Best products from r/hiphopheads

Thanks Riceman, really appreciate it. I'm glad I returned to this thread to see /u/MCDayC's edits and your response, which I'm chewing on right now. Really thoughtful, articulate stuff.

There are a lot of great critical voices in this sub, and reading stuff like this makes me think that there's potential here to do something I've always wanted to do: start an online publication dedicated to long-form hip-hop criticism and commentary.

I think there's a 'gap in the market' for this kind of writing with a big-picture/cultural context angle. It'd be less focused on hip-hop news and reportage, which I think is already sufficiently taken care of by your mainstay pubs like Complex, XXL, allhiphop, deadend, Pitchfork, Noisey, as well as the countless rap tabloid and gossip sites. Out of those, I think pitchfork and Noisey are the most 'literary' and provide the most thoughtful commentary. The traditional staples of hip-hop commentary -- XXL and Complex -- don't do this is as well, and are quickly degenerating into depositories for top 10 lists and maddening slideshows.

That said, I really think there's a thirsty readership for this kind of writing. One e-zine that provides a good model/blueprint for this is The Quietus. There's a lot of meat to their reviews, features and opinion sections -- way more substance than you find in your average hip-hop pub. I'd want to take their model of thoughtful, long-form explorations on the intersect of new rock and pop culture, and apply it to the intersect of rap and pop culture. Their voice is literary but not pedantic, and their content is presented elegantly. It's definitely a "thinking man's" magazine, but it doesn't feel academic, which is something I'd want to avoid. A lot of serious rap commentary risks that distanced, academic vibe which is lame. Just needs to be smart and conversational.

I'd also want to take cues from XLR8R, which is a similarly smart voice in left-field electronic music. It's focused on staying on the very tip of what's happening right this very moment in beat music, though, which I wouldn't aim for.

Other inspiration: Ben Westhoff's fantastic piece on RiFF RAFF for LA Weekly, as well as his equally fantastic book, Dirty South: OutKast, Lil Wayne, and the Southern Rappers who Reinvented Hip-Hop. It's thoroughly researched and smart but not academic. He also does a good job of providing cultural context and history, without it reading like a history lesson. That kind of exploration of musical DNA is something I'd want to focus on, like how Westhoff traces things back to the Mississippi Delta in this book. Informing without lecturing.


Another great example of this kind of writing is Chris Molanphy's wonderful feature for pitchfork, I Know You Got Soul: The Trouble with Billboard's R&B / Hip-Hop chart. A publication dedicated to this kind of shit would be awesome. Perhaps not the most commercially viable, but definitely relevant and cool, which is more important haha.

Utilizing these blueprints, models, and inspirations to create a wholly new hip-hop publication is something that I think is pretty feasible, and there are some great voices in this sub alone that would be interested in contributing. I think there's a void in rap journalism where something like this can stand out. For example, it's common for places like XXL or Complex to publish an article listing the best ad-libs. But what's less common is an article or feature about ad-libs; their origin, how they've evolved, how they're recorded, where to they fit into a rapper's brand or aesthetic, etc. Those are the questions that are rarely given consideration beyond top 10 lists, but it's a topic that could make an interesting feature.

I've also worked for some time in the literary/publishing biz, and picked up a decent bit of know-how, as well as some useful contacts. This isn't just a pipe-dream; it's something that I've given serious consideration. This sub also provides the ideal soil to grow that early readership.

I probably shouldn't have laid out my entire roadmap for everyone to see like that like that haha. Also apologies if I just bored you with something only barely related to your comment

sawalrath

3x3

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Piñata
This year has had some great releases, but it's going to be hard for anything to top Piñata. I've had this on repeat for a couple weeks now and I honestly can say that I can't stop listening to it. I saw a post the other day on the discussion thread from a hhh who didn't even realize he was listening to it--I feel that. In the car, in his headphones, at night in bed--just can't stop listening to it.

YG - My Krazy Life
I don't know I gave this a listen to be honest... at least initially. I remember when YG was on the XXL Freshman list and listened to a little of him then, but then nothing for years. After seeing some people talking about My Krazy Life on here, and giving it some pretty high praise, I figured I'd give it a shot. BLOWN AWAY. This is such an amazing album. I love knowing it's like bad kid, maad city. That opposing force to GKMC. One of my favorite albums of the year so far.

