rofl, who do you think you are, Brown at the least "helped inspire" rap if nothing else.

""Oooh we have a musical elitist here with theprof. Two can play at that game.

Almost all modern rap/hip-hop/r&b is an embarrassment to music, even the people who practically created those genres such as James Brown (who is a legend) are ashamed of what it has become. That includes your 'underground' music.

Edit: And yeah, as you might have guessed I don't actually have a personal favourite in modern hip hop.

*shuffles out of the topic*""

did they practiacally create it sir? did they? was it james brown? Oh it wasn't? it was james brown the legend that did it? What he's ashamed of rap? He's ashamed of people like nas and kanye and others who are trying to help make the message more positive and make gangsta rap the enemy instead of law? THE James BRown (the legend)?!?!? WHAt!?!? :P

brown gave as much inspiration for rap as elvis did singing black folk songs to a rock and roll beat. James brown, what a joke. just like a "prolific icon of black awareness" to hate his own. (insert reverend jesse james quote here)

and your 3d sucks, looks like the ground blew up around the sewer. :P i'm just playing, but seriously, if you knew about rap, you would defend it just like any other genre is defendable.

I know I would, but I'm a bigoted and bitter individual so I don't.

Brother Ali- Shadows On The Sun
Atmosphere- God Loves Ugly
Hieroglyphics- Full Circle
Del- Deltron 3030
CunninLynguists- A Piece Of Strange
CunninLynguists- SouthernUnderground
Living Legends- Almost Famous

being a heavy metal fan I dont know why Im here

but ill suggest one

Black Eyed Peas - Elephunk only hip-hop I ever bought.

Stankonia - OutKast
Electric Circus - Common
The Tipping Point - The Roots
Game Theory - The Roots

Hip Hop influenced R&B:
Baduizm - Erykah Badu
Mama's Gun - Erykah Badu
Worldwide Underground - Erykah Badu

Hip Hop influenced electronic:
The Outsider - DJ Shadow

Nas-Untitled(The new album formely known as Nigger)
Nas-Hip Hop Is Dead
Cannibal Ox-The Cold Vein
El-P-I'll Sleep When You're Dead
The Roots-Game Theory
Aesop Rock-Labor Days
Madvillain-Madvaillainy
Viktor Vaughn-Vaudeville Villain
DangerDoom-The Mouse and the Mask
MF Doom-MM...Food!
Common-Finding Forever
Non-Phixion-The Future Is Now
RJD2-Deadringer
J-Live-All of the Above
Ghostface-Fishscale
Ghostface-Supreme Clientele
Soul Position-8 Million Stories
Jay-Z-American Gangster
Jay-Z-The Blueprint
Little Brother-The Listening
Mr. Lif-Emergency Rations

There's plenty more but that's a good start off point. I know a lot about 80's hip hop, so I can steer you in that direction if you'd like. Try out Mr. Lif, Cannibal Ox, Little Brother, The Roots and Madvillain.

You're calling me dumb for talking about recent rap and not listing anything past 2004 when I clearly ASKED for recommendations because I am aware that I am unaware of recent rap?  And on top of that, because I don't know what bullshit rap you like, you accuse me of liking emo underground garbage?  I have more artistic sensibilities in my foreskin than you'll ever even read about.

You sir, are a dumb person.

Please leave my thread and stop harassing my friends.

Hip Hop isn't my taste unless you count mattafix

Will Smith - Willenium

Stankonia - Outkast