When people complain about the swearing, misogny, and promotion of violence in rap, they’re not talking about "conscious hip-hop". " Conscious hip-hop" usually focuses on at least one of the four pillars of the subculture—rapping, DJing, graffiti, and break-dancing.
More importantly, it contains a positive message because it is self conscious about its influential power over the impressionable kids and young adults who normally listen to hip hop (hence the name "conscious" hip-hop). This tradition prevails today, but you can’t be a contemporary conscious rapper, or a knowledgeable hip hop fan, without knowing these essential old school albums.
De La Soul—Three Feet High and Rising
De La’s first album from 1989 was legendary. The beats were unique because their DJ sampled from all kinds of records hip hop never used before, from Steely Dan to a recording of a French lesson! The lyrics were playful, and overtly promoted peace.
Nothing controversial, just youthful fun. But this is tempered against seriously hip, catchy beats which make it clear this is a hip-hop group to be reckoned with. " Eye Know " is a song which showcases the albums esoteric word play, positive attitude, and the way different kinds of music are sampled and reinterpreted.
A Tribe Called Quest—Midnight Mauraders
Tribe’s third album released in '93 combined forward thinking lyrics with the kind of catchy, jazz infused beats no other group produced before or since. It’s a concept album: between songs a female computerized voice talks (about not very much!) and it gives the album character.
But there’s no gimmick here. The lyrics are positive, but upfront about sexuality and racism. People go nuts at hip-hop show when the DJ spins almost any of the songs from this album for a reason. Especially " Electric Relaxation ".
Nas—Illmatic
This album isn’t as innocuous as the first two, but the flow of the rhymes makes up for it! The lyrics are crafted, relentlessly delivered first person descriptions of inner city struggles. The nasty edge of the beats compliment the gritty lyrics.
Plus, it's impossible to listen to it without bopping your head. " New York State of Mind " is emblematic of the album’s beats and rhyme style.
Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek (Reflection Eternal)—Train of Thought
While not totally old-school coming out in 2000, it’s too emblematic of conscious hip-hop to ignore (and too good!). There is a strong humanistic message expressed in impossibly witty rhymes and a relentless flow to match. Top notch lyricism throughout, and as the name of the group and album suggests, reflective and thought provoking.
The beats have element of jazz and suit the progressive, philisophical nature of the lyrics. But for this, it's still an edgy, street-smart album, as " Move Something " will show you.
Mos Def—Black on Both Sides
Mos’s debut album from 1999 was a landmark for MCs. Exceptional for Mos Def's flowing poetry and for the flow of the album in general (most of the songs segue into each other). Mos discusses crime, women, his love of hip hop, and even water conservation. With contributions from producers like DJ Premier and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (from A Tribe Called Quest), the beats keep pace with the lyrics—a hard task.
The song " Hip Hop " is not surprisingly about his love for his chosen music. It represents the quality of the album's lyrics and beats.
Conclusion
These albums are distinguished in hip-hop for their socially conscious message, but stripped of all their positivity they are essential landmarks for their beats and rhymes. It would be a disservice to boil down the importance of these albums solely to their "conscious" element, however well intended. They are virtuosic expressions of music.
In a genre so publicly tarnished by misconceptions of promoting hatred and violence it's important to know that hip-hop has responded by actively conveying the exact opposite message. Next time someone complains about rap, show them these five albums.
Jeff Halperin - Jeff Halperin is a man of multiple talents and diverse interests. Based in Toronto, he is a guitar teacher for Fingertips School of ...
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