Hip Hop

Listening to a lot of hip hop recently, I've really been noticing the importance of production. I'll say all the right things about an artist like Mos Def, but if I'm throwing something on my headphones it's much more likely to be Lupe, Jay-Z, or NaS. It's not that the production on "Black on Both Sides" isn't accomplished, but it's certainly less lush than more radio friendly beats. Heavy orchestration, choral backings, and high hat / snare hits can help create a full, rich sound - think songs like Gangsta's Paradise or Nolia Clap.



"Hero" is the first single off 'Untitled' by NaS. Compared to a lot of his other songs, especially earlier stuff, "Hero" has a lot going on. The baseline is minimal, but there's a twinkling / starlight theme throughout, background vocals from Keri Hilson and a chorale ensemble, and a "frequency rich" hook in the chorus. Especially with an artist like NaS whose lyrics are consistently solid and interesting, my favorite songs will depend on production.

Given that I like marching snare hits, chorale backing, and strings, Keep it 100 is pretty much my favorite song ever. Click "pre listen track" to the right of the album cover to hear the song in a pop up player. This is pretty indicative of the album Ill Trill, and the reason I've listened to it three times so far today.