One of the greatest Hip Hop artist ever. I got a 80's geek background always labelled weird but interesting by my friends so listening to his sounds made me more confident in mine. I am very grateful to him.
The entire underground NYC scene during the 90s and early 2000s will never be replicated. EL-P is just one of many GOATS to come from Company Flow, Weathermen, Def Jux, etc
Thank you for making this. This was big trip down memory lane for me. I’ll never forget listening to Funcrusher Plus and how it changed my view forever on what hip can and could be. I seeing EL’s evolution since is definitely story worthy of telling .
@ I hope he does I hated every single feature they did on RTJ. He kinda turned is back on concious rap, even if his lyrics are still (sorta) deep enough…
Thank you for doing this video. El-P is right up there with the best producers in my opinion. I prefer the old Def Jux era over RTJ but still enjoy RTJ. I would love to see a video on Atmosphere/Rhymesayers, Sage Francis/Strange Famous and Aesop Rock! As usual keep up the great work! Favorite album is I'll Sleep When You're Dead and fav song is EMG!
Finally. A proper video essay on EL-P. Respect. I hope one day EL and Aesop end up working together again. I dont see it happening. But I wish. And I want that EL produced Zack de la Rocha album they have talked about for a decade. Ha.
@defgoldbloom Great video!! One small correction - the 2nd RTJ album dropped October 2014, the date here is September 2015, the “Meow The Jewels” release date
El-P caught my ear on the album End of the Beginning by Murs, his flow on “The Dance” was something my brain had to acclimate to. Eventually I couldn’t get it out of my head. C4C was really the album that made me a big fan even after knowing some of his work years before.
First time I met EL-P was at a gig in London (Cargo, Rivington St) around 2001/02. Played in front of about 30 of us (Think Mr Lif and Sole played the same night, although my memory might be mistaken). Wild to think he went from that to the Def Jux era and became more popular in his late 30s/early 40s with Run the Jewels. Been a wild character arc.
Well done dude! It’s hard to describe how dope, strange and flat out raw the whole Jux thing felt back then. El had the stamp of hip hop authenticity but made shit that sounded like no one before or since. In retrospect it was a thankless job, but he put so many people on and introduced mad kids to hip hop. Surreal to see the success he’s had the last decade or so, but if anyone deserves it, it’s him!
Great minidoc as always! Highly recommend checking out Fake Four Inc of you havent already. Ceschi & his brother David(pronounced Daveed) really helped keep independent/underground hip hop alive when they started their label in 08 & went on to help many of OGs from Def Jux, Anticon, Project Blowed, Rhymesayers, etc. release their albums after the big dying of underground labels which occurred around 2008-2010
I think the first time I heard anything he had done was in about 98 and a friend popped in this album he said I should check out and see what I thought of it. Pretty sure it was Little Johnny I may have been a bit high at the time, but I remember really zoning in on the music and became an instant fan of his work. The man has done as much or more than most to push real hip hop forward and keep it very much alive and thriving.
That evolution of the RTJ’s album covers was a fantastic breakdown that my dumbass didn’t even put together even though it was right in front of my face
I disagree. listen to el-ps solo stuff or any of the def jux albums he was involved in. funcrusher, cold vein, fan dam, just to name a few. To me RTJ doesnt even come close to all of that.
Ever since Co Flow & End to end burners, El-P been dope. Fantastic Damage LP was out of this world! Def Jux, Weathermen. This is some of the realest hiphop there is. DJ Premier & The Alchemist were the only other producers even close to El-P.
