Our Guests Sound Off: Their Top 10 West Coast Emcees

Monster post. Seriously. Thanks to Shad, Addi, Donny, KO, Arcee for contributing your time and your thoughts to these pieces. The order is just the order I got them in, and all are equally significant and come from minds of hip hop of different generations, eras, areas, and tastes. The beauty of hip hop is the debate. How does this match up to Fred’s list? Mine? Weigh in here or there, but be sure to check out the pages attached to each contributors post for more info on them. Enjoy the read and learn!

*The post has only been changed to include links and such. The text has remained untouched, even with grammatical errors…Real authentic*

Shad’s Top 10

When I confronted Shad’s manager to hook me up with his own personal top ten (Sup G!) he admitted that while he doesn’t know much about the West Coast, but Shad will undoubtedly contribute. Without a shadow of a doubt, the very busy Shad who can be seen on the SXSW Music Fest down in Texas later this month and will be anywhere and everywhere this summer on the Vans Warped Tour. When he isn’t cooking up some of the wittiest lyrics known to mankind, he writes Top 10 West Coast MC’s lists for KevinNottingham.com. Check his out:

1. Tupac - nothing needs to be said
2. Ice Cube – the definition of west coast: funky, hard. doughboy in the hood.
3. Rass Kass – illest lyricist ever from the west in my opinion. soul on ice is still brilliant.
4. Del – reppin hiero plus diverse solo career.
5. Aceyalone – reppin freestyle fellowship plus some classic solo material in the mid 90’s.
6. Snoop – from ‘nothin but a g thang’ to ‘drop it like it its hot’. never my personal favourite but puuuure west coast.
7. Murs – reppin livin legends and now one of the biggest touring acts in hip hop.
8. Fatlip – classic on the pharcyde records plus that hilarious video and mini-bio w/spike jonze for ‘whats up fatlip’…
9. Blu – for the new generation
10. Game – for the new generation

• Shad Interview
• Old Prince Album Review
• Shad on MySpace

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Adhimu “Mindbender” Stewart’s Top 10

Mindbender, or Addi as I like to call him, is pretty much the smartest, biggest, and most known hip hop head in Canada. Chances are if you haven’t heard of him, you’ve read something by him or heard his opinion through a friend of a friend. They don’t come much more intellectual than this man right here. He currently writes for NOW Magazine, Canada’s biggest entertainment magazine and spits on the daily basis amongst the 1000 other things you might catch him doing. Nevertheless, he ALWAYS has time for hip hop. Here are his words:

This is how I feel today. Tomorrow, it might be a whole different list. But these MCs all changed my life in one way or another. I hope you agree, but if you don’t… state your case, gangsta. Here’s mine:

10. The Alkaholiks
From ‘Only When I’m Drunk’ to ‘WLIX’ to ‘Hip Hop Drunkies’ to ‘The Best U Can’, the Liks have been an integral part of the expansion of the perception of West Coast rapping, and I have always loved Tash’s tongue-slashing savage rhyme madness. J-Ro ain’t no slacker, neither.

9. The Pharcyde
In some ways, they are the illest foursome ever. But the heartbreaking lack of material hurts their treasured legacy. I hope you already understand how brilliant ‘Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde’ is. But there is always someone out there who has not discovered that ‘Labcabincalifornia’ is a motherfucking masterpiece, too. And ‘Hey You’ shoulda blown up, if ‘Groupie Therapy’ didn’t. Also, ‘She Said’ and all its divine (Dilla) remixes are some of the most soulful love songs ever made in rap history. I pray one album with the original four Pharcyde is on its way like Quinton.

8. E-40
Bow down, mortal. Bow to this living legend, this unappreciated Yay Area genius that has been sprinkling hip hop with one-of-a-kind amazingness for over 20 years, fo’ shiggadale. How long has it been? An hour? You still have not bowed down to Earl Stevens enough, mere mortal. Keep worshipping.

7. Kurupt
In an alternate universe, Kurupt separated from the clutches of Suge Knight right after Death Row imploded (the first time), dropped like four albums full of wild freestyling gangsta fury, and carved a name amongst the best lyricist to ever emerge from the Sunshine State. As it stands, he’s just a disgusting and disgustingly underrated west coast veteran. Have you heard ‘Trylogy’ on Streets Iz A Mutha? More, please. Much more.

6. Souls of Mischief
I will never forget the moment I heard ‘That’s When You Lost’. I said to myself: “It’s humanly possible to do this with rap lyrics? Okay then.” These four Oakland-bred freaks of nature stirred some shit up that raised the level of lyricism from 1993 until infinity. They even went to 1999 with their 1994 sophomore set, ‘No Man’s Land’, and people weren’t ready for their evolution, just like Leaders of The New School. They are still evolving to places the average listener is unsure about going. And I love them for it.

