They say hip hop is dead, but only to those who arent really listening, there is so much good music out there its just a little harder to find. Underground is the way to go now days 'cos the commercial stuff is so predictable and gives hip hop a bad name...
T.I, Lil What, Akon... seriously when will the whining stop.
Im not bashing your guys taste, but try step away from whats easily available and look around, if like me your on the net all the time there is soo much available. I havent purchased a CD in over 15 years (thats a whole notha convo right there)and have more friends hooking music(for free) from me than that would make musica pale.
brixton tower gives some sound advice, but dig a little deeper and experiment with names/MC's you've never heard of.
@ Blue Collar, im down with IT but his latest album is weak IMO.
I'll drop some names up in here i hope none of you lot have heard of, hope you will check some out...
Jedi Mind Tricks- the entire crew; Vinnie Paz, Sloan, Outerspace, Doap Nixon, they make awesome beats( by Stoup), especially Vinnie Paz' work.
Ill Bill, La Coka Nostra, one of my all time favorites, actually Necro's big brother-doesnt sound too similar, the sound is menacing like Necro but more on a beat trip with solid lyrics and production.
Killah Priest, Chief Komachi, The Last Emperor, Percee P some more awesome underground cats.
Sage Francis, Buck65, Rob Sonic holding it down for the white boys. Sage Francis gets a little political and heavy but his sound is truly unmatched for his genre.
If you are just into beats, instrumentals and easy listening, try DJ Shadow, RJD2, Madlib, Organized Mess.
You guys should kick in with some cunninlynguists, Nappy Roots, Devin the Dude, Zion I(all from the South)...super mellow stuff and quite refreshing.
and not to forget Ewok, an MC from Durban. totally awesome for a whiteboy south african.
Obviously all of this is my personal preferance, but i hope someone will find some real hip hop in this for themselvs. why should i always be the one distributing the good stuff amongst friends.
I aint advertising or nothing, but if you want to sample some of what ive mentioned hit me up with a PM.