Recommended music

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Re: Recommended music

Post by Firestarter »

These songs have a common theme, most feature heavy metal guitars, but that's not what I mean...

Metallica - Leper messiah (1986)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm71Khu5-Lk

Soundgarden - Jesus Christ Pose (1991)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14r7y6rM6zA

Genesis - Jesus he knows me (1991)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35K6vQRt67g

Beres Hammond - False preacher (1997)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-l9HwvGpb0

Skunk Anansie - Selling Jesus (1995)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P0yUagEXBE

U2 - Peace on earth (2000)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZiH77MgoSY
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Re: Recommended music

Post by Firestarter »

Here's an assorted mix of songs I like...


Hardrock
Rage Against The Machine (ft. Maynard James Keenan & Stephen Perkins) - Know your enemy (1992)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSHtniUl8V4
Mind of a revolutionary
So clear the lane
The finger to the land of the chains
What? The land of the free?
Whoever told you that is your enemy?
.
Dead Kennedys - California über alles (1980?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIqESwzCGg4

Smashing Pumpkins - Bullet With Butterfly Wings (1995)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-r-V0uK4u0
Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage
Someone will say, "What is lost can never be saved."
.
Linkin Park - Runaway (2000)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba3NKV395i0

Linkin Park - No more sorrow (2007)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyBFySXi6Cc

Gothic metal was (is?) a strange mix of heavy metal guitar, orchestral backing (sometimes coming from a keyboard) and opera-like singing. The Dutch Within Temptation was one of the biggest in this subgenre; this was one of their biggest hits.
Within Temptation - Stand my ground (2004)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sCkAvh50Vs


Pop
Rolling Stones - Paint it black (1966)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4irXQhgMqg

Who - Behind blue eyes (1971)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMrImMedYRo
But my dreams, they aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance that's never free
.
Seal - Crazy (1991)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fc67yQsPqQ

Sting - If I ever lose my faith in you (1993)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7km4EHgkQiw
Some would say I was a lost man in a lost world
You could say I lost my faith in the people on TV
You could say I'd lost my belief in our politicians
They all seemed like game show hosts to me
.
The Cranberries - Zombie (1994)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ejga4kJUts


Reggae
The biggest international reggae star... before Bob Marley's shot to fame...
Jimmy Cliff - The Power and the Glory (1983)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGXYlHKjbFU
This our fathers land
Power and glory is all they're after
Oh, I can see them getting the disaster
This power belongs unto our father
Power nowhere??
See Babylon in confusion
Oh, we're trodding Armageddon
.
Peter Tosh - Downpressor man (1977)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ADoYe8vDys

UB40 - King (the first ever single of this "pop reggae" band in 1980)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g9gqvyl6zc
King, where are your people now ?
Chained and pacified
"King" refered to the murdered Martin Luther "King" Jr..
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1980s hip-hop, from the old to the new school

Post by Firestarter »

Firestarter wrote: Thu Nov 01, 2018 6:02 pmThe only music I consider myself an expert in is rap, but I don’t know if I’ll post too much rap songs here, as they often have “explicit” lyrics...
Finally, my post on 1980s hip-hop.


Grandmaster Flash
While I can't stand the first big hip-hop hit Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's delight", I do like their most important follow-up (competitor?), also of the Sugar hill label - Grandmaster Flash.
This was arguably the first rap hit with a political "message".
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five – The message (1982)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYMkEMCHtJ4

In the 1990s some of the biggest rap hits were rappers featuring an R&B singer singing the chorus; this was arguably the first in this "format" with a rap of the Furious Five's MC Melle Mel (written by Prince).
Chaka Khan (ft. Melle Mel & Stevie Wonder on harmonica) - I Feel for You (1984)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW0sxgYAmLM


Tommy Boy
Tommy Boy Records featured some of the earliest "old school" rap hit songs. It is unique as an "independent" label that feautured artists from both the East and West Coast...
Here are 3 of their most memorable hit songs, legendary rap artists.

Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force – Planet rock (1982)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rlUQsC8ECk

Stetsasonic was the predecessor of Native Tongue...
Stetsasonic – Talkin’ all that jazz (1988)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kdQ4soLcac

They had already released an album as "The New Style", but it was their first album under their new name with their catchy singles that made them hip-hop stars...
Naughty by Nature - OPP (1991)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idx3GSL2KWs

While OPP became a pop hit thanks to a catchy sample of The Jackson 5's "ABC", the song is also remembered for its clever OPP title, sort of like an inside joke.
"O is for "other," P is for "people," scratch your temple. The last P, well, that's not that simple.
It's five little letters that are missing here. It's sort of like, oh well, another way to call a cat a kitten. It's five little letters that are missing here."
"Well, for the ladies, O.P.P. means something gifted. The first two letters the same, but the last is something different.
It's the longest, loveliest, lean, I call it the leanest. It's another five-letter word rhyming with "cleanest" or "meanest".
"


Rick Rubin - Rock-rap
Believe it or not, but already in 1983/84 the "new" rock-influenced, Rick Rubin produced hip-hop of Run-DMC and LL Cool J was called "new school" (as compared to the disco-influenced, party "old school" hip hop)...
The music journalists later came up with "golden age hip hop" for the late 1980s to early 1990s East Coast hip hop of the likes of Public Enemy, Boogie Down Productions (KRS-One), Eric B. & Rakim, and De La Soul, which was also called "new school"?!?

In the first years hip-hop was dominated by disco-influenced music, then came the rock-guitars "new school" rap produced by Rick Rubin for Def Jam.
Run-DMC delivered the first serious rap album in 1983 and is widely recognised as the best hip-hop band of the first half the 1980s.
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=bNPsM ... CSUvj1MMoA

Run-DMC's biggest pop hit was a reworking of an Aerosmith oldie that introduced Aerosmith to a new, younger generation.
Run-DMC and Aerosmith – Walk this way (1986)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B_UYYPb-Gk

Three Jewish boys released the biggest selling rap album of the 1980s.
It was the following song that introduced the Beastie Boys to the world with a guest appearance by Slayer's guitarist (that were also produced by Rubin), it's fun and energetic, but hard to take seriously. The video clip has an age restriction...
Beastie Boys (ft. Kerry King) – Fight for your right (1986)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svTuSRiFPoc

Arguably the Rick Rubin produced LL Cool J was the first major solo rap star, and while so many other "old/new" school rappers, that at one time seemed legendary, disappeared he continued to be succesfull well into the new millenium.
From his first album...
LL Cool J – I Can't Live Without My Radio (1985)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BbQIx3F1jA

By the end of the 1980s LL was widely dissed as a pop sell-out, maybe for pioneering the rap ballad. It was this single that restored his credibility.
LL Cool J – Mama said knock you out (1990)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vimZj8HW0Kg

I always suspected that the rap feuds were really a ploy to get publicity to sell records. One of the early rap battles was between LL and Kool Moe Dee.
This is Moe Dee's single on getting ill from unprotected sex...
Kool Moe Dee - Go see the doctor (1986)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH5a-deHquc

While Kool Moe Dee was never as famous as LL, he had been recording for Enjoy as part of the following little known "old school" group even before they signed with Sugar Hill.
The Threacherous Three – Feel the heartbeat (1981)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk_DBrjtH0s


Golden age - New School
This was the start of massive sampling of James Brown songs...
It's strange that these rappers seemed legendary at the time, they couldn't stay on top of the game in the following decade.

The title song of their first album.
Eric B. & Rakim – Paid in full (1987)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7t8eoA_1jQ

KRS-One started as one half of Boogie Down Productions (BDP), continuing under that name even after (the DJ of the duo) Scott La Rock was murdered during the making of their second album.
This was from his first "solo" album.
KRS-One - Sound of da police (1993)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZrAYxWPN6c
Yeah, officer from overseer
You need a little clarity? Check the similarity!
The overseer rode around the plantation
The officer is off, patrollin' all the nation
The overseer could stop you, "What you're doing?"
The officer will pull you over just when he's pursuing
The overseer had the right to get ill
And if you fought back, the overseer had the right to kill
The officer has the right to arrest
And if you fight back they put a hole in your chest
.
Public Enemy stood out at the time as they were less funky, and more rocking. They seemed the most popular of all rap band at the time under white boys.
Public Enemy – Fight the power (1989)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmo3HFa2vjg


Gangsta rap
At the beginning of the 1990s, I foolishly believed that our authorities were doing everything they could to put a stop to the menace of gangsta rap. In retrospect it's obvious that they were doing everything they could to generate as much publicity as possible for gangsta rap.
It was no accident that in the 1990s gangsta rap became the most popular flavour of rap (to prevent hip-hop following the direction of KRS-One and Chuck D). They even invented "parental advisory" stickers so the kids new which records were "cool"...