Grieves - Together/Apart
First off, shout out to /r/hiphopheadsnorthwest. Grieves is a Seattle artist who just released an album yesterday that I have yet to listen to. I wanted to go back and listen to his first album prior. Honestly, I thought it was just kind of so-so. Nothing really stood out too much for me. Maybe his new album will be different. We'll see.

The Roots - How I Got Over
Just finished reading Questlove's book, Mo' Meta Blues: The World According to Questlove and had to listen to some Roots. Reading Quest talk about Dilla's death is heartbreaking. How I Got Over is probably my favorite Roots album. I do love undun but I honestly think this is better. It's a toss up. Let's call it that. I really suggest reading Quest's book too.

Vince Staples - Shyne Coldchain Vol. 1 & 2
Saw Staples late last year with Earl and his blew me away. I wasn't even hyped for vol. 2 to be honest, but when it came out I downloaded that shit immediately. I have been looking for "Trunk Rattle" since I heard it at the show. I really loved Staples and think he's one of the best up and comers. Looking forward to an album from him.

Sage the Gemini - Remember Me
I really liked "Gas Pedal" so I wanted to give Sage's debut album a shot. I really like his voice and think he could be a great rapper... but I didn't care for Remember Me at all. It seemed too poppy and clubish to me. I couldn't really get down on any other tracks. Disappoint.

The Roots - Game Theory
After reading what Quest wrote about Game Theory in his book, about how it was like a new beginning for the Roots, really interested me. I have struggled a few times to really get down on Things Fall Apart and Quest said that Game Theory was really a different approach for the Roots and that people who really liked Things Fall Apart might not have liked Game Theory. Gotta say, I love this album as well.

Viktor Vaughn - Venomous Villain
Preparing to write about this album for my blog this week and have listened to it a little this week and the past on and off. I really loved Vaudeville Villain, one of my favorite DOOM releases, but I don't quite know how I feel about Venomous Villain. I think it might be one of DOOM's weakest albums.

I'm a dancer so I'm coming from a different perspective but just thought I'd chime in. This is definitely happening. Mr Wigglez (member of rock steady crew) said in a workshop that rap is recording artist production. I don't know how much credence there is in making that distinction but let's remember it for now. This is hiphopheads yeah? How many of you jump in a cypher? How many of you practice the art you consume? How many of you are part of a hip hop community? This is the difference. Rap is just consumed. Hip hop is community. Once its created by someone outside a community (label or artist), it definitely isn't. You can still call that rap, but its not hip hop. Personally I don't hang out with anyone who emcees as anything more than just messing about so I can't comment on the community on the emcee side. But if you look at the DJs and dancers, and you look at our communities, you'll quickly see real hip hop that you can't get sitting in your room listening to childish gambino.

The problem lies in the exploitation of the genre, it sells too well. Everybody knows it but nobody cares because they're happy to mindlessly consume whatever the labels throw at them: the most successful artist are only the ones who labels (not community members) think are going to make them money, not people who represent the culture and community. Just to give a little insight, in the dance community, we're still listening to DJs in the club who play break beats and 80s/90s hip hop cause the culture is important to us. We create incentive in our countries for the pioneers of our culture to come and teach us. There is a problem of too much money in the music industry that doesn't exist in our exist in our community so the pioneers of hip hop dance still have reason to accept invitations to judge battles in London or wherever rather than say "nah I've got a show."

Edit: Anyone who truly wants to learn something about hip hop and the discussion of hip hop/rap debate I HIGHLY recommend this book.

Depends on where you live but for both Europe as US there are plenty of options. This is for example a nice entry level tt which has everything you need included: http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q
If that's still too pricy, get a second hand one but than you have to be careful what you buy cause quality varies a lot (though there's plenty of great second hand deals to be found).
> aux output

all tt have this but not on standard line level which means you need a "phono amp" to connect it to anything with standard line level inputs (standard aux input). an amplifier with an aux input labeled "phono" has this built-in. There are also a few tt such as the one which I linked which have this built in (which means you don't need to buy anything extra). The one which I linked also has a built in analog-to-digital converter with a USB output. I think it would be best if you learned the basics about tt's yourself before purchasing one.

