West Coast Connection Forum
DUBCC - Tha Connection => West Coast Classics => Topic started by: XL Middleton on March 11, 2007, 01:14:44 PM
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Yeah that's right I have officially started a general discussion topic :o although I'm not gonna lie I'm also asking this question because I wanna hear from THE PEOPLE on what could possibly make my next project better to your ears...but in general, what is it that YOU want out of an album? What qualities...replay value? original concepts? innovative production?
Im NOT tryin 2 discuss what you think SHOULD go into an album...in other words I'm not thinking about "commercial viability" or "radio/club friendly" or "you gotta make girls like it" as answers here...i'm talking about what you personally want out of an album to make it a great listening experience. think about some of your all time favorite albums from the past and what qualities they had that made you love those records so much...
I try my best to be an artist of the people so I wanna make an album for the people.
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I'd like to see more albums with just one producer taking care of all the production. I'm tired of those compilation sounding album with all the hottest producers and it would dope if it was a in-house producer that actually sits and work with dudes in the studio,not some hired dude that mail his beats.
All the albums out,got the same producers and features,fuck that shit. Cut the shit down to 10 bangin tracks(the old school way),fuck the fillers
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I just want good music. I'm tired of artist putting out songs with 5 good songs, 7 skits, and 6 fillers. And I'm tired of artist putting out albums with a guest feature on damn near every song. A lil bit of originality wouldn't hurt either.
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i want consistency, iīd much rather hear a solid album with no weak tracks and no super standout tracks then an album with 4 real good songs,4 average songs,3 mediocre songs and 6 wickedy wack songs. and i wanna hear real deep and personal lyrics and beats that donīt sound like all the hits you hear on the radio all day. and i want artists and producers actually being in the studio togheter while recording the songs coz that e-mailing back and forth is taking the soul outta music coz the artists doesnīt have any guidance. i wanna hear a whole bunch of different cocepts flipped(not talking about how tough you are and how you sell drugs and bust your gun on every fucking song!). i want musical diversity but at the same time i donīt want the album to be all over the place. if you listen to a Dre produced album from front to back you might get a good idea of what iīm talking about. find a dope sound and use it in different ways. hope i made any sense lol.
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All the three before me wrote som real shit.
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I like a little variety on an album but with the same type of vibe not like 10 different sounding producers on an album.
More guest features on an album is good for promotion and more stuff to look forward to hearing on an album so too many guest features doesn't really bother me unless they are the wrong guest for a certain song.
Add the songs you recorded for an album that you really liked and what you know the people will really like and not the songs you liked but didn't really like as much as your favorite songs. If it means just putting out eps if its too much work to get the quality you want do that.
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damn, i hadnīt even read Raideīs post when i posted my shit. and thatīs also how most of friends feels aswell.
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I want an album that spreads a special kind of feeling from the first to the last tracks. You wnat examples?
DJ Quik - Safe + Sound
3X Krazy - Stackin Chips
U.D.I - Under Da Influence
MC Eiht - We Come Strapped
Roscoe - I Luv Cali
Lil Rob - Twelve Eighteen Part 2
Messy Marv - Bandannas, Tattoos & Tongue Rings
Look, I also named some newer albums to show that also albums that aren't from the golden age of 1992-1998 can be dope cause they are consistent.
And I wish me some funk. Deep basslines with Vibe like in "Keep It On The Real" of 3X Krazy for example, I hate to hear stupid bass sounds so often like for example on "Get A Light" off the new Snoop record, the same tone all over the song. I also miss the "gangsta whine" these days, funky worm sound you know? Funky synthesizer sound.
The best thing you can do these days, let your album be produced 100% by Fingazz :P
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consistentcy man
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Well Lyrics aside!! ;D
i would like consistency, have the same vibe flowing through from the first track dwon to the last.
I'd also like the tracks to follow one another..not literarly, but make it sound like you are telling a story on your album-if that makes sense.
As for the Producers, I think 2 or three producers from the same muscial background would add the extra flava to the album, the reason why i say this becasue, there are various ways-if you are creative to make a funk or g-funk-ish kinda track...that it will sound totatly different to the next producer, but still be on that same vibe, but uniquely different!
Features, are Good!!
Im still unsure, on the number of tracks an artist should feature, however 4 or 5 is alright..
if these tracks, are sprinkled correct over the album i.e **don't put all the collabos togeter one after another**
As for beats??
What is a good beat???
I don't know...something smooth, something thumping, funky, laidback..catchy..
Im not personally looking for an outstanding collection of beats, but something that would make the buyer feel that, this purchase was not a waste, but actually value for money!
I make beats, too..so i know how tricky it is, to work on a track, thinking it's tigt, and some artist turns rounds says it's wack or something.
In addition to the above paragraph, the album, has to be a guide and referrence point,to look up to when other producers are working hard on thier own unique styles..
Not copying of course ;D, but trying to understand why the producer took a certain path and the instruments that they used in creating that album.
In a nut shell, im looking for an album, i can enjoy... as a fan!
An Album, i can learn alot from the Producers,Mixers Sound Engineers!
And finally an album, i can place as a unique referrecne point, as a Good Album, nicely put together by everybody on board!! (Producer (s), Artist(s), Mixers & Sound Engineers)
Thats me!!
Blu
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Non-formulaic: Too many people divide up their album with tracks for the ladies, the clubs, the thugs, etc. Make a record for yourself not for everyone else, don't just do what sells. If a track is genuine other people will relate because it's real and if it's good it's going to stand out.
Concept albums are nice. Creativity and originality are also appreciated, right now everyone is trying to sound like or mimic whoever is on top.
Everybody loves good production but the lyrics need to be on par with the production; too many artists let the beats do all the work. "Young rappers lookin' for pocket change with boo-boo lyrics, Go get your diaper changed" You can have a banger and still have dope lyrics.