You won't hear it from any of the respected "music journalist", but the first (or was there somebody even earlier?) gangsta rapper was Too Short, who was already rapping about pimpin' and bitches backed up with funky beats in 1983, years before NWA were fu*kin' da police. Too Short only became known outside of his home town of Oakland at the end of the 1980s after he had signed for a major label.
The following song about the crack epidemic is surprisingly serious for Too Short. I really don't understand why funky songs like these were never pop hits...
Too $hort - Girl (1985?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8TIKa2jzEc

Ignoring Short, Schoolly D is often singled out as "the first", while Ice-T is called the "godfather" of gangsta rap. Ice-T has always been different because he wasn't promoting drugs. Ice-T later made serious hardrock with his Body Count band, and appeared in numerous movies.
The following reworking of a Curtis Mayfield song was NOT promoting drugs, even though our wonderful media claimed it was.
Ice-T – I'm your pusher (1988)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h5JO2sJ3kw

It was NWA and their members Ice Cube and Dr. Dre that made gangsta rap the most popular form of hip-hop.
It was the following song that launched their career.
NWA – F*ck tha police (1988) – uncensored!xx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiX7GTelTPM
I don't know if they fags or what
Search a nigga down, and grabbin' his nuts
And on the other hand, without a gun they can't get none
But don't let it be a black and a white one
'Cause they'll slam ya down to the street top
Black police showin' out for the white cop
.
For some reason F*ck tha police is one of the most controversial songs in history (probably intentionally to push gangsta rap into the mainstream):
The song provoked the FBI to write to N.W.A's record company about the lyrics expressing disapproval and arguing that the song misrepresented police.[4][5]
In his autobiography Ruthless, Jerry Heller wrote that the letter was actually a rogue action by a "single pissed-off bureaucrat with a bully pulpit" named Milt Ahlerich, who was falsely purporting to represent the FBI as a whole and that the action "earned him a transfer to the Bureau's backwater Hartford office".[6] He also wrote that he removed all sensitive documents from the office of Ruthless Records in case of an FBI raid.[6]
In the FBI letter, Milt Ahlerich went on to reference "78 law enforcement officers" who were "feloniously slain in the line of duty during 1988" and that recordings such as those produced by N.W.A. "were both discouraging and degrading to these brave, dedicated officers". Ahlerich did not mention any N.W.A. song by name in the letter, but later confirmed he was referring to "Fuck The Police".[7]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuck_tha_Police


Native Tongue
At the end of the 1980s Native Tongue was the latest hip, new (school) thing in hip-hop. The Native Tongue genre was spearheaded by Tommy Boy groups, with De La Soul the best-known but Stetsasonic had already been making this type of music for years...
This was THE De La Soul song that started the hype.
De La Soul: Me, Myself & I (1989)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8-9mY-JACM

The following is a genuine Native Tongue posse cut, with some of the best-known hip-hop artists of the time...
De La Soul feat. The Jungle Brothers, Monie Love, Queen Latifah & Q Tip - Buddy Remix (1989)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhTa1q0mqdg

Some hip-hop singles at the end of the 1980s had a dance flavour to them, like.
Jungle Brothers - What 'U' waitin' '4'? (1989)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26e7RSNH5Zw

With a prominent sample from the strange Lou Reed spoken word song "Walk on the wild side"...
A Tribe Called Quest – Can I kick it (1990)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3pyCGnZzYA

From Canada, with a prominent sample of Quincy Jones' "Soul Bossa Nova"...
Dream Warriors – My definition of a bombastic jazz style (1990)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoE5yHMrP0A


Ladies first
Salt 'N Pepa was certainly not the first female rap group, but they were the first to score a worldwide pop hit.
Salt 'N Pepa – Push it (1987)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCadcBR95oU

Queen Latifah seems the first female rapper with a serious "hardcore" reputation. She later starred in blockbuster movies.
Queen Latifah – UNITY (1993)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8cHxydDb7o

Maybe an even bigger surprise was the Swedish-English stepdaughter of influential jazz artist Don Cherry. She scored a number of rap pop hits, before she stopped rapping altogether and continued her career as a singer.
Neneh Cherry – Buffalo stance (1988)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWsRz3TJDEY

Monie Love was born in Britain but (unlike Neneh Cherry) was produced in the US. She seemed influenced by Queen Latifah. A remake of a song from the Spinners.
Monie Love feat. True Image – It’s a shame (my sister) (1990)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I34UGc7XSDA
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Re: Recommended music

Post by notmartha »

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Hip-hop first half 1990s

Post by Firestarter »

For me it's more difficult to compile a list of favourite rap songs/artists in the 1990s than 1980s, because there were so much of them that I liked in the 1990s.
I decided to (first) make a list of some of the "biggest" rap hits/stars from the first half of the 1990s.