I know you've gotten a bunch of suggestions, but I would recommend Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh. The beatboxing/rapping duo was creative, Slick Rick is maybe rap's greatest storyteller, and Rick has two classic songs (Children's Story and La Di Da Di, which has been sampled by just about everybody.

Also I would check out Shea Serrano's Rap Yearbook. Nice little reference for some of rap's most influential songs.

The best starter table imo is the Audio-Technica AT-LP120 it has everything you need for a good table (cue lever, adjustable weight, good cartridge) at a good price. Get you some decent powered speakers and you're pretty set for a good vinyl setup

I know you're probably tired of hearing me plug shit (and I'm getting tired of doing it) so this will be the last time I do so for some time in a Daily Discussion thread.

[Riskie's book] (http://overtheedgebooks.com/portfolio/riskie-forever-from-compton-to-the-industry-my-life-on-deathrow-records/) will be up for sale in Hardcover ($55) and softcover ($42) on Tuesday, September 13th. As I've said before, anyone who loves Hip Hop artwork, Tupac, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, or Death Row Records is going to enjoy it.

On the 13th, HipHopDX is going to be publishing my article commemorating the 20th anniversary of Tupac's death. In that article I talk about Riskie's book and other projects that are helping continue Tupac's legacy.

HipHopHeads is also going to be running a week long raffle starting on the 13th to win copies of Riskie's book. I'm very grateful for the support of the mods here and all of you users as well, especially /u/obieuno, /u/zigzagzig, /u/dhaft88, and /u/garythejerk, who've alll helped out promoting AMAs I've been involved with and other things I've brought to this sub.

Also available on the 13th is the excellent book by Ben Westhoff, [Original Gangstas] (https://www.amazon.com/Original-Gangstas-Untold-Eazy-E-Shakur/dp/0316383899/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473550963&sr=8-1&keywords=ben+westhoff). Look out for a very thoughtful shoutout to me in the acknowledgements at the end of Ben's book. Ben is going to be doing an AMA here on the 13th as well (time to be announced). I hope to see a lot of you asking questions to Ben about West Coast and Southern Hip Hop, both of which he has now written books about.

Finally, Ben will be doing a book reading/signing at the Barnes & Noble in the Long Beach Town Center in Long Beach, California on September 14th at 7 p.m. If you go and see him, tell him Michael sent you.

If you ever run across the 33^1/3 books anywhere and they have the Pauls Boutique edition then you should definitely grab it. Has some great insight into the hilarious behind the scenes events that help shape the album as well as some great chapters on the impact and the reception when the album dropped.

There's a ton of stuff for you to work with. Something super old school --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4o8TeqKhgY

Not as old but still old but timeless in its political message --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PaoLy7PHwk

Still old, super classic all around, and a tribute track to a fallen friend. --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiOcVWQY2bc

KRS-ONE can't hurt, dude coined the term edutainment as far as I know. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6svkdJ7HDo

Pharoahe Monch never hurts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ6-FYAngvc

I'm sure you'll get tons of suggestions. This book often pops into my head when people ask about this.

http://www.amazon.com/Knowledge-Reigns-Supreme-Transgressions-Education/dp/907787450X

Here are some old threads you might want to skim through.

http://www.reddit.com/r/hiphopheads/comments/eojq5/help_a_teacher_expose_his_kids_to_good_hip_hop/

http://www.reddit.com/r/hiphopheads/comments/1ib8d4/help_me_design_a_hiphop_curriculum_for_my_students/

http://www.reddit.com/r/hiphopheads/comments/17rbs3/out_of_all_the_songsalbumsrappers_who_dont_have/

I got an Audio Technica LP120-USB. I love it so far! And I'm mainly interested in almost anything Hip-Hop, current and oldies. I also like Indie, like Arcade Fire, NMH, VW, Radiohead, Animal Collective, Modest Mouse. And some weird stuff, like Boards Of Canada, BSBD, Daft Punk, FlyLo. I just want good websites that'll give me nice info on purchases I may make.

