Hip Hop similar to G. Love

[honestjohnny]

I really love the pop, jazz and blues mix that G. Love has going. Is there anything else in the same vein? Or maybe I should ask for suggestions of "good" hip hop, that isn't about b*tches and h*es, drugs, and gang-banging.

[iamlowsound]

The Roots, the be all and end all of good hip hop. K-os is great as well.

lowsound

[lemur821]

Aesop Rock has done some tracks with jazzy beats.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fonjqwad1fk

[MrPrashant]

I'm gonna throw in a shameless plug for my group, Animate Objects.

We've been compared to the Roots... I like that.

[MrPrashant]

and to expound beyond shameless self-promotion, also check out:

a tribe called quest
de la soul
cyne
pete rock & c.l. smooth
the pharcyde

all incredible artists with messages and beats!

[bass12]

Contrary to popular belief, there's lots of hip-hop out there that isn't just a bunch of moronic lyrics over stale, unimaginative beats! Here are some personal favourites:

Ohmega Watts - "The Find". One of my favourites from the last ten years. Intelligent lyrics, a good flow, self produced and some live musicians thrown in for good measure. Well worth checking out.

Michael Franti & Spearhead - "Stay Human". One of Franti's better albums (I didn't like the last three) with some fine bass playing by Franti's MD, Carl Young.

Pete Philly & Perquisite - "Mind.State"

Digable Planets - both albums are great, with "Blowout Comb" edging out "A New Refutation..." by a hair or two.

The Pharcyde - "Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde" - Classic

Me'shell Ndegeocello - "Plantation Lullabies" and "Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape". Not strictly hip-hop, but worth having in your collection.

Soulive - "Turn It Out Remixed". Chali 2na from J5, J-Live, Me'shell and others drop by to add to the stew.

Jurassic 5 - "Power In Numbers" or "E.P."

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - "Mecca And The Soul Brother"

You might also enjoy some stuff by The Herbaliser, Outside, Ozomatli, Lyrics Born, Blackalicious... If you can find a copy of the "Red, Hot & Cool" compilation pick it up.

[MrPrashant]

great call on Ohmega Watts.

Brilliant record. Same goes for Digable Planets - we opened for them a few years back. Incredible experience.