“How Many Mics Do I Rip On The Daily…”
GENERAL By TSSCrew on August 31, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Words by Matthew Mundy
Beats and rhymes. For the most part, these are the be-all and end-all of hip-hop - the twin anchors on which everything else hinges. Without a solid beat, lyrics often flutter aimlessly, impotent and formless without a backbone. Without good rhymes, you get empty vessels of pop culture, and a bumbling parade of songs more accustomed to the less-than-rigorous demands of snap music fans than to traditional hip-hop fans. While there are, of course, exceptions, these serve as pretty standard rules for any artist attempting to catch someone’s ear.
Of course, we all know these two pillars get more than their fair share of attention. But what people often leave out of their discussions is the voice of the MC, the final tether to which everything clings. In many ways, it’s an unfair category, and one an MC can’t necessarily control. The voice, while largely unheralded, is vital. While voices are an intensely personalarea of preference, I’ve decided to lay out a few voices of note that, while not making the MC who he is (I’ve decided to just focus on male MCs), certainly lay the blocks upon which the rest of their legacy is built.
Notorious B.I.G.
You knew this one was coming. The baritone to end all baritones, Biggie speaks with an authority that underscores and enhances his confidence as an MC. His voice thunders and shakes from his belly, battering and molding a track to fit his considerable demands. His voice is so rigid and unforgiving, it almost seems a physical impossibility the way he cuts and slices his way through tracks, wielding a flow that belies his substantial heft. He’s also got a few tricks up his sleeves as well, brandishing two distinctive, booming voices on “Gimme the Loot.” Biggie’s a legend first and foremost for his rhymes, but for my money, all that would have been near for naught had it not been for that singular voice.
2pac
I don’t want to just roll out a list of legends and point out their voices as fantastic, but no discussion of great hip-hop voices can end without the hit-you-in-the-ribs, straight-from-the-gut voice of ‘Pac. One elongated ‘feel me’ will leave you near gasping for air. He rhymes with his heart in his throat, and his voice has all of the desperation and passion that he raps with and about. It’s impossible not be moved by his voice, as none provoke a more visceral reaction from me, and none are more emotionally exposed. One listen to “Hellrazor”, on which his voice is nearly torn asunder with anger, will leave you convinced.
Jay-z
This one’s not as clear as the previous two, probably because Jigga doesn’t possess a voice that gives you that knee-jerk, primal reaction that Biggie and ‘Pac give you. But as his perpetually off-key voice barely escapes cracking as he weaves his flawless, off-kilter flow through a song, you can’t help but sit back and admire him. Similar to ‘Pac, he’s able to effortlessly convey loss and vulnerability, something that doesn’t come as easy as you would think from a man who exudes nothing but confidence. Finally, he employs the whisper flow like none other, dripping menace as he breathes his way across a track. It’s a stunningly versatile voice - one that can both affirm and contradict his sentiments in the same 16. Plus, I can’t imagine that any other artist will ever make a deadpan ‘ugh’ as a beat comes on sound nearly as nice.
Lil’ Wayne
Yeah, I know. He gets too much shine, he’s overrated, etc., etc., etc. But you can’t deny the appeal of his voice, a raspy gurgle that bubbles up from his larynx. He’s learned to employ it to great effect over the years, and like Jigga’s, it’s amazingly versatile. At some points it bleeds emotion - cracking and coughing up on the track as he skips his way across the beat - while other times, it’s an ominous cackle. He can bend it and shape it to convey whatever he wants, and that’s where his strength lies. Whether menacing or pain-ridden, it will grab hold of you as soon as he drops into the beat.
DMX
Leaving aside his nearly comical inability to stay on the right side of the law, and his failure to grow even one iota as an artist over his career, he’s still got a beast of a voice. A guttural bark, he doesn’t ooze menace as much he smashes you over the head with it. It lacks any subtlety or nuance, but instead, relies on fearsome anger and cartoonish hyperbole. Though he lacks the versatility of some of the aforementioned artists, his growl still remains a defiant pillar of strength as he stokes his own demons. Whether you agree or not, there’s no way you’ll ever mistake the sound of that bark.
Dizzee Rascal
I’ve already detailed the appeals of Dizzee’s voice - as have others - but it still bears substantial mention. Dizzee raps and yelps from the back of his throat, crashing his way through a track while his voice comes perilously close to breaking the entire time. His distinctive British accent, at times, verging on indecipherable, adds to his considerable appeal. Listen to “Pussyole (Old Skool)” for a perfect example, especially when he spits out that obscenely striking title, spilling over with phlegm, disdain and spite.