Well you've got a few options then.

If you want to start with an All-in-one, this controller has a keyboard and drum pads. It's $100. It'll get you started, but it'll leave some to be desired. The main issue is it only has 8 drum pads which I don't think is really enough.

Otherwise, I'm a big fan of this midi keyboard. I use it a lot when I'm on the go. You'd then want to get a drum pad as well, I'd recommend this or this. I'm partial to the Akai, I'm big fan of their more inexpensive drum pads over the Korgs, but with the Xkey there, too, you're looking at $200 which is the max you've got for your budget. So XKey+Korg is about $160.

This is a really interesting story. I had heard about it but really got it when I read: http://www.amazon.com/Hip-Hop-Family-Tree-Book/dp/1606996908
If you like going deep into the start of hiphop, I really recommend that comic. It's great.

This might not be as detailed as you'd like but I super highly recommend it to anyone who's asking about hip hop history (and likes books): http://www.amazon.com/Rap-Year-Book-Important-Deconstructed/dp/1419718185/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1463667021&sr=1-1&keywords=hip+hop+yearbook

For anyone interested on this type of thing, I would highly recommend The Big Payback. Some of the best investigative journalism I've ever read. This dude starts with hip hop's roots in the 20's with jazz and works his way to the mid 2000's. One of the most interesting reads I've ever had. You would be amazed at how some of the slang and phrases in hip hop originated. The depth and detail in this book are absolutely unmatched.

After the free book of covers, they announced a Vol. 1 hardcover that comes out in October. Pretty sure there will be a Vol. 2 hardcover as well, but I'm not counting on a second free book of covers since Marvel is now doing all they can to squeeze every dime they can out of hip-hop fans.

One of the best papers I've read on this topic that gives a comprehensive review on the policy, history, and urbanization of racial ghettos is this one (its really really dense and goes in depth on a lot of material but its extremely comprehensive).

On general matters of race and civil rights, you can't go wrong with The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

If you want a more hip hop based approach, I recommend Jeff Chang's Can't Stop Won't Stop . This one is more of a history on the hip hop generation in general but gives a great background on how hip hop rose out of racial conflict.

posted this below but these are the best:

These: http://www.amazon.com/Westone-Universal-Protective-Earplug-Attenuation/dp/B00K6CX7HU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417850088&sr=8-1&keywords=ear+plugs+westone
or these: http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-ETY-Plugs-Protection-Earplugs/dp/B0044DEESS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417850104&sr=8-1&keywords=ear+plugs+attenuation
and if you can ball out, get custom moulded to your ears and they'll feel a lot more comfortable. not a necessity though ($200 or so) http://www.westoneaudio.com/index.php/products/hearing-protection/tru-custom-hearing-protection.html

The story behind Paul's Boutique is just as interesting as the album itself. Coming off the huge success and massive pressure to repeat Licensed to Ill led to some pretty shitty contract conflicts with Def Jam. Stratospheric 80s fame + a move to Los Angeles + drugs + the Dust Brothers became the ingredients for one of the richest, unrecreatable musical mindfucks that still holds up decades later.


It's a relatively quick read, but the 33 1/3 series book covering the album does an awesome job of telling the tale of the conditions and scenarios that led to its creation: http://www.amazon.com/The-Beastie-Boys-Pauls-Boutique/dp/0826417418

Top 5 in no particular order, links included:

Kevin Gates - Luca Brasi Story

Underachievers - Indigoism

Tyler, the Creator - Wolf

Chance the Rapper - Acid Rap

Yelawolf - Trunk Muzik Returns

Honorable mentions:

Big K.R.I.T. - King Remembered in Time

Future Presents F.B.G. The Movie

Waka Flocka Flame - DuFlocka Rant 2

A$AP Rocky - Long.Live.A$AP

GrandeMarshall - Mugga Man

Ace Hood - Starvation 2

Nickelus F - Vices

Gucci Mane - Trap God 2

I have not listened to Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge's album but it is supposed to be excellent.

For non-rap releases:

James Blake - Overgrown

Atoms for Peace - Amok

DJ Kose - Amygdala

Tyler The Creator - Wolf (Deluxe Version) comes with some items, poster, patch, pretty cool.