Albums should be an experience. I was reading an article or an interview on here not too long ago talking about Quincy Jones and Thriller. He recorded a grip of songs and narrowed it down to about 12 and chose the favorite 4-5 and the bottom 4-5 to give the album a rollercoaster effect (highs and lows and stuff that pulls the listener in). It's dope to have an album where every track is heat but it's also dope to have an album that you can sit back and visualise like a movie because of the way it flows.
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In general terms, here's what a prefer:
Subject matter - It can be a song about anything, as long as it's an independant perspective. I don't have to have gone through the shit, just be able to relate to what you're saying. Please don't beat me over the head with played out cliche's. Boasting about how great you are and being the king, or claiming your taking over is played out as well.
Features - I don't mind a feature or 2, or especially a posse cut. But please don't sell me a goddamn compiliation masquerading as a solo album. All that tells me is you're not skilled enough to hold down an entire album by yourself.
Lyrics / Delivery / Flows - People today don't even know what a tight flow is. You can rhyme about cat litter and come off dope if your flows and delivery are tight. RAP ON TIME!!!! Don't be lazy and talk over a beat. Don't try and be cool and freestyle your way through a song for an album. I know it seems cool to claim that you don't have to write your lyrics in the booth, but, who gives a fuck when your shit sounds retarded, rushed, and sloppy. Lyrically, don't beat me over the fucking head w/ 1000 metaphors and punchlines. Those things should be like ketchup to the hamburger. If used sparingly in a song, it can have a great effect. If your album is relying on one liners repeated over and over, you're wack. Save that shit for a battle.
Production - Using one producer for an album is almost unheard of today which is a huge reason albums aren't cohesive. I can stand more than one, but a lot of albums struggle and have no difinitive sound because there's 15 producers on 15 tracks. Stay the fuck away from superproducers. There's about 20 producers that are used on nearly every mainstream release today. How people can still get hyped for that blows my mind. If you have your own in house production, you have something unique that NO ONE else has. That is a good thing for an artist.
Also, don't email beats and verses back and forth. There needs to be an organic creativity in making music. If you email shit back and forth, there just feels like something is missing.
Album Structure - An intro is cool, a skit or two is ok as long as it ties into the album nicely, not just for some filler. Also, if you do use a skit, put it at the end of a track and not the beginning. It can get annoying to FF through a skit at the beginning of a song you wanna hear. Number of songs is subjective, but again, if you're just throwing songs on there to pad your tracklist you're ultimately hurting your album
Last Thought - Be yourself. Don't pander or cater to what you think is hot or trendy. Don't cross over to the masses, make the masses cross over to you. You don't want to be a fad, you want your music to transcend that shit. Be original, be creative.
Good question by the way.
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it seems that everyone pretty much wants the same thing from albums. and these fuck ass rappers better start listening to what people want sooner or later especially considering that they aint really moving the units they used to.
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I'd like to see more albums with just one producer taking care of all the production. I'm tired of those compilation sounding album with all the hottest producers and it would dope if it was a in-house producer that actually sits and work with dudes in the studio,not some hired dude that mail his beats.
All the albums out,got the same producers and features,fuck that shit. Cut the shit down to 10 bangin tracks(the old school way),fuck the fillers
damn, i hadnīt even read Raideīs post when i posted my shit. and thatīs also how most of friends feels aswell.
Word,you basicly said the same shit as me. Cool,I agree with everything you said. Consistent is the magic word,just solid tracks. Like a dude above said if you can't make a whole album with solid cuts,just do a fuckin' ep.
In general terms, here's what a prefer:
Subject matter - It can be a song about anything, as long as it's an independant perspective. I don't have to have gone through the shit, just be able to relate to what you're saying. Please don't beat me over the head with played out cliche's. Boasting about how great you are and being the king, or claiming your taking over is played out as well.
Features - I don't mind a feature or 2, or especially a posse cut. But please don't sell me a goddamn compiliation masquerading as a solo album. All that tells me is you're not skilled enough to hold down an entire album by yourself.
Lyrics / Delivery / Flows - People today don't even know what a tight flow is. You can rhyme about cat litter and come off dope if your flows and delivery are tight. RAP ON TIME!!!! Don't be lazy and talk over a beat. Don't try and be cool and freestyle your way through a song for an album. I know it seems cool to claim that you don't have to write your lyrics in the booth, but, who gives a fuck when your shit sounds retarded, rushed, and sloppy. Lyrically, don't beat me over the fucking head w/ 1000 metaphors and punchlines. Those things should be like ketchup to the hamburger. If used sparingly in a song, it can have a great effect. If your album is relying on one liners repeated over and over, you're wack. Save that shit for a battle.
Production - Using one producer for an album is almost unheard of today which is a huge reason albums aren't cohesive. I can stand more than one, but a lot of albums struggle and have no difinitive sound because there's 15 producers on 15 tracks. Stay the fuck away from superproducers. There's about 20 producers that are used on nearly every mainstream release today. How people can still get hyped for that blows my mind. If you have your own in house production, you have something unique that NO ONE else has. That is a good thing for an artist.
Also, don't email beats and verses back and forth. There needs to be an organic creativity in making music. If you email shit back and forth, there just feels like something is missing.
Album Structure - An intro is cool, a skit or two is ok as long as it ties into the album nicely, not just for some filler. Also, if you do use a skit, put it at the end of a track and not the beginning. It can get annoying to FF through a skit at the beginning of a song you wanna hear. Number of songs is subjective, but again, if you're just throwing songs on there to pad your tracklist you're ultimately hurting your album
Last Thought - Be yourself. Don't pander or cater to what you think is hot or trendy. Don't cross over to the masses, make the masses cross over to you. You don't want to be a fad, you want your music to transcend that shit. Be original, be creative.
