We Got the Beats

We music connoisseurs like to think that we’re always discerning when it comes to our musical choices, but loud music and the need to dance sometimes override our best efforts. We’ve all been in that position where our “closet music” starts playing on the radio and we just have to turn it up. Many of us have also been in a situation where a member of an older generation questions the propriety of a beat or lyric. Yet, despite the belief of much of the population over twenty, not all hip-hop is composed of breakneck beats and bad-ass lyrics (not that those songs aren’t fun too!) Like any musical genre, hip-hop has gone through many transitions and survived the power of many sub-genres. The most popular artists aren’t necessarily the best or the most interesting, but sometimes their music is fun. Like all music, hip-hop has a huge number of artists doing different things, and plenty of hip-hop music is worth listening to for more than just beats. The following artists are definitely worth your time:

Edan from Boston is a master of flow and sound. His music and lyrics are interesting, and they work well together, unlike some hip-hop music where the music and lyrics either battle for superiority or are both less than interesting. Beauty & The Beat showcases Edan’s rhythmic and lyrical prowess.

Lupe Fiasco is the skateboarding rapper of 2006, complete with a punk-rock name. Despite the fact that “Kick, Push”, the first single, talks about being a rebel on a board it showcases smooth horns more reminiscent of late-night jazz than ska. The rest of his album, Food & Liquor, is equally smooth with more R&B and neo-soul influences than hip-hop. Lupe Fiasco remains a rapper throughout the album, but keeps his hard edges smooth with an R&B sound.

Delinquent Habits make Latin rap that sounds very different from Daddy Yankee. The band rarely raps in Spanish for a whole song, yet their sound is very “south of the border.” Their music includes horns, guitars, drums, and the occasional well-crafted beat, and is reminiscent of laid back Ozomatli. Delinquent Habits’ lyrics are usually about partying, and their thick beats are perfect for a party soundtrack.

Psalm One is a female MC who celebrates her femininity. It’s a rare artist who understands that being female just comes down to being yourself, and equally rare are female rappers who feel comfortable dropping a rhyme without putting on a show. Psalm One seems both comfortable with herself and with her rhymes. She throws around tricky lyrics with power, and she throws them over interesting beats.

Atmosphere is the political rapper in this bunch. He can drop heavy lyrics over mad beats, like a hardcore kid can scream over shredded guitars. Besides his amazing flow, Atmosphere writes lyrics that mean something. He discusses hip-hop culture (“Trying to Find a Balance,”) life’s disappointments (“Pour Me Another,”) and just trying to make it (“The Arrival.”) Like every artist listed here, Atmosphere has a distinct sound that separates him from the popular rap crew. Atmosphere has a very even and exceptional sound, easily throwing around difficult lyrics over tight music.