Kid Cudi - Man On The Moon: The End of Day comes with a poster.

Kanye West - Graduation comes with a posterFRONT. BACK

The Internet - Purple Naked Ladies comes with a poster like item.

Outkast - ATLiens booklet has a comic book like setup.

Ciara - Ciara booklet comes with pictures and a message.

I'm not saying all hardcore Pac fans liked it or even most, but for what it's worth Mikeavveli who may be the foremost Tupac expert in the world and Ben Westhoff who has written acclaimed books on hip-hop artists including Tupac both seem to have really enjoyed it.

I'd keep that in mind before flat out calling it "straight up disrespectful".

Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:

Amazon Smile Link: Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip Hop Generation


|Country|Link|
|:-----------|:------------|
|UK|amazon.co.uk|
|Spain|amazon.es|
|France|amazon.fr|
|Germany|amazon.de|
|Japan|amazon.co.jp|
|Canada|amazon.ca|
|Italy|amazon.it|
|China|amazon.cn|




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This bot is currently in testing so let me know what you think by voting (or commenting). The thread for feature requests can be found here.

I haven't seen this in person, but the Hip Hop Family Tree graphic novels look really awesome and I'd be excited to receive one.

The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop. It's all about the business of hiphop, from the very beginning up until early 2000's. It is super interesting though and I was amazed how much business affects the art.

thats a large portion of the premise of this excellent book about the album. a very interesting read, i highly recommend the 33 1/3 book series in general (there are also books about illmatic and MBDTF, among others)

Another great one is Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip Hop Generation. Basically starts in Jamaica with Herc and ends in the late 90s/early 2000s. A bit lengthy but a great read.

Audio Technica my friend told me it's pretty good for the price and the fact that it's my first one.

I'm open up to suggestions of a future upgrade.

Born to Use Mics: Reading Nas's Illmatic by Michael Eric Dyson and Sohail Daulatzai. This book takes each of Nas's 10 songs in Illmatic and dissects them based on content into distinct and diverse critiques of social and cultural issues. It's a really great read and has tons of different contributors, including Mark Anthony Neal and Common. I took Daulatzai's class at my school and it completely changed the way I see hip hop. Also, This Is the Life, a documentary that focuses on the The Good Life venue where many of Los Angeles's underground and alternative acts honed their skills through freestyle.

Questlove's Mo' Meta Blues: The World According to Questlove isn't strickly about hip-hop but it's a fantastic read. It's his autobiography and provides some good insight into The Roots while explaining the "soundtrack to his life". It really shows how much ?uestlove knows about music, both history and playing it.

EDIT: Also, story time. One time I stumbled into Criminal Records in Atlanta to kill time, and Questlove just happened to be doing a book signing. As I was getting my book signed, I awkwardly said something like "I didn't even know you were going to be here!" To which he replied, "Neither did I, man. Neither did I." He was really nice and it's still one of my favorite memories.

/u/sheaserrano is a bit of an asshole, but his The Rap Year Book has some phenomenal reviews, and I think it really does a good job of giving credence to the early history of the genre.

Monoprice 108323. Best you can get for under $50. Really good quality.

For under 20 bucks? These look pretty nice. https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=8323&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhoLWBRD9ARIsADIRaxRr1D0WZ7WYM_LiH0cpmThNjax9y3lpQQhAg09TI84VGhOIiXYktbwaAsg9EALw_wcB

EDIT: Here they are on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-108323-Headphone-Gold-Plated-Accessories/dp/B007SP2CO2?th=1

Something worth mentioning is a book by Shea Serrano called The Rap Year Book. It takes the most important song from each year and talks about it a bunch. It mirrors this list a lot which is cool. Also good art.

Can't Stop Won't Stop by David Chang. A GREAT look at hip hop's first years and cultural context. Highly recommended.

Hey, so I could use some help getting started on buying a new record player. I just recently got into vinyl and got a record player for Christmas but I've just discovered it sucks ass and may be detrimental to my records. I went on /r/vinyl, I have a Lauson Woodsound record player.

