Rap Blogosphere Standouts (1st Quarter 2009)

'Cause we could and we would bust a cap ... just to put our homies on the map

Back in January we linked you to the best links the blogosphere had to offer from October-December. Today's focus is somewhat different, though. Rather than honor every instance in which somebody linked a cool interview on youtube or provided a basic review of a throwback album, we are instead focusing in on those blog posts that contribute something new and/or novel to the existing body of knowledge.

Oh, sure, it's an arbitrary call. And it seems like we're disparaging the efforts of bloggers who regularly post content without much commentary, or who stick to basic reviewery. This is not the case at all, however. We acknowledge that the rap blogosphere requires a mixed approach. Not every single post will successfully contribute original or provocative insight. Not every blogger is a great writer. Not every bit of content requires explication. And of course the binary in question is problematic . What about novel, creative blogger-generated content? Aren't the acts of seeking out content, "digging" if you will, laborious, unappreciated, and a huge part of this whole rap thing to begin with?

Hell, our approach here at T.R.O.Y. is decidedly mixed. But as we move ahead, our goals are to move away from mere uploads as much as humanly possible. And frankly, we'd like to see more of an attempt made at generating ideas (in contradistinction to simply conveying opinions, word to Noz) throughout the blogosphere. That doesn't mean we're going cease posting amazing finds, elusive exclusives, or do the work of skimming the best material from your lifeless posts. Nor does it mean that we don't appreciate blogs who shower us with great multimedia finds. But we will increasingly incorporate analysis wherever necessary, and for now we'd like to recognize the posts from other blogs that stand out for their originality, focus, usefulness for research, or simply for being interesting. This is not a comprehensive list and it reflects mostly my own sense of what is good or important. I kept it limited to the type of content that I felt would directly appeal to readers of this blog). The blogs I link are not one or two-hit wonders, either, and in fact many put in work all day, everyday. You should definitely take the time to explore the archives once you're redirected to those sites. With all that said, I challenge you to find something mundane or uninspired in this list:

Analysis

Covers, Blurbs, y Otras Traducciones (wayneandwax)

The TR808 Is Coming ... (breaks for days and beats for weeks)

The Children's Crusade (A People's History Of Hip Hop)

And The GOAT Rap Album is ... (unkut)

Zungazung Revelations (wayneandwax)

A Quick note about the Gucci List (We eat so many shrimp)

Underrated/ Underhated #6 - Black Moon/ Big Daddy Kane (Fat Lace Magazine)

We'll Always Love Big Poppa (Combat Jack With Today's Mathematics)

A Labyrinth, A Maze (Cocaine Blunts)

Forgotten LI, Pt 1: Punk Barbarians (Jesse Serwer)

Forgotten LI, Pt 2: True Mathematics' "For The Money" (Jesse Serwer)

Snowed In With Lyte Week 1-7 (Werner Von Wallenrod)

Unkut Guide To: J.V.C. Force (Unkut)

Poison Clan Appreciation Week (Werner Von Wallenrod)

Newcleus: The Twixt Generation (Werner Von Wallenrod)

Demastas - Feel No Guilt b/w Sunshine (WYDU)

Look Out For The OVC -Jonzun Crew (Cosmic Rock)

Interviews

Quran Of Da Youngstas (Jesse Serwer)

Silver Fox (Unkut)

True Hip Hop Stories: Cinderfella Dana Dane (The D-Nice Journal)

True Hip Hop Stories: Sadat X of Brand Nubian (The D-Nice Journal)

Return To The Realm Of The Mystics -Ug of The Cella Dwellas (Werner Von Wallenrod)

The Legend Of Newcleus - Cozmo D Interview (Werner Von Wallenrod)

Homemade Compilations

Back To '89 (Cold Rock Da Spot)

Female Emcees Vol. 5: Obscure 90s Edition (Cartwheels On Concrete)

Craig G. - Science Dropped 1985-1992 (Ain't It Good To You)

Leaders Of The New School - A Future Without A Past Sample Set (Hip Hop Is Read)

Angelic Wars: The Goodie Mob B-Sides, Cameos, & Remixes (Cocaine Blunts)
A-Town Rap & Bass 1985-1992 (Cocaine Blunts)

Unearthed Rarities (Demos, Unreleased, Freestyles, etc)

WKCR 1990 (Dirty Waters)

Leaders Of The New School T.I.M.E. Demos (THIMK)

Stretch & Bobbito 1996 - Mr Live & Tony Bones (Dirty Waters)

D.I.T.S. - The Last Emperor (THIMK)

Kid N' Play Demo Circa 1994 (WYDU)

JVC Force Radio Promos & Freestyles (The Meaning Of Dope)

Don't Fuck With New Jersey - YZ "Dummy Move" (Cocaine Blunts)

And if you feel you wrote something that deserves to be on this list, let me know.

-- Thun