of the LOX produced one of my favorite story-telling hip-hop songs ever, delving into a persona of a gangster riddled with paranoia. By the end, you completely buy into the idea that he's arguing with his gun and money.

New Hip-Hop

Couldn't wait 'til tomorrow. Had to share a crop of new music brought to my attention today (2 released today, 1 a few days ago). Don't worry, I have one more in store for the regular edition of Hip-Hop Thursdays tomorrow.

"2.0 Boys"- Eminem, Slaughterhouse, YelaWolf.

Well it didn't take long for Shady to hop on a track with his latest recruits- the Voltron that is Slaughterhouse and the Alabama Up-And-Comer YelaWolf. It doesn't disappoint. I will say, Crooked went in HARD. I think he gave the best verse, which doesn't surprise me anymore, because he's done it time and time again.

For those who don't know about Slaughterhouse and need help IDing whose who- the order is Royce da 5'9", Eminem, Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden, Crooked I, YelaWolf.

"Young, Wild & Free" - Wiz Khalifa & Snoop Dogg

Obviously not here for the lyrical prowess that "2.0 Boys" flaunts. But for what it is (A Chill Weed Song- shocking new ground for Snoop and Wiz to be treading), it is a nice track to throw on if you want a smooth vibe and don't feel like thinking too hard.

"6 for 6 (Get Gully)"- 50 Cent.

What the fuck got into Fifty? Like seriously. Dude was phoning it in for years and he turned it back on for 2011. He's slugging like 3.000 right now, with 6 solid tracks in 2 months. Here's the latest. Hope he keeps this up-- would be awesome to see him put out another Classic.

The Original Nicki Minaj > Nicki Minaj

If you seriously think Nicki Minaj is the best female emcee alive, you're an idiot. No disrespect. I like Nicki- "I'm the Best" from Pink Friday still gets some play on my iPod months after its release and I never would have guessed it would.

That said, people always have the tendency to crown the latest thing to be the greatest, best, most amazing thing to ever happen. I partially blame the "Now" Age we live in-- dominated by endless television channels, websites and twitter updates. And I blame young people for not knowing their history. LeBron isn't the greatest basketball player alive. Lil' Wayne isn't the best rapper alive- though a lot of people out there believed it circa Summer 2008 when he said so. (Until Eminem decided to comeback

and repeatedly destroy him on tracks).

And Nicki Minaj isn't the best Lady on the Mic alive. She's not even close. MC Lyte, Lauryn Hill and Queen Latifah are all way our of Nicki's league. So is the Nicki-Blueprint, original Bad Girl Lil' Kim. I'm so happy that Lil' Kim released Black Friday, waking up from wherever the hell she's been at. Of course, who knows if the public will realize Lil' Kim is the orignator of Nicki's style and the superior style (See KRS-One/Nelly and Canibus/LL Cool Jay Beefs). But if it means better work from both artists, we all win.

Remembering Big L

Lamont Coleman, the Hip-Hop artist known as Big L, was only 24 when he was murdered 12 years ago today. You can make the argument for Big L as the greatest rapper ever, the greatest lyricist and the the greatest Harlem-produced talent.

He's in my Top 10 for sure, and his debut album Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous remains one of my favorite albums ever. Why is it so many gifted musical artists are taken from us too soon? RIP Big L.

Big L's biggest hit

Yes that is a young Jay-Z. And as great as Jay's verse is, he gets bodied by L .

Whose Next?

My friend Danny G. recommended I do a post on who I believe to be the next rapper to blow up- J Cole. He's currently my profile pic on Facebook because of our strong resemblence. This guy has skill and I think the potential to be both lyrically potent and a hit on the pop charts.

Yaowa!

From Urban Dictionary: Yaowa- "Term popularized by gifted Brooklyn lyricist Joell Ortiz, a sort of urban version of Fozzy Bear's "Wakka Wakka", meaning (according to Joe Budden) "absolutely nothing". Can be said after any humorous statement, or whenever the hell you feel like saying it."



For those who haven't heard of Joell Ortiz, I present to you the beast of the east, hailing from Brooklyn. The guy is SO nice. I have nothing but praise for the kid. He turned down both academic and basketball scholarships to stay home and care after his drug abusing mother. “My moms was getting high and I didn’t want to hear something happened to her,” he recalls, “she was my best friend.”



This is Joell's top single off his soon-to-be-released album, "Free Agent." I have no idea why this song hasn't blown up like "Best I Ever Had" did. Its so relatable.



Pure. Heart. A song means so much more to me when the artist is being real. Joell's great tribute to his Grandmother...



Last one. I could go on and on for Joell, but I wouldn't feel right ending a post on him without mentioning SLAUGHTERHOUSE, the Hip-Hop supergroup comprising of Joell, Joe Budden from Jersey, Royce da 5'9" from Detroit, and Crooked I from the West Coast. Soon to sign to Shady Records with Eminem. In my opinion, already one of the top 5 groups in the history of Hip-Hop and they've only been around a year.

Break It Down

I love KRS-one, aka the teacher. I doubt many of you have even heard of him, but he might be the greatest emcee of all-time. Posted this because I find it interesting how there are different nuances to even the simplest of performances. There's something about KRS's voice where he just captures you and brings you in. He makes you want to learn about what he's talking about. Hope I get to see him this summer at Rock the Bells...

Eminem- Love The Way You Lie

My Last post before the Celtics Game. I just love Eminem when he gets emotional because that's when he's at his best. If this track is any indication, "Recovery" will be the Eminem I missed on "Relapse." And Rhianna delivers my favorite guest feature with Eminem since Dido on "Stan" back in the day.

"It's the rage that took over
It controls you both
So they say it's best
To go your separate ways
Guess that they don't know ya
Cause today
That was yesterday
Yesterday is over
It's a different day
Sound like broken records
Playin' over
But you promised her
Next time you'll show restraint
You don't get another chance
Life is no Nintendo game
But you lied again
Now you get to watch her leave
Out the window
Guess that's why they call it window pane"

He calls it like it is...

Murs is that dude. Not sure if posting Videos will be a regular thing yet- this one just felt right as an opener...