All around the world...same song

Hip-Hop is an international affair, but that doesn’t hold true in the United States. Though this amazing culture born in the Bronx has been raised in places across the globe, Hip-Hop's foreign exchange has largely been one-sided. Kids from Buenos Aires to Tokyo who don’t speak English can recite lyrics from 50 Cent word for word. Few Americans could do the same for Drunken Tiger, Sway Dasafo, or Loop Troop. I’m surprised if any of you even know who those people are; I get the gas face every time I tell someone that I listen to a couple of Korean, British or Scandinavian artists. Hell, Canada’s directly north of us and we don’t even pay attention to any MC who lives north of the 49th parallel besides Kardinal Offishall.

Is the problem our own arrogance or the inability of foreign artists to measure up? It’s a little bit of both. Americans automatically think that we’re the best, which we are, because we created the art form. Naturally, we’re a little reluctant to believe that anyone outside of the Union can hold a candle to the elite MC’s here. The few “Hip-Hop” artists who do receive a little attention in the U.S. are acquired tastes (to put it nicely), so all foreign MC’s receive a level of skepticism that’s difficult to overcome. It’s unfair but understandable. Still, I find it strange that so many people complain about the state of Hip-Hop but limit what they will listen to. If you have a problem with what’s being released, wouldn’t it make sense to expand the talent pool you draw from? Golden Era Crybabies would greatly benefit from listening to more music from outside the U.S. because there are some gems out there.

Kardinal Offishall (Canada)
“Bakardi Slang” missed the mark, but let’s not forget that Kardi delivered some heat on Quest For Fire. “Ol’ Time Killin’” was one of the best singles released in 2001, and 2005’s Canadian Coke mixtape hit just as hard with “The Burial Song” and the Vybz Kartel-assisted “Everybody’s Gone Gangsta.” Celebrity Face is set to release a new album later this year on Akon’s Konvict Muzik, so take a sneak peek at him now.
Tracks
“Ol’ Time Killin’”
“Everybody’s Gone Gangsta.”
“The Burial Song”
Website: MySpace.com/kardinaloffishall

Promoe (Sweden)
English isn’t Promoe’s native tongue, but that doesn’t stop him from being better than a long list of American MC’s. Though born in Sweden, he raps only in English with a Caribbean-infused cadence. Listen to tracks like “Positive & Negative” and “These Walls Don’t Lie” to hear his exceptional sense of melody and wordplay. Then you'll have to zone in on “Government Music” and the tag team with Anthony B on “Justice” to catch a glimpse of his political and reggae vibe.
Tracks
“Positive & Negative”
“These Walls Don’t Lie”
“Government Music”
“Justice”
Website: Promoe.nu

Rascalz (Canada)
These Vancouver representatives were the ones who got me to listen to Canadian Hip-Hop. The dancehall-inspired “Gunnfinga” really connected with me, and when I heard songs like “Top of the World” and “Fallen” from their Global Warning album, I became an instant fan. Their 2002 album Reloaded didn’t excite me as much and the group has pretty much disappeared, but the Rascalz are/were very entertaining.
Website: Rascalz.ca

Sway Dasafo (England)
After watching the WRC’s last summer, I joked that Brits sound polite even when they’re battling. But this Ghanian-British MC is anything but soft. I’m a fan of “Little Derek,” which features Sway mentioning how even in the United Kingdom, U.S. Hip-Hop carries more weight and fanfare than domestic products. I’m also feeling “Month In the Summer” and “This Is My Demo.”
YouTube: “Little Derek”
Tracks
“Month In the Summer”
“This Is My Demo”
Website: SwayDasafo.com

Tommy Tee (Norway)
There used to be an amazing Scandinavian Hip-Hop website named Svendetta that put me on to a few talented artists. The pick of the litter was easily Norwegian producer Tommy Tee. His samples are rich, beautifully chopped, and his drums are always high-end compositions. He’s like a European blend of Pete Rock and DJ Premiere. Tee is the best European producer that I’ve heard, but he also has worked with a few American artists.
Tracks
“Above Da Law” ft Heltah Skeltah, Starang Wondah, Agallah, and Labba
“Gimme Dat” ft. Stat Quo, Rah Digga and Young Zee.
YouTube: Tommy Tycker Om Mej / Hit the Road / Tæssja (non-English)
Website: TeeProductions.com