Today’s Match-up: #6 seed Murz vs.#11 seed The Cool Kids
This is a match-up of two underground-ish acts that get a lot of respect.
Murs has been on the verge of blowing up for a while. He has been featured on many songs and has unreal skill. His single, “Dreadlocks” might be familiar to those Madden fans. That song was a big hit for him but is nothing like the rest of his music (it is quite an annoying song). Here is a taste of his good shit, “Bad Man”
The Cool Kids have made this list due to the “hype-machine” that come with their music. I think they are talented, but are over-rated. They are the poster boys for “Hipster-Hop”. I think they might be more persona than skill. U-N-I, who are lesser known, are in the same sort of genre and have similar style but better(my personal opinion). But, that’s the game: Equation: Look cool, be marketable, and have some swag=make money and become famous. Here is my favorite song by them, “Delivery Man”
Here is another great video/song I want to share. It is by Lykke Li and it is called “I’m Good, I’m Gone”. She is Swedish and her music is delicate and beautiful. If you enjoy this song also try, “Dance, Dance, Dance” and “Little Bit”. I will not even try to introduce this video. I love it and you will never be the same after you watch it. Just watch, it’s odd but very cool.
Yesterday’s Results: Snoop runs circles around Dizzee and makes him fall…pun sort of intendedSnoop Dogg-78%
Today’s Match-Up: #5 seed Ludacris vs. #12 seed Sage Francis
Ludacris is loved by many and disrespected by more. He certainly has made his mark on the music industry. He is the highest-selling Southern Hip Hop solo artist of all time with over 15 million units sold in the United States. I have lots of friends who would call him the most underrated emcee out. First of all, I think he is making his money. He does however have skill that tends to get over shadowed by his mainstream popularity(if that makes sense). He just release Theater of the Mind to mixed reviews. We’ll see how he is received here.
Sage Francis has been making a name for himself under the surface. His delivery has many varieties and if you hear him, you will never forget who it is. I believe he has influenced many artists with his odd aggressive style (see: Cecil Otter, P.O.S., Brother Ali). He is unique, lyrically brilliant, political at times, and has ever changing facial hair. He has also compiled a nice “freestyle” resume. Go to youtube where you can look up about 100 freestyle battles that he has taken part in. Here is one of my favorite tracks, “Escape Artist”, his shows off his facial hair and his lyrical talent(you might have to look up the lyrics, it is quite fast).
(If this was a greatest sideburns tournament we all know who would win)
Today’s match-up: This is a battle of two distinct styles. West coast rap vs. English garage, grime, ragga.
#5 seed Snoop Dogg has become a huge mega-media icon. His music is still relevant but has taken a backseat to his reality show and persona. His album Doggystyle is a classic and continues to be listed as one of the best Hip Hop albums of all time. This man has accomplished so much but, does he have enough love to claim this crown?
#12 seed Dizzee Rascal is the biggest Hip Hop act out of the UK. He had his latest album released under Def Jux. He went on tour with El-P earlier this year. He has a distinct style that is aggressive, raw, and can be closely compared to Busta Rhymes. I featured this song/video a while ago. This is a little sample of what he can do with one of my favorite tracks by him, “Sirens”.
I have already burnt this song out, but I want you all to experience it. The video is odd and I am told it is based on some movie I’ve never heard of. I love the song and thought I would share. Enjoy!
Today’s Match-up: #5 seed Big Boi vs. #12 seed Fat Joe
#5 seed Big Boi is one half of Outkast. He has been regarded by many as one of the best southern rappers. I have always been a fan of his delivery and I think that Andre 3000 and he complement each other perfectly. They have been making great music for years. I just rediscovered Aquemini and can’t stop listening to it. There are about 10 classics on that album, go cop it now!! There are rumblings of a lot of new music coming up by them. Here is a new song that was just released with Raekwon, “Royal Flush”. Hopefully this is a preview of things to come in 2009 from Outkast.
