Tuesday, July 11, 2006

THE ELEVEN: Best Def Jux Tracks

Back in the late 80s, Subpop changed music forever by finding a little known band called Fecal Matter. The three-piece from Aberdeen Washington went on to be the dominate driving force in mainstream rock until the singer's wife hired some junkie to blow his brains out. But the damage had already been done. Back then the 80s created a very medicore decade of rock music. Subpop came around to change the landscape anyway they felt the could. It took a few years but the goal they set out to accomplish came true. Now...15 years later, hip-hop is fighting the same malaise in their cultural. Very sub-average rap is dominating the airwaves. But one label is following the Subpop formula, trying to recreate the hip-hop world. They are called Definite Jux. they've only been around for a few years but in that time, they have managed to create a whole new underground following for their artists like EL-P (founder), Mr.Lif, Murs, and Aesop Rock. They have largely ignored hip-hop standards and pushed the bar in many directions when it comes to style, production, and substance. If there is a tomorrow in rap...it will be led by labels like Def Jux.

Here's a brief look at the best tracks the label has offered so far...

  1. Live From The Plantation – Mr. Lif
  2. 5 O’Clock – The Perceptionists
  3. Daylight – Aesop Rock
  4. Since Last We Spoke – RJD2
  5. Sniper Picnic – Rob Sonic
  6. Bad Man - Murs
  7. Deep Space 9mm – El-P
  8. 11:35 – Aesop Rock and Mr. Lif
  9. Phantom – Mr. Lif and EL-P
  10. Walk Like A Man - Murs
  11. Dead Disnee – El-P

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