Underground Hip-Hop - Midwest
April 2, 2008
There’s a lot of dope underground hip-hop in the Midwest.
We’ll start with Rhymesayers Entertainment in Minnesota, where you’ve got Atmosphere, Brother Ali & Eyedea. Next we’ll go to Chicago, where the Galapagos 4 crew (Qwel & Denizen Kane/ Typical Cats) honed their skills. Michigan is holdin’ it down with Subterraneous Records/ One.Be.Lo and Ohio has some fresh beats thanks to RJD2.
For each artist selection, I’ve put up 1 music video and 3 songs to play & download (click on the song title to play and the DivShare logo to download). Only my favorites of course…
If you like the vids and songs, then I highly suggest purchasing what I consider to be their “must-have” albums. I can almost guarantee that they’ll grow on you, delight your mind and ears, and make you look at hip-hop music in a different light. At the end is a poll for you to vote for your favorites. This isn’t a competition, I would simply like to know which music you’re feeling and which music you’d like to hear more of in the future. Enjoy!
Rhymesayers Entertainment
(Minnesota)
Rhymesayers (based in Minneapolis) was founded in 1995 and they are now one of the top independent hip-hop labels around.
Atmosphere (Slug & Ant) is known for having an enormous following of female fans (a rarity in underground hip-hop) and they’re probably the most popular group that I’m going to feature. While I do think they’re a bit overrated (Slug’s skills pale in comparison to Eyedea’s), they’ve undoubtedly created a plethora of beautiful songs.
Atmosphere - God’s Bathroom Floor (Trainspotting)
That song’s intense: don’t abuse your body people! “If I Was Santa Claus” is a great anthem on giving to others and being down for the cause. “One of a Kind” has a memorable intro and just gets me really hyped up. “The Woman With the Tattooed Hands” is a very sensual song and a good indication of why women like these guys so much.
Atmosphere’s Must-have album (2002)
Some dude named duck shoe first told me about Brother Ali in 2003. He said that Bro Ali was an albino Muslim with serious flows, and he wasn’t kidding. Brother Ali spits from the heart and his lyrics take hold of you. You better pay attention, because he won’t be denied. In May 2007, he was finally featured in Rolling Stone as a “New Artist to Watch.” Wow, it took them 4 freakin years to realize that?
Brother Ali - Take Me Home
Ant (Atmosphere) also handles production duties for Brother Ali, and if you need proof that this is just as deadly a duo, check out “Champion Remix,” where Ali is at his braggadocio best. In “Win Some Lose Some,” he makes it clear that he’s not going to back down from anyone, and “Forest Whitiker” is a fantastic song where Ali celebrates his uniqueness:
Ayo, Depending on the day, and depending on what I ate
I’m anywhere from 20 to 35 pounds overweight
I got red eyes and one of them’s lazy
and they both squint when the sun shines so I get crazy
I’m albino man, I know I’m pink and pale
And I’m hairy as hell, everywhere but fingernails
I shave a cranium that ain’t quite shaped right
Face tight, shiny, I stay up and write late nights
My wardrobe is jeans and faded shirts
A mixture of what I like, and what I wear to work
I’m knock-kneed and got a neck full of razor bumps
I’m not the classic profile of what the ladies want
You might think I’m depressed as can be
But when I look in the mirror I see sexy ass me
And if that’s somethin you cant respect then that’s peace
My life’s better without you actually
To everyone out there, who’s a little different
I say damn a magazine, these are gods fingerprints
You can call me ugly but cant take nothing from me
I am what I am doctor you ain’t gotta love me…
Brother Ali’s Must-have album (2003)
Brother Ali and Slug are nice emcees, but Eyedea’s skills are on another level in my opinion. He established himself as a fierce battle emcee (won Scribble Jam ‘99 and Blaze Battle ‘00) and has serious freestyle skills, as you can see in this clip.
Eyedea - Wake Up Show Freestyle (w/ Slug)
But I’m a big fan of Eyedea because he’s much more than just a battle rapper. “Weird Side” is a really fun song where he explains his unique tastes: ‘I like Jimi Hendrix more than any rap shit/ and my favorite movie’s Dr. Strangelove, that’s a classic!’ Another favorite of mine is “Glass,” where the the production and scratching skills of DJ Abilities combine with Eyedea’s introspective lyrics and out of control flows to create something special. However, my favorite Eyedea song is “Here For You,” a spiritual masterpiece about life:
We gotta learn to see the beauty in each moment of life
Everyone has different paths and we’re seeking the light
The world is divided between peasants and kings
But the truth is everyone is looking for the same thing
Now I want you to know
The role you play is part of the whole
Without you it couldn’t be, and I mean that with compassion
So if you ever need anything, I mean anything at all
I’m here for you; all you gotta do is ask man
I’m here for you, in the same way that you’re here for me
Each person in an intricate piece of infinity
I feel that if you could see what I see
Then we as humanity could be free
I’m here for you, not for any self centered reasons
Because existence is interdependent and all related,
Connected in its different manifestations of one single mind
You ain’t isolated from the world even though it feels like that sometimes…
Eyedea’s Must-have album (2001)
Galapagos 4
(Chicago)
Galapagos 4 is a prolific hip-hop crew that hails from Chicago. They have several talented musicians doing their thing, but I’m only going to feature a few of them.