Pop rap
Hammer had already released 2 albums that sold well but nobody could have expected that "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em" would sell more than 17 million copies.
The silly wide pants should have been reason for a flop. With a prominent sample of... Rick James - Super Freak (1981).
MC Hammer – U can’t touch this (1990)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otCpCn0l4Wo

While Hammer had some sort of crebibility, Vanilla Ice quickly become the most ridiculed rapper of all time. In part over his stupid comments in interviews. Among others he denied that his big hit sampled "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie.
Vanilla Ice – Ice, ice baby (1990)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rog8ou-ZepE


Jazz rap
Herbie Hancock became a famous jazz artist when he played in Miles Davis' band in the 1960s.
He later scored a surprise instrumental hit, with some rap effects quite common in the disco-influenced hip-hop of the time - scratching, and synthesiser effects...
Herbie Hancock - Rockit (1983)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHhD4PD75zY

The title song of Buckshot Lefonque's second album. Because jazz artist Branford Marsalis founded this group, this was called jazz, but this was a rap song...
Buckshot Lefonque – Music evolution (1997)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfo6S79S8s4

While Gang Starr is considered one of those legendary "old school" rap groups, they were a generation later. And they were never among the biggest selling rap artists.
Gang Starr – Mass Appeal (1994)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9lNbNGbo24

While DJ Premier also produced many tracks for other artists, the rapper of the duo - Guru - also released "solo" albums under the Jazzmatazz banner, in which he collaborated with some of the most popular jazz and R & B artists...
Guru ft. Angie Stone - Keep Your Worries (2000)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R0D6ryRUqQ


Eurodance
In the first half of the 1990s, so-called "eurodance" - in a format with a male black rapper, and a female singer - dominated the pop charts in mainland Europe.
In general the act names were owned/controlled by its producers, instead of the rapper and singer.

The first (?) big hit in this genre was by Snap that for a couple of years released a string of hit singles. I never quite been able to figure out who were the singers on their first singles. I didn't even know that the "I've got the power" from the chorus was a sample from Jocelyn Brown's "Love's Gonna Get You", while the rest is sung by another woman.
Snap – The power (1990)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm6DO_7px1I

This was the debut single by one of the few American groups in this genre. The singer is actually Martha Wash (from Weather Girls fame), who doesn't appear in the video.
C+C Music factory - Gonna make you sweat, Everybody Dance Now (1990)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaTGrV58wec

Because the group was fronted by a rapper and singer from the Netherlands, we considered this a Dutch act (its producers were Belgian). They were hugely popular all over Europe. This was their debut single.
2 Unlimited - Get ready for this (1991)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVgasCtUM4s

This was one of the biggest selling singles in Europe in 1993.
Culture Beat – Mr. Vain (1993)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AER3Zg5S200


Rap goes Hollywood
Many hip-hop artists starred in blockbuster movies. These 2 at one point seemed to become more actors than rappers.

Ice Cube had first become famous as the most important rapper of the notorious NWA
Ice Cube - It was a good day (1992)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VtDM5jicRQ

I don't really understand why Quincy Jones selected Will Smith for the sit-com that made him a superstar, but before he became a famous moviestar he rapped under the name the "Fresh Prince"
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - Summertime (1991)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr0tTbTbmVA


G-Funk
After Dre left NWA, he always stayed more of a producer than rapper. Only occassionally releasing "solo" albums with many guest artists.
On his first solo album (whose sound was widely imitated) featured Snoop Dogg as the most important rapper, including on the following single (with "G" short for Gangsta).
Dr. Dre – Nuthin’ but a G thang (1992)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F0CAEoF4XM

Produced by Dre, this was the first solo single of Snoop Dogg, who became a big star himself.
Snoop Doggy Dogg - Who Am I (What's My Name)? (1993)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2soGJXQAQec


Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri was never much respected by hardcore rap fans, even though his productions were about as funky as Dre's, and he had almost as much success.

This was the first big kid rap band. This was their first single and a huge hit all over the world.
Kris Kross – Jump (1992)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=010KyIQjkTk

Da Brat was another artist discovered by JD, she continued to have success after Kris Kross had already disappeared without a trace.
Da Brat ft. Jermaine Dupri – Funkdafied (1994)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfpR9jKy0IQ


Wu-Tang Clan
In never quite understood what was meant by the "underground style" of the Clan. They had a huge succes, bit as a group as solo, so they weren't "underground" by definition.
They seemed like the "biggest" of all rap groups, with 9 rappers.
Wu-Tang Clan – CREAM (1993)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBwAxmrE194

Solo some of their biggest hits featured some of the biggest R&B stars (what's underground about these type of songs?).
Method Man and Mary J. Blige – I'll Be There for You / You're All I Need to Get By (1994)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqbpZvtIQZ0


Various
As gangsta rap became the mainstream, other types of rap music sort of automatically became “alternative” rap. Ironically some of this rap became very popular.

