Dylan wrote:I'm surprised at how many people put PE as 'crap' - I think they are standing in for all hip-hop on this board, which is a bit unfair. So...
Most rap "music" sucks beyond comprehension, and it's a pretty laughable "artistic" endeavor. Furthermore, anything worth discussing in this genre took place well over a decade ago (with the exceptions of Edan, DMX and Eminem).
That being said, I consider Public Enemy's "It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back" to be my single most indispensible album, and there are a handful of worthy rap artists (ridiculous stage names notwithstanding). But let's not kid ourselves...
NWA: NOT CRAP
De La Soul: NOT CRAP
The Roots: CRAP
Jurassic 5ive: CRAP
Chicago Bears Shufflin' Crew: UNANSWERABLE
Run-DMC: NOT CRAP
Common: CRAP
EPMD: NOT CRAP
Eric B & Rakim: NOT CRAP
Geto Boys: NOT CRAP
NOT CRAP: Eminem, Audio Two, DMX, Edan, Schooly D, Stetsasonic, Just Ice, King Sun, Digital Underground, 3rd Bass, Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, MC Lyte, the D.O.C. and Boogie Down Productions.
CRAP: Beastie Boys, Ice T, 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G., Queen Latifah, K-9 Posse, Special Ed, Heavy D., LL Cool J, UTFO, Kool Moe Dee, Kurtis Blow, Cam'ron, Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock, Puff Daddy, the Fresh Price/Will Smith and the Sugar Hill Gang.