Everyday Struggle might just be my favorite song in the entire genre. It encapsulates everything brilliant and grotesque about gangster rap. It's blue-collar. There's no glorification of the drug trade in the tale, it's just raw, unadulterated humanity.

Hell that song is the reason that I by and large don't like a lot of rap that deals with "the game" because it's often so cartoonish. That isn't to say Biggie is the only one to step outside of that, but I don't think I've heard such concise and powerful storytelling in any other song.

Because of everything about it. The beat/vibe, the verses, the time it dropped and how much I was in to all those dudes. It's a great song.

________________________________
There are dozens of us! Dozens!

Black Steel first followed closely by Respiration. Mos Def's verse there is one of my favorites.

both stay on my short list of favorite joints of all-time.

Red, Black, Green

>Because of everything about it. The beat/vibe, the verses,
>the time it dropped and how much I was in to all those dudes.
>It's a great song.

For those reasons as well as the concept, specifically Kweli and Mos' explanation of the concept in the liner notes.

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"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

Yo...on The Amen, Corner I stood lookin at my former hood
Felt the spirit in the wind, knew my friend was gone for good
Threw dirt on the casket, the hurt, I couldn't mask it
Mixin down emotions, struggle I hadn't mastered
I choreograph seven steps to heaven
In hell, waiting to exhale and make the bread leaven
Veteran of a cold war It's Chica-I-go for
What I know or, what's known
So some days I take the bus home, just to touch home
From the crib I spend months gone
Sat by the window with a clutched dome listenin to shorties cuss long
Young girls with weak minds, but they butt strong
Tried to call, or at least beep the Lord, but didn't have a touch-tone
It's a dog-eat-dog world, you gotta mush on
Some of this land I must own
Outta the city, they want us gone
Tearin down the 'jects creatin plush homes
My circumstance is between Cabrini and Love Jones
Surrounded by hate, yet I love home
Ask my guy how he thought travellin the world sound
Found it hard to imagine he hadn't been past downtown
It's deep, I heard the city breathe in its sleep
Of reality I touch, but for me it's hard to keep
Deep, I heard my man breathe in his sleep
Of reality I touch, but for me it's hard to keep

Comm really drove that track home. And even WITHOUT Comm that's an all-time song, but Comm puts it over the top.

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"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

but this song right here

https://youtu.be/3stjv9Jov4A

can always put a smile on my face

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuUK78FI3Ds

Before that, it was HBMS Rock and Roll Part 2. It just occurred to me that I guess I like montage-y songs with beat changes. Because before that, it was Lootpack/PBW Styles Crews Flows Beats.
______________________________
http://i.imgur.com/Gj5Wy56.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQkQG4k-Z-k

Obviously it's damn near impossible to just cut it down to one song but I'm content with naming this joint.

surprised to see this in this post.

www.royallegacy.org

For Real (Official Video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBRoCPO8esE

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TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

as soon as the sample comes in on both I get a smile on my face...

The beginning of 93 til is perfection and I love how they had an mc have 8 bars, then another with 4 bars, 6 bars and it never felt forced.


Electric Relaxations makes me happy. Period. That beat and the mood is chill as shit.

and lines like

"I wanna pound the pootang until it stinks"

it's like a nasty ass, real ass holla over the phone from back in my youth....

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

Like everyone has said, it's near impossible to narrow it down to one but for years I've always been perfectly comfortable ending up at this song and have consistently said it.

It just has everything I look for and love about hip-hop. Kweli's verses are the perfect mix of thought-provoking and slick. There's wordplay. There's social commentary. There's braggadocio. There's "dissing wack MCs til the day that" he dies. Etc. And he blends all of this subject matter together so effortlessly and seamlessly. A good example of rap as poetry.

Then there's the beat. Ohhhhh man what the fuck can I say about this beat. That piano loop. Ugh. So subtle yet so powerful and potent. The bassline that Kweli rides so flawlessly. The drum beat hitting at all the right times. Hi-Tek's lowkey scratching during the hook. "ohhhh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy". Just such a perfect beat, in my eyes.

What a song. kinda changed the way I look at hip-hop songs after I began to recognize its brilliance.

Rawkus really was the shit back in those days man.

----------------------------------------

"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

A spiritual being manifested as a human that's it

Red, Black, Green

----------------------------------------

"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

this dat "bookworm" Kweli I miss. perfect example of rap poetry imo.. Also the melancholy feel, quotables galore, dawn of the Rawkus era,etc.. man evdrythjng csme together on this one.
It also inspired my reading of 2000 seasons, which in some ways shaped my views on pan Africanism

>this dat "bookworm" Kweli I miss. perfect example of rap
>poetry imo.. Also the melancholy feel, quotables galore, dawn
>of the Rawkus era,etc.. man evdrythjng csme together on this
>one.

