IB TOP 5 RAPPERS #3

3. Chali Tuna
Although Mr. Tuna has never put out a real solo album, His work on all of Jurassic 5's albums is enough for him to hold my number three spot. As a rapper with a deep voice, I am usually compared to Chali when people hear me for the first time. I have even been dubbed "albacore" by one Burnt MD, which if you are not aware is a white tuna. Pretty funny...

Anyways, I can probably say that I have never heard a Tuna verse that I have not loved. Aside from his always recognizable voice, Tuna has a spectacular flow that has only gotten better over the years. With J5 breaking up, who knows what is on the horizon for this MC. Their most recent album showcased what was in my opinion some of his best work. Every song he was on and every verse he spit... he destroyed. In fact, writing this now is really making me want to go back and listen to that album. It has been a couple months.

If you have never heard of Tuna I suggest the first track you check out should be "Coming War" with Ozomatli. This track features Tuna as the lone MC, with the Ozomatli backing him. unfortunately I couldn't find this track on youtube, but here it is on lastfm.

http://www.last.fm/music/Ozomatli/_/Coming+War

After that track I really just recommend listening to any of J5's album. He is easily the best MC of the bunch and you will recognize his voice immediately. Do It!

IB TOP 5 RAPPERS #2

2. Common - Up until very recently Common had held the number one spot for me. It was the release of his newest album coupled with the release of Atmosphere's latest that bumped common down to #2 from #1 (a spot he had held since at least 2002). Nevertheless, I can never get enough of Common. He is another one of those MC's that I got into when I was first discovering that real hip hop flavor at the beginning of the 21st century. I'll never forget the day I heard I Used To Love H.E.R. off of Resurrection. To this day and probably forever more it shall remain as my favorite song of all time. If you only know of common from his most recent songs that have made him somewhat of a commercial success then you need to hear this. Not only this song, but this entire album. For those who have never heard it I won't ruin it for you. Just listen to it for yourself, although you may have to play it two or three times to really get the gist of the concept.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y12YgEIFcAY

He has always had my favorite flow in the game. Laid back and very pleasing to ear, it seems as if Common is always having fun on the microphone, especially on Resurrection. The man keeps turning out great tracks and he tends to drop more knowledge than most MC's of his stature and presence in the game. For me, his older material will always be his best work though. I have listened to his newest album and while I respect what he was trying to do with the music. I think he needs to stick to what got him to where he is. Making that laid back-vibed out hip hop track for us to nod our heads to.

My favorite tracks of Commons are all on Resurrection so here is another choice cut from that album. Track 13 on Resurrection really showcases the fun that Common has with this record.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywVRX2jE8wg

Common is by no means a new artist on the scene with upwards of 10 albums. If you have only heard his newer tracks I urge you to check out his older ones. Resurrection is my favorite album of all time and once you hear it I'm sure you will have a newfound respect for this great artist.

IB TOP 5 RAPPERS #1

1. Slug - For me, Atmosphere is the pinnacle of the enlightened hip-hop head. It is impossible to find another MC that can paint a picture like Sean Daley. He has become a consummate story teller in his most recent releases and the style just keeps getting better. If you have never heard any of his stuff I suggest to start with the earlier material. When I was first getting into hip-hop (and I mean real hip-hop) your boy Tekst had a mix CD he made "Chris's Funky Stuff V. 2" The tracks were fire and like nothing I had ever heard before. My favorite track, I discovered later, was called "scapegoat" by Atmosphere. This song usually blows minds... Check it out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvCOAQwVA2E

In doing more research into the underground scene I happened upon another unbelievable atmosphere track called "The Woman With The Tattoo Hands". This track also tend to blow people away. I am still trying to figure out the entire meaning of this song 8 years later....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f9Wudn_eZA

As I got older and more seasoned to the underground I found that I was hearing more and more about Atmosphere and every single thing I heard from them I fell in love with. Slug puts his heart-break on the track and I always felt like he was speaking to me. Any time I had woman issues I'd just pop in an Atmosphere CD. To this day I would have to say that the song "Fuck you Lucy" is the most emotionally charged song I have ever heard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlr1H_iV6qs

I watched Atmosphere go from virtual unknown to selling out venues and being featured as an MTV Artist of the week. They have become relatively well known with out compromising their music. Their newest album,When Life Gives You Lemons You Paint That Shit Gold, is a testament to that. Their series of Sad Clown Ep's have also been spectacular recently. My favorite of their newer, story driven songs has to be The Rooster.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VSfDcwNQpA

So get to know this MC. He is my favorite of favorites and has had much influence on my style. I hope you enjoy what you hear.