Transitioning Into HipHop, 10 Albums to Consider Options

[fameONE]

Based on a conversation I was having with a friend of mine the other day, a lot of people don't give hiphop a chance because they simply just don't know any better. I could go on this rant about the radio this and the radio that but beating a dead horse gets old (besides, not all radio rap is horrendous).

In a nutshell, I sat in the back of humvee in Baghdad contemplating how I could make a diverse list of albums that would appeal to potential fans with varying tastes. Below is the end result.

If you're having problems seeing past the obvious (why awhy the entire typical backpacker, conscious, quasi-political, lyrical free-for-all with soulful beats that I generally prefer), then just ask and I'll be sure to drop knowledge on, and provide an explanation for, any album here.

**in no particular order**

1.
Nujabes - Modal Soul (2006)

2.
Eminem - The Slim Shady LP (1999)

3.
FELT 2(Murs and Slug [of Atmosphere]) - A Tribute to Lisa Bonet

4.
The Fugees (Refugee Camp) - The Score (1996)

5.
Lupe Fiasco - Food & Liquor (2006)

6.
Outkast - Southernplayasticadillacmuzik (1994)

7.
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - The Mecca and the Soul Brother (1992)

8.
Scarface - The Fix (2002)

9.
Timbaland - Timabland Presents: Shock Value (2007)

10.
Busta Rhymes - When Disaster Strikes (1997)

It was hard enough to sort through 14,000 songs and even harder to come up with reasonable justifications for each album, but there it is. Each album offers something different. From A Side to B Side, complete listens of each LP made it clear that, depending on which genre you generally prefer, there is something for everyone.

[sixfive]

(Hook)
Ah ha, hush that fuss
Everybody move to the back of the bus
Do you wanna bump and slump with us
We the type of people make the club get crunk

Verse 1:(Big Boi)
Many a day has passed, the night has gone by
But still I find the time to put that bump off in your eye
Total chaos, for these playas, thought we was absent
We takin another route to represent the Dungeon Family
Like Great Day, me and my n*gga decide to take the back way
We stabbing every city then we headed to that bat cave
A-T-L, Georgia, what we do for ya
Bull doggin hoes like them Georgetown Hoyas
Boy you sounding silly, thank my Brougham aint sittin pretty
Doing doughnuts round you suckas like then circles around titties
Damn we the committee gone burn it down
But us gone bust you in the mouth with the chorus now

(Hook)

I met a gypsy and she hipped me to some life game
To stimulate then activate the left and right brain
Said baby boy you only funky as your last cut
You focus on the past your ass'll be a has what
Thats one to live by or either that one to die to
I try to just throw it at you determine your own adventure
Andre, got to her station here's my destination
She got off the bus, the conversation lingered in my head for hours
Took a shower kinda sour cause my favorite group ain't comin with it
But I'm witcha you cause you probably goin through it anyway
But anyhow when in doubt went on out and bought it
Cause I thought it would be jammin but examine all the flawsky-wawsky
Awfully, it's sad and it's costly, but that's all she wrote
And I hope I never have to float in that boat
Up shit creek it's weak is the last quote
That I want to hear when I'm goin down when all's said and done
And we got a new joe in town
When the record player get to skippin and slowin down
All yawl can say is them niggas earned that crown but until then till' then

(Hook)
(Harmonica Solo)
(Hook til fade)