The strange thing is that I don't think that the "bookworm" Kweli ever left. He just got a lot more heavy handed with it. You saying that this track was "melancholy" kind of speaks to that. Kweli had a way, early in his career, of firing off potent social commentary without being too preachy. He was, like, super relaxed and laid back about it but the shit he was saying was heavy and important. I think at times as his career went on, he became more preachy and the mood of his tracks was a lot more heavy handed. That was probably by design based on the subject matter but I can also understand why some people found his style to be a little annoying.

I still personally follow Kweli and applaud him for staying true to the messages he has been trying to spread since he started, and think that he is underrated as a writer. People are harder than him than they should be when it comes to his mid and late career work. It's hard to match the magic they/he found on BlackStar, Train of Thought and Quality. But all that said I guess I can understand people feeling like he's been preachy in a lot of his later work.


>It also inspired my reading of 2000 seasons, which in some
>ways shaped my views on pan Africanism

Yea I want to snag a copy and read it. I can't believe I haven't done it yet based on my feelings about the song and the subject matter.

----------------------------------------

"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

You're right about that beat. Fucking ludicrous.

Makes me sad that Hi-Tek fell off like he did. He was making a STRONG case for best ever up through like 03 or 04. Even 06 maybe, as I liked a lot of his work on Hi-Teknology II. But as time went on he stripped his sound down a lot, giving his beats the 00s Dre treatment. But man, that early Rawkus work is some of the best rap music ever made.

Anyway - 1999 is such a filthy beat. I remember seeing that video before I really knew who these guys were and being in awe of the beat.

Not to mention the verses.

----------------------------------------

"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

they blended that album so perfectly

-------------------
I wanna go to where the martyrs went
the brown figures on the walls of my apart-a-ment...

As my favorite Common joint.

Because it's evil and trifling. Like me.

-30-
You know it's drama, but it sound real good.

close to being a favorite. definitely a Biggie favorite
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNGAa0Gcm-g

Too tough to choose a favorite but out of all the shit i've been listening to i'ma say Used to be Fly - OneBeLo

https://youtu.be/UvMaiTtIdn4

--sig--
n/a

In chronological order:

Run-DMC - Rock Box
Public Enemy - Night of the Living Baseheads
EPMD - So What Cha Sayin
Chill Rob G - Ride the Rhythm
Raekwon f/ Ghostface and Nas - Verbal Intercourse

-----------------

www.albumism.com

Checkin' Our Style, Return To Zero:

https://www.mixcloud.com/returntozero/

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

Shit is just perfect.

-------------------------------
If life is stupendous one cannot also demand that it should be easy. - Robert Musil

poetic devices blows me away every time. If I haven't listened to the song in a while and then come back to it, I almost tear up a bit.

favorite song since seeing them come on stage to this song at the Tabernacle one night. The fade in and out. The crescendo and decrescendo. The movement during performance. Malik B.

Red, Black, Green

since forever.

i like it because of E's verse, its just over the top hard/goofy/fun/real

***********************************************************
https://soundcloud.com/swageyph/yph-die-with-me

.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

***********************************************************
https://soundcloud.com/swageyph/yph-die-with-me

.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

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Days like this I miss Sha Mecca

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GEAH. That shit is real hot. That record and also Konnectid are my favorite producer-driven records of the era BY FAR. Love em both.

And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.

back in elementary, i thrived on misery.
left me alone i grew up amongst a dying breed


to me, that is poetry on the level of the road less traveled

pac was a poet of the people, like robert frost. still hasnt gotten his just due

in my top 5, probably #3 but pushing Respiration for that second spot behind Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos.

"Dressed up like an evil villain dressed up like a soccer dad"

Cliche choice, but one of the best beats ever made, goes hard, indisputable classic of an opening verse, universally loved, and hearing it in the morning is like putting on your armor for the day.
______________________________________________________________________________

cscpov.blogspot.com

"There's a fine line between persistence and foolishness..."
-unknown

"To Each His Reach"

-------------------
I wanna go to where the martyrs went
the brown figures on the walls of my apart-a-ment...

.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

might be my favorite opening verse ever.. thug poetry at its finest

Like I find it impossible for even the staunchest rap hater to hear that and not start trying to put together a verse for at least a split second.

Thieves in the Night by Black Star is #2.
Respiration by Black Star is #3.


You can tell why and what kinda dude I am just off of those songs.

he had no idea either...