Arrested Development's first album was a surprising big seller, sounding unlike any other rap act at the time.
Arrested Development – People Everyday (1992)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkqDK-i-smM

Cypress Hill seemed more popular among the white "alternative rock" crowd, than the black "hip-hop" fans.
This was one of their most popular songs (they didn't seem to score many pop hits).
Cypress Hill – Insane in the brain (1993)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RijB8wnJCN0

For a couple of years in the mid-90's Coolio was one of the most popular rappers. Even though his lyrics weren't much different than "gangsta" rap, he never seemed quite as menacing.
This was his breakthrough hit...
Coolio - Fantastic voyage (1994)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBS6P8k4LB8

This British band had already released an album in the 1980s. This was their biggest hit single (from their third album).
Stereo MC’s - Connected (1992)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3RzQ1b_c9w
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Hip-hop second half 1990s

Post by Firestarter »

Tupac & Biggie
Tupac Shakur is without doubt one of the most legendary rappers of the 1990s. It's strange that this "West Coast" icon grew up in New York, where he became friends with one Christopher Wallace, who later became his enemy, the Notorious BIG.
2Pac was imprisoned for raping a woman, but more interesting is that he was acquitted for reportedly shooting 2 undercover cops that were harassing a woman. He was shot and killed while out on bail, so the appeal of the rape case has never been tried.

While 2Pac was often portrayed as violent, his songs weren't (at least not compared to many of the other "gangsta" rappers).
2Pac – Dear mama (1995)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb1ZvUDvLDY

Also peculiar is that 2Pac had been so busy recording in the studios that after his death, lots of "new" 2Pac songs were released, like this one (that became a huge hit).
2Pac ft. Talent – Changes (1998)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXvBjCO19QY

Like 2Pac, Biggie Smalls became a bigger star after his death. He only released one solo album during his life and was murdered when he was celebrating finishing his second, "Life after death", which was released shortly after his death.

His first album, which made hime arguably the "king of New York", included 2 big hits, some have argued that his “Blow up like the World Trade” from his first solo hit was a prediction of 9/11.
The Notorious BIG – Juicy (1994)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JZom_gVfuw

While Puff Daddy released "I'll be missing you", the following was unfortunately never released as a single.
The Notorious BIG (ft. 112) – Miss U (1997)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44BoEBDRTHY


Nas – Jay-Z
After the death of Pac and Biggie, Nas and Jay-Z fought to become the "king of New York".

Nas had already released a classic album, but it was his second album that made him score on the pop charts.
Nas - If I Ruled the World (Imagine That) ft. Lauryn Hill (1996)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlp-IIG9ApU

Jay-Z also became a record executive and later married one of the biggest R&B stars in the world, Beyonce.
Jay-Z – Hard Knock Life; Ghetto Anthem (1998)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuELGO_-lEU


Ja Rule - DMX
At the end of the 1990s, Ja Rule and DMX seemed to compete with Nas and Jay-Z to become the "king of New York".

Ja Rule scored some big pop hits, collaborating with female R&B stars. This was a duet with one of the biggest Latina stars.
Jennifer Lopez ft. Ja Rule – I’m real; murder remix (2001)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjx9oSJDAVQ

DMX had more of a "hardcore" image. He has died not long after being COVID vaxxed.
DMX – Party Up; Up In Here (1999)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thIVtEOtlWM


No Limit
Master P's No Limit record label sold millions of record, but not much outside of the West Coast.
Master P – Make ‘em say Uhh (1997)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1fBYUWxaKQ


Fat Joe and the Terror squad
Fat Joe and his crew were certainly not the first Latino rappers, but they spoke more with a Latino accent than most others. Fat Joe scored one of his biggest hits with the following collaboration.
Fat Joe ft. Ashanti – What’s luv (2001)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpvyG2NrS1Y

This was a surprise hit, without an R&B singer.
Terror Squad – Lean back (2004)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajmI1P3r1w4


Various
They came from the "dirty" South, and sounded very different, but sold millions of records nonetheless. Appologising to their (former) girlfriends (including Erykah Badu) and their mothers.
Outkast – Ms. Jackson (2000)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYxAiK6VnXw

