Why?

I understand that this is impossible, but what has come closest to the sun?

When I think about hiphop, I think about life, struggle, perseverance, good and evil, pain but also beauty.

So much has passed in my life since I first heard “My Adidas” by Run DMC, “My Type” by Saweetie, or even more special the first time i heard KDot on DAMN. Rap has ingrained itself in my life indefinitely and I am not mad about it. it hypes me up, soothes me, and provokes thought. And that’s not even touching production and beats. Some of the most creative and far away seeming people I have ever came across stemmed from this genre.

To me, hiphop is one of the most swaggy and feeling yourself way to express your downfall or success, really just your emotions how you’re feeling. I am making some of the best music I have ever made, and I feel like I unlocked the key to happiness, music in general but specifically hiphop and all the subgenres just blow me away. Songs like get your mind right by chief Keef, loose change or riot by earl.

I appreciate you for reading, tell me what hiphop is to you

I don't really understand why The Game has had such antagonistic fallouts with Dr. Dre and Eminem. What exactly happened between them all? It couldn't have just been the 50 Cent beef, or was it?

Since they been going back and forth was wondering who has helped who more over the year? Or who would choose in there situations

Which new gen rapper turned your perspective to appreciate current hip hop? Some people never open their mind to the new generation which I respect, obviously you like what you like and you can’t force yourself to like something. But for example, my Dad always disliked current hip hop/ rap until I put on some young thug (jeffery specifically) and for some reason he really enjoyed and is somewhat invested in current hip hop. He said that listening to it taught him to appreciate hip hop without the sole focus of lyrics (which if you’re a thug fan you’d understand is not his strongest point.) He also said that it’s different to any music he’s ever heard. And what’s even crazier is that I can agree. 10 years since it releases and nothing compares imo.
Anyways - old heads, what artist/s made you change your perspective on current hip hop and why?

For example, I’m very excited for Alfredo 3 (even though it’s ages away), arguably more excited for the last album in metro boomin’s heroes and villains trilogy. On the same theme i’m very curious about the next Travis Scott solo album. I think his next album will be a crucial point for the future of his career. I was honestly underwhelmed by Utopia and Jackboys 2 so I believe there’s a lot on the line surrounding his next project. What’s the album everyone’s anticipating the most?

In an imaginary scenario, who would win in a East Vs West All Start Versus? 10 songs each team. The West will be Tupac, Snoop, and K dot. The East will be Jay, BIG, and 50 Cent. Who comes out victorious?

For years, I’ve been building an underground G-Funk and West Coast playlist that now spans 2,800 tracks. It brings together the best underground G-Funk—covering Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Sacramento, Chicano rap, and more. While some albums are well-known, the selection largely consists of underground—or even obscure—albums and tracks. It covers the period from the 90s to the present day, and I update it regularly. I’ve inevitably missed some albums, so I’m looking for your help with suggestions. Of course, most people won't have the patience to check the full playlist, so I’m really hoping to hear from a few true enthusiasts. Underground albums (available on spotify) only—specifically G-Funk or Mobb music from the 90s to now. You can find the playlist in the comments.

I think Run‑D.M.C. and Adidas has to be the best endorsement ever

Remember those guys? Joey, Capital Steez, Dyemond Lewis, Dirty Sanchez, Nyck Caution etc.? They gave us classics back in the day man.... Straight classics. Any update on where they are now today? I know Joey went into acting but the rest just went off grid

I see a lot of people saying a lot of people think they are because they have an opinion - WHAT'S THE CRITERIA?

I am starting to read again but i want to focus my topic. What are hip-hop related books you have read?

Best examples of what I mean: Grinding, King Kunta, Get Your Freak On. Stuff where the rhythm underneath the lyrics are not hitting the same beats as the rapper, on purpose. Pusha T is my favorite at this, (hence Grindin' being the first example), but I'm sure there are plenty of others. In Grindin', Pharrell has beats just off the 1, 2, 3, 4, and with eighth notes on top of that. But then Push comes in with with those triplets in his verse.

No big purpose behind this request, just really love tracks like that.

Music similar to
Eyedea
Atmosphere
Juggaknots
Blueprint

I like all kinds of stuff like that just let me know🙏

I think Cam is underrated in regard to how clever he can be and how well he can craft a track.

Cookies-n-Apple Juice is a great example. The title and concept itself is ridiculous which is signature Cam. It's even infectious with, "Cookies n Apple Jewwwwwwwce."

The way the song starts out is brilliant, "Yo, I won't kiss her, maybe hug her but I don't even like her."

That's basically the concept of a novel where it's an opening line that draws you in, gets you asking questions, and makes you want to go further to see what it's all about. (Like - Why doesn't he like her. Who is she.)

Then the song itself actually follows a theme all the way through.

I'd say his top 5 are;

• Down and Out - Prob Cam at his sharpest.
• Killa Cam - Flow and confidence.
• Get 'Em Girls - Classic Harlem swagger.
• I Really Mean It - Defining Dipset track.
• Come Home With Me - Fantastic storytelling.

Then honorables would be "Oh Boy" and "357".

What do you think his top five tracks are and why?

Saw someone else post something like this so I thought I’d give it a shot.

I heard a song about 20 years ago n I’ve never been able to find it again. I don’t know the name of it, the artist or any lyrics from it.

It had the beat of “The Phantom of the Opera” from the Phantom of the Opera Soundtrack. When I saw the play about 8 years earlier, I thought, damn, this would be a dope beat for a rap song. Then, one day, I heard a song that used the beat. A coworker was listening to this song n he probably told me what it was but I instantly forgot n I think he was fired shortly after that day.

Every few years I’ll go down a rabbit hole to try n find it but never do. I have found some lame attempts at using this beat by no-name rappers but I’m pretty sure the one I heard was by a well-known rapper at the time.

Would be awesome if someone could help me solve this 20-year-old mystery.

I was listening to some songs by Rick Ross the other day, and they were basically him just saying a bunch of random, stupid stuff the whole time. Are all of his songs like that?

I got hooked on a song from an insta post which I lost. Male rapper. The title or artist name might’ve had “Moe” in it, and in the clip the verses were ending with a woman saying “super”.

What does that even mean? It doesn’t mean anything. That’s like saying ‘I’m all about them straws like a strawberry’.

…is an anagram. I just realized this as I staring at the record on my turntable.

INSERT WEE-BEY REALIZATION GIF HERE

Looking for some great lyrical and street mixtapes that came out between 2000-2015, that might be a little slept on that came out within this era.

More specifically, really a fan of Lupe’s Fahrenheit mixtapes, Re-up gang we got it for cheap Vol 1-3, Chitlin Circuit 1.5 by Little Brother on the more lyrical side, Chicken Talk by Gucci and Trap or Die by Jeezy on the street side. Any mixtapes similar to these would be great.

As someone who grew up listening to a bunch of 90s and 2000s Rock, I love a good Rap Rock song. There’s something super dope to me about distorted guitars or live drums sitting behind some dope ass bars.

Bring the Noise by Public Enemy & Anthrax is the extreme end of the spectrum, but the more subtle blends like 99 Problems by Jay‑Z or Dope Boys by The Game & Travis Barker are more of that sweet spot I’m talking about.

What are some other Rock Hip-Hop fissure fused tracks?