If you’re looking for lyrics oozing of pure poetry, look no further than Qwel. While his lyrics are quite profound and his rapid fire pinpoint delivery is impressive, if you don’t want to analyze your hip-hop, then you won’t be able to fully appreciate Qwel’s music. Just watch the video below to get an idea…
Qwel - The IT In Keeping IT Real (UGHH)
Qwel is no joke, so it doesn’t surprise me that my brother Nic became friends with him when Qwel moved out to the Bay Area. On “Saved,” he talks about how hip-hop saved his life and soul while paying respect to ‘writers of old.’ If you want to hear some nasty punchlines, make sure you check out “Cliche,” but perhaps my favorite Qwel song is “The Siren of Staten Island,” where he examines what the statue of liberty may represent to others:
I once was asked how to make liberty’s idol last for centuries
I know, shape her out of pennies, paint her green with envy
She’ll be standin with her back turned, burnin, smirkin towards her enemies
She better be hollow from head to toe with horns beamin out respectively
Just ask pretty penny about her copper torch, shorts, and bad data
Must’ve made her mad, well, the way she turned her back away to fuck her neighbor
Green with envy, seen the ending with her forced force torch a saber
Ashamed of sister liberty, gimmicky sourced, and faith flavored
Both whores and finicky sports to play the game
Left sores and razor pissins, different day, the same invader
Drift away
It’s the way to ensure the surest source for paper
Ya’ll can either respect her cheddarish scepter, or be a slave to…
Qwel’s Must-have album (2004)
Buy Dark Day MP3’s from Amazon
Qwel is joined by Denizen Kane, Qwazaar, and DJ Natural in the group known as Typical Cats. Denizen Kane has a unique voice and is a strong spoken word performer, as you can see here:
Denizen Kane - Patriot Act (Def Poetry)
If you liked that song, be sure to listen to Denizen’s powerful solo Typical Cats track, “What You Thought Hops.” Qwazaar can flow too, and if you want to hear how effective Typical Cats is as a group, just play “Take a Number” and start nodding your head. “Typical Flows” is another nice TC song.
Typical Cats’ Must-have album (2001)
Subterraneous Records
(Michigan)
Subterraneous Records was founded by One.Be.Lo. to try and re-establish hip-hop as a community. While in prison in 1994, Lo met Senim Silla and formed the group Binary Star.
The last Binary Star album came out way back in 2000 (there’s rumor of a new album), but it’s widely considered a classic because of songs like this…
Binary Star - Reality Check (Graffiti Art Painting)
“Reality Check” is one of my all-time favorite intro songs, so I’ve included it below as well. Another killer Binary track is “Masters of the Universe,” where they effortlessly flow back and forth. These guys are from Michigan AKA Waterworld, so the flowing water theme continues with “Rivers Run Wild.”
Binary Star’s Must-have album (2000)
Buy the MP3’s from Amazon
One.Be.Lo AKA One Man Army has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in recent years. The guy is ferocious on the mic (the Detroit hip-hop version of Ben Wallace?), but is still being slept on by way too many people. I hope heads start to notice his skills, because he’s trying to do something positive with them.
One.Be.Lo - A Cappella
One Man Army is droppin’ knowledge, but if you’re still sleeping, check out the track “Sleepwalking” to WAKE UP and “Propaganda” to see what the mass media is feeding ya. However, One Be Lo’s skills really shine on “Rocketship,” where he takes off and proves that his lyrics are simply on another level:
(2nd verse)
Yo, I’m flowin now to blow the microphone out
I spit the flows out, Mr. Skoal Mouth, no doubt
Tickets sold out, black and white kids, Diff’rent Strokes house
+Transform+ you pessimists to optimists and roll out
+Decepticons+ style, Megatron, bloaw!
