Blockhead’s Top 10 Hip-Hop Tracks
By Kyle Eustice (and Tony Simon)
New York City-based producer Tony Simon, better known as Blockhead, has to know music inside and out to even function in his chosen field. As the architect behind albums such as 2004’s Music By Cavelight, 2009’s The Music Scene and his most recent, 2014’s Bells and Whistles, Blockhead has proven himself over and over again to be a master of musical genres. He’s also lent his talents to good friend/collaborator Aesop Rock to help him deliver an Aesop masterpiece, 2009’s None Shall Pass. While the music he makes is mostly instrumental, it’s hip-hop he prefers to listen to while mobbing around Manhattan or whatever city he may be in that day. Here Blockhead shares his top 10 favorite tracks as of January 30, 2015.
(*Disclaimer: “This is subject to LOTS of change.” —Blockhead)
Nas “One Love”
This was basically me picking my favorite song from one of my favorite albums. This song is pretty much perfect.
Public Enemy “Welcome to the Terrordome”
Even though "It Takes A Nation…" is my favorite album this son seemed to take everything that album was and lift it to a higher level.
Kool G Rap and DJ Polo “Bad to the Bone”
He's my all time favorite so picking one song was tough. I went with this cause I think it perfectly encapsulates what made G rap so great.
MF Doom “Rhymes Like Dimes”
There is no song that will put a smile on my face quicker than this. It's a lazy, drunken loop that only Doom could pull off.
Willie D “Trenchcoats-N-Ganksta Hats
While G Rap is my favorite, Willie D is the most entertaining rapper ever. This song is pretty much him putting it all on the table. It has like seven verses and they're all awesome.
Young Bleed “No Disrespect”
This one's a little off the grid and random, but what can I say? There's a mood this song gives me that I can't really even explain.
Saafir “Can U Feel Me?”
I feel like not a lot of the early/mid 90's abstract rap aged well, but Saafir nailed it on this one. The beat, the rhymes, the overall feeling.
Eric B. & Rakim “Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em”
This was tough. It was between this and “Follow the Leader.” I chose this cause, I dunno…I just felt like this one today.
NWA “Real N-ggaz"
Post-Ice Cube, NWA was underrated. This song is where Ren really just goes off. It's just such a vicious track.
X-Clan “Verbs of Power”
This song has just stuck in the back of my head since the early 90's. I've never grown tired of it. It feels ageless.
Top 10 Hip-Hop tracks by Blockhead
Blockhead’s Top 10 Hip-Hop Tracks
By Kyle Eustice (and Tony Simon)
New York City-based producer Tony Simon, better known as Blockhead, has to know music inside and out to even function in his chosen field. As the architect behind albums such as 2004’s Music By Cavelight, 2009’s The Music Scene and his most recent, 2014’s Bells and Whistles, Blockhead has proven himself over and over again to be a master of musical genres. He’s also lent his talents to good friend/collaborator Aesop Rock to help him deliver an Aesop masterpiece, 2009’s None Shall Pass. While the music he makes is mostly instrumental, it’s hip-hop he prefers to listen to while mobbing around Manhattan or whatever city he may be in that day. Here Blockhead shares his top 10 favorite tracks as of January 30, 2015.
(*Disclaimer: “This is subject to LOTS of change.” —Blockhead)
Nas “One Love”
This was basically me picking my favorite song from one of my favorite albums. This song is pretty much perfect.
Public Enemy “Welcome to the Terrordome”
Even though "It Takes A Nation…" is my favorite album this son seemed to take everything that album was and lift it to a higher level.
Kool G Rap and DJ Polo “Bad to the Bone”
He's my all time favorite so picking one song was tough. I went with this cause I think it perfectly encapsulates what made G rap so great.
MF Doom “Rhymes Like Dimes”
There is no song that will put a smile on my face quicker than this. It's a lazy, drunken loop that only Doom could pull off.
Willie D “Trenchcoats-N-Ganksta Hats
While G Rap is my favorite, Willie D is the most entertaining rapper ever. This song is pretty much him putting it all on the table. It has like seven verses and they're all awesome.
Young Bleed “No Disrespect”
This one's a little off the grid and random, but what can I say? There's a mood this song gives me that I can't really even explain.
Saafir “Can U Feel Me?”
I feel like not a lot of the early/mid 90's abstract rap aged well, but Saafir nailed it on this one. The beat, the rhymes, the overall feeling.
Eric B. & Rakim “Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em”
This was tough. It was between this and “Follow the Leader.” I chose this cause, I dunno…I just felt like this one today.
NWA “Real N-ggaz"
Post-Ice Cube, NWA was underrated. This song is where Ren really just goes off. It's just such a vicious track.
X-Clan “Verbs of Power”
This song has just stuck in the back of my head since the early 90's. I've never grown tired of it. It feels ageless.