The second and last album of The Fugees, The Score, sold millions of copies.
It were probably the Lauryn Hill sung pop hits that did this. Lauryn continued her career with a million selling solo album, while Wycleff Jean became a much in demand producer and guest artist.
This was released as the lead single, shortly befor their second album.
The Fugees – Fu-gee-la (1995)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPlb9HoOCxs

The Roots were memorable because they actually played real instruments.
They were more succesfull as producers than as recording artists.
The Roots – What they do ft. Raphael Saadiq (1996)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qzacv8dtb4

Busta Rhymes had been the lead rapper of the Leaders Of the New School. His solo career and image were very successful, though not very conventional.
Busta Rhymes ‎- Woo-Hah!! Got You All In Check (1996)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQzvQO2LcA4

With what sounded like an orchestral backing.
Xzibit - Paparazzi (1996)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5xJBKVGTGs


Timbaland and Missy Elliot
In the second half of the 1990s, a duo (or trio if you count Magoo) from Virginia arrived on the hip-hop scene with a sound almost as dominant as Dr. Dre's earlier in the decade.
Missy Elliott became the most famous rapper, while Timbaland for a while was THE biggest producer in rap music.

This was the debut single of Timbaland & Magoo.
Timbaland & Magoo ft. Missy Elliott, Aaliyah – Up jumps da boogie (1997)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOqzTJw_xr8

This was Missy's first solo single.
Missy Elliot – The rain; Supa Dupa Fly (1997)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHcyJPTTn9w


Underground
Most rap artists tried to sell more records by trying convince us that they weren't commercial but from "the street".
You could doubt about the record labels that sold an "underground" image, but here are 2 of these labels (and artists, songs).

This was released on Rawkus.
Company Flow - Patriotism (1999)
https://youtu.be/k47VVqMiUTg

This was released on Babygrande.
Jedi Mind Tricks ft. Tragedy Khadafi - Genghis Khan (2000)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGTRgV2thac


French rap
Everywhere in the world in basically all languages, rap music has been made.
There was a thriving rap scene in France, which might had something to do with importing lots of migrants from their former colonies, preceding the rest of Europe.

Easily the most legendary of French rappers.
MC Solaar – Nouveau western (1992)
https://youtu.be/1R2etg__x1Y

IAM's second album, Ombre Est Lumière (1993), could very well be THE first double rap album in history (I at least don't know of any earlier rap double album).
On the following song they collaborated with several artist affiliated with the Wu-Tang Clan.
IAM ft. Dreddy Kruger, Prodigal Sunn, Timbo King – La saga (1997)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA2zoE_Yww8

This was a huge hit in France, and even mad the charts in the Netherlands (which is very rare for French rap).
Manau – La tribu de Dana (1998)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80hMEKlLVgQ
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Hip-Hop in the 2000s

Post by Firestarter »

NERD, The Neptunes
After Timbaland, The Neptunes (a.k.a. NERD) became the hottest producers in the early 2000s. The Neptunes like Missy and Timbo came from Virginia.
Even Pharrell, who couldn't sing nor rap, became a big solo star. Following are 2 big hits, produced by the Neptunes, that featured Pharrell.

Mystikal (ft. Pharrell) – Shake ya ass (2000)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic28JniSYY4

Snoop Dogg ft. Pharrell Williams and Uncle Charlie Wilson - Beautiful (2003)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FE194VN6c4


Dre, Eminem, 50 cent
Dre finally in 1999 released his second album "2001" that once again featured dozens of guest artists, and while it sold millions of times, Dre never became the biggest hip-hop producer again...
This was the lead single from Dre's 2001.
Dr. Dre, ft. Snoop Dogg (1999) - Still DRE (1999)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CL6n0FJZpk

After Dre took Eminem under his wings, he quickly became the best-selling rapper of all time. With over 200 million records sold, he is also the 6th best-selling solo music artist in history.

The following (horror song?) was from his second album after Dre signed him, with sampled vocals from the British singer Dido's song "Thank You" (the sister of Faithless' Rolo, who also features in the video).
Eminem ft. Dido – Stan (2000)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSLZFdqwh7E

Eminem in turn launched 50 cent. This was his first hit single...
50 cent – In da club (2003)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qm8PH4xAss


Southern hospitality
The 2000s saw the end of the East-West dominance (really New York and greater LA) over rap music, with some of the most popular rappers coming from the "dirty South"...

