Massively Underconsumed

Forget the title: Gang Starr had no mass appeal, probably because monotone drone Guru is one of history’s most self-effacing rappers.

But these 20 tracks justify the duo’s hero status among purists, and form a better compilation than a 1999 set that held 11 more songs, including needless remixes. Granted, Guru is no rhyme virtuoso, but he spits a clear street narrative and is an oddly inventive shit-talker (“You puny protozoa,” he scoffs in “Check the Technique”).

The real star of the duo, though, is DJ Premier, whose groundbreaking jazz-flavored beats and scratch-happy psychedelic mini-symphonies remain some of the most compelling music ever created by a hip-hop producer.

I still can’t believe I haven’t repped this duo on my blog before, go check em out.

Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Robyn Hood Theoriez

Fundamental Anthology: Part III of III

Here are the final pieces to my ultimate underground hip-hop archive in alphabetical order:

• Rakim
• The Roots
  
• The Sugar Hill Gang
• The Team
• Theory Hazit
• The Underground Kings: UGK
  
• Zion I

Fundamental Anthology: Part II of III

Here is part II of III of my ultimate underground hip-hop collection in alphabetical order:

• J-Dilla
• Jedi Mind Tricks
• Jurassic 5
• Lightheaded
• Lupe Fiasco
• Pharcyde

Fundamental Anthology: Part I of III

Just as I promised in my last posting, here is part I of III of my ultimate underground hip-hop collection in alphabetical order:

• Aesop Rock
• Aceyalone/freestyle fellowship
• Atmosphere
• Black Star
• Blackalicious
• Brother Ali
• Cali Agents
• De la Soul
• Dead Prez
  
• Del the Funky Homosapien
• Digable Planets
• Dilated Peoples
• Gangstarr
• Hieroglyphics

Radio/Online Audio News Package

Trains in Fort Collins create noise pollution and traffic congestion. By law, trains have to blow their whistles at intersections, but cannot be redirected and must go through our town. So we learn to deal.

Train Audio Interview

Help With Your Fractured Filters

It’s not hard to make money with less substance if you’re already rich and famous.

If you consider our contemporary society as being extremely influenced on morality and ethics, then you could also assume that our cultural icons, (MUSICIANS, athletes, politicians, etc…) should be responsible for the power and abilities they have.

Think about the sway that enormously popular rap stars like Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Ludacris, and so many others hold over America’s youth. Are they really sending out the right message with excessive materialism, hoes, and purp in they cup? And so, I weed through the garbage to pick the good apples out for you.

A handful of mainstream artists consistently produce socially conscious albums while staying fresh and entertaining. Others however, are sending ridiculously ‘dumbed-down’ lyrics that provide little more than a snare-kick loop on top of a deep bass sample intermittent with techno reverbs. Although these are entertaining and undoubtedly created for dancing while ‘poppin’ bottles in da club,’ they really are mind disintegrating.

It is the artist’s responsibility to provide music with positive messages and insightful lyrics. With so much rubbish out there, it’s hard to train your personal filters that catch all the crud.

That’s why I’ve created this blog. That’s why I’ll keep updating it with entertaining artists that make you think rather than aspire for diamonds and cars. And that’s why a list is under development of everything that makes up the highly regarded world of underground hip-hop.