ChartWatch: Underground Rap Rises! Go Buy Some Gangstarr!

“Above the Clouds”

Guru (Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal) July 17, 1962–April 19, 2010

As I was driving home last night the

radio station out here in Houston played a mixed dedicated to Guru.  One of the songs they played was “Above the

Clouds” and a listener called in asking who the artist was because she liked

the song.  Guru was a big part of Hip Hop

culture and he will be missed, but one saving grace is that his music is

timeless.  It’s there forever.  Hopefully some fans and artist out there will

be exposed to some of the music he created now, and see the time and effort

that Gangstarr put into their craft. 

There is no Hip Hop in the top 10 but maybe that’s fitting for this week.  Take

the time to experience a Gangstarr album like No More Mr. Nice Guy, Step

Operation, Hard

to Earn, Moment of Truth, The

Starr, or Mass Appeal: Best of Gang

Starr.  If you like Jazz, then listen to one of the

four volumes of Guru’s Jazzmatazz series, where he blends Jazz, Hip Hop, and

R&B.  Take some time out this week to

hear some real Hip Hop.

Guru…Rest

In Peace

Dropping this Week

I

wasn’t even going to put any albums in the column this week but the artists we

have today have a heavy following in the Hip Hop community.

First

up is North Carolina’s own Little Brother. 

The group has gone through some ups and downs, and a little bit of

drama, due to their split with 9th Wonder.  Now a duo, Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh, still

continue to spit real lyrics since their debut The Listening.  This week

they release, Left Back, their fourth

album. 

Next, is Devin the Dude, who, in honor

of yesterday releases Suite 420.  If you’re familiar with Devin the Dude then

you know what style of music he’s producing. 

I don’t know much about the album but I will be picking it up.

Lastly, is California’s own Cypress Hill

who releases their ninth studio album Rise

Up.  This is the group’s first album

of new material in the last six years so fans out there should be happy.

That’s it for the week so go pick up one