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

Rakim was taking rhyming to a whole new level. The Bobby Byrd sample was funky & updated for the next generation. This song had everything that drew me to hip-hop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnNkaO1EMyQ

both songs super inspiring in their own ways.

-------------------
I wanna go to where the martyrs went
the brown figures on the walls of my apart-a-ment...

Yes

edit: Why?

has the feel and spirit and creativity that I want/admire.

If I had to pick one, that'd be the song. It puts me back to a good time in my life

2. Funkorama - nice winter in NJ
3. Daytona 500 - just always loved the song

simply because it was an unexpected great song that I can play with my son

this played on the cartoon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIvg3lQt89Y

but this is 3 stacks spittin' it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySS1CUqCLiA

---------------------------------------
blog: www.wonderfullyhorrible.blogspot.com
instagram: Fishgrease
twitter: wooly_caesar
Podcast www.soundcloud.com/circlegang

>simply because it was an unexpected great song that I can
>play with my son
>
>this played on the cartoon
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIvg3lQt89Y
>
>but this is 3 stacks spittin' it
>
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySS1CUqCLiA

Interesting choice, to say the least. Haha.

----------------------------------------

"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

the storytelling/imagery, the beat, there's no chorus...

____________________________________________________________________

San Diego State's holy trinity of sports:
Kawhi Leonard
Marshall Faulk
Tony Gwynn (RIP)

#Aztec4Life

on my first flip phone. Haha.

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"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

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Days like this I miss Sha Mecca

It changed my life in a way. Saved the genre of hip hop for me... before I discovered it, I was gonna strictly stay with Alt Rock. Lol.... I even wrote about it in my blog

I was 17 when I first heard it, and I'm 21 now.

http://soulquaticvibrancy.blogspot.com/2013/10/when-did-you-fall-in-love-with-hip-hop.html

And a part of verse 2 speaks to me in volumes at this point of my life:

"Out goes the weave, in goes the braids beads medallions
She was on that tip about stoppin' the violence
About my people she was teachin' me
By not preaching to me, but speaking to me
In a method that was leisurely"

Here's a link to a hq/hd version of the music video, cuz I felt the other youtube versions weren't worthy lmao

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmUjn3E9jvo


"She was on that tip about stoppin' the violence
About my people she was teachin' me
By not preaching to me, but speaking to me
In a method that was leisurely"

"But I could never be bought
What type of rebel eats pork?"

In no particular order:

1.) "What they do" The Roots.
It's a milestone song for me in terms of falling in love with hip hop.
I vividly remember seeing the vid for the first time ( I was 14 ).

2.) "Cherchez La Ghost" Ghostface, U-god and Madame Majestic
Makes me dance my ass off. Every time.

3.) "Do it now" Mos and Busta.
Love the chorus, Mos' flow on his second verse and the beat.

4.) "Rebirth of Slick" Digable Planets.
Timeless. Will never NOT be in rotation imo.

5.) "3 The hard way" Bahamadia, K-swift and Mecca star
Out of control writing and delivery.

n/m

__

fairweather

Shit brings me to tears eveytime i hear it.

And then to find out that it was the official Dilla introduction makes it even harder to listen to without wiping my eyes.

Everything they talked about in that song i can relate to. Even down to the "im a celebrityyyy" part (well, celebrity in my own city, lol)

Yeah.....Runnin...






Bottoms up....and the devil laughs..




http://soundcloud.com/rayandersonjr

I WAS HIGH LIKE THE VOCAL TONE OF MY ***** BOOTY BROWN ...

And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.

i was in Atlanta when RTD hit hard and played it every morning on to way to work.

If i had to narrow down 5, it would make it on the list.

In no particular order

Incarcerated Scarfaces
Everyday Struggle
Electric Relaxation
So What Ya Sayin
Nuff Respect

~"You are your own best thing" (c) Paul D in BELOVED

my favorite beat ever, the hook is simple and perfect, and i find it easy to overlook the struggle bars


some of the songs i would consider for my personal top 10 list:
nas - nas is like, the message
souls - 93 til infinity
pharcyde - runnin
kendrick - bitch don't kill my vibe
drake - look what you've done
clipse - virginia
kanye - can't tell me nothing, touch the sky
blackstar - respiration
mobb deep - shook ones ii
jay-z - d'evils
bone thugs - 1st of the month
roots - what they do, can't stop this
ras kass - anything goes

The song with Busta has such a ridiculous beat too. That album is flames.

----------------------------------------

"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

I actually sat down and tried this.

UNpossible! (c)

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Days like this I miss Sha Mecca

This was the song that made the whole 36 Chambers album official.

