Spank Rock
Party rap at it's best. Pick up
Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo if you can. Trust me.
Son Doobie
Never really listened to his early stuff with Funkdoobiest, but IMO, his best work was with
Doobie Deluxe under Battleaxe Records in 2004. One of my favorite albums of all time
Moka Only
Canadians will be familiar with Moka O. Westcoast Canada's most prolific. Every album is different from the last, but he gets hated on for 'runing' Swollen Members because of his catchy hooks. I like most of his hooks though, since he can sing as well. Now, he's off Battleaxe so he's basically He's a one man band, basically since he's known for his beats too. I'd recommend
Vermillion and
Station Agent.
Dog River with Def 3 is good too, but that's more of a collaboration than solo project.
Swollen Members
From my hometown, Vancouver BC. You either love them or hate them.
Heavy (2003) was their worst album because it was too poppy, but they recently released
Black Magic (2006) to good reviews. But
Balance (1999) was their best album. They've worked with Del/Unicron, Everlast, Dilated Peoples, Son Doobie, Mr. Vegas, Planet Asia, Kutmasta Kurt, Paul Nice, Jurassic 5, DJ Revolution, Nucleus, Ghostface, Nelly Furtado, The Alchemist and a few I forget. They're on the comeback trail right now. They are pretty much the most successful Canadian hip-hop group of all time, but as of late, they get hated on quite a bit.
DJ Mark Farina
Not really hip-hop, but
Mushroom Jazz 4 & 5 is the shit if you want some laid back shit
2 Sicc Muzik
nah jk they suck jk
OH NO
From LA. Stone Throw Records is one of my fav indie labels.
J Dilla
From Slum Village, but I like his most recent work before his died.
Ruff Draft, Champion Sound, The Shining, Jay Love Japan, anything from Stones Throw
Kool Keith and Kutmasta Kurt (The Funky Redneck)
M-A-N-E spells MANE