Good question by the way.
Yes Jrome,on point.
Good thread,this thread should go out to EVERY recording artist out there.
IT SEEMS THAT EVERYONE PRETTY MUCH WANTS THE SAME THING FROM ALBUMS. and these fuck ass rappers better start listening to what people want sooner or later especially considering that they aint really moving the units they used to.
WORD!
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I WANT G FUNK ALL OVER THAT BITCH WITH BLOODZ RAPPIN
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everybody in here is on point, so al I can do rehash what everybody ahs said....Stick to one producer/production team, Cut down the features to only a few, be creative & original, put 10 -12 tracks on an album (not 22-30), and get off the industry formula!!
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I want an album that spreads a special kind of feeling from the first to the last tracks. You wnat examples?
DJ Quik - Safe + Sound
3X Krazy - Stackin Chips
U.D.I - Under Da Influence
MC Eiht - We Come Strapped
Roscoe - I Luv Cali
Lil Rob - Twelve Eighteen Part 2
Messy Marv - Bandannas, Tattoos & Tongue Rings
Look, I also named some newer albums to show that also albums that aren't from the golden age of 1992-1998 can be dope cause they are consistent.
And I wish me some funk. Deep basslines with Vibe like in "Keep It On The Real" of 3X Krazy for example, I hate to hear stupid bass sounds so often like for example on "Get A Light" off the new Snoop record, the same tone all over the song. I also miss the "gangsta whine" these days, funky worm sound you know? Funky synthesizer sound.
The best thing you can do these days, let your album be produced 100% by Fingazz :P
is "Lil Rob - Twelve Eighteen Part 2" out already?
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damn ok this is one helluva response, thats what im talkin about!!! i think everyone is real on point, there's definitely a general consensus here and most of the things yall are lookin 4 are what im striving to do with my next project...the one thing i disagree with is the one-producer theory. i think that when one producer handles a whole album that there can be great results, but i dont think its necessary, some examples that come to mind immediately are "All Eyez On Me", "Capital Punishment", "Streetz Is A Mutha", even "Ready 2 Die" although I know that for the most part Big was fuckin with a certain set circle of producers.
what i do agree with the most is the need to try new concepts and to just create music for YOURSELF...i definitely feel that if you're comin from a real place that most people will feel it. for me personally, one of the most important realizations ive had as an artist is i'm NOT on a major label, i'm NOT getting rotation on the mainstream radio or in the club, so why make music that caters to a crowd that I don't even have? i figure that most people who have a mind thats open enough to listen to a dude who's not all over MTV or XXL are generally listening to a dude like me because they're sick of what's out there in the mainstream, right???
on that note i really gotta hand it to Bishop Lamont, his new mixtape was dope, not even so much because of the music itself (i liked some of the songs but not all of em) but because it represented a new direction for hip hop...a dude like him being under someone as big as Dre means that there's definitely a market for something other than rappin about movin weight, killin muthafuckas, being rich etc.
with that said, i gotta put my money where my mouth is - on my next album i'm trying to cover a lot of new ground, im takin it beyond the party, i feel like ive always done that on every project but i haven't emphasized it enough so a lot of yall might think that all i do is party records...
anyway we got a cool discussion crackin here so lets keep it pushin...
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I want an album that spreads a special kind of feeling from the first to the last tracks. You wnat examples?
DJ Quik - Safe + Sound
3X Krazy - Stackin Chips
U.D.I - Under Da Influence
MC Eiht - We Come Strapped
Roscoe - I Luv Cali
Lil Rob - Twelve Eighteen Part 2
Messy Marv - Bandannas, Tattoos & Tongue Rings
Look, I also named some newer albums to show that also albums that aren't from the golden age of 1992-1998 can be dope cause they are consistent.
And I wish me some funk. Deep basslines with Vibe like in "Keep It On The Real" of 3X Krazy for example, I hate to hear stupid bass sounds so often like for example on "Get A Light" off the new Snoop record, the same tone all over the song. I also miss the "gangsta whine" these days, funky worm sound you know? Funky synthesizer sound.
The best thing you can do these days, let your album be produced 100% by Fingazz :P
is "Lil Rob - Twelve Eighteen Part 2" out already?
early april I hope...
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a Freddy B and Ant Banks production. :'(
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Those albums you're refering to sounds like compilations and are one the few that mastered that formula. 95% of the artists that try to duplicate that formula fail badly. While those that go the one producer/production team route 95% of them succeed.
But hey it's your album,I was just speaking in general and hope that other artists read this thread.
i was actually speaking in general too, for the most part i produce my own stuff and generally if i work with any other producers its within a set circle of cats who know my sound and can help maintain the cohesiveness of a project. i was just naming a few albums that had a lot of different producers that still came out hot, for the sake of conversation.
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Major respect for starting a thread like this. There seems to be a genuine sincerity with independent artists such as yourself that doesn't exist in the "mainstream." The fact that you are on here conversing with folks validates that substantially. On that note I'd love to hear some songs with REAL issues(fucked up gov't, disease, war, etc.) being addressed like "Shotgun." Something akin to a Paris record, perhaps. Is that Barliament Drunkadelic still coming out this summer?
