The World Music Thread

[Qrazy]

It's come to my attention that I know startlingly little about non-English language music. This must change. This thread is dedicated to the open discussion of all non-English language music... or in the case of non-lyrical music, all non UK or USA based music. If you want to tell me about some amazing Australian band, go for it.

From time to time I will be guiding the thread with certain general genre prompts. The first prompt: Japanese Hip-Hop.

What is some of the best Japanese hip-hop out there? I know little to nothing about the genre but I'm interested in finding out more. To get us started here's a track from Soul'd Out. It has quite an Outkast inspired sound to it.

1,000,000 Monsters Attack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x-sgHFPyKQ&feature=related)

It's perhaps a little bit too poppy for my tastes but it has a catchy hook and the MCs have flow.

[Mysterious Dude]

I sorta like The Pillows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTM_Me312S4

[Melville]

Various classics you've probably already heard:

Georges Brassens - La mauvaise reputation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qldI6a8VZ0Q)
Django Reinhardt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoIJ4W7kXiQ)
Jacques Brel - Amsterdam (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZFr2Fh66zs)
Serge Gainsbourg - Ballade de Melody Nelson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVeXAYK5EFU)

[Acapelli]

the only japanese hip hop i've heard and enjoyed is the teriyaki boyz

although they've worked with a lot of western producers and rappers (check out this link with the producers list for their first album: http://www.discogs.com/Teriyaki-Boyz-Beef-Or-Chicken/release/575898 ). they do rap in japanese though, sometimes in english too

[Qrazy]

So yeah I just listened to about 10 different Japanese rappers (a single song from each) and really wasn't digging it. Hopefully they have a bit of an underground scene with a better output. It's also possible I wasn't listening to their best songs.

I listened to:

King Giddra
Shakkazombie
Rappagariya
Zeebra
Mach 25
Dabo
M-Flo
Rip Slyme
You the Rock
Yama Arashi

Dabo and M-flo were semi-enjoyable.

Thanks for the recs guys, I'll check them out in a bit.

[Spaceman Spiff]

There's a lot of great French and Portuguese music.

FRANCE

Jacques Brel
Marie Laforet (ye-ye girls in general)
Serge Gainsbourg (L'histoire de Melody Nelson is one of the greatest pop albums ever)
Edith Piaf


BRAZIL

Gal Costa
Gilberto Gil
Ze Ramalho e Lula Cortes
Os Mutantes
Caetano Veloso
Antonio Carlos Jobim
Vinicius de Moraes
João Gilberto (bossa nova in general)

[Qrazy]

I sorta like The Pillows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTM_Me312S4

This video/image reminded me that I like this song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4VN0in4weA&feature=related) from Welcome to the NHK. The guy's voice isn't ideal but I'm a big fan of the guitar element.

[bac0n]

Any of you guys heard of The Afrocelts aka Afro-Celt Soundsystem?

They fuse Irish & African music to terrific effect. Oh, and they're all great musicians too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeNU600stLA

[Russ]

Zeki Müren (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0X2MNOXp0Q)

Oh. My. Goodness.