#12 seed Fat Joe has taken his career into a different direction since the early days. If you talk to Trouble T-roy he will proclaim that Fat Joe used to be one of the best rappers of all time. I might be exaggerating his feelings but there was some talk of that. I do feel like Fat Joe has completely fallen off. I feel like he has turned into the stereotypical money, hoes, cars rapper. He has made a lot of money doing what he does so who are we to judge him? Nobody, that’s who, we are nobody! Here is one of his old tracks, “Respect Mine”, just to prove that he did have a different style in the past and it was good.
Today’s Match-up: #5 seed T.I. vs. #12 seed Busta Rhymes
T.I. has put his stamp on the game with numerous radio hits. The “Rubber Band Man” has skill and swag. He has developed into a superstar using that very swag. He dresses nice,owns a lot of illegal guns, and has one of the best scowls in the world ( sort of makes him slightly scary). I think he has a knack for making catchy music. I don’t know if his skills are as good as his ear for the catchy. I heard a random kid claim a few years ago that he was the greatest rapper alive, so what better way to test that than putting him in this very tournament. Let’s see if you are correct, random kid.
Busta Rhymes is a legend and a Hip Hop innovator. He has one of the most distinct voices and rapping styles. When I was about 10 I heard “Woo Ha” and didn’t know how to take it. I had never heard anything like that. I thought that was what people who smoked “dope” acted like. I was confused but fascinated by it. Busta was a frequent contributor to ATCQ and really does have some great lyrics. His delivery sometimes over shadows his skill. Later in his carreer he became extremely popular and his music became more poppy. (poppy is code for eh!) He is due to release a new album, Back to My B.S. in March 2009
Yesterday’s Result: The promise of Detox from Dr. Dre ends up being enough to knock out one of my favorite emcees. I loved the turnout, lets keep that up.
Today’s Match-up: I see this as The Future Vs. The Past aka #4 seed Wale vs. #13 seed Twista
Wale hailing from D.C., has already made his mark on the music industry without even releasing an album. He has put out several mixtapes and also been featured on many songs. This guy has showed unbelievable talent. Mark my words, he will be one of the biggest acts in music…if he ever releases this damn album. Here is a little taste:
Twista is one of the innovators of Hip Hop. He was proclaimed the fastest emcee in the world at one point. His style was really something that a person needed to hear. I remember going over to a friends house to hear Adrenaline Rush because my friend was convinced it was the most amazing thing ever. I agreed, it was extremely amazing. However, Twista has become just another emcee that raps about the same mundane shit every other emcee raps about: Money, clothes, bitches, clubs, and various types of champagne. So, I don’t know, does a guy get a pass because of his past accomplishments? Or does he get judged on the quality or non-quality of the music he puts out now?
On the day after of the release of Common’s Universal Mind Control, I don’t want to dwell on the atrocious reviews. On the contrary, I want to focus on his classic stuff. He is one of those artists that I always look forward to releasing more music, however I think he has been hurt by the “other” stuff that is going on in his life. I feel like he is spending too much time working on his acting career (Or lack there of) . He is already planning a new album due in 2009 that will be produced by Kanye West and No I.D. Maybe this album is just a slip-up and he will rebound. Well here is my favorite Common Video/Song. “I Used To Love H.E.R.” Enjoy the old and forgive the new.
GREATEST RAPPER ALIVE!!!!
Yesterday’s Result: Destruction by Method Man. He pulled out Aceyalone’sfuckin tongue out of his fuckin mouth, then he proceeded to stab it with a rusty skrewdriver, like BLAOOOOWW. It was a complete blowout.
Method Man-100%
Aceyalon-0%
The Next Match-Up: #4 seed Black Thought vs. #13 seed Dr. Dre
Black Thought is the lead emcee of The Roots. If you have been visiting this website with any regularity, you know that we are fans of The Roots. In my personal opinion, (which means nothing to you) they are the most under-rated Hip Hop artist out. They consistently put out solid albums and seem to be on tour all the time. I have seen them live 4 times(once front row center) and can’t wait to go back and see them again. Their last album Rising Down was great and underrated. It featured one of the best songs of the year, “Rising Down” ft. Mos Def & Styles P. I personally love the guy.
