Oliver's book: two years later
faux_rillz
14,343 Posts
Yeah, I know we're not supposed to post about things unrelated to transexuals--and the deletion of threads devoted to transexuals--on here, but I revisited this book earlier today and realized that it had been two years since it was published and we had discussed it on here. I have to say I think I was guilty of hatting the first time around--most of the writing is much better than I remember it being. However, I also don't remember being as annoyed by the selection of albums included as I was when flipping through it today. There's barely any southern records in there: Outkast, 2 Live Crew, Geto Boys/Scarface and Cash Money. No U.G.K and no Eightball & MJG. Also, I don't think I'd listened to any of those early-nineties Hieroglyphics albums in a few years at the point when the book was published, but having since revisited them, I definitely don't think they belong in any kind of canon of great rap albums. But I'm not trying to hate--I'd really like to hear from Oliver here. To hear how the book looks to him after two years. In particular, I'm curious as to what Oliver thinks of the selection at this point, since it appears to me that some of his ideas about rap have changed over the course of the past two years.
Comments
Sure it was.
The south's been on top for about eight years now.
Well, it's not supposed to be devoted to any particular spot on the map but, as with all such books/lists, it's pretty NYcentric. And I don't really have a problem with that since it's supposed to be a survey of great rap albums issued since the genre's inception, and New York ran rap for so many years. However, the south has dominated rap for about seven years now and U.G.K. and Eightball and MJG are two of the four main groups that really inspired the current generation of southern artists. They definitely are, and were, a lot more popular than some of the other artists that found their way into the book, although influence--rather than popularity--is the reason why I think they should have been included.
And, yeah, there is a Cannibal Ox entry.
Can someone explain what the appeal of this group is?
You'll have to ask somebody that's actually heard them.
the ego trip book had a fair amount of southern stuff and that book was like, what, 6 years ago?
Well, it depends on what you mean. I'm not sure that Eightball & MJG have ever had that many fans outside of the south, but they've sold a lot more records in the south than artists like Souls of Mischief have sold in the entire world. I mean, is there any place where Souls of Mischief was ever actually what anybody would call popular?
They did a really good job of avoiding regional prejudice. Some of the southern albums were not placed as highly as I would now--looking back--have put them on their annual lists, but all the really important records were there.
serious... back in 99, nyc dudes still held onto the notion that were center of the earth and southern stuff was junk, but they had some nice cash money/no limit stuff in that book...
ugk, ball and g...geto boys and who?
cold vein is classic. bring on the hatting.
are you saying things have changed in the NYC?
prediction: 4 page thread
I really don't consider that book worth the read (no offense O), it was severly lopsided as to what was and was not accepted in it. It seemed more hype or album sale based than influence based. I don't have the book in front of me, but I do remember flipping through it and being amazed at alot of the albums that were in there and alot of the albums that weren't. I mean Cannibal Oxe? WTF.
I seem to remember having an issue with the PE album listed and the Outkast listing??? I can't remember though. It reminded me more of someone's personal favorites list than necessarily some sort of guide.
I can't really be mad at PE or Outkast. Cannibal Ox is some shit that I don't understand. Not one person I know has been like "Man you gotta fuck with that Cannibal Ox". I couldn't get thru it when I attempted to listen to it.
Cannibal Ox "the f word (rjd2 remix)" is real nice in a non-def jux kind of way. But overall...
Yeah i saw that shit on CSPAN 2 on Sunday. Only caught the end of it though.
h
just have never ever been a fan... my pennys worth
i'll refrain from badmouthing oliver's book because i haven't read it. could someone post a list of albums covered?
To be clear, both Scarface and the Geto Boys are mentioned--there's a combined entry for, I think, Grip It... and Mr. Scarface is Back.
What I was saying above is that that is one of only four entries devoted to southern artists, the others being 2 Live Crew, Outkast and Cash Money.
no funcrusher was dumb too... though their vinyl 12s were right with clear jacket and that ill artwork on the 2nd one.
they were still wack though... that was some supreme backpack shit to me like anticon... some of those anticon kids are homies but that sound makes me want to stop listenting to rap music... and living legends... foul. that shits mad cornball to me...
and i just want to make sure yall know that im not one of the suspects that was jerking off that teabag rascal... i dont like that dude either...
Not the most auspicious credential for giving a fair shake to foul gansta raps...
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I like Funcrusher Plus & Can Ox, but I also like Downtown Science. I don't think any of those albums deserve mention among the best ever. One thing I'll say for Can Ox: They brought back the noise. Their production reminded me of some Bomb Squad ish. I don't think they were that dope as Emcees.
Peace
h