Rest In Peace, Bad News Brown

-30-
You know it's drama, but it sound real good.

to mind as i pondered this question is
Nas - The Message
the imagery he put into that joint
plus the whole feel
the beat
i used to spit this shit every day in the mirror in the 9th grade with the stereo on blast
(i went to school way after everyone left for school and work since my jhs opened late)

love changes, a thug changes, and best friends become strangers, word up.


#classic

www.royallegacy.org

For Real (Official Video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBRoCPO8esE

this

http://youtu.be/QeiQ8mc_Uts

@GetoutTheroom
http://getouttheroom.podomatic.com
******************************************
https://twitter.com/Jayric

in the genre's history

and also as I got older I realized that was the record that made me realize that rap could be ART instead of just some "fun, party music"

grassrootsphilosopher

time as well as this one has.

I could (and sometimes have) listen (listened) to this track back-to-back-to-back and still couldn't get enough of it and this is almost 35 years after the track was first released.

<<<<"Nothings more attractive than a heavy praying woman" © Andre 3000

And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.

.

♚♚♚♚

#BYLUG >>> https://goo.gl/1ooFp6

♚♚♚♚

screamin' mothafuck a 12 /
bitches ain't shit /
cops ain't neither /
they huntin' my people /

- i. rashad

♚♚♚♚

That is my favorite joint, from my favorite era of hip-hop. The ENERGY of that track...

I'm about to listen to it right now.

The ultimate hip-hop song...

*****************************


http://www.speaklifeenterprises.com

"The outer world of circumstances shaped itself around the inner world of thought."
James Allen

Listened to it today and realized that this song will be forever fresh.

It would be up there for me as well...

With "Who got some gangsta shit" - Snoop Dogg, Dogg Pound in close second.

https://banafrit.com/
http://middlebrainmedia.com/

"Can I Live" is one of the most inspirational songs in hip hop. Jay explains in the beginning of the song exactly why he hustles and that he'll do anything to get out the hood. As the song progresses he goes into detail how he intends to pursue a better life for himself and all the stress and obstacles that come with it. I didn't agree with how Jay was getting his money (drug dealin') But I could identify with that mentality of trying to improve your situation and not becoming a casualty of the streets.

"One More Chance Remix"- I just love the playful party vibe of the song. It's one of those songs that I want to dance to every time I hear it. I also loved the fact that B.I.G is rappin' from the perspective of a ladies man/playboy that is not considered attractive in the traditional sense. It made the song more relate-able to me and probably many other guys as well.

The flow of song
The lyrics and purpose of the song
Vinia Mojica...!!!!
Mos Def is the but

I remember the time when this album dropped and my roommate and I were just in love with the sound at the time. But this song got played EVERY Friday...!!!

I dunno, I just FEEL that shit. It's funny too because it was years between my hearing the song and seeing the video. It was very much as I imagined it would be, no frills. That shit just hits me, the way it flows, the way it captures Philly, the way it introduced the Roots crew to so many.

I fuck with Non-Phixion's "Rock Stars" hard for similar reasons. The video is goofier and more done up but somewhat similar, too. Another odd string of coincidence is that somewhere in my top ten is "Above the Clouds" (sample overlap between the songs). Really masterful philosophical flow from Guru. The beat is light on bass but heavy on pop. One of those songs that just makes the hairs on my neck stand up.

93 Til Infinity someone mentioned. I fuck with it, and a lot of Hiero stuff. The opening track from 3030 is prolly my favorite. A lotta shit off Third Eye Vision.

Stakes is High is definitely in my top 5, and apart from the title track the record has some others (itsoweezee, dog eat dog competition) that'd be in my top 100.

"The Meaning" by High & Mighty is way up there for me. Kind of the white version of proceed lol. Home Field Advantage is just a bad ass record.

And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.

I am heavy into jazz fusion so any hip-hop production that gives me that feel I'm all in. My preference has always been melody over beats.

"Bonita Applebum" is as smooth as a crushed velvet black light poster. I can't get enough of it.

My second favorite hip-hop song of all time is "A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays."

i can't do it

for me is the GOAT

mistermaxxx R.Kelly, Michael Jackson,Stevie wonder,Rick James,Marvin Gaye,El Debarge, Barry WHite Lionel RIchie,Isleys EWF,Lady T.,Kid creole and coconuts,the crusaders,kc sunshine band,bee gees,jW,sd,NE,JB

Miami Heat, New York Yankees,buffalo bills

its personal
but it just remind me of summer of 88
the beat was always banging the horn sample was crazy
the "i think very deeply"
one of my favorites

*professional lurker*

I don't think I can narrow it down to a top 10, let alone 1.