I have a question for you rap and hip hop people.
When I was young, I was all about frustration and hate in most of my music. Nowadays, I just have a tough time relating to hatred any more. (Which is why, even though I acknowledge Slayer as still putting out pretty decent music...I just can't get into it any more at all. I just can no longer relate to that level of hatred)
I'm not much of a rap/hip-hop fan...but I have heard a few bands that I *absolutely LOVE*. Usually because they have such a positive vibe to them. For instance. Probably my favorite rap/hip hop album of all time is the debut from Arrested Development (although, their follow up is sorely underrated as well, IMHO). It's because that album just makes me feel so good when I hear it.
Other GROSSLY overlooked hip-hop artists that I have managed to sincerely love and still listen to on a regular basis are P.M. Dawn and to a lesser extent, De La Soul.
My question is...are there any other artists out there that really make a "shtick" out of the happy, positive side of hip hop? Not cheesy like Will Smith's summer albums...but just really easy going, trippy, hippy, thought provoking and "feel good"
I would love to check out some new generation "trip hop" if it's still out there. Any suggestions?