Random Question of the Day
Goodie MOB
Who is your favorite “underground” or undiscovered artist?
My 10-year high school reunion is later this year. If there was ever a signature, “Damn, I’m old!” moment you can have in your 20′s, this is definitely in the top three.
And if I’m keeping accurate track of my Facebook updates, I’m expecting to see no less than six or seven up-and-coming (a.k.a. underground, a.k.a. starving) hip-hop/R&B artists in the building. Like any major U.S. city, Seattle is full of people “trying to do the music thing,” but as far as my kind of music goes, I would imagine the biggest obstacle local artists face is the simple fact that they come from Seattle. What is it like when your city doesn’t have a solid rap identity? Most non-206 people I’ve met know about Sir Mix-A-Lot, and that’s it. As far as R&B, expect for a couple acts that made it to “American Idol” or “America’s Got Talent,” I can’t name anybody major.
But if one of us does blow up, the rest will get the satisfaction of saying we heard them first. And to a music snob, there’s nothing greater.
Snobs and non-snobs alike, everybody has their favorite underground artists, the ones you heard before they went “mainstream.” I remember randomly picking up Goodie MOB‘s first album (on cassette) and feeling like I’d discovered a group that — while they obviously were large enough to have their CD in a major retailer — I felt nobody on the West Coast was really up on yet. To a lesser extent I felt the same about OutKast. I was probably the first person I knew listening to them, but after Andre and Big Boi really blew up with Stankonia and the double-album, I kind of chilled out on getting everything they put out. Because it’s never as cool when everybody else is in on the secret.
Who is your best-kept musical secret?
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January 19th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
control says:
Richy Nix is pretty fucking good. Almost a Linkin Park (older stuff) type of sound, but without the commercial taint.
January 19th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Dime Magazine says:
This is Gerald
Austin, I’ll start this off. I like anybody in Hieroglyphics (Bay Area). Mostly Del or Pep Love.
Also Little Brother out of NC.
January 19th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Mr. Wang says:
Chamillionare back in 2000 till his mainstream album release in ’05
January 19th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
freshouttatime says:
k’naan for sure!
but i guess he already has a large following and i got on it late, but still hasn’t quite become a household name for who’s who of hiphop.
January 19th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
the scola says:
Shad K.
..and Manu Ginobili.
January 19th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Reddi Red says:
gotta roll with you Austin!
I was listening to Kast back in 92! These boys in Detroit knew NOTHING about them AND Goodie MoB (94′).
Little brother is nice too but you can’t mention underground without mentioning DMX and Jadakiss before they blew up!!
In regards to laid back music, I like everyone on the Naked Music label (jay denes)!!!
January 19th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Kermit The Washington says:
J Dilla was like that until he died…even though he had an impressive discography, no one really knew about dude.
And @ Gerald:
Hieroglyphics might be the best underground hip hop group ever? I don’t know; maybe I’m not thinking this all the way through, but they’re definitely up there. Pep Love is ridiculous.
January 19th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Kermit The Washington says:
Reddi:
Naked Music? Nice one. Everything they put out is mad chill; that’s my favorite label
January 19th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
me says:
I remember when I heard Little Brother’s the minstrel show. Originally heard the name when a reviewer at the source magazine quit because Benzino wouldn’t allow them to get 4.5 mics. unbelievable album. I scooped up every LB/justus leagus album/mixtape i could find after that.
Too bad they went downhill from there.
January 19th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
leeroy says:
CYNE, Nujabes, Substantial, and Pase Rock are some of my favorites (see links).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7PPPQDKsYU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk7r4oVsDsg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lWJnEY-l28
January 19th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Celts Fan says:
CunninLynguists, Brother Ali, and Apathy
January 19th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Kermit The Washington says:
The Foreign Exchange’s “Leave It All Behind” is a sick underground soul album.
January 19th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Name (required) says:
How bout Doom, Sean Price, Reef the Lost Cauze, Vast Aire, Reks, Termanology, Guilty Simpson, Cunninlynguists, Blu… too many to mention.
January 19th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
BK2LV says:
Blu & Exile – Below the Heavens
SeDrew Price – TDAT http://www.sedrewprice.com
Trayo – The Warm Up http://www.myspace.com/trayo
http://www.InternationalOutfit.com
January 19th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Kermit The Washington says:
Aesop Rock is kinda crazy too
January 19th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Dennis Castro says:
Cormega is forever underground, putting out quality music for over a decade now.
