Episode 197: Martin Connor

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Martin is the brains behind the website Rap Analysis, and the author of the upcoming book The Artistry of Rap Music. He’s a trained composer and musician who looks at rapping from a perspective that should be common but sadly is all too frequently missing from discussions around hip-hop: as music.

Martin’s examinations of rappers’ deliveries, phrasing, and styles are second to none, and will have you listening to your favorite artists in a whole new way.

Tracks featured in this episode:

1. T.I. f/Jay Z, Kanye West, & Lil Wayne, “Swagga Like Us”
2. 2Pac, “Brenda’s Got A Baby”
3. Kendrick Lamar f/MC Eiht, “m.A.A.d city”
4. Madvillain, “Great Day”
5. Black Star, “Re:Definition”
6. Jean Grae, “Imagine”
7. Fugees, “Ready or Not”
8. Kendrick Lamar, “Backseat Freestyle”
9. MF DOOM, “Vomitspit”
10. 2Pac f/ Yaki Kadafi, “Soon As I Get Home””
11. Donald in Mathmagic Land
12. Lauryn Hill f/D’Angelo, “Nothing Even Matters”
13. Chance the Rapper f/Saba, “Angels”
14. Kanye West, “Famous”
15. Young Thug, “Wyclef Jean”
16. Kendrick Lamar, “King Kunta”
17. The Game f/50 Cent, “How We Do”
18. Kendrick Lamar, “Rigamortus”
19. Pharoahe Monch, “Intro”
20. Gil Scott-Heron, “Comment #1”
21. Kanye West, “Who Will Survive In America”
22. Pharoahe Monch, “Body Baby”
23. Nas, “N.Y. State of Mind”
24. The Notorious B.I.G., “Hypnotize”
25. Kanye West, “Freestyle 4”
26. Busta Rhymes f/Nas, “Don’t Get Carried Away”
27. A Tribe Called Quest, “Scenario - LP Mix”
28. A Tribe Called Quest, “Scenario - LP Mix”
29. Young Thug f/Gucci Mane & PeeWee Longway, “Nigeria”
30. Kanye West, “Ultralight Beam”
31. A Tribe Called Quest, “Scenario - LP Mix”
32. Waka Flocka Flame f/YG Hootie, Popa Smurf & Slim Dunkin, “Karma”
33. Waka Flocka Flame f/Kebo Gotti, “Grove St. Party”
34. 2Pac f/Outlawz, “Hit ‘Em Up”
35. Whiplash Movie CLIP - Rushing or Dragging (2014) - Miles Teller, JK Simmons Movie HD
36. Kendrick Lamar, “Look Out For Detox”
37. OutKast, “Aquemini”
38. OutKast, “Aquemini”
39. 50 Cent f/Eminem, “Patiently Waiting”
40. Eminem, “Rap God”
41. Busta Rhymes, “Break Ya Neck”
42. Advanced Techniques on Triangle
43. Eminem, “So Far”
44. The Cool Kids, “Talk of the Town”
45. Eric B. & Rakim, “I Ain’t No Joke”
46. The Cool Kids, “Flossin’”
47. Fugees, “Family Business”
48. Waka Flocka Goes in the Booth
49. Kanye West, “New Slaves”
50. Shah, “Pay Day 71”
51. Shah, “Pay Day 71 (Maestro Remix)”
52. Maestro, “II”
53. Maestro, “I”

Show notes:

1. The Chronicle, “A Melody? Word” by Anthony Kelley
2. Martin Connor, “How To Listen To Kendrick’s ‘Backseat Freestyle’”
3. Kyle Adams, “On the Metrical Techniques of Flow in Rap Music”
4. Martin Connor, “Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly Review”
5. Martin Connor, “Rap Analysis - Jean Grae Interview”