[val-holla-ing]

i never liked tupac, but i do like this whole "minimalist crunk" thing.

it all depends on what you like. i really love N.W.A, the first Warren G album, Bone Thuggs-n-Harmony, A Tribe Called Quest, and Notiorious B.I.G. because they're the ones i grew up listening to (i listened to alot of rap from the south, but i don't even remember any of their names).

if you're looking for newer stuff, i'd point you in the direction of The Roots, Mos Def, and Talib Kweli...stuff like that. none of them are "new" at all, but they still put out quality material. Beans and Del The Funky Homosapien are cool too, but they're an acquired taste.