I need help finding a lost Co-Flow track. It was the last song on a compilation CD and the track was the most blown out distorted with static, drowning out the lyrics. It might have only been El-p rapping but im not sure. The CD was all black with green digital clock letters on the back. I don't remember anyone else on it, just the Co-Flow joint at the end. If anyone remembers please let me know. Think release was 98-00. Thank you 🙏
I’ve seen that one before somewhere I’m sure of it but I just can’t remember what track it was. Maybe this might help, it’s co flows page on yt and has a bunch of rare tracks on there and alt mixes and remasters etc youtube.com/@companyflow9827?si=ABcIZ3uWb5LYlvlU Wish I could’ve helped out more
i got traumatized by deep space 9mm high as hell at night in the back of a car. favorite track probably lazerfaces warning from fantastic damage. def jux was so sick man. so much legendary shit came out in a short amount of time on there, like releases from aes, can ox, cage, rjd2. they had a good run.
excellent video: I'd only like to highlight 2 other thoughts: 1. as a producer one of the most mind blowing things is the way that he has been able to cram tracks full of warmth and grit without completely distorting everything, this is a bit like black magic if you've ever tried to make very hype music that can stand next to hard rock like black sabbath, so exactly as you say following in the footsteps of the bomb Squad, his beats are THICK and Dirty while being hype AND still provide perfect place in the mix for the rap vocals. (another reason why Cold Vein is amazing both with and as instrumentals) 2. I think one of the only other through lines in his career that you didn't mention is his sense of humor and especially how that came to the fore with RTJ. I know that he and Killer Mike remain ethical and strongly political while also sometimes just enjoying themselves and making eachother and their fans laugh. Consummate entertainers, they just KICK FUCKING ASS. Thanks for the vid providing great context to his/their careers!!! (oh yeah last thing: your channel name kicks ass 😂)
We need a video on Tame One RiP. Like Pharoe Monch he was an animated mc who had such technical skill that he was able to be making amazing hip hop. One album with Del produced by Del the Funkee Homosapien is so good. Such a Jersey legend and Redman's cousin. El-p is one of my favorite rappers ever. Run The Jewels was who I was listening to along with Mhz Cannibal Ox Mr. Lif, Murs, Copywrite, Ra THe RuggedMan, and Del. We need a video on J-Zone as well. Very underrated of Eastern Conference roster. Thanks for letting me know about The God Faheem, and Mach Hommy they're dope. I'll Sleep When you're Dead is my favorite album. Everything must go especially the scary dystopian scratches in the background. by DJ Abilities.
Population Control will always have a special place in my heart because that and Infokill was the first time I heard Co Flow. It bugged me out that he sampled the Hobbit like that and the rhyme styles were completely unique and raw. At that same time commercial hip hop was starting to break into this flashy white suit zone and while crews like De La were still putting out classics, the radio and TV play was getting full of nonsensical rap with everybody rapping about money, cars and champagne. All these indie artists started filling that void created by rap going pop. Thank god for Sandbox Automatic and Hip Hop Site (and college radio)! You could get on there and listen to the independent 12"s before you bought em! End to End Burners was another dope one that sort of caught me off guard. The thing I like about El P is that he was out there in left field but not in a corny way. A lot of the indie artists in the very late 90s and early 2000s started to sound like uninitiated bandwagon jumpers copying dope indie artists from the late 90s, or they were being weird just for the sake of being weird. Almost like their first exposure to hip hop was independent rap and they were just trying to endlessly one-up the artsy-ness of the last guy, without ever really knowing or caring about the old school. El P always felt firmly grounded in hip hop to me.
I haven't listened to his entire discography but thus far:"Drivin Down The Block"is my current favorite of his solo's although he is1/2of1of my favorite rap-groups...RTJ iz'duh'ish... But another one of my favorites is:The Palmer Squares...,that's who i think you should do your next"Bio-Doc"on...
He did put them out under def jux but if you’re talking aes’ full albums he only had a few production credits. Most of those were produced by Aesop and Blockhead
Independent as fu_k! Def Jux was such a great time.funcrusher plus, little Johnny..,cold vein, I phantom, fantastic damage. I'll sleep when you're dead! Thanks for giving 🎉, rip camo Tao Patriotism is my favorite El-P song.
Tech N9ne the biggest and best indy rapper by far. Strange Music the most successful imdy label. elp ok but tech n9ne level ahead of elp musically, lyrically and business wise.
Gave you a thumbs down just for calling it indie rap, here in Chicago we always called it Underground Hip Hop so indie rap just doesn't sound right BUT good video I've been following El-P since I first heard End to End Burners when it first came out in Rap City and on The Box ch13 (Chicago) .. I did go to Coconuts to get the cassette for Company Flow and bought some LP's from them too ....still follow El-P till this day ..