This was the debut single of American rapper Nelly.
Nelly – Country Grammar (Hot Shit) (2000)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5qKNlcUwKs

This was a big hit, and his first single.
Ludacris ft. Shawnna – What’s your fantasy (2000)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq-Ru6kQhE4


Crunk
The music industry invented a new name for Southern rap - crunk.
This was the breakthrough song for crunk.
Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz – Get low (2003)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYH7_GzP4Tg

The big hit from his debut album (with a rapper from Bone Thugs & Harmony).
Chamillionaire - Ridin' ft. Krayzie Bone (2005)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtwJvgPJ9xw


Timbaland
Timbaland not only produced some of the biggest pop hits, but was also sometimes featured as a rapper. Occassionally releasing "solo" songs that feautured some of the biggest names in the music industry.

This was from Timbaland's second "solo" album, Shock Value.
Timbaland ft. Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake - Give it to me (2007)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgoiSJ23cSc


Nu metal
The influence of hip-hop wasn't limited to rap music, with some of the biggest selling pop hits produced by rappers, it also changed the way music was made...
There was some hardrock that included rapping (for example hardcore), but the instruments used remained mostly conventional (guitar, bass and drums, with an occasional piano or keyboard).
Inspired by Korn, the end of the 1990s saw the emergence of the hugely popular genre of "nu metal". Many of these bands included a rapper and a singer and even a DJ.

Limp Bizkit was launched by Korn, and for a while was one the biggest selling rock bands in the world.
Limp Bizkit – Rollin'; Air Raid Vehicle (2000)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYnFIRc0k6E

Linkin Park sold even more records, and became a regular on the pop charts.
Linkin Park – In the end (2000)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVTXPUF4Oz4
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Country music

Post by Firestarter »

One of the strange things about "country" music is that I still don't know how it sounds. The following is just a small sample of "country" songs that sound remarkably different.

Hank Williams is one of those legendary stars that died very sudden.
Hank Williams - Jambalaya (On the Bayou) (1952)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-BQpRqmwM0

The theme song of the western television series Rawhide.
Frankie Laine ft. Jimmy Carroll and his orchestra - Rawhide (1959)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxlTZFOTbQs

While Elvis Presley will always be "the King of Rock & Roll", Johnny Cash made more rocking music than Elvis since the beginning of the 1960s after Elvis had severed in the army, is somehow a "country" legend.
Cash did some concerts that he released as albums. The following is notorious for its description of the prison in front of the inmates and prison guards...
Johnny Cash - San Quentin (1969)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARI42-dv1Mw

This was the title-track of her debut album, and a big hit single.
Bobbie Gentry - Ode to Billy Joe (1967)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJZ_ViDADOE

Another female country star.
Lynn Anderson - (I never promised you a) rose garden (1970)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roxohOzFz3E

Some serious country fans, denounced John Denver as "pop". For a time in the 1970s he was one of the best selling artists in the US.
John Denver - Take Me Home, Country Roads (1971)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vrEljMfXYo

Another big country star with a long career.
Charlie Rich - The most beautiful girl (1973)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLbGeZSUrhg

Kenny Rogers had already been making music in the late 1950s. It took until 1967 when he scored a major hit as part of the First Edition.
In the 1970s he found even greater fame as a solo artist.
Kenny Rogers - The gambler (1978)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hx4gdlfamo

When this was released, they were still described as a folk rock band and Beatles imitators, maybe because some of their big hits were written by Bob Dylan. They were later rebranded as "country rock"...
The Byrds - Mr. tambourine man (1965)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Swqw5a8I4b4

Sometimes it's easy to pick a favourite song from a musical act. Because they seemed to be the follow up to the Byrds they might have been called "country rock". The song has surreal creepy lyrics that could describe anything from heaven to hell...
Eagles - Hotel California (1976)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BciS5krYL80

This is a song about an epic violin battle between the Devil and Johnny in Georgia...
Charlie Daniels Band - The devil went to Georgia (1979)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh7BZf7D5Bw

Sometimes I don't know who the member of supposed "supergroups" are, but these 4 are all big country stars, with Willie Nelson the pioneer of "outlaw" country, together with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson.
This was the hit single that started them as supergroup.
The Highwaymen - Highwayman (1985)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFkcAH-m9W0

Some of the biggest selling artists in the US in the 1990s were called "country". She was Canadian, and more pop than "country" in my opinion, and married with famous rock producer Mutt Lange at the time.
Shania Twain - You're still the one (1997)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNZH-emehxA
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Re: Recommended music

Post by Firestarter »

Here is music from some of the famous musicians that died last year, maybe some of them died as a result of the immune-destroying COVID vaccines...

