@chuck sabbath:
Yeah, i forgot to mention them. Cut me some slack. I kinda overlooked them. Personally, I listen mainly to east coast emcees coz for me, they're much grittier and harder than their western counterparts. But yeah, those albums definitely add to the list.
You're definitely right, though hiphop has been infected by crappy artists, there are still a lot good [gooey brown stuff] coming out. New school artists still preserve the culture of the music, in terms of beat production and lyricism, and is continuing to progress as time goes by. New breed of artists like Jedi Mind Tricks, Army of the Pharaohs, Non Phixion (now disbanded), Immortal Technique, Warcloud, Snowgoons, Eyedea, Rhyme Asylum, Necro, Q-Unique, Mr. Hyde, Mr. Lif, Swollen Members, Atmosphere, 7L & Esoteric, Lost Children of Babylon, Remedy, Timbo King, Royal Fam, Brother Ali, Rjd2, Mr. Dibbs, Sound Providers, Binary star, Jean Grae, Planet Asia, MF Doom, Aesop Rock, Cannibal Ox, etc., still keep the culture sacred. Nowadays, it's the lyrics and skills that will define your wackness or dopeness, that's why hiphop is considered a true test of mind.
For those who haven't seen the hiphop documentary "Rhyme and Reason" watch it here:
Highly recommended and it'll definitely broaden your perspective about the music.
BTW: It's really rare nowadays to hear some jazzy horns or soulful breakdown samples, so that's something fresh from the radio. And yes, Mos Def is an ill mofo.
