Cause we all got at least one question, and we all got at least one answer too!
Quite vague title I know, but that's basically what I'm looking for. I'm pretty new to this genre and was wondering what other songs there are like NY State of Mind, where they just spit bars over a hard hitting beat. I listened to the rest of Illmatic which I know is critically acclaimed, but none of the other songs really scratched the same itch for me as NYSOM did. I feel like it's a combination of the catchy but hardcore beat and the way the flow just matches it perfectly, and probably a bit of the subject matter too (realistic depiction of life in the hood). So what are some songs that I should listen to?
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Pretty much every song on Mobb Deep’s Infamous
Was just going to say this with exactly the same wording.
Dead prez slaps too if you find the right joints.
Malcolm Garvey Huey
For that DJ Premier sound? GangStarr. Start at the beginning. His progression to developing that signature “Preemo” sound is a real trip to behold. And you don’t even have to wait years in between albums like we did back in the day. Lucky.
Twinz big pun
Came here to say this
The album you describe is called The Infamous by Mobb Deep. Enjoy!
Other possible options are:
Wanted : Dead or Alive by Kool G Rap & DJ Polo
Only Built for Cuban Linx by Raekwon.
Livin Proof by Group Home (great production, but mid rappers).
Dah Shinin by Smif N Wessun
Moment of Truth by Gangstarr
Edit- I misread as album rather than songs. I’d still check out these albums for a bunch of those types of songs.
Album works too, seems like a lot of people have been recommending this one so I’ll definitely take a listen!
It’s great, from front to back.
Hard hitting songs, but also perfectly sequenced, which is an underrated but essential skill for making a classic..
Madizm - Channel Live
Wake up in the morning got the yearning for herb!
Elzhi - Detroit State of Mind (Remix)
Jeru - D. Original. Another Preemo banger.
Elzhi - Elmatic.
The bro got a band to play covers of all (I think) the tracks off Illmatic and Elzhi just raps his ass off the whole time.
Listen to his version of Halftime on youtube and see if you're into it.
Otherwise my safest bet for anyone who's getting into boom bap beats and rhymes but prefers a (slightly) more modern take on the genre : Daily Bread by Apollo Brown and Hassaan Mackey
I like Elmatic more than illmatic. I don’t like illmatic though
Take it in blood
New York, New York - Tha Dogg Pound
The Roots- Section
The Roots - 75 Bars
Raise it up - Slum Village
Check out early Wu-Tang stuff, 36 Chambers, ODB's debut, Iron Man, Only Built for Cuban Linx
Big pun- capital punishment album, start off with Beware, the first track.
Mobb Deep as someone else recommended.. infamous and hell on earth albums.
DMX- it’s dark and hell is hot- start off with listening to Intro.
Intro is such a great album opener, and one of the best 'intro' tracks ever recorded.
Shook ones pt2
Ring Ding - MOP
Uptown Shit - Kurious (underground ny)
New York State of Mind pt II
Dig through 90s NYC boom bap. There are literally too many examples from then, you should just go through it all for yourself and pick the ones you like.
Sticking with Nas you could go for Made You Look off Godson and Smokin off Stillmatic.
https://open.spotify.com/track/1RpCKJBg7CYKCu4bFYbXsu?si=YEf0pbsPSlyG2FDYlEdCpQ
This
Wanted Men-Shadez of Brooklyn -unfortunately this song isn’t on streaming, but it’s on YouTube. So fucking good!
come clean - Jeru
Anything produced by DJ Premier is going to be your best bet.... everything he touches turns to gold. Represent with Nas and Preemo again. is another good one. Recognize with Jada Kiss and Premier, When I B on da mic Rakim and Preemo. Headlines with Griselda and Preemo. Hell check out Le Pido a Dios, Feid with Preemo, a reggaeton artist surprised me and its damn good.
Check out the entire The Cold Vein album by Cannibal Ox
Joey badass hardnock
100% Dundee - The Roots
Coke n hoes by Raebardo. It’s very different but for some reason it came to mind
Maad city by Kendrick Lamar is the closest you’re gonna get
Meyhem Lauren - Cash is king
Drake - from the bottom to the top
Also Toosie Slide. Heavy Nas influence on these tracks.