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Major respect for starting a thread like this. There seems to be a genuine sincerity with independent artists such as yourself that doesn't exist in the "mainstream." The fact that you are on here conversing with folks validates that substantially. On that note I'd love to hear some songs with REAL issues(fucked up gov't, disease, war, etc.) being addressed like "Shotgun." Something akin to a Paris record, perhaps. Is that Barliament Drunkadelic still coming out this summer?
you said it homie...basically the angle im going for on Barliament Drunkadelic is nothing as in-your-face as a Paris, Kam, or Public Enemy, but something a little more cynical, a little funnier and easier to relate to, but basically addressing the same issues. if you think about it, NWA addressed a lot of the same issues that PE did but in a whole different way. instead of telling you why the government is fucked up they gave you stories and examples of shit they were dealing with everyday that illustrated WHY things are fucked up.
here's a few examples of what i'm working with:
"Don't Hate": a song addressing how I don't like the idea of "don't hate on such-and-such artist he's just getting his money". i hear a lot of artists get a lot of passes for dropping wack shit on based on this theory, so i'm asking the question, would you still say "don't hate he's just getting his money" if you applied it to people like, say, George Bush or Donald Rumsfeld or any corporate big wig.
"Beautiful People": talking about what it takes to look good on the outside, and the great lengths we go to in order to do that while we feel like shit on the inside.
"Falling Down": a story rhyme based on the movie with Michael Douglas but told in today's social climate.
oh yeah, and im keepin the funk in it!!!!
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oh yeah, and im keepin the funk in it!!!!
real talk
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Major respect for starting a thread like this. There seems to be a genuine sincerity with independent artists such as yourself that doesn't exist in the "mainstream." The fact that you are on here conversing with folks validates that substantially. On that note I'd love to hear some songs with REAL issues(fucked up gov't, disease, war, etc.) being addressed like "Shotgun." Something akin to a Paris record, perhaps. Is that Barliament Drunkadelic still coming out this summer?
you said it homie...basically the angle im going for on Barliament Drunkadelic is nothing as in-your-face as a Paris, Kam, or Public Enemy, but something a little more cynical, a little funnier and easier to relate to, but basically addressing the same issues. if you think about it, NWA addressed a lot of the same issues that PE did but in a whole different way. instead of telling you why the government is fucked up they gave you stories and examples of shit they were dealing with everyday that illustrated WHY things are fucked up.
here's a few examples of what i'm working with:
"Don't Hate": a song addressing how I don't like the idea of "don't hate on such-and-such artist he's just getting his money". i hear a lot of artists get a lot of passes for dropping wack shit on based on this theory, so i'm asking the question, would you still say "don't hate he's just getting his money" if you applied it to people like, say, George Bush or Donald Rumsfeld or any corporate big wig.
"Beautiful People": talking about what it takes to look good on the outside, and the great lengths we go to in order to do that while we feel like shit on the inside.
"Falling Down": a story rhyme based on the movie with Michael Douglas but told in today's social climate.
oh yeah, and im keepin the funk in it!!!!
I agree 100% on the "don't hate, he's just gettin that paper". I understand anybody getting their money any way they can, but there's no way I'm gonna hold that particular hustler with the same regard as an artist. Some individuals are 80% art 20% hustle. Some are 50%/50%. Some are 80% hustler / 20% artist.
Some people love an individual that's a hustler, love his style, his swag or whatever. Me personally, it doesn't do anything for me. I couldn't give a fuck less what someone looks like, how much $ they have, how many units they push, etc. It means shit to me when I'm bumpin their music. They have to have some redeeming qualities musically or it's a waste of time. That goes for Hip Hop, Rock, Pop, whatever.
And what you have now is mainstream artists that are subscribing to such a strict formula for their singles: Club Banger (fucking hate that phrase), Ladies joint (usually MAAAAAAAD corny). And cats will give them a pass like "Oh, they're just trying to get that teeny bop money, I ain't mad". Say what? Do you even like music? There was a time when the single might be the best song on the album, nowadays it's usually completely worthless compared to the rest of the album. The hilarious part is that they don't know that they're alienating their hardcore fanbase. And people wonder why sales are declining?
And while we're here, I wanna bring up the internet. All the major labels instantly point the finger at the net for their fucking horrible sales. IT'S COMPLETE BULLSHIT. And I'll tell you why:
1) How many of yall motherfuckers watch / DL porn on the net? I guarantee you more porn is watched on the net than music is DL'd. People been DL'n porn since the internet was invented. And porn is still a multi BILLION dollar industry. A fuckin quality porno will still cost you $50 in stores!!!! A goddamn cd is 10$!!! You don't see those motherfuckers going broke. Now you might see a problem if they stopped fuckin and started gardening and shit and calling it a porno, which is in effect what is happening with Hip Hop.
2) XL Middleton. I won't front, I never even heard of you prior to being on dubcc. I've seen a thread where you were showcasing some beats that you were selling (which were nice). I see you interacting with REAL Hip Hop fans. I see you asking our opinions. If I relied on mainstream media for my music expsosure, I'd likely never heard of you (at this stage in your career). But here we are, you coming across like an intelligent dude who gives the appearance that you're concerned with putting out quality product and concerned with what people are thinking. So off top, I'm gonna check for your shit and I'm 90x more likely to purchase your shit verses all that bullshit that's out there. So there you have it, without the internet, XL Middleton never sells an album to me.
Sure, there are 1000's of illegal downloads that DO eat into sales. No question. But it's not THE driver behind horrid sales. If there is perceived quality by the consumer, they will buy it.
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yeah man quality music is quality music. of course a good push promotionwise doesn't hurt lol...but the problem we deal with nowadays is how the quality of music in general has declined to the point where we expect shit to be wack. it's no wonder that a lot of people just download albums for the 2 or 3 good songs. i hate the fact that everyone, including myself, tends to grade hip hop on the curve now, to where if there's 4 or 5 good songs a lot of people consider that good because most artists only have 1 or 2 good songs, or how OK/mediocre shit on the radio gets a pass from people just because it sounds better than the horrible/wack shit on the radio. but it's a hard mindstate to escape when you wanna hear new music and there's not a lot of quality product available. its like these labels are tellin us that "beggars can't be choosers" or some shit.