Check out the last episode of El-Ps podcast with Open Mike Eagle. He gives a great breakdown of the difference between being Indie and being Underground. I never call it indie rap either but I wanted to honor him since he takes so much pride in being Independent
Nothing you said was wrong.. but nothing you said was 100% right either.. like the wiki version of wtf happened . never even touching on the movies he did scores for and how many rappers he actually worked with .you get a C .. and like the comments say .. do aes .. dont half ass it like this one
I respect your opinion as a true El-P fan, but I take what I do very seriously and don't half ass anything. My videos are meant for new fans to learn about topics that I care deeply about, and hopefully have long time fans appreciate and reminisce about music they love.
Highly underrated as a rapper but even more underrated as a producer.
His production work on "Cannibal Ox - Cold Vein" is one of a kind. I have never heard anything like it to this day.
One of the greatest Hip Hop artist ever. I got a 80's geek background always labelled weird but interesting by my friends so listening to his sounds made me more confident in mine. I am very grateful to him.
“Get signed to Rawkus? I’d rather be mouth fucked by Nazi’s unconscious”…
Legendary. El-P and all of Def Jux made early to mid 2000’s amazing.
The entire underground NYC scene during the 90s and early 2000s will never be replicated. EL-P is just one of many GOATS to come from Company Flow, Weathermen, Def Jux, etc
word up
EL is a true genius. Everything he touches is legendary.
Thank you for making this. This was big trip down memory lane for me. I’ll never forget listening to Funcrusher Plus and how it changed my view forever on what hip can and could be. I seeing EL’s evolution since is definitely story worthy of telling .
Funcrusher Plus is a legendary hip hop classic. Still sounds fresh to this day. "Ye old lyrics of fire"
my favorite El-P verse is still his 16 bars on Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire's Huzzah remix
That shits crazy 🔥🔥
So dope
This is a good call... W for sure.
it’s great but nowhere near his best verse. DPA is probably my favorite track
Bruh yes that Necro beat gets stuck in my head some times .. especially Das racists verse
Make a Doc on Aesop Rock !
Coming 2025!
@@DefGoldbloomcan’t wait
and DRIVER
Yes! Thank you!
Definitely needed. I would say throw cage documentary in there as well. Or just a weathermen doc.
Your videos are so well edited and informative. I appreciate all the hard work you put into this. Thank you!
Thank you very much I appreciate that 🙏
Thank you for this video. El-P deserves all the flowers. He's in my top 5 hip hop producers ever
This channel couldn't be more consistent. These videos are unlike anything else,👍👍 good stuff
Thank you! Much more coming 👀
I wish El-P would drop another solo album
Killer mike has had 2 since RTJ4, so it sure is about time El-P does one w/ a couple features on it
@@alejandroramirez4470Only if it’s features from other oldschool guys. I don’t think I can take another two chains feature…
@REALdavidmiscarriage I think that was more for rtj but el probably will go wild with some people not getting enough love yet
@ I hope he does I hated every single feature they did on RTJ. He kinda turned is back on concious rap, even if his lyrics are still (sorta) deep enough…
I WAS WAITING FOR THIS ONE El-p is one greatest artist of all time
Thank you for doing this video. El-P is right up there with the best producers in my opinion. I prefer the old Def Jux era over RTJ but still enjoy RTJ. I would love to see a video on Atmosphere/Rhymesayers, Sage Francis/Strange Famous and Aesop Rock! As usual keep up the great work! Favorite album is I'll Sleep When You're Dead and fav song is EMG!
even when I say nothing its a beautiful use of negative space
Brilliant
Finally. A proper video essay on EL-P.
Respect.
I hope one day EL and Aesop end up working together again. I dont see it happening. But I wish. And I want that EL produced Zack de la Rocha album they have talked about for a decade. Ha.
lol you and me both. Imagine a def jux revival. Get Crayz out of jail, vordul on detox, Cage back on dust and we’re good to go 😂
I been waiting for this 🔥
@defgoldbloom Great video!! One small correction - the 2nd RTJ album dropped October 2014, the date here is September 2015, the “Meow The Jewels” release date
Damn my bad!!
