Episode 54: The Art of Storytelling

 

HipHop has been built on the back of storytelling since day one. The pen game has always been strong providing visuals through words. Along with the good homies Matthew (Long Beach Coffee Club) and Jason G. we bring you the Art of Storytelling Episode. We go in depth to share with the listener songs that both inspire and impact. We take it back with some legendary stories from OG’s Gang Starr, Masta Ace, DMX and Nas. We go new school with younger spitters as Open Mike Eagle, Skyzoo, Dizzy Wright and of course, Kdot. Be inspired by listening to great storytelling done by rhyme. Word.

 

SECTION ONE:

Apathy - What Goes Up (Produced by Apathy) - Wanna Snuggle? - 2009

Gang Starr - JFK to LAX (Produced by DJ Premier) - Moment of Truth - 1998

Masta Ace f/ Punch and Words - Block Episode (Produced by Luis "Sabor" Tineo) - Disposable Arts - 2001

 

SECTION TWO:

Kendrick Lamar f/ Ab Soul and Jay Rock - The Heart Pt. 3 (produced by Tae Beast) - Black Hippy 2 - 2013

DMX - Look Thru My Eyes (Produced by Dame Grease and P Killer Trackz) - It's Dark and Hell Is Hot - 1998

J.Cole - Let Nas Down (Produced by Elite and J. Cole) Album Born Sinner

Nas f/ Lauryn Hill - If I Ruled the World (Produced by Rashad Smith and Trackmasters) - It Was Written - 1996

 

SECTION THREE:

Brother Ali - Dorian (Produced by Ant) - Shadows on the Sun - 2003

Murs and 9th Wonder - Walk like a Man (Produced by 9th Wonder) - MURS 3:16: The 9th Edition - 2004

Evidence f/ Jonwayne - To Make a Long Story Longer (produced by Samiyam) - Weather or Not - 2018

 

SECTION FOUR:

Dizzy Wright - Flatline (produced by DJ Hoppa) - State of Mind 2 - 2017

Open Mike Eagle - Legendary Iron Hood (produced by Exile) - Brick Body Kids Still Daydream - 2017

Dres (Black Sheep) f/ Jaleel Shaw (sax) – I’m Just a Witness (The Ballad of Flo and Joe) (produced by Bean One) - 2016

Royce 5’9 – Tabernacle (produced by Symbolic 1 and J. Rhodes) – Layers – 2016

 

SECTION FIVE:

Skyzoo - Everybody’s Fine (produced by Arte Mitchell) - In Celebration of Us - 2018