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yeah man quality music is quality music. of course a good push promotionwise doesn't hurt lol...but the problem we deal with nowadays is how the quality of music in general has declined to the point where we expect shit to be wack. it's no wonder that a lot of people just download albums for the 2 or 3 good songs. i hate the fact that everyone, including myself, tends to grade hip hop on the curve now, to where if there's 4 or 5 good songs a lot of people consider that good because most artists only have 1 or 2 good songs, or how OK/mediocre shit on the radio gets a pass from people just because it sounds better than the horrible/wack shit on the radio. but it's a hard mindstate to escape when you wanna hear new music and there's not a lot of quality product available. its like these labels are tellin us that "beggars can't be choosers" or some shit.
--hey XL..Wots Good??
How's the a Music going??
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I'd like to see more albums with just one producer taking care of all the production. I'm tired of those compilation sounding album with all the hottest producers and it would dope if it was a in-house producer that actually sits and work with dudes in the studio,not some hired dude that mail his beats.
All the albums out,got the same producers and features,fuck that shit. Cut the shit down to 10 bangin tracks(the old school way),fuck the fillers
couldnt have possibly said it better myself
but sadly it seems, gone are the days where an artist works with one producer. it gave the albums a more even and consistent sound.
today, as you said everything sounds like a complilation - different producers for different tracks, guests on most songs.
its complete bullshit
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I want an album that spreads a special kind of feeling from the first to the last tracks. You wnat examples?
DJ Quik - Safe + Sound
3X Krazy - Stackin Chips
U.D.I - Under Da Influence
MC Eiht - We Come Strapped
Roscoe - I Luv Cali
Lil Rob - Twelve Eighteen Part 2
Messy Marv - Bandannas, Tattoos & Tongue Rings
Look, I also named some newer albums to show that also albums that aren't from the golden age of 1992-1998 can be dope cause they are consistent.
And I wish me some funk. Deep basslines with Vibe like in "Keep It On The Real" of 3X Krazy for example, I hate to hear stupid bass sounds so often like for example on "Get A Light" off the new Snoop record, the same tone all over the song. I also miss the "gangsta whine" these days, funky worm sound you know? Funky synthesizer sound.
The best thing you can do these days, let your album be produced 100% by Fingazz :P
agree for DJ Quik, Roscoe & MC Eiht
I can add -->
Doggystyle from Snoop DOGGY Dogg
7Th Day Theory from Makaveli The DON
Dogg Food Tha Dogg Pound
G-Funk Classics from Nate Dogg
All I want is some G-Funk muzik like take it bacc to 93 !!
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Wow I can't believe I missed this thread.. great read.. we need to contact all the artists we can and get them to read this thread.
I'll post my feedback here in a bit when I collect all my thoughts.
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I want an artistic vision that's carried through from the first to the last track so the album feels like a listening experience - not a compilation of sounds and features designed to appease everybody or as part of a 'risk-hedging' strategy by the labels.
Think Chronic, Doggystyle, Illmatic, et al.
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I'd like to see more albums with just one producer taking care of all the production. I'm tired of those compilation sounding album with all the hottest producers and it would dope if it was a in-house producer that actually sits and work with dudes in the studio,not some hired dude that mail his beats.
All the albums out,got the same producers and features,fuck that shit. Cut the shit down to 10 bangin tracks(the old school way),fuck the fillers
word the fuck up. i dont think you can create as much of a mood throughout with a bunch of producers. producers used to do it all the time and look at the albums its created.
i also agree with the 10 track. i just wanna hear the good shit. that's probably why no classic albums come out. people try and make like 70 minute albums. plus 10 tracks is easier to work into my day.
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man humour is always good in music... a good mix in an album, serious tracks, fun tracks, ho anthems... a nice mix of shit.
i like fun beats, "another summer", "only way to chill" are just a couple examples of your tracks i want to hear more of.
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and yeah, like someone said, sometimes less is more... too many tracks aint too good.
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I want an artistic vision that's carried through from the first to the last track so the album feels like a listening experience - not a compilation of sounds and features designed to appease everybody or as part of a 'risk-hedging' strategy by the labels.
Think Chronic, Doggystyle, Illmatic, et al.
nice to see this discussion picking back up. wow homie u said it perfectly - "an artistic vision that's carried through from the first to the last track" - i also like you mentioned the 'risk-hedging' strategy, u dead on with that, let's hear some artists take some risks and do some shit even though he may be well aware that not everyone will like it.
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man humour is always good in music... a good mix in an album, serious tracks, fun tracks, ho anthems... a nice mix of shit.
i like fun beats, "another summer", "only way to chill" are just a couple examples of your tracks i want to hear more of.
cool man, gonna start posting samples and downloads from the new album real soon.
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I want an artistic vision that's carried through from the first to the last track so the album feels like a listening experience - not a compilation of sounds and features designed to appease everybody or as part of a 'risk-hedging' strategy by the labels.
Think Chronic, Doggystyle, Illmatic, et al.
nice to see this discussion picking back up. wow homie u said it perfectly - "an artistic vision that's carried through from the first to the last track" - i also like you mentioned the 'risk-hedging' strategy, u dead on with that, let's hear some artists take some risks and do some shit even though he may be well aware that not everyone will like it.
Props 8)
Too many albums these days with a 'pimpin' track followed by an 'i love u' track followed by a 'gangsta' track followed by 'stop the violence, stay in school'.
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Well, I seened everybody mention how they don't want beats e mailed and how ya'll want the producer to work with the artist but I didn't see anyone mention the feature artist actually in the studio also. Unless of course somebody did mention it and I didn't see it. :-\
But I think when there's a feature on the album, you should actually work wit that artist IN the studio. Don't e mail verses, now what's that? I don't even get that. When you have a feature on your work and somebody asked so, 'who did you work on your album' well...that means who did you go in the studio with, sit down and put together an idea for the track with. You could hear the chemistry on a record when two artists work together so why ain't that happening no more? If a rapper don't got time to sit down and create a track than they don't have time to be part of creating Hip Hop. Word??
