Hip-Hop/Rap music you will love

Hip-Hop/Rap

style / mood

Editor's Picks (see more)

DOWN LO & DEPLOI: In Our World
SoCal lyricism meets Minnesota funk on this collaboration, which splices together two distinct flavors to generate some hard-hitting hip hop and intricate grooves. While this is ostensibly move-the-crowd party music, the complexity of both the words and the instrumentation bumps it up to levels that surpass that generalization, leaving the listener with plenty to take in, process, and feel. Deploi's flow is rugged but on point, dialing in with the rhythm section and often accenting their offbeats with his verbal barbs. When he stops to catch his breath, the band steps up, digging deeper into the heart of the groove and throwing the spotlight on some of the individual instruments. "Expander" showcases some fierce guitar soloing, while the horns on "Party Joint" are huge, taking over the track (in the best way) and creating a fantastic celebratory anthem. To top it off, the production and recording quality are top notch, so you know that when that kick drum kicks and the bass digs down deep, you're going to feel it. And you're going to like it.
CD price: $13.97 / MP3 price: $13.97
D. ALLIE: The Cooperative
This Michigan MC thrives on taking the high road, checking pretense at the door and kicking rhymes that never need to fall back on posturing to get the knowledge across. He calls his style "organic hip hop," and it ends up being a fairly solid summation of his flow, lyrical content, and especially the beats he laces. There's solid grooves that feature a looser feel than a lot of hip hop, lending themselves easily to his laid back style of speak and unassuming but effective matter-of-factness with the lyrics. The words are spread thick and chosen carefully, keeping the songs pressing on and the filler to a minimum. This is a cat who loves music, almost to the point of being protective. On "Description of A Fool," he pokes fun at the loud-mouthed bling enthusiasts who are a dime a dozen in the rap game today, warning that hip hop is in "a state where everybody's getting so self centered." He's got the remedy for it, and she shouldn't have any trouble finding plenty of real hip hop fans that are right there with him.
CD price: $7.00 / MP3 price: $5.00
AQUABATICS: Analog Transmission
Upon first listen, the tracks laid down by this Richmond, VA six piece sound like straight up, solid, hard hitting hip hop. Delve a little deeper, and wha- are those live drums? They are. And they lay the grooves that the rest of the group sinks into, taking the music in funk and jazz driven directions that work perfectly for the two lyrically ambitious MC's. Balancing out the traditional hip hop side of things, the songs are peppered with slick cuts on the turntable, adding a sometimes gritty juxtaposition to the smooth bass lines and the more mellow guitar riffs. It's a group effort, and through the 11 tracks, you can see how comfortable the collective is in challenging themselves with content, both lyrically and musically. "Rule of Thumb" starts off with an unassuming acoustic progression, and eventually builds into a tight groove that matches the intensity of the lyrics. "Fallen" is a great song to end the album with, riding a tight funk rock feel with cuts all over it, keeping the MC's working until it segues into a loose breakdown at the end. It's tough to pull of great live band hip hop, but these guys make it happen.
CD price: $12.97
SIRAH AND DJ HOPPA: Clean Windows Dirty Floors
Somewhere between an EP and an LP, the 8 song proper debut from this NY raised/LA transplanted MC is lean on filler and stacked with lyrics that don't waste a word. With a B-Girl from the Bronx swagger that can't help but add additional punch to her already aggressive delivery, Sirah flushes out the tracks, compacting syllables and squeezing thoughts on top of each other, all while constantly maintaining focus on the concept and the flow. The tracks are dense, laced with urgent, true-school grooves that complement her style perfectly. The lyrics here are honest, told from a fairly unique perspective, and filled with a strength that is often fueled by contempt. On "MC," she laments the thinly veiled sexism in hip hop from an artist's perspective, and then takes it a step further on "Stop With The Advice." "I'm not doing you, I'm doing me," she rails in response to nonchalant criticisms of her look and style. In a rap landscape filled with cookie-cutter MC's, it's always great to hear an artist whose main focus is to remain true to herself.
CD price: $9.99 / MP3 price: $9.99
7EVEN:THIRTY: Star: The Seven Thirty Experience
Thematically, if you had to sum it up quick, this is hip hop that is spaced out beyond belief. Lyrically abstract and musically dense, these songs make a serious attempt at convincing the listener that this cat is from another planet. But, when the grooves kick in and the beats start knocking on your eardrums, it becomes clear that he has one foot firmly planted on the ground. Busting out beats that somehow toe the line between ethereal and slightly grimy, any preconceived notions of what's coming on the next track have to be tossed out the window within minutes of this 21 song disc kicking into gear. Lyrically, he's got the goods to keep 'em guessing as well. While a track like "Flesh Eating Brane Kreature" is on the surface about, well, a creature from space with a taste for skull innards, when you peel back the layers it becomes a metaphor for some mind blowing musical abilities. With additional abstract lyricism for days, a knack for well-placed melody, and the ability to craft a song that doesn't get too hook heavy or repetitive, this is one that you can plan on spending some serious time with.
CD price: $10.99 / MP3 price: $10.99

Top Sellers (see more)

MASKERADE: Luv Iz Crazi
The perfect mix of R&B and Hip-Hop blended together with great songwriting. This album features the smash hit "Amazing" and also "Get to Know Ya". LUV IZ CRAZI is a must have for any R&B collection.
CD price: $12.98 / MP3 price: $12.98
4TH25: Live From Iraq
Produced, written, and recorded in Baghdad Iraq. The reality of a country at war - this is what nobody wanted you to hear. MP3 is
MP3 price: $14.00
SING 2 SCHOOL: Multiplication Hip Hop
Sing 2 School's MULTIPLICATION HIP HOP was awarded by DR. Toy and Parents Choice Foundation. It was also recommended by Parenting Magazine and featured on Barbara Walter's television show, The View. The CD teaches the multiplication facts using positive
MP3 price: $9.99
ZACHARIAH AND THE LOBOS RIDERS: Dead and Breakfast Soundtrack
A rap-country hybrid from the cult classic film "Dead and Breakfast."
CD price: $8.97 / MP3 price: $8.97
MOSS: Strictly A Class
A new style of urban hip hop with a smooth flow, and inspiring lyrics over rhythmically charged beats all brought together by intensely catchy hooks."JUST AN AMAZING ALBUM".
CD price: $10.00 / MP3 price: $5.00
GOD-DES: Reality
Controversial hip-hop
CD price: $12.97 / MP3 price: $12.97
THE STRANGE FRUIT PROJECT: Soul Travelin'
Hip Hop/Soul music with a edge....
OPTIMUS RHYME: Optimus Rhyme
Alternative hip-hop blending interstellar rhymes with live instrumentation.
CD price: $12.00 / MP3 price: $12.00
WAYNA: Moments of Clarity - Book I
A fusion of classic soul, jazz, hiphop and R&B.
CD price: $12.00
TOOMBSTONE: Take A Fat Ass Hit
Rap with an R&B Flavor
CD price: $12.97 / MP3 price: $12.97