Optimistic rap

[Titanoh]

I've always listened to rap and hip-hop. I was into Three six Mafia, Lil Wyte, Project Pat, and other rap artist like that. But I recently got in older rap, from the 90's. Then I started listening to artist like Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def, and Nas. Im really into these optimistic rap songs, I hate how every artist talks about drugs there hoes and how hard they are. I'd much rather listen to unique artist.
What do you think of songs like:
Lupe Fiasco feat. Nikki Jean - Hip-Hop Saved My Life
Nas - I can

[Lacrosse4life31]

yea those are cool, if you wanna here some good optimistic rap listen to Flipsyde
Good songs from them are:
Someday
Happy Birthday-about abortion
Angel-about parenting (i think)
U.S. History-self explanatory....

[prodigy]

I think most Alternative Hip Hop artists will give you what you're looking for.

To start you off, check out:
- Atmosphere
- Hieroglyphics
- Black Star (Mos Def + Talib Kweli)
- The Roots
- Jurassic 5

They're not necessarily "optimistic", but if unique and different is what you want, then these guys are the way to go. 100x better than anything you'll hear on the radio or see on MTV. (Do they even have music videos on MTV anymore?)

[Lacrosse4life31]

(Do they even have music videos on MTV anymore?)

no I don't think so... just a bunch of stupid shows

[612lax]

I think most Alternative Hip Hop artists will give you what you're looking for.

To start you off, check out:
- Atmosphere
- Hieroglyphics
- Black Star (Mos Def + Talib Kweli)
- The Roots
- Jurassic 5

They're not necessarily "optimistic", but if unique and different is what you want, then these guys are the way to go. 100x better than anything you'll hear on the radio or see on MTV. (Do they even have music videos on MTV anymore?)

yea atmosphere is amazing along with all of the rhymesayers label

i would recommend p.o.s., unknown prophets, eyedea and abilities, rjd2, dilated people, common's old stuff along with atmosphere. i could go on and on lol

[DoorStep]

For optimistic rap, I would also try:

Zion I
The Grouch
Common
Living Legends
Immortal Technique
Talib Kweli

[Titanoh]

yeah, not nessersarly optimistic but unique. I'll check all these guys out tommorow...jeeze, can I fit all them on my Ipod?

[Lacrosse4life31]

^^yea... flipsyde only has 1 album lol.

[Tedster33]

theres a whole positive rap thing on itunes

Nas-I can

Biggie-juicy

2pac-Dear Mama, Changes, Keep ya head up

[HyltonLax88]

Rakim
Verbal Threat
Zion I
Common
Tribe Called Quest
The Grouch
La La Darkman
Guerilla Black
2pac
Biggie
Blackstar - Talib Kweli and Mos Def
Nas
Kanye West
Del The Funky Homosapien
Clipse
DJ Quik
De La Soul
Tragedy Khadafi
Immortal Technique
J Dilla
Black Thought
The Roots
A.Z
Wiz Khalifa
Cormega
Sheek Louch
Murs
Wale
Talib Kweli
Mos Def
Wale
Da Committee
Mambo Sauce

some of these may have been posted above, but I didn't really read so sorry if they are.

These make up just a few of the artists in my music folder on my computer lol. PM me for more, can't remember alot so I'll have to look in the folder.
My Zune80 has over 13,000 songs on it, of course not all are rap, but more than 3/4 are.

[Lettuce]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=A46nqP1gd-Y

Uh.. If you want the classic great albums, go with:
Mobb Deep - The Infamous
Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt
Nas - Illmatic
Wu-Tang Clan: 36 Chambers
The GZA - Liquid Swords
Raekwon - Cuban Linx
Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die

and:
Tribe Called Quest: Midnight Marauder
s; Beats, Rhymes, and Life
Aesop Rock: Bazooka Tooth - not a big fan, but other people dig him
Atmosphere: God Loves Ugly
AZ: Doe or Die
Big L: Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous; Harlems Finest, a Freestyle History
Black Star: Three Definition
Blueprint: 1988 - not a fan, but other people dig him
Cage: Movies For The Blind
Chino XL: Here to Save You All
Clipse: Hell Hath No Fury - sick; definitely check this out
Common: Resurrection
Cunninlynguists: Will Rap For Food
De La Soul: Stakes Is High; Three Feet High and Rising
Del The Funky Homosapien: No Need For Alarm
DJ Shadow: Endtroducing - not rap, but still sick
Dr. Octagon: Dr. Octagonecologyst
Eric B and Rakim: Don't Sweat The Technique - has a better album, but I can't remember what it's called
Gang Starr: everything
JAKKI DA MOTAMOUTH: Built to last
Jedi Mind Tricks: get nothing by them, they're horrible
Jeru The Damaja: The Sun Rises In The East
KRS-One: 1989 Ghetto Music - The Blueprint of Hiphop
Les Rallizes Denudes: '77 Live; not rap, weird, distorted psychedelic rock
Lil Wayne - Drought 3; don't listen to anybody else, Wayne's a fun listen
Masta Ace: SlaughtaHouse
Styles of Beyond: Megadef
MF Doom: Operation Doomsday
Mos Def: Black On Both Sides
Non Phixion: The Future Is Now
Nujabes: Metaphorical Music
NWA: Straight Outta Compton
Onyx: BacDaFucUp
P.O.S.: Ipecac Neat - supposedly has a better album; I don't care, I like this one more
People Under The Stairs: O.S.T
Pharoahe Monch - Internal Affairs
Pumpkinhead: Orange Moon Over Brooklyn
Quasimoto: The Unseen
Ras Kass: Soul On Ice
RH Factor: s/t
RJD2: Deadringer
Royce Da 5'9: Death Is Certain
Sticky Fingaz: Black Trash
Supastition: Chain Letters
Talib Kweli: Quality
The Pharcyde: Bizarre Ride II
The Roots: Do You Want More?!?!?!!?
Theodore Unit: 718
Tragedy Khadafi: Against All Odds
Vakill: Fears Confirmed
Wordsworth: Mirror Music
Wu-Tang Clan: most of their albums are sick, and there are too many solo albums to navigate through. see above
Xzibit: At the Speed of Life
Busdriver: Cosmic Cleavage - more indie than rap, but whatever