Just don't be submitting verses ya'll.
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Well, I seened everybody mention how they don't want beats e mailed and how ya'll want the producer to work with the artist but I didn't see anyone mention the feature artist actually in the studio also. Unless of course somebody did mention it and I didn't see it. :-\
But I think when there's a feature on the album, you should actually work wit that artist IN the studio. Don't e mail verses, now what's that? I don't even get that. When you have a feature on your work and somebody asked so, 'who did you work on your album' well...that means who did you go in the studio with, sit down and put together an idea for the track with. You could hear the chemistry on a record when two artists work together so why ain't that happening no more? If a rapper don't got time to sit down and create a track than they don't have time to be part of creating Hip Hop. Word??
Just don't be submitting verses ya'll.
Word +1
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I think the most important thing for an artist is the following:
Don't follow the trends, SET the trends!!! An artist is usually supposed to bring something new to the table, not redo what has been done already because if they keep redoing stuff then in my opinion it isn't art and therefore the person isn't an artist.
Was 2Pac a follower? How about Biggie? Nas, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, GangStarr, Xzibit, LL Cool J, Ice Cube, Rakim, Eminem, Jay-Z.... the list can go on.
There is a reason why these people are viewed with iconic status today and it wasn't because they just followed the trends and did what was hot at the time. It was because they all brought something new to the table of what we call Hip Hop and that is what I would really like to see happen again in these modern times, something I have never experienced yet in my life with Hip Hop. Some of you say take it back to the glory days or some shit like that but that isn't the answer, we need something new to move us forward because the good old days will never come around again. I want to show the next generation of Hip Hop lovers what our times were like (2000's) and so far we haven't improved on what the 1990's gave us.
Opinions?
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i like an album to be like the old days.. when its just certain clicks collabin/// not the same guests and producers on every cd... makes shit sound the same... i miss when it was deathrow on a deathrow cd ruthless on ruthless cds... dangerous crew on dangerous crew cds... hell even no limit was doin no limit... ya know what im sayin
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Good topic X..What I want from a album is honesty and emotion, without 50,000 different producers ala Pete Rock, CL Smooth, /Guru, DJ Premier etc, etc. I'm tired of hearing thirty year old men gang bangin on records and calling women Bitches on every song . I don't just bump mainstream music, im feeling albums from Klashnekof from London, Sick jack, Q-Unique and Ill Bill, but I also like the energy of the southern shit. I just think people gotta go in the lab and do whats in there heart. Following formulas don't work, but you cant really blame rappers, they just trying to get on, (Ive made the same mistake)
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Good topic X..What I want from a album is honesty and emotion, without 50,000 different producers ala Pete Rock, CL Smooth, /Guru, DJ Premier etc, etc. I'm tired of hearing thirty year old men gang bangin on records and calling women Bitches on every song . I don't just bump mainstream music, im feeling albums from Klashnekof from London, Sick jack, Q-Unique and Ill Bill, but I also like the energy of the southern shit. I just think people gotta go in the lab and do whats in there heart. Following formulas don't work, but you cant really blame rappers, they just trying to get on, (Ive made the same mistake)
if i could hear a album produced by only pete rock & dj premier, i'd be pretty happy.
oh yeah, and a good rapper.
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Okay here's what I would want in an album.
Production: I agree with what most others have said. Stick to one producer or one group of producers that can bring you a similar sound like how Deathrow, Ruthless etc did it back in the day.
Length: 10-15 quality songs is good with me. I don't care for skits that much.. 1 or 2 might work if they fit in the album. But I also agree that you shouldn't put it in the beginning of a song and then we have to fast forward past the skit just to hear the song or go edit the MP3 with a audio editor to edit out the skit and then reburn the CD.
Content: I don't mind if an album does club bangers, chick songs, gangsta songs, political songs etc.. just make sure they all fit within a concept of an album.
One of the main things I want though is songs that tell a story. Like Joe Budden's "Three Sides To A Story" or Immortal Technique's "Dance Wit The Devil". Those two are some serious songs right there. On the Gangsta Tip I think Eazy does good in "Creep N Crawl"
Damn I know there was more shit I wanted to say but I'm drawing a blank right now.
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All I want is some G-Funk muzik like take it bacc to 93 !!
word!
i
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Good topic X..What I want from a album is honesty and emotion, without 50,000 different producers ala Pete Rock, CL Smooth, /Guru, DJ Premier etc, etc. I'm tired of hearing thirty year old men gang bangin on records and calling women Bitches on every song . I don't just bump mainstream music, im feeling albums from Klashnekof from London, Sick jack, Q-Unique and Ill Bill, but I also like the energy of the southern shit. I just think people gotta go in the lab and do whats in there heart. Following formulas don't work, but you cant really blame rappers, they just trying to get on, (Ive made the same mistake)
what it is steele as always we pretty much on the same page wit it...holla @ me though we need to make some new music homie!!!
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i need another album wit possibly the best production ever, strong, creative, and honest lyrics wit great concepts. and for each and every song to be hot and on point not no thrown together shit.
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First of all major props...for the making of this topic.I think what all the others said is right,you shouldn't really look for that club stuff,you should focus on making songs with a topic and solid rhymes...on the other hand those songs have to be really smooth and funky/g funky with a good feel good touch.I think you should try to make a ridin record,that people can put in their car stereo and ride with....with that made you WILL get the radio play/club stuff going without having a club anthem,people love feel good music with a good topic so its automaticly gonna do the crossover to the clubs and radios.