In January, Meat Loaf died (aged 74), this was the first single he released from his debut bestselling album.
Meat Loaf - You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth; Hot Summer Night (1977)
https://youtu.be/_wO8toxinoc


In January, Ronnie Spector died (78), who in the 1960s fronted the Ronettes and married hit maker Phil Spector.
Ronettes - Be My Baby (1963)
https://youtu.be/NnWOBMQhNBQ


In January, James Mtume died (76). Mtume first shot to fame as a jazz musician, including working with Miles Davis. He later scored under the group name Mtume; this is his best known song, which has often been sampled.
Mtume - Juicy fruit (1982)
https://youtu.be/MucY5wRYByU


In February, Gary Brooker died (76), best known for Procol Harum. This was their debut single.
Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade of Pale (1967)
https://youtu.be/ym8sVFBgJMc


In May, Vangelis died (aged 79), he made many (mostly instrumental) soundtracks that occassionally scored on the pop charts.
Vangelis - Chariots of Fire; Titles (1981)
https://youtu.be/8a-HfNE3EIo


In late September, Coolio died aged 59, reportedly dying of a "heart attack".
This was his biggest hit, "I guess they front, that's why I know my life is out of luck, fool"...
Coolio ft. L.V. - Gangsta’s Paradise (1995)
https://youtu.be/fPO76Jlnz6c

It was a remake of...
Stevie Wonder - Pastime paradise (1976)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H3Sv2zad6s


In October, the last (?) Rock & Roll legend, Jerry Lee Lewis, died (87). His career was seriously derailed over the controversery of marrying his 13-year-old cousin Myra Gale Brown. This was his biggest hit.
Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls of Fire (1957)
https://youtu.be/Zq7l4aeaye8


EDIT
Joyce Sims died unexpectedly in October 2022 (aged 63), this was her biggest hit.
Joyce Sims - Come into My Life (1987)
https://youtu.be/Opc1YmoXnNg


In late November Christine McVie, best known for Fleetwood Mac, died aged 79.
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere (1987)
https://youtu.be/YF1R0hc5Q2I


Also late November, Irene Cara died aged 63...
Irene Cara - Fame (1980)
https://youtu.be/H1gMQ_q3FSM

Irene Cara - Flashdance... What a Feeling (1983)
https://youtu.be/miax0Jpe5mA


In December Terry Hall died (63); was once the frontman for the ska band The Specials.
The Specials - A Message to You Rudy (1979)
https://youtu.be/cntvEDbagAw


In late December, Maxi Jazz died aged 65.
This was how Maxi Jazz emerged on the scene and how I remember him (Faithless' mastermind Rollo had already scored some hit singles under other names).
Faithless - Insomnia (1995)
https://youtu.be/P8JEm4d6Wu4


EDIT
On the last day of 2022, Anita Pointer died (aged 74), the last of the (original) Pointer Sisters that scored hits in the 1970s and 1980s.
Pointer Sisters - I'm So Excited (1982)
https://youtu.be/8iwBM_YB1sE
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Re: Recommended music

Post by Firestarter »

Here are some more songs that I like...


The title song of their 1976 album...
Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAvhmmpwLbg


Alan Parsons Project (ft. Colin Blunstone) - Old and wise (1982)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4HI1_LTWIk


Joan Osborne - One Of Us (1995)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDdOnl0bHO4



This, their first single, was banned (!) by the BBC for being "too depressing"... and "fucking" in the lyrics...
I don't consider it a particularly sad song... Haven't we all fell in love with somebody "so fuckin' special" that didn't feel the same about us?!?
Radiohead - Creep (1992)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFkzRNyygfk


This could be the most depressing song I've ever heard. What makes it so depressing is that there seems no escape from "another day" of endless suffering...
It was only a pop hit in the Netherlands and Belgium (Buckshot Lefonque is supposedly "jazz").
Buckshot Lefonque - Another day (1997)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rROTA0lER4


Sade was one of the big selling British artists (technically a group) of the mid to late 1980s.
Sade - King of sorrow (2000)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF7yuNg_zWE

Sade ft. Guru - King of sorrow remix (2001)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5ahshxjPK4



"New age singer" Enya later scored a surprising worldwide pop hit with "Orinoco Flow" that was preceded by "spacy" songs like this one.
Enya - Boadicea (1987)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKQwgpaLR6o


The Fugees became big stars when they released their multimillion selling "The score" album, with the following becoming a pop hit, with a prominent uncredited sample of Boadicea.
Fugees - Ready or not (1996)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIXyKmElvv8


Long time Puff Daddy, P. Diddy collaborator Mario Winans sampled the Fugees' song, which was really the Boadicea sample.
Mario Winans ft. P. Diddy & Enya - I Don't Wanna Know (2004)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCHgxoXv4g4
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