I got tired, so there are probably some holes. Oh well, that'll do.

[Lacrosse4life31]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=A46nqP1gd-Y

Jedi Mind Tricks: get nothing by them, they're horrible

I love Jedi Mind Tricks!!
but then again, it's not really optimistic... just the plain old "they think they are sweet" rap.

[canuklax]

You need some underground rap son.

K-os- seekwill: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ItjNnzEhMC0
K-os- sunday moarning: http://youtube.com/watch?v=602F1Db-uLY&feature=related
(classified has great rap, listen to the lyrics they mkae lots of sense)
C;assified- all about you: http://youtube.com/watch?v=sBV6aX59E44
Classified- Find out: http://youtube.com/watch?v=-UU9FzYimsg
Gnarls Barkley( not sure if it qualifys as rap but this songs always lifts my spirits)
Smiley faces: http://youtube.com/watch?v=BZJ8hMA3eU4


EDIT: i guess you cant embed videos on TLF,

[prodigy]

More albums to check out:

BlackStar - BlackStar
Atmosphere - Overcast!
RJD2 - The Horror
Hieroglyphics - Third Eye Vision
Mos Def - Black on Both Sides
Little Brother - The Listening
Danny! - Charm
Binary Star - Masters of the Universe
One.Be.Lo - S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.
Nas - Illmatic <---- claaaassssiic, son.
The Roots - Things Fall Apart
The Roots - Phrenology

[slinkyspine]

Del is the gorrillaz rapper. Therefore amazing.

[prodigy]

Del is the gorrillaz rapper. Therefore amazing.

Del is also part of the Hiero Crew, making him even more amazing.

[cord13]

renaldo lapuz. you can see him here (http://youtube.com/watch?v=oIEIFw1GeTQ)

[laxguy19]

another good group is gangstarr
they have a couple sick songs
and jedi mind tricks are sick how are they horrible?

[IHSLAX4]

HytonsLax88 has almost every great rap artist in his list, download all those and you'll be set for music for life.

[Titanoh]

:wow: HyltonLax88, want to find a way to send me all those songs
Can you like recemend the top 3 songs or so from those artist?

[calicrosse11]

saul williams

[ItalyLaxer11]

saul williams

dude from the nike commercial, you know the one with kyle harrison and ryan powell.
i think he is also an amateur poet, like in the traditional sense. could be wrong though

and who ever said immortal technique, i hardly think "dance with the devil" is an optimistic song.

[HyltonLax88]

HytonsLax88 has almost every great rap artist in his list, download all those and you'll be set for music for life.

wow can't believe I forgot Big L. lol your avatar is amazing BTW. I did forget alot, I'll try to compile a bigger list, and Titanoh, I listen to everything by the artists so I can't remember top3 songs but I can sure try.

[Titanoh]

I was watching Sucker Free on friday and they said something about a tribute album to A Tribe called Quest, called A tribe called fresh, but I can't find it anywhere. You guys know anything about this?

[sidewinder19]

For optimistic rap, I would also try:

Zion I
The Grouch
Common
Living Legends
Immortal Technique
Talib Kweli

He talks a lot about drugs, hoes, and crime.... he didn't want that. But i think immortal is awesome though.

[mikeman5]

renaldo lapuz. you can see him here (http://youtube.com/watch?v=oIEIFw1GeTQ)

I second this one. Such a catchy tune.

I was watching Sucker Free on friday and they said something about a tribute album to A Tribe called Quest, called A tribe called fresh, but I can't find it anywhere. You guys know anything about this?

Yeah it's called "A tribe called quest." They're pretty good, I havent listened to much of their music though. My favorite is still Lupe then the Jurassic 5.

[LaxiconDevil]

laxguy, I can't speak for everyone but I don't like Jedi Mind Tricks for the same reason I don't like most "mainstream" rappers. I understand a lot of rappers have grown up around violence but JMT has some pretty stomach lurching lyrics. I can deal with that but the mindless homophobia (see nada cambia) I can't deal with and its not positive in the least. I don't like that crap when Eminem does it and it can't be purported as them expressing religious views either. Lupe's a muslim and manages to avoid talking about stabbing gays in the bladder.

[stegmakk]

Rakim
Common
Tribe Called Quest
Del The Funky Homosapien
De La Soul

Most all of Hylton's list are on point.
When I want "positive rap" I'll usually listen to those quoted. Common is my favorite of recent years.
Pharcyde has some that are good. I'll listen to them once in a while...

[mindcrime]

Wu-Tang.
Del Tha Funkee Homosapien.
Jedi Mind Tricks.
Busdriver.
Immortal Technique.
Notorious B.I.G.
Lupe Fiasco.
Public Enemy.