SHIT this topic was about...Barliament Drunkadelic,anyways the above was/is my opinion on LPs
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I need an album with:
- one artist working with ONE producer to make a solid cohesive album.
- solid lyrics/beats
- limited guests
- solid story based/realistic lyrics (something everyone can relate to...the cars and chains shit is played out)
- mood changer (need something that I can listen to when I wake up to inspire me)
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i dont think an album necessarily needs one producer, but i do think artists have to stop tryin to cater to everybody. everyone know gotta have a south track, then we gotta have a radio track, then we gotta have a club track... i like artists that stay true to what they do best. if imma fan of snoop, i dont buy a snoop cd to hear him collaborate with lil jon and do songs like my medicine... i think a lotta artists just try 2 hard.
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i dont think an album necessarily needs one producer, but i do think artists have to stop tryin to cater to everybody. everyone know gotta have a south track, then we gotta have a radio track, then we gotta have a club track... i like artists that stay true to what they do best. if imma fan of snoop, i dont buy a snoop cd to hear him collaborate with lil jon and do songs like my medicine... i think a lotta artists just try 2 hard.
a first off i gotta say thats cool yall brought this thread back...and the reason i quoted the post above me is because this is how i been feeling too. i know a lot of yall will disagree with me, but i feel like trying to cover all bases will leave no one base covered thoroughly enough. and its funny cuz this is something thats just occurred to me lately. well, its something 2 keep in mind as i sit down and work on this new album.... 8)
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i dont think an album necessarily needs one producer, but i do think artists have to stop tryin to cater to everybody. everyone know gotta have a south track, then we gotta have a radio track, then we gotta have a club track... i like artists that stay true to what they do best. if imma fan of snoop, i dont buy a snoop cd to hear him collaborate with lil jon and do songs like my medicine... i think a lotta artists just try 2 hard.
a first off i gotta say thats cool yall brought this thread back...and the reason i quoted the post above me is because this is how i been feeling too. i know a lot of yall will disagree with me, but i feel like trying to cover all bases will leave no one base covered thoroughly enough. and its funny cuz this is something thats just occurred to me lately. well, its something 2 keep in mind as i sit down and work on this new album.... 8)
I'll co-sign that^
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I think it would be impossible to cover all bases on one album...some people take a whole career to do this...(like older days when albums had real concepts and direction they were heading for).
As far as production, I don't mind them having more than one producer, just not like 1 diff producer for each song. Like maybe 4-5 diff producers, with 2 in particular handling the bulk of the work...thats cool to me. Also originality/creativity is a big thing for me. I mean thats why you are called artists, show us your poetry in moion, you aren't called imitators, copying everyone elses shit...and if you get ideas and inspiration from other artists, thats cool, just don't try to be them...you have to have your own little flavor added.
Albums just need more consistency. Im sick of albums having perhaps 3-4 tracks I like, while the rest is garbage.
Features. Nothing wrong with having features, as long as they have something to offer the track, or actually enhance the track. Too many features on tracks these days, for the sake of having features. If it makes the track more banging, then sure, if it doesn't, well then keep them off.
Replay value. Nothing like bumping an album, have your fav tracks at the start, then when you start getting over them tracks, you listen to it more and find a hidden gem that you missed.
Timeless. To me what makes albums Classics, is the ability to bump these tracks 10-20 shit even 50 years from now like it was brand new. Best example is 2pac. His music is just timeless. The Production was dope (not oversaturated mainstream shit, but music with emotion), his delivery was superb, and he definatly had messages/stories.
Another point, Messages. I like tracks that have stories to them, or have direct message. You know songs with meaning. 2pac had songs dedicated to his mother, political messages (even letter), how women are mistreated, real everyday struggles etc. Examples I can think of are Eminem Marshall Matters LP and Sticky Fingaz - black Trash. They were story telling albums, but gives you more insight to the artistwhich I think builds more fans.
Or Even Ne-Yo...one of the best songwirtters in my opinion atm. Although he is mainstream and can write big hits for top artists, you listen to his songs, and its not your typical I love you baby type love songs. There is something that you can relate to, like daamn, I have been through that, or yeah I know how this dude feels. It's like you relate to the artist from experience or in pacs case other peoples experience etc.
This sort of stuff is missing from albums, and to me much more of this is needed.
Don't get me twisted, nothing wrong with a decent hard hitting club record, but don't do it for the sake of trend. Be original, or make sure it fits in with the album, or that your whole record isn't aimed at making people dance etc.
Sorry a bit long winded, but you asked for it :p Hopefully you can make sense of this.
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Features - I don't mind a feature or 2, or especially a posse cut. But please don't sell me a goddamn compiliation masquerading as a solo album. All that tells me is you're not skilled enough to hold down an entire album by yourself.
Production - Using one producer for an album is almost unheard of today which is a huge reason albums aren't cohesive. I can stand more than one, but a lot of albums struggle and have no difinitive sound because there's 15 producers on 15 tracks. Stay the fuck away from superproducers. There's about 20 producers that are used on nearly every mainstream release today. How people can still get hyped for that blows my mind. If you have your own in house production, you have something unique that NO ONE else has. That is a good thing for an artist.
couldnt have said it better myself
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Honestly I think there isnt a need to have your album be cohesive unless you are making an Opera, a musical, or an album that is conceptual.. for the most part variety is good and trying out new things is great..innovation is the up and coming trend.. be a little bit different than the last guy.. but not copy him and then put your own flair.. make it your own from beginning to end. And XL you know we cool so Ill drop it on the real..... Dont be afraid to step out of the box staying in your comfort zone doesnt let you grow.. and right now I think everyone wants someone who just brings something new to the table.. because especially on the west coast weve heard the same shit time and time again from artists.. and do we really care abouta song about a 22 inch rims? Do we care if youre the scariest monster on the street?? Do we care if you can beat up your producer?? Do we care if you can put bullets in someones chest?? Do we care if you hit 3 wheel motion while sippin potion?? lol... No we dont care.. because weve been hearing about all those things since 92' or earlier.. And here it is about to be 2009 and we are still on the same subjects?? The same fucking subjects over and over since The Chronic album dropped... I think that separates the trully talented artists by how much innovation and variety of subject matter they can put out.. artistic artists will start to appear soon.. and it will be more about the art of rap than the street worthiness of the rapper.. everything eventually evolves and rap is in a great depression its the era of innovation that pulls us out of that depression.