Scarface
You can’t forget Scarface when you’re talking about great hip-hop voices. In a way, he’s a gleaming example of what I’m talking about. His voice exemplifies everything that is appealing about him as an MC. It brims over with wisdom, pain and authenticity, as both “I Seen A Man Die” and “On My Block” evidence. Rather than versatility, Scarface’s voice bleeds out everything at once, all old man knowledge and suffering, as he painfully details tragic stories of the ghetto. The boom is less explosive - like Biggie’s - than it is slowly heartbreaking. It hits you right in the gut.
I could go on forever, and any discussion of this starts and ends with one’s personal preferences, but these MCs serve as a pretty diverse selection of what great voices consist of. Whether they are menacing, heartrending, cartoonish, or all of these at once, a great, distinctive voice in hip-hop is central to a great artist, providing that emotional center that everything else revolves around. Of course, the opposite works as well - an MC can be a swirling cauldron of talent, but they’ve got nothing without a voice to serve it all up with. That, of course, is a conversation for another day.
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“How Many Mics Do I Rip On The Daily…” File
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51 Comments
many money, see me say many many money
Is it just me or just by going off the name and name of the song, has no idea of who Dizzee Rascal is? I would download the song but i don’t have an account and as we all know waiting an hour later because of a single isn’t worth it… pick and choose, pick and choose…
dizzee is fairly popular in the UK, and probably the most popular British rapper in america. i dont blame you for not knowing about him though. british accents sound like shit for rapping.
my favorite rap voices would probably be rock (of heltah skeltah), buckshot, AZ, Sadat X, madlib, lil sci, and mystikal.
I like Dizzee. His new album sounds more like traditional hip hop and less like grime which is good imo.
Dizee Rascal is the new UGK album. I dont know the track, though.
Da Boom Bap Original Blastmaster!!!
KRS-1
Interview & great somophore album
http://www.pbsfm.org.au/Documents.asp?ID=4983&Title=Kohndo+%26+The+Velvet+Club+Q%26A
http://rapidshare.com/files/47834002/Kohndo_-_Stick_To_Ground__fr__-_2006_Andi_Jam.rar.html
‘fix up, look sharp’ is my favorite track from dizzee, the beat is crazy.
i prefer skinny man, klashnekoff, or roots manuva if im picking a UK MC.
http://smokingsection.uproxx.com/TSS/?p=1633
“Da Feelin” - Dizzee Rascal’s Maths & English Review
“Fix Up Look Sharp” is the one joint by him I absolutely love.
whats good folks hey i missed the knaye post of graudation can somebody please give a good link to the retail version please!!!!
graduation:
http://www.mediafire.com/?7nztnmmnehz
damn.
feeling like my stacks is too deep
or cats is asleep round here..
KRS - other than Biggie, the loudest, clearest voice to ever do it
RAKIM - before Rakim there was no other way to rhyme except with an ‘EMCEE’ voice…
I remember hearing cat and just thinking he stepped in the booth and ripped that whole first album in a reclining chair…
Incredible and Impeccable…
step it up ‘hip-hop heads’
many money, see me say many many money
LOL@ Wit-E
Diz is good shite!
oh, and let me clarify…
‘EMCEE’ voice = busy bee, run, kurtis blow, melle mel, et al…. errrrrah!