5. Crooked I
In some ways, I think this guy is the best rapper on planet earth right now. But his inability to give me a full length album disappointingly moves him down the list. His brilliant balance of Pro-Black Power consciousness and L.A. Gangster gat-blasting gullyness is something I truly respect, and I can’t wait til Crooked I’s stars fully align. He has released a lot of stunning songs over the years (peace to his Hip Hop Weekly series, ‘Gangstaology’ and his unbelievable Wake Up Show debut), but it’s still not quite official, somehow. Honestly, I hope his era begins ASAP. C’mon, this guy said: “Gucci hat tilted gun clapper/ I’m every artist Suge ever signed in one rapper!” The scary thing about it, is that it’s more true than false.

4. Ras Kass
A thinker like no other. A 51% genius, 49% madman, as all true greats should be. His percentages fluctuate, and in the days where the Goldyn Chyld chiseled Soul on Ice, he was more like 90% genius, 10% madman, and was virtually invincible. He redefined the West Coast rapper at a time when it was necessary for them to diversify their bonds, ninja.  Label woes, personal demons, and the fact that he was too smart for his own good steered Ras Kass’s career to places that nobody wanted it to go (like jail), and I still await John Austin the Fourth to emerge from solitary confinement like some philosophical phoenix flying out the ashes. Can’t leave rap alone, the game needs you too, Ras!

3. Del tha Funky Homosapien
Often imitated never duplicated. Del is a dimension that is always growing in marvelous ways, and is always a pleasant place to visit. His quirky approach to storytelling and witty wordplay, his funky phoenetic fluidity and his imaginary-yet-realistic songwriting spectrum has consistently been able to contain whole worlds of wonder. Hieroglyphics music, Deltron, Gorillaz, other side projects, and even his production and his drawings all contribute to the underrated greatness that is and has always been Del the Funky Homosapien’s art. New jacks sleepin’ on my couch and I’m tired of that!

2. Freestyle Fellowship
If L.A. took their styles back, these four future rhythm rebels would become the multi-millionaires, and would have schools and books created in their honor, to insightfully study the timeless high science they spat when they were rhyming. ‘For Whom It May Concern’ and ‘Innercity Griots’ could come out today (decades after they were created) and still sound like they were from the future. The jazz madman flows, inflections, syllable patterns, and harmonies the Freestyle Fellowship created have yet to be equalled, in my eyes and ears. Their combined superpowers could slay the catalogues of a thousand wack MCs, but controlling their own universe-twisting skills proved to be too difficult to translate into the proper solo careers, even though they are thankfully still active. There is no way they should be so unknown. Aceyalone, Self-Jupiter, P.E.A.C.E. and Mikah Nine are just too fucking phenomenal to stay so secret.

1. N.W.A. (Ice Cube, MC Ren, Dr. Dre and Eazy-E)
I was real young, living in Edmonton. Just a regular kid, all innocent and shit. It was the late 80’s. Those big yellow Sony Walkmans were still the standard of portable entertainment. My friend Teak had one, and he had a few rap cassettes that I didn’t have, as well. One unforgettable day, he told me “Come downstairs and listen to this.” I said “What’s so crazy about this one?” He said: “You have to listen to this in the headphones, and you have to in the corner of the room.” I thought: “What the hell is up with this tape? Hmmm, the cover is kinda nuts. They are all standing over me, and one guy is pointing a gun at my face… let me press play on this tape.” Lethally injected directly into my virgin freaking ears was the shotgun shock of one O’Shea Jackson screaming “Straight Outta Compton! Crazy motherfucker named Ice Cube! From a gang called Niggaz With Attitude!”

My entire mind exploded into a million little pieces. And since that moment, my life was changed in a way that could never be changed back.

Efil4zaggin, motherfuckers.
Business & Music: www.reverbnation.com/mindbender
Music & Thoughts:www.mindbenderfuturama.wordpress.com

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Donny Goines’ Top 10

Donny is a loyal and resilient MC, and as he says, if you don’t know his name by now, he isn’t working hard enough. Of course, you can find him on K Nots with a great interview with the team: [Donny Goines interview], as well as a review written by Freddie C for Donny’s latest LP, Minute After Midnight [read the review]. Like Shad, he too will be on SXSW. Here’s his top ten:

1. Snoop Dogg – This artist was my first real introduction to the West Coast and his first album is a classic. Probably the best to ever do it from the Left Coast

2. Ice Cube – Ice Cube to me really is one of the greatest artists from the other side. Not only was in a legendary group, but he also was a very successful solo artist aswell. Not too mention all the other things he’s done for the game.

3. Dr Dre – Dre only is in third place because I consider him more a producer then artist but none the less his track record on both sides speak volumes.

4. Easy E – Not only was this man a founder of one of the greatest collectives in history, but he also was a dope MC in his own right. R.I.P Eric Wright

5) Warren G – “Regulatorsssss Mount up”. That’s all I’m gonna say.

6. Ice T - This pimp turned rapper really had a way with words. Colors is still a ill song and when talking about the greatest from the west he can’t be left out.

7/8. Kurupt and Daz Dillinger (A.K.A Tha Dogg Pound) – Separately or collectively these two were a force to be reckoned with. I also feel they are slept on and desevre to be on this list.

