Futuristic Bad Girl Goes On Bad Boy Records

She is like the best parts of “The Love Below” by Andre 3000. The drum beat, the clapping, the horns, everything on the song “VSHH CyberHop Remix” screams “Hey Ya” part two. She reminds me of what David Bowie would have been if he had never left his Ziggy Stardust phase and then got a sex change instead of settling for androgyny.

As an entertainer, she is like James Brown, but more jerky and futuristic. She even cites him as a major influence. Okay, enough with the comparisons.

“I’m an alien from outer space.”

The way her voice crows at the end of “VSHH CyberHop Remix” fills your body with soul.The way she stutters some words leaves your foot tapping and your head jerking. Other songs, she tones down the quirky futuristic vibe and breaks out like a gospel girl.

I think Janelle Monae is going to blow up on the scene this year. In fact, Nouveau Magazine predicted her as one of five artists who people would know by 2008. I hope this rings true.

She has been steadily gaining a following ever since 2005 when she was featured on the “Purple Ribbon All-Star’s Compilation: Volume 2″ with her song, “Lettin’ Go.” The song became a cult hit. Later, in 2006, she was appropriately featured on The Idlewild soundtrack.

The movie clip below was ripped from MySpace. It explains how Big Boi and P. Diddy jointly discovered Monae. I find it amusing that she did not respond to P. Diddy’s initial message inquiry.

Okay, I will be honest — I cannot figure out how to embed MySpace videos into WordPress. So, here is the link:

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=34522441

Cream of the Crop: Who can Spit it best, who can show the rest; throwing it down, boasting king of the hiphop crown?

Many rappers claim that they are kings of the hip-hop genre, boasting how they spit the sickest rhymes and flow smoothest through time.

Self-promotion is a large part the hiphop world.

Rappers from Lupe Fiasco (“I go by the name of Lupe Fiasco”) to Ludacris (“Luda!”) to Bubba Sparxx (“Okey-dokey, dis dat Bubba talk”) all throw down a plethora of verses in their songs based solely on their name or sometimes … how to spell their name.

“It’s the D, the I, the D, the D, the Y. It’s Diddy (hold up). It’s Diddy (That’s crazy).”

Yes, his name is Diddy.

However boastful an individual may be, there are clearly those that are king of the game and those that are full of hot air. It’s the difference between Scott Stapp and Justin Timberlake. Although in that off-topic example, one can claim both are full of hot air. Yet, there is a clear winner (and it’s not the man with his “eyes wide open”). Yes, a clear winner, unlike the Democratic Super Tuesday primary race going on right now.

Here are a few rappers I don’t think are full of shit. Bow down to your lyrical superiors.

1. Nas — His music is not the type of background noise party-goers love to grind to, but that is why he is so great. The release of Nas’ album, “Hip-hop is Dead” evoked an array of responses. Maybe hip-hop is not dead, but Nas was making a bold statement: stop super-manning that hoe and get into some rap with a message. If you do, it is well worth it.

2. Big Boi — Although I like Andre 3000 more as an artist, Big Boi wins hands down as the lyrical genius of the duo. His response to their split album (i.e. two solo albums packaged under the Outkast name) was eloquently phrased, “Outkast, cell therapy to cell division. We just split it down the middle so you can see both the visions.” His ability to shift rhythm and speed is incredible. One of my favorite lines by him also comes from their latest album: “And judges, just to hold grudges in a courtroom. I want to see your support bra not support you.” A masterpiece of comparison.

3. Tupac — Often more of a poet then rapper. A West coast/East coast feud, only fueled the lyrical skills. Biggie Smalls was amazing at being a gangsta, and had some smooth lines, but he was not near as eloquent and heartfelt as Tupac.

4. Bob Dylan — He was a rapper right? “Subterranean Homesick Blues” is definitely rap, and a good one at that. “Johnny’s in the basement mixing up the medicine. I’m on the pavement thinking about the government.” He even did a more traditional style of rap on an 80s track with Kurtis Blow (although this example is not the best of Dylan’s abilities).

5. Grand Master Flash — One of the pioneers of socially conscious rap. His infectious hooks are classic. “It’s like a jungle out there, it makes wonder how I keep from going under.”– enough said.

6. Anyone from th Wu Tang Clan — And I mean anyone. If I broke them up they would fill too many spots on the list.

7. Sage Francis — Amazing free stylist. I like the grate in his voice, like a white DMX meets Dave Attell, that host from the show “Insomniac”.

8. The Fugees — Wyclef is my favorite although Lauren Hill and the “other guy” (Pras) are great too. A recent viewing of Wyclef’s free style on BET’s “Rap city” solidified my respect for him. More as a whole though, the group was talented, conscious and daring.

9. Bradley Nowel — As the main lyricist of Sublime, he was a master at combining elements of punk, hip-hop, dub and reggae into infectious songs that speak to the soul. “…take hip-hop to a higher ground. And I know how.” An unconventional rap master.

I Did not list too many fun rappers like Biz Markie and Three-6 Mafia. I also Missed some respectable artists like Public Enemy, but will catch them next time. Or maybe next time the list will be of the worst rappers ever. God knows there is enough of them.