Hip-Hop: need suggestions

[bass12]

I'm booked to DJ a party later this week and the booker specifically requested hip-hop. I always incorporate some hip-hop into my sets but it tends to be along the lines of less "commercial" - by today's standards at least - stuff (J-Live, CL Smooth, Digable Planets, Rakim, etc.). I have a feeling that when the booker says "hip-hop" she's not talking about the kind of stuff I would normally play. Not being as up on some of the more current and easily recognized hip-hop I need some suggestions. Basically, what can I play that is sure to rock a party of 20 to mid-30 year-olds - some of whom will be hip-hop heads but many of whom won't be? Thanks for your help!

[VincentSalizeri]

Bonobo does great, instrumental hip-hop.
BLKTOP Project is along the same lines.
Panacea does some good stuff, I think it has some vox.
Common is more along the lines of rap, but does amazing stuff.
Sixfingerz is a newer artist that I've heard great things about.
Nujabes is probably one of the best chill hip-hop projects out there, they did a few soundtracks even, but I don't see them get too much attention.
DJ Shadow has a lot of good tracks, and a lot more weird ones. I'd also credit hims as an early trip-hop artist.
MIA is kind of mainstream, but she does good stuff.
This one's kind of out there, but the Jet Set Radio Future soundtrack is full of great songs.

I don't know if any of these are exactly what you're looking for, but I think they're pretty good.

Good luck DJing.

[bass12]

Those are all good suggestions, Vincent, but I really need stuff that will be more recognizable to the average non-music fan. Unfortunately, "good" is not a prerequisite!

[Tituscrow]

Try The Dispsosable Heroes of HipHoprisy album 'Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury'.

Stick the whole album on and sit back for an hour watching the dancefloor groove

[hover]

Talib Kweli
Jurassic 5.
Common.
the Roots.
John Legend and the Roots (that album is awesome)
Cut Chemist and whomever he's collaborating with
Beastie Boys (yeah, I know)
Dre
Tribe Called Quest
MF Doom


I know some are old school, but definitely crowd pleaser.

[bass12]

Originally Posted by hover

Talib Kweli
Jurassic 5.
Common.
the Roots.
John Legend and the Roots (that album is awesome)
Cut Chemist and whomever he's collaborating with
Beastie Boys (yeah, I know)
Dre
Tribe Called Quest
MF Doom


I know some are old school, but definitely crowd pleaser.

Thanks for the suggestions - that's all I'm looking for: crowd pleasers.

[fmoore200]

Nicki Minaj
Trey Songz
Lupe Fiasco (off Laserz album)
Miguel
Kanye West
Daddy Yankee (technically Reggaeton, but very popular)
Pitbull (his English stuff)
Neyo
Jay Z
Beyonce

[bass12]

Originally Posted by fmoore200

Nicki Minaj
Trey Songz
Lupe Fiasco (off Laserz album)
Miguel
Kanye West
Daddy Yankee (technically Reggaeton, but very popular)
Pitbull (his English stuff)
Neyo
Jay Z
Beyonce

Thanks for those. Keep 'em coming!

[L-A]

With hover and fmoore's suggestions, you should be good for a night. Maybe throw in some unusual names like seeed and RJD2 if you want to surprise enthusiasts but stay in accessible songs.

[KeithBMI]

If you're looking for mainstream stuff, then check out the Hot 97 playlist and the top hip-hop songs on iTunes. It's pretty easy to see what kids are listening to these days.

Here is the link for the Hot 97 playlist.

/ PLAYLIST

If you need more detailed advice, I'm a hip-hop DJ and I can list you off some songs later.

[chuck norriss]

BBC - Radio 1Xtra - Hip Hop
see: tim westwood show always has popular crap

[tastybasslines]

salt shaker

[bass12]

Originally Posted by KeithBMI

If you're looking for mainstream stuff, then check out the Hot 97 playlist and the top hip-hop songs on iTunes. It's pretty easy to see what kids are listening to these days.

Here is the link for the Hot 97 playlist.

/ PLAYLIST

If you need more detailed advice, I'm a hip-hop DJ and I can list you off some songs later.

Originally Posted by chuck norriss

BBC - Radio 1Xtra - Hip Hop
see: tim westwood show always has popular crap

Thanks guys - this is perfect. I'm hoping that at least some of the people at this party will have some taste...

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by bass12

I'm hoping that at least some of the people at this party will have some taste...

Aren't you there to play what they want to hear, not what you think is cool? I have played recorded music at a few weddings over the years, and it usually wasn't the type of music I would listen to, but it wasn't my party.

-Mike

[bass12]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

Aren't you there to play what they want to hear, not what you think is cool? I have played recorded music at a few weddings over the years, and it usually wasn't the type of music I would listen to, but it wasn't my party.

-Mike

Yes, I'm there to play what they want to hear, more or less, which is why I posted my original question. That doesn't stop me from hoping that some of the people there will be into the kind of stuff I usually DJ.

[MJ5150]

That would be nice and help the night go by quicker.

-Mike

[bass12]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

That would be nice and help the night go by quicker.

-Mike

It would also help calm my nerves. I have a lot of music but I don't have much of the popular stuff that currently gets played in clubs (and that most of the crowd will likely be familiar with). There's nothing worse than having to DJ a party without the kind of music that works for the audience in attendance. When I originally accepted this gig my understanding was that I'd be filling the gaps between a band's set. Turns out that's not the case and that I'll need a lot more music than I'd originally thought.

[hover]

I would definitely scour the hot playlists, and temper every 4-5 hot tracks with definite classics / some of the more out-there but still accesible cuts.

Run the range of it too. Throw in some classic curveballs to prick the ears. Don't be afraid to pinpoint some of the older r&b and soul that inspired the hip-hop tracks if you can note where the samples came from... and don't ignore J Brown, Otis, Al green...all the way to P-funk / Cameo. Commodores....anything with deep groove or good beat is gonna fly. Barry White.

Cater to the whole crowd, just keep 'em moving. You know what you're doing. At least that's what I'd do....can you cut in beats? Some older classics take on a real edge when you do that. Imagine "dock of the bay" with a real thumpin beat. I can.

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by bass12

When I originally accepted this gig my understanding was that I'd be filling the gaps between a band's set. Turns out that's not the case and that I'll need a lot more music than I'd originally thought.

DOH! Yeah, that would throw me too. I really don't know what I would play either if I was doing this gig.

Do you know anyone attending the wedding? Perhaps you could a feel from a few of them for what they dig and some of the hot tracks/artists they like.

-Mike

[bass12]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

DOH! Yeah, that would throw me too. I really don't know what I would play either if I was doing this gig.

Do you know anyone attending the wedding? Perhaps you could a feel from a few of them for what they dig and some of the hot tracks/artists they like.

-Mike

It's actually not a wedding - it's a corporate event and they wanted to end the day with a "house party" type of thing. I don't know any of the people involved except the band (who will be playing in a separate venue). I'll just have to get as much popular stuff as I can and feel out the vibe once things start up. At least as a "house party" the vibe should be different than if it was a club setting. I was recently told I'll be playing from 11:00 P.M. 'til 4:00. I'm hoping that, after a day's worth of activity, people will begin falling asleep by around 1:30 and I won't have to worry about keeping the dance floor burning 'til (almost) dawn.