didnt someone ask for this the other day
Raekwon Presents Ice Water - Polluted Water
Label……….: Babygrande Source………: CDDA
Genre……….: Rap Size………..: 86.2 MB
Rip Date…….: 08-23-2007 URL…………:
Release Date…: 00-00-0000 Quality……..: LAME 3.97 V2
Tracklisting
01. Ice Water - Animal (Produced by Scram Jones) 03:49
02. Ice Water - Do It Big (feat. Raekwon & Busta Rhymes) 03:59
(Produced by Dready)
03. Ice Water - Actin’ Fly 03:40
(Produced by Kenny Whitehead & Karriem Roulette)
04. Ice Water - Ice Water (We Still Runnin’) 03:53
(Produced by Domingo)
05. Ice Water - Hip-Hop Tribute (feat. Raekwon) 03:54
(Produced By Emile)
06. Ice Water - Love Don’t Cost A Thing (feat. Method Man) 04:08
(Produced by Mental Instruments)
07. Ice Water - Let’s Get It (feat. Raekwon & Three 6 Mafia) 03:24
(Produced by SC)
08. Ice Water - Click Click (feat. Raekwon) 04:45
(Produced by Jamie Franks)
09. Ice Water - Mercy Me (feat. Flo) 04:31
(Produced by Ice Water Productions)
10. Ice Water - Gangsta (feat. Flo) 03:42
(Produced by Ice Water Productions)
11. Ice Water - I’m A Boss (feat. Raekwon & Rick Ross) 03:46
(Produced by EZ Elpee)
12. Ice Water - Knuckle (feat. Raekwon & Pimp C) 04:32
(Produced by Trife)
13. Ice Water - Murda (Produced by Fury) 03:59
14. Ice Water - All Night (feat. Jagged Edge) 03:15
(Produced by Kiri Grazes)
15. Ice Water - Move (Produced by Focus) 03:05
16. Ice Water - Tell Me How You Like It 03:27
(feat. Raekwon & Remy Ma) (Produced by Supa Dave West)
17. Ice Water - Baby Love Me (feat. Flo) (Produced by Mizza) 06:17
Total Time: 68:06
http://rapidshare.com/files/51413750/Ice_Water.rar
Wow an all this time I thought it was many money say me say many many MANY
N.O.R.E. - Noreality
Label……….: Babygrande Source………: CDDA
Genre……….: Rap Size………..: 63.7 MB
Rip Date…….: 08-23-2007 URL…………:
Release Date…: 00-00-0000 Quality……..: LAME 3.97 V2
Tracklisting
01. N.O.R.E. - Set It Off (feat. Swizz Beatz & J. Ru$$) 03:06
02. N.O.R.E. - That Club S*** (feat. Three 6 Mafia) 03:49
03. N.O.R.E. - Throw ‘Em Under The Bus (feat. Jadakiss & Kurupt) 03:56
04. N.O.R.E. - Cocaine Cowboys 03:58
05. N.O.R.E. - Green Light (feat. Capone & Final Chapter) 03:52
06. N.O.R.E. - Pop A Pill (feat. Deacon) 04:25
07. N.O.R.E. - Sour Diesel (feat. Styles P.) 04:02
08. N.O.R.E. - Paternity Test 04:49
09. N.O.R.E. - I’ma Get You (feat. Kanye West & GLC) 03:50
10. N.O.R.E. - Eat P***y (feat. Tru Life & Peedi Peedi) 03:27
11. N.O.R.E. - The Rap Game 04:18
12. N.O.R.E. - Drink Champ 05:20
13. N.O.R.E. - Shoes (feat. KC) 02:40
http://rapidshare.com/files/51227647/N.O.R.E.-Noreality-2007-C4.rar
Thanks for the write up. Since this is a VOICE ONLY topic, I would like to add Slim Thug - “I’m a Boss” and “3 Kings” to that list.
http://rapidshare.com/files/52538643/02_-_Slim_Thug_-_Already_Platinum_Explicit_Version_-_Like_A_Boss_Album_Version__Explicit_.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/52538910/03_-_Slim_Thug_-_Already_Platinum_Explicit_Version_-_3_Kings_Album_Version__Explicit_.mp3
Yeah, I was going to throw on Krs but I didn’t want to do too many of the similar voices (Biggie, Scarface and him could all basically fit into the same rudimentary category). And, I don’t want to sound sacrilegious or anything, but Rakim’s voice doesn’t crack the top few for me. I also didn’t want to dive too far back into the vaults for all of them - keep a few current, a few in the past, etc.
Slim Thug’s a decent call as well, though half the time he sounds like his voice has been pre-chopped and screwed, ya know?
M.I.A’s fearless single “Boyz” (from her new album Kala) rampaging through the clubs, this here is the burning official remix featuring Akon & R.City!
Stream Here
http://www.giantstep.net/releases/1603
Download Here
http://www.evilshare.com/960bd51c-a957-102a-9db0-0002b38e63a9
I agree with the importance of voice, that’s the one thing you gotta be born with.
Personal faves, Snoop (especially first 5 years,) Slick Rick (best eva,)
Also interesting to look at how rappers’ voices have changed over time. First that comes to mind is RZA; 1995 he changed from his previous “yelling,” to current sound. I preferred the old, but maybe his chords couldnt take it.
@ Train, he says both.
No “Curtis” explicit leaks yet? Holla.
@ Matthew mundy
your review is cool ! but for this no in rapidshare file man, please! in zshare links it’s better, i think !! sure, because you can download all in one ! rapid, fast and rapishare link = you have reached the download-limit for free-users ! so …
Ok, the next time
but thank you
peace y’all
TSS is a best !
Gimme The Loot is my favorite Biggie Joint.