9. Mac 10 – I like homie a lot and always thought he was really dope.

10. MC Eight – Last but not least one of the original OG’s in the game. How could he not be one of the greatest?

• Donny Goines on MysSace

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DJ K.O.’s Top 10

We had the pleasure of interviewing Keenan Ormsby, aka DJ KO [read the interview], and found out some interesting stories. One that stood out was his discovery of the chemistry between Royce and Elzhi, a combo he set up on his drastically slept on Picture This record. Planning to make moves in 2009 and constantly on the grind (and one hell of a good dude), KO took time out of his busy schedule to hit us up with his take on the Top 10 MC’s out of the West. Giving props to the New School, surely, KO has his eyes on a few cats that will make some magic happen…so we probably should keep an eye out too.

10. Planet Asia – One of the most consistent to make dope records over the years reppin Fresno, CA.  One of my personal favorite records is the “Bringin’ It Back (Kut Masta Kurt Remix)”.

09. Xzibit – Before he was pimpin out your ride, Mr. X to the Z was livin at the speed of life and making really dope records.  From joints like “Paparazzi”, “The Foundation”, “Eyes May Shine (Remix)” & “What U See Is What U Get”…X definitely deserves a spot on this list.

08. Dilated Peoples – I remember hearin “Work The Angles” on college radio back in the late 90’s and being hooked.  They had ill beats, dope rhymes and Babu killin the 1’s & 2’s.  They made really dope hip-hop records that gave an East Coast head like myself, the “boom bap” but with a West Coast state of mind.

07. Bishop Lamont – How can someone who’s never officially put out a record in his career be in a Top 10 list you may be asking yourself???  Because he’s writing for one of the most famous hip-hop artists ever.  Bottom line is Bishop makes dope songs.  He’s got a great ear for beats and knows how to inject humor and social commentary with the obligatory braggadocio tracks.  I’m a fan.

06. Kurupt – One of the West’s illest lyricists in his prime.  Young Gotti was a part of countless classic records during Death Row’s regin of dominance.

05. Blu – Below The Heavens was an incredible album…it helped remind me that great music speaks for itself.  Hopefully his new situation with the “machine” behind him will help get his music to more people.

04. Murs – An emcee who truly represents the “everyman” in his rhymes.  I first heard him on his Varsity Blues record and have been pickin up everything since.  “Walk Like A Man” is one of the illest story joints I’ve heard in a long time.

03. Snoop Dogg – What can I say that hasn’t already been said about this West Coast legend.  Only thing I can bring to the table is how this man helped me develop a taste for Gin.  Thanks Snoop.

02. Ice Cube – Again, I’m probably biased because we have another West Coast emcee that had that East Coast sound.  Well atleast early on once he left N.W.A.  Kill At Will is one of the illest hip-hop EP’s ever.  Cube was too real for the masses.

01. Tupac – I honestly don’t have much to say here…which is kind of odd since I have him at #1.  He’s one of the most beloved artists in music history…whether you like it or not.  They started COLLEGE classes on this man’s lyrics.  While some people debate over his skills, one thing is undeniable about Pac, he made music anyone could feel in their soul.  That’s a gift few people in the world have.

• DJ KO on MySpace

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Arcee’s Top 10

When he isn’t digging in crates or dropping rhymes, Arcee runs the most successful (and legit) radio show in the country. You might’ve seen their names around the site, The Real Freaks aka The Real Frequency on Flow 93.5 alongside Musiklee Inzane and DJ P Plus and their web content pimp Keezy. A wealth of knowledge and sample-nut, Arcee is one of most known and well respects cats out of the city. Not only is he a fan of the site, but the radio show has recently teamed up with K Nots for a variety of projects they are dropping on their blog. Be on the lookout for a project Arcee has on the rise with KevinNottingham.com favourite, Jake One.

1. Ice Cube
2. Snoop Dogg
3. 2Pac
4. Ras Kass
5. Too Short
6. Ice-T
7. Tash (Tha Liks)
8. Kurupt
9. E-40
10. King Tee

The homie Jake One [listen to the interview] really put me on to a lot of random ass west coast shit back in the days like RBL Posse, Totally Insane, The Click, 415, Above the Law and others. So I feel like I’ve been reasonably exposed to enough dope west coast shit over the years to feel confident about my list. I’ve taken into account both skills and impact. For many, Pac at #1 would be a no-brainer.  But for me, when you look at Ice Cube’s catalog from N.W.A. through Lethal Injection, his impact is pretty much undeniable.  And Snoop – well, Snoop is a pop culture phenomenon with a one of a kind style unique to his California roots.

Leaving B-Real off was kind of tough, since I was such a heavy Cypress head around their first album, but E-40’s impact was ultimately far larger. And the first 3 King Tee albums are all classics – especially Tha Triflin’ Album.  I’ve always felt that cats slept on Tash from Tha Liks, who has consistently delivered some of the most original, entertaining shit as an MC. And how could leave Too Short off knowing that I had “I Ain’t Trippin” blasting the minute my parents left the crib? West coast music has always been more about creating a ‘vibe’ than strictly about lyrics or beats individually.  And I think all the MC’s on my list are representative of that.

• Real Frquency Blog
• The Real Frequency Presents:  16 16s
• Canadian Classix Series

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