Ab-Liva is a dope lyricist, and the fact that he can hold his own up against Pusha and Malice says enough about his lyrical ability.
This French hip hop producer named Dela is dope too. Uses a lot of jazz samples and incorporates them nicely into his beats.
January 19th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Name (required) says:
Also… most “underground” music isnt really that secret tho, these guys are going on wold tours, headlining festivals, selling enough music for it to be their only job…. just pointing out that thers a big difference between “underground” and “undiscovered”
January 19th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
TL says:
Brother Ali is nice. Mayer Hawthorne is nice with the soul too
January 19th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Tbest says:
I remember listening to Wu tang way before anyone where i grew up. When i first started listening to them my friends would clown me and talk about the wu tang clang. A year later everywhere you look people in my school are wearing wu tang shirts. I was up on everything before them. The only hip hop we had access to was 2 hours a night of Yo MTV raps! on Friday night. I’d record every episode, set up the double VCR’s and edit out all the commercials.
January 19th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
GABRIEL BROGDEN says:
My Philadelphia Faves
Legacy.
Hollowman.
January 19th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Billy Sunday says:
they’re on the come up now but Big Sean, Wale, J. Cole & Mike Posner
January 19th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Eddie Yi says:
J. Cole but now he’s part of ROCNation…but he deserved to be signed!
January 19th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
fallinup says:
Blackalicious comes to mind when I think well respected underground artist.
Back in the day, I was all about the Black Eyed Peas before Fergie and that whole sell out to anything mess. First 2 BEP albums are still faves.
I was also the first in my town to sport Outkast’s first album. That was when the west coast gangsta rap scene was in full swing… nobody knew about them playas from ATL.
January 19th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Brian says:
people under the stairs-”OST”
Blu-”below the heavens”
Eyeda and Abilities-”by the throat”
Joell Ortiz, (hip hop) is all you need to hear from him
finally he isnt quite mainstream yet but will take over the hip hop game and bring it back to its roots is my Hometown boy LUPE
January 19th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Dime Magazine says:
This is Gerald
@ Kermit The Washingto
Never said Hieroglyphics were the best of all-time, just my personal favorites. I don’t think I know enough about hip-hop to make a bold claim like that ha ha
@ Celts Fan
great call on Brother Ali. Saw him in a show a few years back and he was incredible!
BTW: Do you guys remember when Black Eyed Peas were considered underground, back in the “Joints and Jams” days? My how things changed haha
January 19th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Jack J says:
Seattle hip hop is nice, especially with Blue Scholars and Macklemore’s new stuff
i also kind of felt that same way when i first heard Lupe’s mixtapes and Atmosphere’s first few EP’s
January 19th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
TX Reppa says:
SoS.A out of Texas. Dude has a nice flow. Has been doing it for a minute too.
January 19th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Vanilla Gorilla says:
Wiz Khalifa, bar none, best artist in the underground
January 19th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
srb says:
Chris Smither
Escape the Fate
January 19th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
sure says:
50Cent-Power of Dollar Album(Unreleased)Columbia
Nature-Was stupid just listen to Banned from TV
Ali Vegas-SICK MC. Was the second coming of NAS
Stack Bundles/Big L-BEAST.Died to early (R.I.P)
Joe Budden-Lyrics for days & could have been a monster
TIMING WAS JUST A LITTLE OFF FOR THE BOTTOM 4.
January 19th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
sure says:
Children of the Corn-Young Camron,Mason Betha,Mcgruff.
WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
January 19th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
POPPI GEE says:
Yo some of yall should add links to the artist if they got them.
January 19th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
hiphop says:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgq2DUbL2ZI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsPaYZ26Cw0
January 19th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
nastnas says:
this is a great topic dime. Bahamadia is one of the best female rappers out there, yet she’s always stayed in underground. Y’all should youtube ’3 the hard way’ one of the best songs ever out of illadelphia. Peace
January 19th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
liukz says:
http://www.myspace.com/liukohiphop
http://www.myspace.com/aoscyborg
Great music
January 19th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Deebo says:
Gerald has it right, Hieroglyphics is up there with the best. As is mid-west product Atmosphere
January 19th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
Mr. Purple says:
Dead Prez
Immortal Technique
Camp Lo (Uptown Saturday Night = CLASSIC)
Devin the Dude
AZ
Papoose (still waiting on the album to drop)
January 19th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
T.J. says:
BrandUn DeShay
Casey Veggies
MF Doom
Currensy
Kendrick Lamar
Dom Kennedy
Pac Div
Chip The Ripper
Theres PLENTY good talent out there haha
January 19th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Mr. Purple says:
And Jasiri X. If y’all haven’t heard him, u need to….
