Welcome to the Midwest …a rap area that has only recently became noticed within the last 10 or 11 years.
Major Cities: Detroit , Chicago , St. Louis
Key rapping traits: I think that the Midwest values social consciousness over the usual rap styles of money cash and hoes. This style of rap is very intelligent.
If it kid were a kid in high school: It would be the social misfit, the kid who’s maybe a little shy.
Major Rappers
Kanye West- Kanye is by far one of the most outspoken rappers of all time, kinda like the way rappers used to be back in the day. He says what a lot of people are thinking, he just has the balls to say it. I first heard of Kanye when he did Slow Jamz with Twista in 2003. The song was a big hit, and then I noticed him even more on Through the Wire. It was beautiful song that sampled Chaka Khan, and it was about his near death experience. Since then Mr. West made 3 amazing albums (College Dropout, Late Registration, and then my personal favorite Graduation). Later Kanye went through some really really personal things like losing his mother and the woman he dated at the time. Then he made 808s and Heartbreak, which was in my opinion good….but a very depressing album. Now Kanye is back to his old self. Instead of making “Good Ass Job” he decided to make an album like no one has ever heard before called My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The album is a little much but then again rap is an art form.
ANS: Through the Wire
Kid Cudi- If I was a rapper sometimes I could make songs Mr. Scott Mescudi. Cudi’s music is often depressing but I enjoy it because it is so emotional. Cudi’s first album Man on the Moon was close to being a classic. I loved all the songs on it, except for maybe Solo Dolo. His 2nd album has a darker feel to it….but the most of the songs on the 2nd album “The Legend of Mr. Rager” are different enough to carry the album. The songs near the end just didn’t seem as creative as the first 12. Kid Cudder is a dope rapper.
ANS: Day N Nite
Lupe- Lupe is a rapper that I feel does not get enough credit. He’s an impeccable lyricsist and his flow is great. His first 2 albums are incredible and very creative. Lupe is an interesting artist as he rarely cusses and his raps aren’t offensive to women in the least bit. His first album Food & Liquor is arguably his best, but my personal favorite is the follow up The Cool. The Cool is a long album filled with various concept songs. His 3rd album is him dumbed down but Lasers is still a good album with some noteworthy hits.
ANS: Hip Hop Saved My Life
Nelly- Arguably the first to really put the Midwest on the map. Nelly is famous for his party songs, but he’s made some other good love songs too. Nelly was really popular when he first came out and for good reason. Country Grammar and Nellyville sold a lot of albums individually. Afterwards Nelly released a Remix album which was ok, and then a double album Sweat-Suit, which was very good(Collectively). Afterwards though he’s released 2 lackluster albums in a row(Brass Knuckles and 5.0).
Eminem- Last but certainly not least. A rapper who is a top 10 rapper no matter how you put it. His topics are not for the weak at heart. I still regard Loose Yourself as one of the best rap songs to date. Em was in character for that entire song. Em has been making great music for a decade now….even during his 4 year hiatus(05-08) Em was appearing on hit records. Em is also a member of D-12, who have made some really hardcore music in their own discography. I think Em’s best albums are The Eminem Show, The Marshall Mathers LP, and Recovery. The latter is what Encore should have been.
Key Albums by Other notable artitsts
Twista- Kamikaze
Common- Finding Forever
Tech N9ne- All 6s and 7s
Common- Be