Hip-Hop in odd time signatures?

[Lateralus]

I think it's only a matter of time before hip-hop evolves like other genres have and starts utilising odd time signatures. Hip-hop's at an age now where producers are starting to become increasingly more experimental with production techniques (Kaaaanye!) and a lot of rappers are rapping over beats which wouldn't be considered traditionally "hip-hop".

I've always found hip-hop to be, by far, the most interesting genre lyrically, but one of the dullest in terms of music (although the more I hear, the more I appreciate). Obviously, the traditional 4/4 hip-hop beats gives rappers a chance to focus solely on lyrics, and I understand it's the easiest and most natural canvas to paint a lyrical picture on. But I think more complex rhythmic instrumentals would provide for some fucking insane music. I can envision rappers renowned for their intricate rhythms (such as Pharoahe Monch) creating some rhythmic madness if they ventured away from the safe 4/4 beat, every now and then.

In saying that, do you guys know of any hip-hop songs that already exist that use odd time signatures? And do you think it'd be beneficial for the genre if more of it happened?

Lift Off by Kanye and Jay-Z is in 6/4 (although they don't really execute it that well)
Won't Back Down is in 6/8
Untitled is in 6/8

The Rhythm Method (Move!) by Flobots is the best example I can find of what I mean. It's in 7/8 and the rhythms the multi-syllabic rhymes make over an odd-time signature sounds so dope to me.



Any others you guys know of?

[iain08]

I'm pretty sure underground off relapse isn't 4/4.

[Lateralus]

Yeah, Underground's an interesting one. The way he delivers the vocals completely changes the perception of the time signature. In the chorus, the rhythm of the vocals with and the synth that accompanies it sound like 5/4. Then in the verses, when he's rapping, it sounds like it's in 4/4 even though it's the exact same beat.

[DanWS]

I dunno how the 6/8 thing is measured (what does each number represent again?) but Welcome 2 Hell has something like that. Irregular, late snare going on.

[Manly Moose]

Well Yela says he thinks hes gonna to an album with Travis Barker, probably will result in odd time signatures.

[Atone]

what the fuckin hell are you fucking talking about god fucking dammit quit fucking confusing the fucking hell out of me FUCKING SHIT

[Manly Moose]

what the fuckin hell are you fucking talking about god fucking dammit quit fucking confusing the fucking hell out of me FUCKING SHIT

Music has time signatures for how many beats in a measure and what counts as a beat. 4/4 means 4 beats per measure, quarter note gets the beat.

[Atone]

Oh i usually go by BPM if thats what your talkin about

[richard]

^ no, that's tempo. time signature measures how many of those beats will occur in a measure (or 'bar') of music.

4/4 is most common in popular music, 3/4 is common for waltz, etc.

[Devil'sAdvocate]

Im one of the few who enjoy basic production,thats why SSLP is the greatest thing on earth,because how stripped down and simple it is.