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Five Hip Hop albums to take it easy
RnB/Hip Hop | Wednesday 22nd August 2012 | Osh
It is soon the end of summer, but not of relaxation. If you are not a ‘guru’ in the Hip Hop field, you are likely to not know some less accessible artists hidden behind the omnipresence of Kayne West, Jay-Z, Kid Cudy or others famous worldwide rap artist. Here is my selection of five albums that deserve to be put in the spotlight, and that will make your day.
Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold (2008)
When Life Gives You Lemons is the fifth album by the Minneapolis group. The album has scored a huge success in the U.S, although it was released through an independent label. Sean Daley and Anthony Davis had already released ten albums in an alternative rap style. This one combines piano and vocals that create a groovy and relaxing mood, which is the aim according to the title of the album. So when life gives you lemons, make lemonade and listen to Atmosphere!
Gang Starr – Full Clip (A Decade Of Gang Starr) (1999)
This album recalls 10 years of the Gang Starr rap including never released tunes. This album is a masterpiece, representing the group composed by Dj Premier and Dj Guru. They separated after their last album in 2003, a few years before the Guru Death (2010). Classic and yet sometimes unknown, the Gang Starr rap is old school with jazzy tones. This album groups the best of Gang Starr, the songs of their heyday as well as many treasures to discover.
Gramatik- Street Bangerz Volume 3 (2010)
Gramatik never lacked inspiration. Influenced by Jazz, Swing and Funk, among others, he manages to mix old school music with his own beat, which gives something unique and reminds us of the origins of Hip Hop. In the same mood as the two previous albums, this one generates a good atmosphere. In fact, Gramatik makes you think that nothing is dramatic.
Flying Lotus - Cosmograma (2010)
If one had to describe the musical universe of Flying Lotus, one would say that he makes you travel throughout his bewitching psychedelic music. With a Hip Hop rhythmic base, Flying Lotus creates ethnic music in an alternative electro way. With Cosmograma the artist surprises us one more time, by taking tunes from everywhere to set up his music in is own manner. This album seems to be the more successful and representative of his work and will bring you into another dimension.
Mac Miller – Macadelic (2012)
Malcolm McCormick, this promising 22 years old artist is not anymore unknown. Despite his young age he's released several albums and mixtapes already. In the past he explored an acoustic rap style, then he focused more in an electronic genre, his last mixtape “Macadelic” is in another kind of rap. More quiet with psychedelic tones, this album seems to illustrate the maturity of the kid. Indeed, the lyrics are about more serious issues accompanying a worked and accomplished musicality. Thus, if you did not have the chance to discover the previous tunes of this talented boy, enjoy these ones.
Candice Chechirlian