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DOPE THREAD! WHATS UP XL?? I THINK A GOOD ALBUM IS ALL OF THEY ABOVE, FOR THE MOST PART I FEEL LIKE ALOT OF THE NEW TALENT DOES ALOT OF THESE THINGS BUT HOW DO WE GET EVERYONE THINKING LIKE WE ARE?????
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DOPE THREAD! WHATS UP XL?? I THINK A GOOD ALBUM IS ALL OF THEY ABOVE, FOR THE MOST PART I FEEL LIKE ALOT OF THE NEW TALENT DOES ALOT OF THESE THINGS BUT HOW DO WE GET EVERYONE THINKING LIKE WE ARE?????
Dae One whats good fam!!! yeah its true what works for one album or one artist may not work for the next, so everyone got some good points in here...i feel like this thread is a good read for any artist looking to put together a solid project, i can definitely say its been good to read everyone's thoughts....
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Make sure it's properly mixed,something that has become a problem after the "industry collapsed". :-\ (http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=236317.msg2389139#msg2389139)
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An album with time and consideration taken into the track layout, and one important thing: production: If it sounds cheap, or horrible - like a lot of current releases - I wont buy it.
I like production that has that authentic instrumentation sound to it. Saxophones, clarinets, Real guitar riffs, some brass instruments, and only have some percussion sounds secondary to the rest. Production, which allows music to be a pleasurable listening experience, and not sound like cheap electronic spaceman shyt, which sounds like it took 5 minutes to make
^^^^
Get that right on retail albums, then the artists can work harder on delivering on good music
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The answer is simple. A great album is one where every single song is enjoyable to listen to. Whether its a concept album that flows perfectly from track to track, or whether its just a collection of hit songs (IE Illmatic) doesn't truly matter. I want to be able to vibe to every song on there. That's the most important element.
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One of the big underlooked but in my opinion, significant things is how the songs transition from one to another. That's why I love Dre albums. I mean, when I listen to the end of "The Day The Niggaz Over" and it goes right into "G-Thang", it's just so smooth and makes you appreciate how those songs compliment one another. Obviously, you can listen to "G Thang" on its own and it works fine but it's a different experience altogether when you listen to it through the album straight through. I think the same can be said of "Forgot About Dre" and "Next Episode". I used to make a lot of Dr. Dre mix CD's in the day and I'd often put songs like "Dre Day" and "Let Me Ride" together because they didn't sound right if they were seperated. This isn't just a Dr. Dre thing either. "Thriller" does this well. Radio stations often play Queen's "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions" together and it really works as one complete work.
Guest features are fine if they are done as part of the album and not just throwing big names on the project to sell it. I like collaborations that actually sound like the artists are feeding off one another, not just one artist dropping a 16 bar over an instrumental to bridge the gap between choruses.
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West up xl!! Like you said a lot of it's promotion unless you got $$ you got to sign that contract and hopefully get on the wack radio playlist to the masses. But fuck that xl your music is banging it takes you back to the 90s west coast era which is my favorite! But like you and Clinton Wayne said yall are rappers for the people but it shows people don't really have a choice... I think that's what it boils down to thank god for Internet and hustlers still pushing their music!!
Keep doing it homie I look forward to desert eagle and middle class blues is the biz!
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and do we really care abouta song about a 22 inch rims? Do we care if youre the scariest monster on the street?? Do we care if you can beat up your producer?? Do we care if you can put bullets in someones chest?? Do we care if you hit 3 wheel motion while sippin potion?? lol... No we dont care..
youīre right but i still like ppl like game!he has that old shit with tha new twist.and things u posted above?thatīs gangsta rap man, but everybody put his own style to it.
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First off the music has to be right , then it comes down to the artist and if they have that something
Me personally i like the mellowed out laid bacc vibe to my music ... Saying something slicc
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And dont forget Dope Hooks , becuz there are alot of songs on albums these days that have a nice beat and the hook is terrible ..
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right
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Props on this thread.. 8)
Good to see real discussion @ the DUB.
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One of the big underlooked but in my opinion, significant things is how the songs transition from one to another. That's why I love Dre albums. I mean, when I listen to the end of "The Day The Niggaz Over" and it goes right into "G-Thang", it's just so smooth and makes you appreciate how those songs compliment one another. Obviously, you can listen to "G Thang" on its own and it works fine but it's a different experience altogether when you listen to it through the album straight through. I think the same can be said of "Forgot About Dre" and "Next Episode". I used to make a lot of Dr. Dre mix CD's in the day and I'd often put songs like "Dre Day" and "Let Me Ride" together because they didn't sound right if they were seperated. This isn't just a Dr. Dre thing either. "Thriller" does this well. Radio stations often play Queen's "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions" together and it really works as one complete work.
Guest features are fine if they are done as part of the album and not just throwing big names on the project to sell it. I like collaborations that actually sound like the artists are feeding off one another, not just one artist dropping a 16 bar over an instrumental to bridge the gap between choruses.
Word the hell up.
I don't know how niggas feed off each other now at times either, cuz ain't half the shit emailed?? Sad.