I'm on a budget, though. Altogether, it'd probably have to be below 350 bucks. I've gotten a few recommendations here already that I've kept on hand (/u/TheInfinityGauntlet helped me a lot). If anyone could help me get started putting together a full set up that'd be great. I was going to get this Audio-Technica LP60 but on /r/vinyl they pretty much hate this thing.

To keep this hip hop related, what records do you have on vinyl? Right now the only rap record I have is Orpheus vs. the Sirens.

Thanks! Do you have any recommendations as far as hardware requirements? Like what do you have? Something like this looks serviceable but I have no idea haha. Also any recommendations for Ableton tutorials?

Not much time, but this would be of great assistance to you.

Also available on Amazon.com.

Amazon.com mp3 Copy - 9.99

Amazon.com Physical Copy - 9.99

Note: if you buy the physical copy, you get a free copy of the digital from Amazon.com.

EDIT: Google Play now has it too! - 11.49

Well Yeezus on French Amazon has four track placeholders and there was also an ad for Best Buy advertising 14 tracks

Whatever you don't go for a Crosley or any of those cheap portable players you see at Walmart, Urban Outfitters, etc. They'll ruin your records.

Most people recommend Audio-Technicas for cheap but solid first-purchase record players. Check out either the AT-LP60 or the AT-LP120. I've got the 120 myself and it's pretty damn good

Best entry bang for your buck would probably be Audio Technica LP120. I can't say I'm incredibly well versed in different turntables and such, but this seems to be a consensus good starter turn table. Just make sure whatever you get has a counterweight on the arm to prevent damage to your records

http://smile.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458516399&sr=8-1&keywords=lp120

Can anyone recc me some psychedelic rock? stuff like GOAT, Portugal. The Man etc.. Similarly I wouldn't mind some more glitch music like ediT.

oh, and I'm also looking to buy a new record player. can anyone vouch for this?

Fully endorse the homie Shea.


For future nominations my two favorite hip hop books I've read are:

Mo' Meta Blues: The World According to Questlove

and

Born To Use Mics

@jeff1317:
>2013-05-18 16:54

>Just got a fun message: Kanye West's sixth studio album "Yeezus" out June 18th. Amazon pre-order: amazon.com ; iTunes "soon"

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Yeah
I want to recommend Jeff Chang's "Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation". It's about the origin of hip hop https://www.amazon.com/Cant-Stop-Wont-History-Generation/dp/0312425791

AT LP120

Best starter table, hands down.

Yeah, I feel. This is the one I'm using at the moment & I like it. Obviously not the most high end thing but it does the job well.

Damn this is really dope, would love to cop that Luv(sic) Hexalogy.

The Japanese Hip-Hop manga is actually just a Japanese translation of Hip-Hop Family Tree by Ed Piskor so you can check that out if it piqued your interests.

Ill just make a list of some hip hop books ive read and enjoyed for those interested:
Tupac Shakur: The Life and Times of an American Icon

Ed Piskor's Hip Hop Family Tree Vol. 1, Vol 2 , and Vol 3

Jay Z's Decoded

2Pac Vs Biggie

Born To Use Mics: Reading Nas's Illmatic

Eminem's The Way I Am

The Legends of Hip Hop

Prodigy's My Infamous Life

> https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-108323-Headphone-Gold-Plated-Accessories/dp/B007SP2CO2?th=1

Thanks man! Ill definitely go on YT and check some reviews on these 2. Would you have any earphone recommendations?

I will look into it! I'm in a music class right now focused on hip-hop and we use "That's the Joint!".

a lot of this is covered in the phenomenal Can't Stop, Won't Stop by Jeff Chang. i highly recommend it

There's a couple Hip Hop History books out there already for anyone interested

https://www.amazon.com/Hip-Hop-Raised-Me-Semtex/dp/0500518947/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539640654&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=hip+hop+raised+me+book&dpPl=1&dpID=61SNyHlj2%2BL&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.com/Rap-Year-Book-Important-Deconstructed/dp/1419718185/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539640799&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=rap+yearbook&dpPl=1&dpID=51iWiCedZwL&ref=plSrch

I highly recommend this book; lots of historic Hip Hop related photos, interviews etc. Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation

Get this LP120


Vinyl is an expensive hobby but i would not recommend anything less than this. If it's not in your budget then start saving up.