Check the rhyme files, 007 stretch beyond bounds
of the earth, moon, universe, soon to burst through
Three sixty-five, prepare live, you April 1st, Fool
These wannabe best rappers hold the wet bladders
Need a step ladder, still couldn’t reach my best status
Inspector Gadget, extra baggage, I was blessed to have it (skills)
You must be still guessin at it, still testin average
I’m never slippin even if you peeled a fresh banana
The moves I make are checks and balance like a chess fanatic
You less advantage, manic depressin, impress the panic
Lyrics hot enough to melt your plastic, burn your flesh to ashes (ouch)
That’s what you urn/earn when you not well rehearsed
Somebody gotta help preserve this art form, myself preferred
Check the verse, it’s like a +Magic+ spell with words
These wack emcees prolly felt it worse than a Celtic +Bird+!
One Be Lo’s Must-have album (2005)
RJD2
(Ohio)
RJD2 is a producer extraordinaire from Columbus, Ohio. His songs have been featured in numerous video games, action sports films, and television commercials and promos. Needless to say, the guy gets around and has collaborated with emcees such as Blueprint, Aceyalone, and Diverse. But his recent sound is much pop-ier than before, much to the dismay of some of his hip-hop fans. However, the new sound works great in this video with Bill Shannon. Shannon was born with a degenerative hip condition where his legs cannot support his own weight, so he developed a way to express himself through dance and skateboarding on crutches. Fantastic!
RJD2 - Work It Out (w/ Bill Shannon)
If you want to hear RJD2 at his finest, check out “Good Times Roll Pt. 1″ and “Ghostwriter.” I love the dub breakdown in the middle of the former, while the latter is just chill head-noddin’ goodness. And if you want to hear what happens when RJD2 remixes an already dope track featuring two great emcees (Mos Def & Diverse), just peep the “Wylin Out Remix.”
RJD2’s Must-have album (2002)
Loading ...
I’ll vote later. I just want to say THANKS! great post. I’m going have to take time to go thru all this.
:listening to Atmos right now:
I’ve never given them a chance.
Nice, you got it done so soon! Being such a hip hop critic I didn’t think it was bad that Galapagos 4 lacked any music vids but after seeing the live Qwel vs. the Brother Ali video like this it may be a lack for people not knowing about G4 and want the formal presentation…but Qwelly kills it live and maybe a formal video can’t do him justice?
..still not feelin Eyedea.
whats up Nic?! Didn’t we go mobbin down Wilshire with SMEAR?
Well, I still haven’t seen Eyedea live and live performances are very important in my book, but I like what I’ve heard from Eyedea. Did you hear him around 3:20 in the freestyle where he says that west coast rappers are his favorite because they have the most style? At least he’s got THAT on point. And I actually think he has more style than a lot of underground/ backpacker/ alternative rappers…
I like that live performance of Qwel, but there’s no doubt in my mind that a well done music video could enhance his songs and bring G4 some more notoriety like they deserve. Even a brief explanation at the beginning of his live performance (serial killers keep it real by serial killing) is very helpful because his lyrics are so deep and poetic.
Of course, creating the RIGHT videos to match his songs will be tough. Lately I’ve been diggin animated music vids, and I think that would be a good way to go. Even a nicely done slideshow with images that match the meaning of the song would be cool (imagine one w/ Miss Liberty).
Let’s face it…a lot of Qwel’s songs are going to go over people’s heads if they only listen once, and a lot of those people won’t bother listening a second time because of it. Maybe that’s the way he likes it, but I think he could really benefit from having a music video or two…
It’s crazy how often RJD2’s beats are borrowed (CBS just announced UCLA’s starting lineup w/ an RJ beat in the background).
Yo Jonny! Yeah, I remember that for sure. I actually saw some stuff from him up here in SF a few months back and I was like…I’m pretty sure that’s the same style hand. You should check Eyedea’s song - “Even Shadows Have Shadows” - really fucking dope, I don’t know how anyone couldn’t like that song, his newer stuff though…ehhhh haven’t kept my ears open.
Yeah, Qwel’s shit is crazy lyrically and after talking to him a ton about songs and what not it’s like you don’t know the half of it UNLESS you talk to him. Dude dropped mad knowledge to me about his songs and all the meanings of his shit that even today I’ll listen to old tracks and find some new ish…it’s like reading and analyzing Albert Camus! He loves going over his shit with people explaining it and what not and he said that fools better pay attention or they’re missing out, and thats on them if they can’t get down with it.
On the note about people not wanting to bother to listen to it more than once or a few times is a huge reason why I trip about lots of music lately and haven’t been keeping track of everyone like before; no one seems to really be pushing the envelope as far as hip-hop…
Yeah, RJ is up on a few commercials, dude blew up after Deadringer…
so….are fools sleeping on this or what??? i mean how can you deny Galapagos 4 and Subterraneous (one be lo/Binary Star)….
qwel is dope..the typical cats are real dope. I forgot about this thread. I’ll track down even shadows have shadows…if that shit flops for me eyedea goes in the mental recycle bin along with Redhead Kingpin.