The #13 seed Dr. Dre is a legend. But, this legend has done nothing as far as rapping in the last 7ish years. Detox was suppose to come out 100 times already. Everyone is getting restless, including myself. I have friends(Jeff) that swear up and down that Dre is still amazing. I want to agree, however I have not heard anything lately. Well, I look forward to Detox, which will be dropping in January 2009, no wait June 2009, no, no, no it’s dropping September 2010. I think that is official (about as official as the last 35 release dates). I think this will be a close match.
I get this feeling that this could be very, very close, possibly an upset. VOTE!
I think I love this band. Thanks Matt! It is by Okkervil River and the song is “For Real”. My love for this band…for real. Hehe. Enjoy this video and the song. I hope you like it. Really really hope you do. I won’t sleep well if you don’t.
Yesterday’s Results-Sluggo the old “emo-rap” veteran beats up on Joe Budden the “King of Random Mixtapes”.
Method Man has been a part of Hip Hop for a very long time. He is a member of Wu-Tang. He is an brilliant actor, just watch How High and try to deny the skill. He is one half of Redman and Method Man (He is the Method Man half). He puts out solid records every 2 or 3 years. I have a lot of respect for him and think he has a great chance in this tournament.
Aceyalone is a little recognized and little appreciated emcee that has been putting out quality stuff for over 15 years. I think any Hip Hop fan should listen to “Mic Check” and keep listening to it. He is still making music which is becoming less and less listened to, which is sad. His new album, The Lonely Ones is due in February.
So I am eager to see whether Method Man will in fact, sew Aceyalone’s asshole shut and keep feedin him, and feedin him, and feedin him, and feedin him. Or will he put a hanger on the stove and let that shit sit there for like a half hour, take it off and stick it in his ass all slow like Tssssssssssss? I guess we’ll find out.
Ok this band has been ridiculed by the snobby indie kids who think, just because a band sells the rights to a great song that they all enjoyed at their small indie parties, (Indie parties =drinking PBR and smoking their Cloves while listening to obscure bands) the band has sold out. Well confession, I am sometimes one of these kids, minus the Cloves. But, Of Montreal and this song can’t be denied. It is too catchy to be upset about. (Outback Steakhouse sampled this song…booo hooo) I’ll et off my high horse if you do the same. Enjoy.
Greatest Emcee Alive 2008!
Yesterday’s Results
Just not enough support for a the Southern legend. Q-Tip has moved on, he will be a force to be reckoned with in this tournament.
Slug has earned this #4 seed by various means: He is one-half of Atmosphere. He is also one of the founders of Rhymesayers Records, which has produced numerous quality records and artists. Finally he has helped other up and coming artists by being featured on hundreds of songs.(It is hard to find a hip hop record that comes out of Minneapolis without a Sluggo verse) I think he is one of the most talented emcees. People complain that most Atmosphere albums are too dark or “emo-rap”. He raps about life. He’s a storyteller and by the end of the albums you feel like you know him as a human not just as some random MC. When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold was brilliant and I think Ant and Slug are getting better with age.
Joe Budden is an emcee that seems to put out a mixtape every other week. He was put into this tournament by popular demand. I think he has released one of the most annoying singles of all time, “Pump it Up!”. However this is a democratic society and I have catered to the audience of this website. Check out his new album Padded Room due in February but in the meantime check out his 343 mixtapes already out. I wish him good luck and hope he does well.
This next match-up is one of the more evenly matched match-ups in match-upville. Q-Tip vs. Bun B
Q-Tip just put out The Renaissance which in mine, and others, opinion is one of the best albums of 2008. He produced this record perfectly for his style of rapping. I would suggest this purchase to anyone who reads this. Q-Tip has been in the game for a long time and has put out solid music for years. A Tribe Called Quest was a group that got many young misguided youths on the right path of righteous, smart, and quality hip hop music. The man is amazing. “What good is a ear if a Q-Tip isn’t in it?” Answer that mother fuckers! You Can’t!!
Bun B made up one half of the legandary UGK along with the late Pimp C. Being a part of UGK should be enough for him to get some valid “Greatest Emcee” recognition, but he hasn’t just stopped there. Bun B seems to have taken the throne as the voice of the South. He has been featured on numerous songs lately. Well let’s see if he still has the backing to take out a giant like Q-Tip
