Underground Hip-Hop: An Overview, Volume 1

You probably won't see these artists on TV or hear them on the radio, but you should know about them nonetheless.

1. One Be Lo

On three separate occasions, I've had the good fortune of seeing this MC perform in concert. Hailing from Pontiac, Michigan, this wordsmith was once a member of the group Binary Star. His album, S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M., does not disappoint.

One Be Lo - Cold World

2. Nicolay

Nicolay is a producer from The Netherlands. He collaborated with Little Brother MC Phonte' to create a group known as The Foreign Exchange. Their album, Connected, combines mellow production with Phonte's witty intelligent lyrics. According to rumor, the MC and producer never met when preparing the album. Instead, they allegedly exchanged beats and lyrics with each other via the internet.

Foreign Exchange (Nicolay & Phonte) featuring Rapper Big Pooh - Nic's Groove

3. Jean Grae

Maybe I'm just getting old, but it seems to me that the true female Hip-Hop MC is nearly extinct. There are some who still handle their business with class and respect (Missy), but most of the true MCs (who don't rely extensively on sex, drugs, sex, drugs, sex) have seemingly moved on to other endeavors (Eve, Latifah, Lyte).

Jean Grae is a breath of fresh air. Her style often reminds me of a mixture of Canibus and Eminem. She tells great stories through song, utilizes wonderful metaphors and similies, and uses wordplay as well as almost any female MC (and most male MCs) I've heard.* Talib Kweli apparently agrees that she's nice on the mic as he's signed her to his record label.

*I don't mean to short-change Jean Grae by comparing her to female MCs. She could smash most MCs period.

Jean Grae - Take Me