Search - Anticon Presents Music for the Advancement of Hip :: Anticon Presents: Music for the Advancement of Hip Hop

The title says it all...

Alan Pounds | Minneapolis, MN | 03/24/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Why are there so many people trashing on a record label for trying to change music for the better. Oh no, it's not accessible like all the other crap on MTV...GOOD! Screw MTV, and screw everything they stand for. I'm sure everyone has noticed the downward spiral that commercial hip-hop has been taking. I'm not saying every track in dynamite, but most of the tracks are very impressive, if not shockingly brilliant.



When this album came out in 1999, underground rap was really starting to take off. This CD was an excellent tool for me when I started listening to underground hip-hop. In fact, this CD is one of the direct reasons I started to listen to hip-hop again. I grew up hating rap, mostly because I started listening when commercial rap started really sucking (which is why I stuck to old-school). But in many ways, Anticon started this explosion of "alternative rap". But you must keep in mind, this is a label sampler. I have a bunch of punk and indie rock label samplers that I haven't listened to but once. But let me assure you, this one is quality, if you just give it a chance.



Here's the play by play (my track-listing is far more accurate than Amazon's listed above):



1. Propaganda (Intro) - DJ Mayonnaise, DJ Signify: These guys tear it for the intro, dropping sample that indicate your in for something different.



2. Rainmen - Alias, Dose, Slu, Sole: This song is fantastic. Alias and Sole really surprised me here, one of the standouts for sure. There is also a different version of this song on the Deep Puddle Dynamics album.



3. (untitled) - Buck 65: I read someone bash on Buck 65 earlier...idiot. I just picked up Buck 65's "Vertex" album from 1999. That album is absolutely amazing. He did everything on the album - songwriting, rapping, turntables, engineering, mixing and producing. He's a true talent.



4. Interlude #1: just an interlude, no big deal



5. Savior - Eyedea, Slug, Sole: The best song on the CD in my opinion. Here we have Eyedea's introduction (incredible). Along with Slug, Sole and a killer beat. This is definitely a must listen.



6. It's Them - Dose: This is also a stellar standout track, although I must admit, Dose is definitely not my favorite rapper. But this song is REALLY different. His voice mixed with the cut up beat is just sick. I probably wouldn't recommend a full CD with Dose on it, but this track works perfectly for this compilation.



7. Interlude #2: just another spaced out interlude.



8. Divine Disappointment - Alias: Oh man, this is another one of my favorite songs. Alias is truly far ahead of his time, as well as a great lyricist and producer. Check out his debut "Other Side of the Looking Glass". It's even better.



9. Meditations - DJ Signify: A nice piece of turntablism



10. Human Races the Tortoise - Dose, Sole: Another pretty sweet tune, pushing the envelope even further (which seems to be Dose's specialty). Just remember the title...



11. My Little Habit - Mr. Skurge: Pretty good, nothing to get to excited over



12. Nothing But Sunshine - Slug: How could you not love this song. Here's a glimpse of Slug back in the "Headshots" days.



13. Interlude #3 - a little cooler than the other interludes in my opinion. But yes, just another interlude.



14. Martyr Theme Song - Sole & Moodswing: Man, this track is really good too. I got to get a "Sole" album.



15. Simulated Snow - 6.2: 6.2 is one talented rapper, don't skip this one.



16. Interlude #4: What do you think?



17. Holy Shi*! - 6.2, Buck 65, Circus, Cosmic Love*uck, Sole: This track is frickin' awesome.



18. Bright Moments - Pedestrian: Pedestrian is a great rapper, and definitely has a unique flow. I like this song. Although, I did just pick-up his new album, "UnIndian Songs", which I found to be a little disappointing.



Well, there you have. If you want to hear something truly different, than pick this up. If you want to see the same beats and flows recycled a thousand times over, then don't buy it. But the title of the album still holds strong. Music for the Advancement of Hip-Hop. I'm out..."

The most significant hip-hop album in YEARS...

TSA | The Lab | 06/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It all comes up from the underground... and this is hip-hop light years ahead of your time... MC's like Sole, Dose, Slug, Buck 65 and Alias arrange their poetry to perfection. The deepest hip-hop album I've ever heard, and it takes months to decipher how INCREDIBLY ill it is. It's expression at it's fullest, and it embraces hip-hop more than the average fan could fathom. The beats and production is intoxicating and sets the perfect mood. Creative drum programming included. Worth buying a copy or two. The best album of 1999."

Do not miss this one

TSA | 11/29/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Do not second guess this cd. This is a collection of the greatest mc's in music today. Easily the best album of the year, and deserves to be heard by all hip hop heads of the world."