High-quality, rap artist that AREN'T too nasty

[PopTodd]

I have a 10-year-old who is really getting into rap music.

And, as somebody with only a passing interest in the genre (I love some, but just don't know enough), I am having a hard time navigating the sea of "Parental Advisory"-labeled CDs.

 

I mean, I am okay with him hearing a few "F" bombs, but truly nasty things -- derragotory comments about women, explicit sexual content, violent imagery, etc. -- is not okay with me. If there is anger there, it shouldn't be backed up with violent solutions and there should be some sort of message, of some sort.

 

So far I am letting him listen to:

Eric B. & Rakim

Public Enemy

Beastie Boys

De La Soul (selected cuts)

Kanye West (selected cuts)

Run DMC

 

But I'm having a hard time letting him pick out too much more. He wants to hear 50 Cent and Lil' Wayne. What is the content like?

 

As a music lover, I want him to go nuts. But as the parent of a highly sensitive kid, I have concerns.

 

Any advice for some good artists/CDs that I can let him dive into?

Oh, and he has pretty good taste!

[Wild Frank]

I assume the following artists have been mentioned in the previous thread but I would definatly recommend guys like Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Common. Another good 'happy hip-hop' band that your boy may love are 'Jurasic Five'. Very Old Skool. The Roots are amazing as well. In terms of CD's I would say:

 

Black Star: 'Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star'

Talib Kweli (Reflection Eternal): 'Train of Thought' and 'Quality'

Common: 'Like Water For Chocolate', 'Electric Circus' and 'Be'

Jurassic Five: 'Jurassic 5 LP' and 'Quality Control'

The Roots: Phrenology

 

If you want a different, more downbeat (UK) vibe you should invest in 'Maxinquaye' by Tricky or 'Blue Lines' by Massive Attack.

[PopTodd]

Thanks for the recs!

It doesn't have to be "happy" per se. Just not too nasty.

[tinnitus photography]

KRS-One

EPMD

Blackalicious

Dilated Peoples

[Albert Tatlock]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/12026764/How-gangsta-Hip-hop-legends-Public-Enemy-squash-into-fans-Ford-Focus-on-way-to-gig.html

[remphish1]

I assume the following artists have been mentioned in the previous thread but I would definatly recommend guys like Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Common. Another good 'happy hip-hop' band that your boy may love are 'Jurasic Five'. Very Old Skool. The Roots are amazing as well. In terms of CD's I would say:

 

Black Star: 'Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star'

Talib Kweli (Reflection Eternal): 'Train of Thought' and 'Quality'

Common: 'Like Water For Chocolate', 'Electric Circus' and 'Be'

Jurassic Five: 'Jurassic 5 LP' and 'Quality Control'

The Roots: Phrenology

 

If you want a different, more downbeat (UK) vibe you should invest in 'Maxinquaye' by Tricky or 'Blue Lines' by Massive Attack.

I second Jurassic 5

[Chez]

Is A Tribe Called Quest considered rap?  They were great and their anthology is an excellent starting point. 

[Lammycat]

Besides most already mentioned (good call on Juarssic 5, my wife just turned me on to them a year or so ago, and sure, Tribe is "Rap" and they're really good) I'd add Tupac, too.

[LouieB]

Maybe groups like the Fugees and Tribe Called Quest are interesting to adults, but I doubt any kid will go for that.  Then again I don't like rap all that much (with the exception of old timers PE), so what do I know.  It seems to me the main attraction for most kids is the sheer nastiness of the whole thing.  You could try the original cast recording of Hamilton - it's sort of rap and a history lesson all in one.

 

LouieB

[PopTodd]

Oh, he's 16 now and on to Violent Femmes, Nirvana, The Pixies, Dinosaur Jr., and Guided by Voices.

All on his own, by the way.

[Chez]

^^^ How was your show last week?

[PopTodd]

^^^ How was your show last week?

Good, thanks!