El-P caught my ear on the album End of the Beginning by Murs, his flow on “The Dance” was something my brain had to acclimate to. Eventually I couldn’t get it out of my head. C4C was really the album that made me a big fan even after knowing some of his work years before.
First time I met EL-P was at a gig in London (Cargo, Rivington St) around 2001/02. Played in front of about 30 of us (Think Mr Lif and Sole played the same night, although my memory might be mistaken). Wild to think he went from that to the Def Jux era and became more popular in his late 30s/early 40s with Run the Jewels. Been a wild character arc.
I saw RTJ live last year and it was great that it was sold out. He is a guy you can root for getting his just due.
Great video, El-P the GOAT
I remember RTJ-2 was a big slap when I discovered it.
Hell yeah! EL-P is that dude! Thanks for giving him his flowers. You've got yourself a sub!
Ayyy thank you 🙏
it's been a decade and we haven't had a solo EL-P in a long time
El dash Producto... a living legend!
Love this artist, great video, well done
Yet again Def 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Must watch every drop
Much more coming!
Well done dude! It’s hard to describe how dope, strange and flat out raw the whole Jux thing felt back then. El had the stamp of hip hop authenticity but made shit that sounded like no one before or since. In retrospect it was a thankless job, but he put so many people on and introduced mad kids to hip hop. Surreal to see the success he’s had the last decade or so, but if anyone deserves it, it’s him!
El is an undeniable pillar of the culture.
I heard RTJ a fe years ago and love them, glad to have encountered this deep dive on EL-P....thanks for your work❤
Extremely well done video!
I appreciate that! 🤝
Del The Funky 1homosapian HIMSELF said to me EL-p Was The DOPE . i bought Fantastic Damage. CHANGED MY LIFE
One of my goats! Because they’re a group people sleeping on this RTJ run! Another banger!
Yessssss finally a El p doc
Great minidoc as always! Highly recommend checking out Fake Four Inc of you havent already. Ceschi & his brother David(pronounced Daveed) really helped keep independent/underground hip hop alive when they started their label in 08 & went on to help many of OGs from Def Jux, Anticon, Project Blowed, Rhymesayers, etc. release their albums after the big dying of underground labels which occurred around 2008-2010
Dope I’ll look into them!
Thank you, and job well done.
🤝
Me and a few friends been knowing this for 20 years
Great video! You should pump this shit like they do in the future.
I think the first time I heard anything he had done was in about 98 and a friend popped in this album he said I should check out and see what I thought of it. Pretty sure it was Little Johnny I may have been a bit high at the time, but I remember really zoning in on the music and became an instant fan of his work. The man has done as much or more than most to push real hip hop forward and keep it very much alive and thriving.
Well done, enjoyed this.
Best rapper/ producer of all time
Thank you, thank you, thank you ❤️
I'll always love Definitive Jux. That's how I found Aes originally. Those videos from that time were so cool.
That evolution of the RTJ’s album covers was a fantastic breakdown that my dumbass didn’t even put together even though it was right in front of my face
El is the best producer of all time, every final track on the RTJ albums invokes emotion like no other
I disagree. listen to el-ps solo stuff or any of the def jux albums he was involved in. funcrusher, cold vein, fan dam, just to name a few. To me RTJ doesnt even come close to all of that.
Awesome Artist And group run the jewels. Favorite song flyentology and smithereens deep space 9mm
LOVE IT
Looking forward to hear and see his new big works!
WHEN and WHERE?
Legend. Has been for nearly 30 years. 😊
El-P is rad. Fan of his since he rapped with Del on Both sides of the Brain. Glad he made it on his terms.
One of hip hop’s greats 👌
It was tough but glad he still did solo records much to his reluctance
Dope mini doc I always like el p but I wasn't to familiar wit his story and come up now ima do a deep dive on son good looking def
El has no shortage of amazing concept tracks, but I think Last Good Sleep might be the most effective (and disturbing)
Ever since Co Flow & End to end burners, El-P been dope. Fantastic Damage LP was out of this world! Def Jux, Weathermen. This is some of the realest hiphop there is. DJ Premier & The Alchemist were the only other producers even close to El-P.
