I'm proud to say that the noble readers of this very publication, elected The Low End Theory as the very illest of all the albums released by the venerable group A Tribe Called Quest. Not surprisingly, it came down to The Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders, and I'll give props to the enlightened gods who voted for a holistic sound rather than a general aesthetic. That said, here are the results of the poll, and below are some choice cuts off the winning album:
Excursions
Verses From The Abstract
Jazz (We've Got)
This month's poll question was deciding the illest tape of Ice Cube's discography. The overwhelming majority went with AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, and I can get with that. I first heard this album back in '02, and initially it was one of my least favorite Cube tapes. After developing what I hope to be a more refined ear, I've found that Most Wanted contains countless gems. Most importantly, compare the production and rhimes on AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted to those of other late '80's/early '90's albums, and you'll see that Cube truly sculpted a masterpiece.
If you want to look back at the results of this poll, you can find it here.
Below are a few of my favorite jawns off Most Wanted:
Rollin' Wit The Lench Mob
Once Upon A Time In The Projects
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
I wasn't aware there were so many underground heads lurking around this blog. As such, I'm proud to say that the winner of this month's poll, which begged the question of naming the illest Rawkus release, is FunCrusher Plus. You can check the results here if you don't believe.
Company's Flow premier effort is a thing of eccentric beauty. If you're well-prepared to withstand an awkward first listen, you'll be handsomely rewarded with a album that is unlike an equal. Real talk, in the underground hemisphere this album is the equivalent of Illmatic. Peep game, son:
Choice Cuts:
8 Steps To Perfection
Krazy Kings
Definitive
Silence
Again, you can find the results of the poll here.
Kugee Rap won this month's poll for the illest Cold Chillin' emcee. Check it here. To be honest, this one was no contest, KGR's work with DJ Polo is nothing short of legendary, and ain't nothing on the Cold Chillin' catalog fuckin' with 4,5,6 in terms of illness.
So yeah, I can get down this decision. I rocks with the peoples choice on this one. Again, you can check the results here, and below I assembled a few gems from Kool G Rap's Cold Chillin' days.
Streets Of New York
On The Run (Al Pacino remix)
Ill Street Blues
Two To The Head (feat. Scarface, Ice Cube & Bushwick Bill)
Road To The Riches
Men At Work
Executioner Style
Take 'Em To War (feat. B1 & MF Grimm)
I have to admit that I gave GZA no chance in winning this months poll. Don't get it twisted, Gary Grice catches mad wreck on the Zune, but Ghost and Rae are in far better standing with the current generation.
Still, with opuses like Words From The Genius and the classic Liquid Swords, GZA is a solid choice. Below I compiled some of what I believe to be his better works. Enjoy.
Results here and one love to the person who voted for U-God. I got a laugh out of that.
Mic Trippin'
Beneath The Surface
Pass The Bone
Liquid Swords
Cold World
This one was no contest. Much as I fucks with 'Mega, Khadafi, and early Mobb, ain't shit that competes with Nasir Jones at his optimum.
QB itself produces an unique brand of emcee, poet laureates that are often well-versed in the linguistics of urban strife. What separates Queensbridge from any other slum or housing tenement is the unrecognized rapp genius that walks in and out on a continuous basis.
Allow me to minimize my stannery, cut this post short, and post some of what I consider to be Nas' best work (sans Illmatic) below:
Take It In Blood
Live Nigga Rap (feat. Mobb Deep)
Nas Is Like
You're Da Man
No Idea's Original
Dance
Nas Will Prevail
In our most recent poll, Ice Cube was crowned the best Compton emcee (with 44% of the vote). Some might even call it an unfair platform, due to Cube's unquestionable pedigree. Far from just being the best MC 'straight outta Compton', O'Shea has the credentials to warrant a spot on most everybody's top 10 list. That said, here are some of my favorite cuts by the man:
My Summer Vacation
Spittin' Pollaseeds
Friday
Today Was A Good Day/Check Yo Self
The Wrong Nigga To Fuck Wit
You can find the results here. If you don't fucks with Ice Cube, you can swing on deez New Jack nuts.
Admittedly, I'm not much of a Lauryn Hill fan, Miseducation or Fugees-wise. However, I can respect the opinion of the heads who visit the site and named her the best femcee evar.
So in accordance to tradition, here's the best of her catalog (in my humble opinion):
Lost Ones
Doo Wop
Final Hour
Vocab
With The Fugees:
Nappy Heads
Some Seek Stardom
Cowboys
Fu-gee-la
I posed the poll question of 'best child emcee' a few weeks back, and you guys voted and chose Shyheim as the best evar. I personally would have preferred Special Ed, but no love lost for The Rugged Child. Below are his better works (in my humble opinion), and let's hope the lot of you vote more for the next question.
On And On
Shaolin Style
One's 4 Da Money
Furious Anger (feat. Big L)
Ill Cuts © 2008. Chaotic Soul :: Converted by Randomness
