Great Hip-Hop Duos
July 2nd, 2005Here is a list of my favorite hip-hop duos. The criteria for this list is that the duo must have released an album together and/or be part of an official collective of two (i.e. Common and Kanye together is a hot duo, but they do not qualify for this list as they do not perform together under a single name). The hip-hop duo is a powerful combination. Be it a “one MC and one DJ” duo, or two MC’s flowing together; there is something special about the duo. Two different voices can break the monotony that might creep into a solo track. An MC that works with a single DJ on an album can create a consistent sound and message, not merely a smattering of disparate singles. Here are the best-of-the-best of hip-hip duos (in no particular order):
- BlackStar (Mos Def & Talib Kweli)
These guys are each so good on their own, it’s hard to believe they could be better ryhming with someone else, but they are. - Reflection Eternal (Talib Kweli & DJ Hi-Tek)
Talib’s on this list twice for good reason. DJ Hi-Tek provides all of the beats for the MC which produces a consistently vibrant backdrop on which Talib can spit that fire. - Outkast (Andre 3000 & Big Boi)
These guys have such varying styles and creative flows that have evolved over the course of several albums and gotten better each time. Classic. - Gang Starr (Guru & DJ Premier)
These guys are old-school. Guru spits relatively plain verses, but they pack a significant punch and get better with each listen. DJ Premier produces beats that immediately snap your neck. Little Brother (Phonte & Rapper Big Poo)
I originally had these guys on the list but later disqualified them when I discovered that 9th Wonder is also officially a member of the group.- Madvillain (Madlib & MF Doom)
The Madvillany album is super dope. A hip-hop classic!
Honorable mention goes to: Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg (don’t quite qualify), Mobb Deep (The Infamous is a classic), Mos Def and Black Thought (don’t qualify), Nas and DJ Premier (don’t qualify), Timbaland and Magoo (didn’t make the cut), DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (good? yes. great? no.).
July 3rd, 2005 at 3:08 pm
Definitely Madvillain in the h’zouse waitin’ for a new album that I can get lost in the depth of beat & rhyme mastery. I’m gonna have to look for Black Starr and give it a one two as that combo seems intruing duo. I love thought of Kyne West, Common and 9th Wonder colobrating on a LP. Workin’ for our listenin’ pleasure…….We don’t mind.
August 15th, 2005 at 10:17 am
J-dilla-madlib. overlooked by all the philnickers? Heard it from BT and Mos. I do like to think for myself though….I would have to agree with those 2.
J. Sands-J. Rawls. Most slept on.
Nicolay-phonte. c’mon guys, you can’t tell me you forgot this one?
blackmoon? is evil d part of the group?
ok thats it sorry for the late response, I had some time to think about it.
Didn’t want you to think I forgot, just needed a slow day at work.
S
August 15th, 2005 at 12:17 pm
J-Dilla and Madlib is a great duo, but not in my top 5. However, Foreign Exchange should probably be there. It is pretty much a three-way tie between them, Reflection Eternal and Madvillain.