I need help finding a lost Co-Flow track. It was the last song on a compilation CD and the track was the most blown out distorted with static, drowning out the lyrics. It might have only been El-p rapping but im not sure. The CD was all black with green digital clock letters on the back. I don't remember anyone else on it, just the Co-Flow joint at the end. If anyone remembers please let me know. Think release was 98-00. Thank you 🙏
Pretty sure you’re talking about “DPA” or “Simple” off the original “Def Jux presents” album?
@appearnowappearlater no those aren't it, but thanks. It's driving me crazy now. Can't find anything online. It was CD only. Before Def Jux for sure.
I’m gonna keep my eyes peeled too because I need to know.
I’ve seen that one before somewhere I’m sure of it but I just can’t remember what track it was. Maybe this might help, it’s co flows page on yt and has a bunch of rare tracks on there and alt mixes and remasters etc youtube.com/@companyflow9827?si=ABcIZ3uWb5LYlvlU
Wish I could’ve helped out more
@spacecowboy1014 🫡💯
This is a great retrospective
Thank you 🤝
Def Jux releases got me into rap.
i got traumatized by deep space 9mm high as hell at night in the back of a car. favorite track probably lazerfaces warning from fantastic damage. def jux was so sick man. so much legendary shit came out in a short amount of time on there, like releases from aes, can ox, cage, rjd2. they had a good run.
most under rated producer ever.
Dudes been through it all!
excellent video: I'd only like to highlight 2 other thoughts:
1. as a producer one of the most mind blowing things is the way that he has been able to cram tracks full of warmth and grit without completely distorting everything, this is a bit like black magic if you've ever tried to make very hype music that can stand next to hard rock like black sabbath, so exactly as you say following in the footsteps of the bomb Squad, his beats are THICK and Dirty while being hype AND still provide perfect place in the mix for the rap vocals. (another reason why Cold Vein is amazing both with and as instrumentals)
2. I think one of the only other through lines in his career that you didn't mention is his sense of humor and especially how that came to the fore with RTJ. I know that he and Killer Mike remain ethical and strongly political while also sometimes just enjoying themselves and making eachother and their fans laugh. Consummate entertainers, they just KICK FUCKING ASS. Thanks for the vid providing great context to his/their careers!!!
(oh yeah last thing: your channel name kicks ass 😂)
Great points!! And thank you 😂
I've always said this. His pen is top 5 if we are honest with ourselves
Best video on the channel I'm sure.
Thank you it’s one of my favorites too 🙏
EL Producto is a god to me, that being said, Eso washed him on “Mercy Killing” and I will die on that hill
Eso is fuckin nice.
Nice. I'd love to see one about Aesop Rock... Might be a tough one, though.
Dope
We need a video on Tame One RiP. Like Pharoe Monch he was an animated mc who had such technical skill that he was able to be making amazing hip hop. One album with Del produced by Del the Funkee Homosapien is so good. Such a Jersey legend and Redman's cousin. El-p is one of my favorite rappers ever. Run The Jewels was who I was listening to along with Mhz Cannibal Ox Mr. Lif, Murs, Copywrite, Ra THe RuggedMan, and Del. We need a video on J-Zone as well. Very underrated of Eastern Conference roster. Thanks for letting me know about The God Faheem, and Mach Hommy they're dope. I'll Sleep When you're Dead is my favorite album. Everything must go especially the scary dystopian scratches in the background. by DJ Abilities.
Great video
Thank you 🤝
Def Jux was the soundtrack to my hs days
Company flow to run the jewels nuff said!