The Only Color That Matters is Green
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-t3SdhnFtA
Silent Night (Do Rappers Watch the News?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2Ju74i2dU
What’s Peace?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA3V-VS6XwU
Hip Hop Lives!!!!
January 19th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
ctkennedy says:
joe budden hands down the best rapper alive right now excludin nobody
January 19th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
hiphop says:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc09HB7nEbA
January 19th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
KT says:
If you woulda got at me three years ago I would have put everyone on a light skin cat called Drake, but now everyone he epitomizes mainstream.
January 19th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Dave von BOOM says:
Digable Planets….Blowout Comb
January 19th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Drink the Haterade says:
Here in Vegas there is one rap group that has some raw talent, why they’re not on the radio is beyond me.
Paleface–http://www.myspace.com/palefacetyc
They are originally from Henderson NV
January 19th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
hiphop says:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5EP3KHu-VI&feature=fvst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBa4N4Qol_Q
January 19th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Taj says:
I might be a lil bit biased on this one.. but my younger brother “Shaney Shotgun”… He’s a dancehall artist out of Dominica in the Caribbean and was recently featured on a mixtape by “Chinese Assasin” DJ’s which is a HUGE first step in the dancehall world seeing that most of the artists who get on the mixtapes are internationally recognized…
Check it out here track #50… Gimme your feedback…
http://www.chineseassassinent.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=4&products_id=87
January 19th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Name (required) says:
Foreign Beggars…….. ya dun kno
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb55ep-DrSo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueNI2IteMaw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31U6wKbaosQ
January 19th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
fatty says:
zion i – mind over matter
bush babees – gravity
richie cunning – night train
heltah skeltah – nocturnal
brotha lynch – season of da sickness
big L –
murs / grouch & early living legends crew stuff
as someone already said k’naan – troubadour
January 19th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
hiphop says:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09Nt5jvf1Ww
January 19th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Avi says:
Brother Ali
Murs
Evidence
Little Brother
Buckshot
and calobration with 9th wonder!
January 19th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
nawlage_X0719 says:
BLUE SCHOLARS
&COMMON MARKET
&CYNE
&ATCQ
&ARMY OF THE PHARAOHS
&DILATED PEOPLES
&BINARY STAR
&CUNNINLYNGUISTS
&JEDI MIND TRICKS
&SLAUGHTERHOUSE
&WU TANG
&SANDPEOPLE
&SLUM VILLAGE
&U-N-I
&REFLECTION ENTERNAL
&LITTLE BROTHER
J.COLE
&WALE
&WIZ KHALIFA
&KID CUDI
&BLU
&RASHID HADEE
&ONE BE LO
&AZ
&GILBERE FORTE
&IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE
&TERMANALOGY
&J-LIVE
&MASTA ACE
&TALIB KWELI
&MOS DEF
&EMILIO ROJAS
&OUTASIGHT
&BIG L
&FASHAWN
&CHARLES HAMILTON
&MR J. MEDERIOS
&AESOP ROCK
&LUCK-ONE
&BIG SEAN
&MIKE POSNER
&BLACK MILK
&ROYCE DA 5’9
&JOE BUDDENS
DILLA
&PREMO
&PETE ROCK
&9TH WONDER
&NUJABES
&BLACK MILK
&EXILE
list of groups, artist, and producers off the top of my head. mix of underground, up and coming, and already known. still dope as fuck though, don’t make me bust out my ipoddd!
January 19th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
nawlage_X0719 says:
BLU AND EXILE- BELOW THE HEAVENS
ALBUM OF THE DECADE. wordddd
January 19th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Brown says:
Fashawn (if you don’t have Boy Meets World yet, you’re missing out on one of the best albums you’ve heard in a long time)
XV
Wordsmith
Wade Waters (Soulstice & Haysoos)
U-N-I
TreaZon
TiRon
Termanology
Tanya Morgan
Supastition
Strange Fruit Project
Sene
Reks
Pac Div
Novel
Murs
everyone from the Low Budget crew (Cy Young, Kenn Starr, Kev Brown, Oddisee)
K-Hill
Kaze
the whole Justus League
Jon Hope
Jay Rock
Glasses Malone
Focus
Fokis
Film Skool Rejekts
EMC (Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Stricklin & Punchline)
Balance
8thW1
Detroit has the best talent as far as underground goes:
Buff1
Danny Brown
Fat Killahz
Finale
Illa J (Dilla’s little bro)
Guilty Simpson
Nametag
Phat Kat
Canada’s got some dope MCs too:
D.O.
