Recommend Alternative Rap Albums (KillahBee...)

[MikeNUFC]

I really haven't been keeping up with hip-hip too well in the recent months, aside from the obvious projects (Lowkey, Masta Ace - 2012 release!)

What albums out this year should I check out? I want something more alternative than your usual hip-hop record. Something more innovative. I feel I'm become slighly bored with the same old stuff.

In fact, not just this year, but innovative albums in general. I'm looking at KillahBee mainly because he always seems to keep up with more original hip-hop. I'm talking originality in production, content, lyricism etc.

Cheers.

[KillahBee]

I agree with CREAM on Section.80, a really good album, it has a couple of weak spots, but it's highs are as good as anything I've heard this year (HiiiPower, Keisha's Song)

Danny Brown - XXX is an album I think you'd really like, Danny is fairly reminiscent of SSLP/MMLP Eminem in that there is a lot of parody/satire in his lyrics; talk about drug addiction, doing crazy shit, which are delivered aggressively.
The starts off explosively , and the 3rd track "Pac Blood" is one my favourites all year. As the album goes on though, it gets more personal, with Danny giving a more serious insight into his addictions, and by the end, the album can percieved as a concept of sorts.

The production on here is very eclectic, kind of electronic at times, but it's harsh, brash, and it fucking bangs!

If you like that also check out the Black & Brown EP (Danny Borwn rapping, Black Milk producing)

Big Krit - Return of 4eva; For some reason, this album kinda reminds me of College Dropout, maybe it's because Krit produces his own music, the fact that they both strike a balance between been personal, introspective, yet dropping the odd banger here and there too. Regardless, this is a definite highlight this year, it's not entirely original or anything, but it's a really dope record.

Cunninlynguists - Oneirology is another must listen album, the concept is about dreams, and it's a dense listen and something that admittedly, I haven't listened to much. I'll definitely be spinning it soon though, as at the time it struck me as having a winterly feel.
Kno's production on here is, man, just fucking monsterous; It has the epic/massive feel, of say, Kanye's Graduation, but so many layers and sounds.
The rapping on here is good too, Decan, Kno and Natti carry the concept well, not to mention killer verses from Freddie Gibbs, Big Krit, and Tonedeff.

Shabazz Palaces - Black Up; THE most eccentric album that I'll mention here, this album is bonkers!
The prodcution is weird, innovative, , trippy, layered, and overall, pretty fuckin' majestic.
The rapping is handled by former Digable Planets member Butterfly, and is off the wall/abstract, but it's interesting at the same time. This is a very experimental album, and might take a couple of listens to get into, then again, it just won't be a good listen for some people.

ASAP Rocky - LoveliveASAP; This is worth a listen for the production alone, it's full of bass, trippy/spacey synths, slowed down/chopped and screwed vocal samples, it's just a really good soundscape.
ASAP himself, well he's not a particularly great rapper, and to be honest he does sound like your run of the mill rapper (I'd liken him to an improved version of Wiz Khalifa). But, this is one of those albums where the rapping actually acts as a backdrop to the production, rather than vice versa, and ASAP does a pretty good job of helping you get lost in these hazy beats.

Mr. Muthafuckin' Xquire - Lost in Translation; Grimey, that's the perfect word to describe this album. This is the most "New York" sounding album I've heard in awhile, Xquire comes across as your typical 1990's emcee, which is strange, but refreshing to hear in this day and age, BUT he's intelligant, and got some nice concepts, and at times is genuinely funny.
The production is handled by EL-P, (Old instrumentals, but Xquire pickee of his best beats) and some other guys that I'm not familiar with, and as I've mentioned; it's very East Coast sounding.
I also have to mention the Last Huzzah, which is the best possie cut I've heard in a LONG time

EDIT; These are all releases from this year, I'll get back to this thread and drop some albums from other years, I'll have to think on that, but a couple that come to mind are; Edan Beuaty & The Beat
Cannibal Ox - The Cold Vein, Quasimoto - The Unssen, (though Madlib's altered voice may put you off, there's also an instrumental version) and pretty much anything that MF DOOM has ben involved with

That's all I think of now man, I lost most of my music from my old laptop, but I think you should like a few of these albums

[Chet Starr]

love me sum ASAP ROCKY

[dead prez]

Audition-POS
A Badly Broken Code-Dessa
Yes!-K-os

All three are from the past year or two, well except Audition which is from 06, and are able to incorporate elements from other genres without hamfisting it into their music.

Audition has a really dark rock sound to it, bordering on punk, but still doesn't overshadow the actual Hip Hop portion from the album. Half Crooked Concepts is a really good example of what I mentioned. Highlights would be Bleeding Hearts Club, P.O.S. Is Ruining My Life, Bush League Psyche-Out Stuff.

A Badly Broken Code is great though it might annoy you with some of the cryptic lyrics and Dessa's bipolar attitudes toward singing and rapping. She can blend them rather well, though I'd appreciate if she separates them into different tracks rather than juggling between both. Still I do like how poetical her lyrics are. Highlights are Matches to Paper Dolls, The Crow, Dixon's Girl. (Not on this album but Mineshaft from the False Hopes EP would be a song where she straight raps and rips it).

K-os is sorta like Dessa where he routinely genrehops, though in Yes! his rapping persona is much more evident. It's also much easier to listen to than his other albums, though I wouldn't say it's better than Joyfull Rebellion. He has a rather interesting delivery, so I'm not sure if you'd like him.
Highlights: The Aviator, Burning Bridges, Zambony