Outkast discography (minus THE LOVE BELOW)
http://hhghitfuttvv9c55f.usercash.com
Aside from the obvious one’s [Pac, Big & Scarface], I must respectfully disagree with these choices in ya list:
DMX? All he does is yell. If you’re going for grimey, look no further than a tape of COUGNUT THE MUH FUCKIN’ REBEL. No one fuckin’ with the Nut’s voice.
I can kinda see Lil’ Wayne but there’s still better mic voices out there n’ Jay-Z needed put some bass in his voice. I’ll admit he’s got above par mic skills [still overrated] but his voice ain’t top 100. Sorry.
I’d take Dre Dog & Mac Dre [post-pen Dreezy] w/ the classic hella smooth, Yay Area flow [born for the mic] anyday. Mess/Richie Rich got it too. My entire list would probably be Bay rappers but I know that’s not ideal, instead I’ll go outside the Bay for alternates:
I’d take Ice Cube, Tech N9ne, Snoop Dogg [mid 90's Snoop], Big L, Kurupt, Jadakiss, Method Man/Redman, Clipse [either one], Mitchy Slick over those two voicewise. I know there’s more but can’t think right now. Any list on top voices w/o Cougnut isn’t complete in my eyes and Jay-Z/Lil’ Wayne only make it if it’s only rappers who MTV will play. Thanks for the post though, good topic/good read, I just gotta disagree…. and again in the most respectful of ways.
Pimp C, Guru, Andre 3000… Slick Rick was good call…
Papoose got one of them voices, but I don’t think I could take a whole album of em. Joe Budden too, but his album might never come out. LMAO
i 4got the 2 purple ribbon mixtapes in that also…
yo anyone got curtis???
Twista !
Adrenaline Rush II
2008! A new classic !? nah! but good flows
BustaRhymes, Raekwon ..Goldmine
Two beast;Two Voice !!
Two Classic Album in 2OO8, maybe Rae !
I hope so !
Nas & Busta - D.G.C.Away too
Nas One Mic, Jay-Z Song Cry, Az The Format
Scarface Safe, BunB, ALL the Good …
I find however high-powered beat augments, emphasizes voice, in certain cases voice transcends music, returns the track magic
but voix+talk=flow therefore? Who
so the best with voice or who the changing, matters not much, since it is a whole whom it is necessary to judge, on top of that if they come there to blend played styles, they will finish it more but check they find cadors, spurs, it always remains the same!
R.I.P Cougnut
still looking for dirty curtis. whats with all these bad rips? guess i shouldnt complain though.
http://lix.in/24e571
link for Planet Asia 2007 disc
the explicit for Curtis isn’t out yet.
Tha Voice ! of Rap
Arie Spears (lol) really
NOE - Listen “Concrete Jungle” of JimJones
(Hustler’s P.O.M.E.) to persuade u of it
-Jay-Z !!!
-Dmx !!
-Snoop !!
-LL Cool J !
- … perfect
So That’s the truth ! real voices to that
And iF somebody can post musics of NOE if there is, or rip radio, freestyles, notably that where it immite all this high society! thx in advance ! peace
Ghostface
ODB
RZA
Trae/Z-Ro
Trick Daddy
and my FAVORITE rap voice of all has to be DJ Quik’s voice
ok, im just gonna say this ones.
BTNH should be up there. Bone, Bone, Bone, x2
Ghostface - Mighty Healthy
Freeway - Some might say he’s bitin’ Ghost’s style…
Busta Rhymes - Clear case of when a combination of delivery and ‘The Voice’ outweigh content
Jeru The Damaja - Come Clean; need I say more
Aeeyo Jon Smoke… what P.A. album is that???
Jewelry Box Sessions?
yeah, Jewelry Box Sessions 2007
peace
it’s not my link but i put again
i delay it in case some persons would not have seen it !
Dizzee gets plenty of shine in UK but got to agree with Wit-e, Skinnyman is where it’s at for UK Hip-Hop. Got none on my computer here to put up but ‘no big thing’ and ‘I’ll be surprised’ from ‘Council Estate of Mind’ are definitely worth checking for.
Great piece ,that’s why I keep Smoking in my favorite.
I thought the list was to the point but I would have added Chuck D in it, powerful voice…
damn, 44 comment before anybody mentions chuck d. good article, mind you.
http://www.myspace.com/mcskinnyman
Can’t forget The Abstract. Women love the voice!
Lil Wayne hasn’t done any projects that benefited the rightful growth of Hip Hop. Bland as his music really is, his fanbase has grew, and probably became victims of rap blindness.
Also, how come artists like Kool G Rap, Big L, or even Big Pun wasn’t mentioned?
Can’t name them all so that’s why we start the ball rolling & let folks fill in the rest.