Brassmunk
Classified
Deezuz
Famous
Ghettosocks
JD Era
Muneshine
P.A.
Promise
Tona
January 19th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Brown says:
Emilio Rojas
Rashid Hadee
January 19th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Brown says:
Diamond District – I’ve been bumpin’ their album In The Ruff a lot lately
January 19th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
TZ says:
Blu @ Exile
Pac Div
UNI
Brother Ali
Brotha Lynch Hung –Qball!
January 19th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
12thMan says:
Atmosphere
Brother Ali
Theophilus London
B.o.B
Wiz Khalifa
Dux Jones
Chip thaaaa Ripper
January 19th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Dennis Castro says:
By the way, RIP Killa Sha, another underground dope artist from Queensbridge.
January 19th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Pet Society Help says:
Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E.
January 19th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Dennis Castro says:
Dope Sha Luminati track:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fL0ubJO6XA&feature=player_embedded
January 19th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
itsmr2u says:
Common – Can I Borrow A Dollar
January 19th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
POPPI GEE says:
Boonie Mayfield AKA Boon Doc (Type in Boonie Mayfield on youtube)
Real serious. My homey is laying it down production and making beats wise, and he can flow too. I have the pleasure of having some of his early cd’s plus we grew up together and been in ciphers together so I know dude like that.
@Dime perhaps you all could do a page or half-page about my dude, I mean he underground for real. He like many is trying to get on but the boi is worth it. Yo, even when you guys do videos ft. players and stuff like that, if you need a beat to it, I promise this is ya man.
I could give you so many links, but I will post his web site and a battle where he straight went HAM (crushed this other dude)! Just trying to help my boi get on, he been hustlin for a while, and I respect that and he fam. so I love him like that. Hope you enjoy
GEE
January 19th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
POPPI GEE says:
Ok, now I am having fun lol.
Other undergrounders:
G.E.E. < This dude is probably one of the best writers I know. Pure lyrics. Straight detrimental with the flow. Boi is niiccee!
LOL I don't have a link haters ….so!
Then this guy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQgipufEtWg
GENERAL LARRY PLATT (Pants On The Groun)
Real Fiya right here! LOL
January 19th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
POPPI GEE says:
lol for my boy here is his website and link:
booniemayfield.com
And check the link the beats are nuts, crowd is feelin it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBgaWQrJ1Ro
January 19th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
mules says:
I don’t know that I’d call it hip-hop but the album “Tale of Two Cities” by Mr. Hudson & the Library is nice…then Kanye had to go and “discover” him and fuck up his sound.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap1tiDqv_Og
Back in the day I was feelin’ these cats too…no idea what happened to them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7YLWm_rbBQ
January 19th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
K Dizzle says:
Definitely Blu & Exile
and Little Brother don’t get nearly enough love from the mainstream
January 19th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
mules says:
and I could never seem to find a copy of their album but this song by Ill Again is …. ill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj6GSS3JTDc&feature=related
January 19th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Grissy says:
Some dude Grissy…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXN–YlOd2o
January 19th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
WordApp says:
Definitely gotta say Outasight after hearing his new mixtape with LRG…Its pretty incredible
January 19th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Lady Luck says:
Well if this topic is not limited to Hip Hop, two guys who I’ve been following for a couple of years on the underground neo-soul/r&b artists are
Raheem Devaughn, who now has been getting some visibility and most people know now. I discovered Raheem over 5 years ago. I was proud of him like he was my own special artist when he won a Grammy last year.
