Mar 31, 2015 That's weird because I like both these songs lol, not my favourite in the album for sure (and Africa Must Wake Up kinda drags for a bit too long). But yeah, they have preachy songs but I think they pulled it off nicely (unlike someone like Lupe for example). Tbh I want to listen to LIG again, Lokomotive is amazing and there are are some other good tracks I remember (like Daughters I think) but as a whole it was kinda disappointing at that time :/ Also I forgot to mention Cunninlynguists. Oneirology>* and I really liked SJV3 and the EP with G&E, but hey, there's only room for that much right. Did you like Natti's solo? He released it in 2013, it's called Still Motion, very enjoyable record. And Kno's side project Built To Fade is worth checking out. I'm not sure tbh. Probably Dark Fantasy (Open Mike Eagle) or Trophies (Apollo Brown and OC) or The City Under The City (L'Orange and Stik Figa).
Mar 31, 2015 It's just unfortunate no one who worked on the list had given dark comedy enough listens to be confident in its placement. I'm sure it would've been included otherwise Nas also was on the list I think for distant relatives or life is good, but got cut
Mar 31, 2015 You might want to check out more L'Orange if you haven't already, like The Mad Writer or The Orchid Days. His production is superb, with jazzy or soulfoul samples, simple drums and old movie clips. His work is very intriguing.
Mar 31, 2015 At 9 great-amazing songs, I think it's jos strongest project tbh. But yeah, as others have said, monster or something else could've worked His new project 56 nights is great toooo
Mar 31, 2015 The first part of LIG is very strong. This album got off to a good start but cuts like summer on smash or you wouldn't understand kinda ruined the final rate. The contrast betweent the first part and the second was too big, so maybe that's why you felt disappointed. It's pretty understandable. I've never heard of neither Natt's nor Kno's solo albums. I will check them out in a spare time. Don't you think some of his beats are too similar to themselves? I have the same issue with Appollo Brown. When you listen to them for the first time they sound really fresh but they're getting too repetitive in the long run.
Mar 31, 2015 I haven't listened to Undun either. Not a big Roots fan. Sorry I'm not a super l33t rap fan in the barbershop fam.
Mar 31, 2015 Natti only has this one I think, Kno has a series of tapes with his Cunninlynguists instrumentals, a solo called Death Is Silent (dark production ofc very good, his rapping was kinda meh but the guests / mainly Tonedeff did a good job) and he produced To Dust for his side project Built To Fade (with Anna Wise vocals) Mmm I'd call it cohesive instead of repetitive, he uses the same formula ofc and each album has a certain tone/atmosphere, the production is fluid with subtle distinctions but the different melodies, the movie clips and the few guest rappers bring something different each time. I guess it's a matter of taste or in what mood you're in, sometimes I'd like to listen to more "dynamic" trip hop / instrumental like Ancient Astronauts etc etc
Mar 31, 2015 Here was my original list (in no particular order) + bonuses for consideration. Keep in mind this was off the top of my head so there are some oversights (like Rich g--- being under consideration but not on my actual list): 1. Kanye West - MBDTF 2. MaddGibbs - Piñata 3. Drake - Take Care 4. Kendrick Lamar - GKMC 5. The Roots - Undun 6. YG - My Krazy Life 7. Run the Jewels - RTJ2 8. Killer Mike - RAP Music 9. Isaiah Rashad - Cilvia Demo 10. Big Boi - Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty 11. Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch the Throne 12. Kendrick Lamar - Section.80 13. Billy Woods - Dour Candy 14. Kanye West - Yeezus 15. Chance the Rapper - Acid Rap 16. Danny Brown - Old 17. A$AP Rocky - Live.Love.A$AP 18. Action Bronson - Blue Chips 2 19. Big K.R.I.T. - Return of 4eva 20. Drake - Nothing Was the Same 21. Don Trip & Starlito - Step Brothers 2 22. The Roots - How I Got Over 23. Vince Staples - Shyne Coldchain vol. 2 24. Nas - Life is Good 25. Joey Bada$$ - 1999 Some other albums I thought of for consideration: Vince Staples - h--- Can Wait Shabazz Palaces - Black Up Dessa - A Badly Broken Code Run the Jewels - RTJ1 A$AP Ferg - Trap Lord Juicy J - Stay Trippy Mac Miller - Watching Movies With the Sound Off Chief Keef - Finally Rich Open Mike Eagle - Dark Comedy Rich g--- - Rich g---: The Tour Danny Brown - --- Lil Herb - Welcome to Fazoland
Mar 31, 2015 @Olorin thanks for taking the time to respond in length. Dark Comedy is great, but as I said, I'm not sure it's exactly a glaring omission on a list like this. Dessa isn't really my cup of tea. She's a great writer, but musically, she doesn't really do anything for me save for a few standouts. At the end of the day, you can only have so many "indie" artists on a list like this without it straying away from being an essentials list. Clpping/Distant Relatives are dope.
Mar 31, 2015 I would rank take care over gkmc. Lol @ Yeezus being in the top 25 though. I wouldn't call it a bad album and still visit a few tracks from it but no way top 25