Population Control will always have a special place in my heart because that and Infokill was the first time I heard Co Flow. It bugged me out that he sampled the Hobbit like that and the rhyme styles were completely unique and raw. At that same time commercial hip hop was starting to break into this flashy white suit zone and while crews like De La were still putting out classics, the radio and TV play was getting full of nonsensical rap with everybody rapping about money, cars and champagne. All these indie artists started filling that void created by rap going pop. Thank god for Sandbox Automatic and Hip Hop Site (and college radio)! You could get on there and listen to the independent 12"s before you bought em! End to End Burners was another dope one that sort of caught me off guard. The thing I like about El P is that he was out there in left field but not in a corny way. A lot of the indie artists in the very late 90s and early 2000s started to sound like uninitiated bandwagon jumpers copying dope indie artists from the late 90s, or they were being weird just for the sake of being weird. Almost like their first exposure to hip hop was independent rap and they were just trying to endlessly one-up the artsy-ness of the last guy, without ever really knowing or caring about the old school. El P always felt firmly grounded in hip hop to me.
I really like El P's flow on ju$t
I haven't listened to his entire discography but thus far:"Drivin Down The Block"is my current favorite of his solo's although he is1/2of1of my favorite rap-groups...RTJ iz'duh'ish... But another one of my favorites is:The Palmer Squares...,that's who i think you should do your next"Bio-Doc"on...
C4C is my fav solo El-P. And probably RTJ2, but maybe RTJ3.
ya left out his collabs with Aesop from 1999- 2004. He produced all of those.
Aesop video coming soon hopefully!
He did put them out under def jux but if you’re talking aes’ full albums he only had a few production credits. Most of those were produced by Aesop and Blockhead
he is THE GOAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First heard of him from his Company Flow breakup.
Need a new El-P solo album and RTJ5
Company Flow - the fire in which you burn
El-P is a legend. I’d like to see you make a vid on Copywrite.
The best White Rapper?
Definitely in that conversation
got my vote
Scratch that one the best rappers ever
There is no best white rapper there is just rappers.
I gotta go action bronson
killer mike found him. he cant be tooooooo underrated
Independent as fu_k! Def Jux was such a great time.funcrusher plus, little Johnny..,cold vein, I phantom, fantastic damage. I'll sleep when you're dead! Thanks for giving 🎉, rip camo Tao
Patriotism is my favorite El-P song.
King my Assass!
Song, Drones Over Brooklyn.. album all of them?
You never mentioned The Weathermen??
DEEP SPACE 9MM !!! A GIANT TRACK !!!
tss he a record or sumtins
That looks like Sean omalleys punk ass coach Tim Welch 😂
I love El- P but he is not the king of indie rap! That would have to go to Kool Keith or MF DOOM .. I'm sure El- P himself will tell you that .
Fair
Kool Keith for sure 💯
El p >>>> eminem
Tech N9ne the biggest and best indy rapper by far.
Strange Music the most successful imdy label.
elp ok but tech n9ne level ahead of elp musically, lyrically and business wise.
Gave you a thumbs down just for calling it indie rap, here in Chicago we always called it Underground Hip Hop so indie rap just doesn't sound right BUT good video I've been following El-P since I first heard End to End Burners when it first came out in Rap City and on The Box ch13 (Chicago) .. I did go to Coconuts to get the cassette for Company Flow and bought some LP's from them too ....still follow El-P till this day ..
Check out the last episode of El-Ps podcast with Open Mike Eagle. He gives a great breakdown of the difference between being Indie and being Underground. I never call it indie rap either but I wanted to honor him since he takes so much pride in being Independent
They were just 3 weirdos. 😂😂😂
Lmaoo that’s what El P himself has said 😂
Nothing you said was wrong.. but nothing you said was 100% right either.. like the wiki version of wtf happened . never even touching on the movies he did scores for and how many rappers he actually worked with .you get a C .. and like the comments say .. do aes .. dont half ass it like this one
I respect your opinion as a true El-P fan, but I take what I do very seriously and don't half ass anything. My videos are meant for new fans to learn about topics that I care deeply about, and hopefully have long time fans appreciate and reminisce about music they love.
Necro though.........
😂no
He raps like a more successful Brooks Buford
What kind of headline is that?
More King than P? Cash Money? Pap? Meek? Etc etc...
Young guys need to learn context and respect.
Half to give that one to AESOP ROCK
RUN THE JEWELS IS FAR FROM INDIE