The Hip Hop and Rap Edition

The UltraViolet December 2007

A Tribe Called Quest
Created in 1988, then rekindled in 2006, “A Tribe Called Quest” is known as a pioneer in the world of alternative rap. Combining jazz with unsurpassed rapping skills, “A Tribe Called Quest’s” funky, unusual retro-electro beats will have you drumming along within the first ten seconds. Great groups such as “The Pharcyde” and “De La Soul” have spawned from its influence, and it was most recently honored at the 4th VH1 Hip Hop Honors. Songs to check out are “Award Tour” and “Electric Relaxation” from its album “Midnight Marauders,” and “Bonita Applebum” and “Can I Kick It?” from “People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm.” Although “A Tribe Called Quest” is an older group, it is definitely worth a search on.

M.I.A.
Sri-Lankan rapper M.I.A gives a fresh spin on electro-hiphop music; she is not noly a woman in this male-dominated genre, but she takes old styling and electro-beats to the next level. With a fierceness that most would only dream of having and astonishing imagery, M.I.A brings the sitar-tinged influence from her homeland and combines it with insanely catchy, incredibly energetic pulses of music. Songs to check out are “Paper Planes” from her newest album, “Kala,” and “Bucky Done Gun” from “Arular.” With songs like these, M.I.A will get you out of your mid-morning slump without your regular Starbucks.

The Filthy Youth
Ed Westwick (who plays Chuck Bass in “Gossip Girl”) has a band - an absolutely fantastic band called “The Filthy Youth.” New Wave-inspired and full of catchy hooks and beats, “The Filthy Youth” has the rambunctious energy of The Artic Monkeys. Ed brings incredible vocals that are both sultry in songs like “Pirate,” and upbeat and exciting in songs such as “Boy Don’t Smoke.” Sounding eerily similar to “The Clash,” the riot that is “The Filthy Youth” is a band that you know is going to be huge. Although it does not have a full album yet, you can download the band’s songs on its myspace page. Favorites from the band are “La Soleil” and “Boy Don’t Smoke.”
-Hannah '10