What hip-hop/rap is like Hercules Mulligan's part in "Yorktown"?
November 25, 2022 10:42 AM Subscribe
The musical Hamilton has a part in the song "Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)" where Hercules Mulligan raps about being a spy for the revolutionaries (the song on YouTube, Hercules' bit at 1:48). I love the sound and energy and rhythm and swagger! I know there's hip-hop and rap like this, but I don't know much about these genres or where to begin looking. Any recommendations?
I already know that I enjoy hip-hop and rap. The problem is that I like music but I don't tend to seek out new stuff a lot, so I often find out about extremely popular songs and performers years later. So, uh, please pretend I've been in a cave since 1960 and share even the most basic and obvious of suggestions. They might actually be new to me.
I already know that I enjoy hip-hop and rap. The problem is that I like music but I don't tend to seek out new stuff a lot, so I often find out about extremely popular songs and performers years later. So, uh, please pretend I've been in a cave since 1960 and share even the most basic and obvious of suggestions. They might actually be new to me.
My understanding is that Hercules Mulligan was inspired by Busta Rhymes. I don’t know any more than that though.
posted by FencingGal at 11:17 AM on November 25, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by FencingGal at 11:17 AM on November 25, 2022 [6 favorites]
My first thought was Busta Rhymes; in addition to his solo work, there's a ridiculous amount of swagger in his guest spot (the first verse, but everybody brings it) on M.O.P's Ante Up (Remix): NSFW version / official video
DMX also had a great gruff swagger, X Gon' Give It To Ya is a classic.
Another song with a ton of swagger and energy is 50 Cent's early track How To Rob - although it benefits from some backstory; basically, 50 Cent was a very young up-and-coming nobody, this was one of his first tracks, and it's about sticking up every famous rapper in the game, which was very much about street cred at the time. Like, it was a big deal for rappers to call out someone else, and here comes this young buck calling out literally everybody.
posted by Superilla at 11:30 AM on November 25, 2022 [4 favorites]
DMX also had a great gruff swagger, X Gon' Give It To Ya is a classic.
Another song with a ton of swagger and energy is 50 Cent's early track How To Rob - although it benefits from some backstory; basically, 50 Cent was a very young up-and-coming nobody, this was one of his first tracks, and it's about sticking up every famous rapper in the game, which was very much about street cred at the time. Like, it was a big deal for rappers to call out someone else, and here comes this young buck calling out literally everybody.
posted by Superilla at 11:30 AM on November 25, 2022 [4 favorites]
Best answer: The Hamilton casting notice specifically says that Hercules Mulligan is a Busta Rhymes type.
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:49 AM on November 25, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:49 AM on November 25, 2022 [4 favorites]
Busta Rhymes, M.O.P., Freddie Foxxx aka Bumpy Knuckles, Kool G. Rap, DMX, Mystikal, the Tupac that did 'California Love' and 'Hit Em Up' (but not the Tupac that did 'Dear Mama' or 'Changes')...
posted by box at 12:48 PM on November 25, 2022
posted by box at 12:48 PM on November 25, 2022
Great list so far. I’ll add: Wu-Tang Clan, especially the early stuff. Enter the Wu-Tang is basically 60 minutes of swagger.
posted by dorothy hawk at 1:12 PM on November 25, 2022
posted by dorothy hawk at 1:12 PM on November 25, 2022
A few deeper cuts that I think might have the energy you're going for:
Smoothe Da Hustler f Trigga The Gambler - Broken Language
Public Enemy f Ice Cube & Big Daddy Kane - Burn Hollywood Burn
Blahzay Blahzay - Danger
Lakim Shabazz - The Lost Tribe of Shabazz
Hip-Hop for Respect - One Four Love/Part 1 - Reversing the Hate
The Last Emperor - Rap Tyranny
Sa-Roc f David Banner - The Who?
Jeru the Damaja - You Can't Stop the Prophet
posted by box at 2:18 PM on November 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
Smoothe Da Hustler f Trigga The Gambler - Broken Language
Public Enemy f Ice Cube & Big Daddy Kane - Burn Hollywood Burn
Blahzay Blahzay - Danger
Lakim Shabazz - The Lost Tribe of Shabazz
Hip-Hop for Respect - One Four Love/Part 1 - Reversing the Hate
The Last Emperor - Rap Tyranny
Sa-Roc f David Banner - The Who?
Jeru the Damaja - You Can't Stop the Prophet
posted by box at 2:18 PM on November 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
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(not sure if this is the correct answer but it's the first one that came to mind)
posted by confabulous at 11:16 AM on November 25, 2022 [1 favorite]