This is a little somethin’ somethin’ I was asked to write for another media organization that ended up on the cutting room floor. The basic premise is “The Most Offensive Lyrics From Conscious MC’s”, but the definition of “conscious” rappers is so vague that it’s pointless. It’s also the reason why stuff like “Black Korea” and “lllegal Aliens” isn’t included. In the plus side, you only have to click this post once!
(more…)

A list of great violent rap, including everything from broad beating anthems to gun clapping to cannibalism. Good times for all.

The 25 Most Violent Rap Songs of All Time

My latest contribution to the fine tradition of Rap List Trolling, with a piece that’s certain to upset everybody. Which may be the point…

Complex Presents: 15 Horrible Songs on Classic Rap Albums

Time for another Complex list, this time around on a topic that’s close to my cold, cold heart – record label history. With 2013 marking 30 years in the business, I wrote about the best fifteen years of the iconic label, based on my highly-scientific formula of Sales x Influence x Artistic Merit x Coin Flip.

The 15 Best Years In Def Jam History

There was once an unwritten law that said that all rap albums must contain at least one “slow jam” to attract the “female demographic”. Despite some rare exceptions (MC Shan’s “Left Me Lonely”, Kool G Rap’s “She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not” and Kid Capri’s “This Is What You Came Here For”), these love raps were shameful blights on the discographies of otherwise respectable MCs. Here are ten particularly painful examples:
(more…)

The music world lost a giant this week, as legendary trumpeter Donald Byrd passed away at the tender age of 80. Having bridged the spectrum from be-bop to funk without missing a beat, Mr. Byrd released a massive catalog of great music, much of which provided perfect source material for classic rap tracks. In honor of the great man, here are my ten favorite uses of his work.
(more…)

Obviously, Unkut made the top 20, otherwise I wouldn’t even be posting this. Shouts to Alvin Aqua Blanco for recognizing that we don’t eff around over here.

Hip-Hop Wired’s Top 30 Hip-Hop Blogs & Websites

Inspired by oskamadison‘s suggestion in the comments section of the 50 Best Debut Albums In Hip-Hop History post, I put together a follow-up list with the Complex crew which caters more to my personal tastes.

Complex Presents: The 50 Greatest Sophomore Albums In Hip-Hop History

Here’s another list to annoy everybody. I managed to sneak Percee-P, Lord Finesse, RA The Rugged Man, Big L, Ras Kass, Pharoahe Monch and Kool G Rap in to the chart to offset the expected Lil’ Wayne, Jay-Z and Kanye content, which is a victory of sorts.

Complex Presents: The 50 Best Guest Verses Of All Time

More list action:

Complex Presents: 50 Best Debut Albums In Rap History

Here are the direct links to the blurbs I penned for all you time-poor types:
(more…)

The Complex music editors recruited me to write around ninety of the blurbs for this latest ‘Top 100′ list. Direct any complaints over there.

Complex’s 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Beats of All-Time

Two years after I penned The 50 Best Queensbridge Rap Songs list for Complex, they’ve invited me back into the building for another drop. As is the nature of these things, there were some editorial adjustments made in order to prevent potential lawsuits, but the fact that I managed to get Minnesotta from Money Boss Players included more than makes up for it.

The 23 Best Rappers Who Started As Producers