The lp120 is essential everything in one. It's expensive but it's the least expensive i would ever recommend to anyone.


Remember this golden rule.


Less than 200$? Fucking trash.

No opinion, but I'd recommend you look into the book The Big Payback for some background. Talks a lot about the history of the business of hip hop and how it's pretty much been financed or exploited (depending on your perspective) by white dudes since the beginning. It was the textbook for my history of american hip hop class in college.

That's the Joint is a good collection of academic articles on Hip Hop culture.

I'd say just mess around with chopping things up

i'd say buy a small MIDI keyboard (something like this or this) to start off and just play around with stuff. A lot of it is learning music theory and different chord progressions

Not sure if it's been posted, but the French site for Amazon has a pre-order with 14 tracks.

Granted, some of the track titles are different, but I feel like Amazon would have their shit in order.

If you still wanna support your shop you can pick up a copy of this when it drops. That's what I'm gonna do.

Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation Really enjoyable and exhaustive history of hip-hop from its roots through 2005

If you go to clubs, concerts or a musician I recommend these
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0044DEESS/ref=pd_aw_sim_ce_2?refRID=052NNTRFGPXTR5W7FP7T

If anyone wants to learn more about hip hop being created in the South Bronx in the 70s and 80s, check out this fantastic book-

Amazon Link

Anyone got any suggestions for earplugs to wear during concerts? I was looking at some yesterday and through some amateur research (there was a thread on from r/LPT and head-fi.org), I came across these brands. Alpine, Hearos, DownBeats, and Etymotic. I had trouble figuring out which ones to get so I bought the Hearos because they seemed similar to the rest and they were the cheapest with Amazon Prime. But if anyone has any suggestions or comments, I'd like to read em.

Can't Stop Won't Stop: http://www.amazon.com/Cant-Stop-Wont-History-Generation/dp/0312425791

http://www.amazon.com/Holler-If-You-Hear-Me/dp/0465017282

http://www.amazon.com/Born-Use-Mics-Reading-Illmatic/dp/0465002110

http://www.amazon.com/Know-What-Mean-Reflections-Hip-Hop/dp/0465018076/ref=la_B001IGNVH4_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397827979&sr=1-4

http://www.amazon.com/Between-God-Gangsta-Rap-Bearing-ebook/dp/B000VDM612/ref=la_B001IGNVH4_1_16?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397827995&sr=1-16

https://www.amazon.com/Marvel-Hip-Hop-Covers-Vol-1/dp/1302902334

Marvel: The Hip-Hop Covers Vol. 1

The first volume is coming out in book form https://www.amazon.com/Marvel-Hip-Hop-Covers-Vol-1/dp/1302902334/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Jay Z - Decoded

The Rap Year Book

Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists

I've had this audio technica one in my cart for awhile but I haven't bit the bullet yet

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008872SIO/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Audio Technica AT-LP60BK Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008872SIO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_UqO0Bb8C0G3JJ

It might have more tracks.

Check the tracklist here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yeezus-Kanye-West/dp/B00CV5ZPA2

It was. In the UK at least. We'll see tomorrow if I get it though.

not a biography, but a huge chunk of the book revolves around him:

http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/0451234782

tons of hip hop knowledge to be learned in that book

[According to this link the untitled tracks are called Guilt Trip and Send It Up.](http://www.amazon.fr/Yeezus-Kanye-West/dp/B00CV5ZPA2/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpi_3
)

[http://www.amazon.fr/Yeezus-Kanye-West/dp/B00CV5ZPA2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371010597&sr=8-1&keywords=yeezus](This French preorder says 14 tracks)

[http://i.imgur.com/JS5Qr6S.jpg](Ad somebody posted)

EDIT: stupid formatting's not working right.

I can't recommend those portable record players to anyone. I had one for a while and the needle is shit, the sound quality is shit, and they really just pick up on every little imperfection in your records. Tiny scratches will make them skip, any sort of warping will be amplified times 10. I got this: http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q a few years ago and the difference is just night and day.