Dutch Hip-Hop

One of the benefits of living in Holland is I'm in the mecca of cultural diversity. I know allot of people would argue that New York is that place but the Netherlands used to own New York. Which is why NYC has cities named Harlem, Brooklyn, Rotterdam and Amsterdam because its origins are here.

Although Holland is a tiny country it has enormous talent! Dutch Hip-Hop is a mix of US and European influences blended and twisted into their own style. Most of the older rappers here spit in English because they grew up on US Hip-Hop. The younger generation tends to spit in their own language (Dutch) so their people can relate.

Over the years I've worked with numerous Dutch artists and have shot video clips for MC's DJ Nemo and Gekke C (Crazy C). You can watch their clips under the videos tab or go to youtube. Below I posted clips from a few artists spitting in both languages. SugaCane aka Redlight Boogie, Mr. Probz, Deams, K.V. (Kleine Viezerik which means little pervert in English) and the group Opgezwolle. All MC's with talent and their own unique style. Check 'em out!

Next Generation

The next generation of rappers have been steadily making their mark in the industry. All four are from different parts of the map and spit with a unique style. Freddie Gibbs (Gary, IN), Kendrick Lamar (Compton, CA), Curren$y (New Orleans, LA) and  Termanology (Lawrence, MA).

Freddie Gibbs,  has a monster underground buzz cuz of his machine gun fire delivery and hard lyrics.(I like that catz flow) Kendrick Lamar, worked with Dr. Dre on detox. Curren$y, is a veteran who used to be signed to Cash Money back in 2005. He got released from their label started his own label and is finally getting some shine. Termanology, has been building a buzz on the underground since 2006 before hitting mainstream success. He recently released the project 1982 with DJ Statik Selektah. Check 'em out.

Fresh Faces

There's some good music coming out. Not just on mixtapes I've heard a few albums that were banging. I like that 2011 has allot of new blood and fresh faces in the industry making moves. I talk to some artists and their sour cuz of how saturated the industry is right now. May view is, if your music is dope and you grind it will shine and rise to the top. No matter how many catz there are in the business. (real talk) 

Below are some new tunes by a few fresh faces and veterans from all points on the map. There's Mister F.A.B. from Cali, Tone Trump from Philly, Talib Kweli from NYC, CoN from Miami and Kardinal Offishall reppin the T-Dot. Check em' out!

Conscious Rap

I consider Conscious Rap, music made to illicit change in ones social situation, city, state or surrounding environment. Its considered a underground, sub-genre of hip hop that focuses on social issues. It is not necessarily political, but it does discuss social issues and conflicts. Themes of conscious hip hop include religion, economy,stopping violence, Black, Latino, and Asian American cultural advancement.

Grandmaster Flash's "The Message" was one of the first successful political and conscious hip hop tracks, describing the poverty, violence, and dead-end lives of the black youth of the time. Hip-Hop was once full of groups that delivered a strong message without sounding preachy. 

Groups like A Tribe Called Quest, and Blackstar (Mos Def and Talib Kweli) had mainstream success while promoting a positive message about education and change received less media attention as Hip-Hop became mainstream. 

This post is a tribute to artists and groups who have used their freedom of expression to educate and enlighten others. Below are Immortal Technique, Visionaries, The Roots, Sage Francis, and Paris check 'em out.