The other amazing artist is Eric Roberson. He is from the D.C. area so you should know of him if you are around D.C, Maryland, VA, and NY. I discovered him about 7 or 8 years ago. Check out his myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/ericroberson
January 19th, 2010 at 11:48 pm
PJ310 says:
SUGA FREE & DEVIN THE DUDE
January 19th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
scarboroslikechuck says:
Sean P & Rockness monsta
January 20th, 2010 at 3:02 am
Dayinho says:
CunninLynguists
January 20th, 2010 at 3:39 am
Mykee says:
Damn no mention of Black Star(Mos Def & Talib Kweli) and the whole Rawkus roster for that matter, Freddie Gibbs, Nipsey Hu$$le, RA the Rugged Man, Pill, Atmosphere, The Cool Kids, Kidz in the Hall, Donnis, Outasight, Tanya Morgan, Jay Electronica….to name a few not seen here.
January 20th, 2010 at 3:44 am
Sweet English says:
I know hes a huge faggot now but 50 was killing the mixtape circuit for a good couple years before get rich blew up and he became a household r’n'b singer. There is a tiny mixtape joint called Mushi Mushi records in the loft above a clothes shop in Nottingham where i used to go once a month and cop any 50/g-unit tape.
‘How to Rob’ is still one of my favourite joints.
The british hiphop/grime scene is getting bigger but the entire scene is pretty much undiscovered.
JME and Giggs are a couple who have some dope tapes around and arent selling out there grime roots to get into the top 10.
January 20th, 2010 at 3:47 am
Sweet English says:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpLzYIgUojo&feature=channel
January 20th, 2010 at 3:51 am
Sweet English says:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncGA3Ea4ppU&feature=channel
Shout to yaboy deeco for the production on this joint.
THIS TUNE IS FYA. PAY ATTENTION.
January 20th, 2010 at 5:25 am
b says:
emanon, theory hazit and time machine is even worht a mention
January 20th, 2010 at 5:27 am
b says:
and for a bit of soul chris rob
January 20th, 2010 at 8:42 am
fallinup says:
Blackalicious – Alphabet Aerobics
If ya aint heard this… please peep. Every verse starts with the next letter in the Alphabet. Classic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvPnM2Q1nwU
January 20th, 2010 at 8:50 am
Chicagorilla says:
@Dime,
Chicago group called “Qualo the Movement”.
These cats are lyrical yet have a revolution theme to their music.
Also out of the group Qualo, PREIST G
is probably the best. He has his own album and it’s one of the best i’ve heard.
other noteables:
Goodie Mob
Camp-Lo
Digable Planets
Black Thought<–from the Roots
Corey Gunz
LockSmith<–west coast freestyler
Other nat
January 20th, 2010 at 9:13 am
BNZA says:
Jean Grae – best female Emcee ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5enxTUA6cU
January 20th, 2010 at 9:26 am
Ricki Lutes says:
Cool question!
Foreign Exchange, Little Brother, Strange Fruit Project, Felt, Kooley High, Inverse and Ohmega Watts
January 20th, 2010 at 9:28 am
Reddi Red says:
@ Mykee……..
i don’t know what i was thinkin to not mention Blackstar!
They are actually my 3rd fav “group”
1.Outkast
2.Goodie MoB
3.Blackstar – “thieves in the night” #1 all time!
Also don’t know how I could forget Camp Lo!!
January 20th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Pittbull says:
@ Mykee..
Co-sign on Nipsey Hussle (bullets got no names mixtape series) and Freddie Gibbs (Midwestgangstaboxframecadillacmuzik mixtape is fire)
January 20th, 2010 at 10:51 am
Sho-Nuff says:
+1 Digable Planets-Blowout Comb
track #7 -Creamy Spies….
Freestyle Fellowship
There was this kid from Newark, NJ who killed freestyle Fridays on BET, can’t remember his name, but I bought this wack VHS tape downtown NWK one day before he was shinin’ on BET, kid had skills, but crappy management.
January 20th, 2010 at 11:19 am
MSkittle says:
Kale Dreamz, or Benzino
January 20th, 2010 at 11:52 am
Kermit The Washington says:
@ Poppi Gee:
I been tryna get at BoonDoc for a minute now; I wanted dude to produce a track for me dag. He’s mad nice yo. I can’t remember how I stumbled upon his stuff on YouTube, but dude is ILL.
January 20th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
D.Head says:
How can you not mention Jay Electronica. Go listen to Exhibit C
January 20th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
WetNurse says:
SOME PEOPLE PROBABLY HEARD THEM ON NBA LIVE 07
ARMY OF PHARAOHS (THE SONG ‘GORILLAZ’ON THE GAME)
-check out the the guy in the second verse, his flows is absolutely UNREAL
Immortal Technique
Slim Thug before his first album drop…he still stays a little under the radar.