Hip-Hop That's Interesting Is Still Possible

I don't mean to dismiss the rap/hip-hop genre as a whole, but it does feel as though rap, like much of the pop genre, has become musically formulaic and lyrically devoid of content. The Kanyes, Jay-Zs, Lupes, Talibs, and Slugs can only carry so much of the weight. But every once in awhile, there's a little glimmer of hope. Enter hip-hop group with the best band name ever: the Flobots. The name combines two things that I love: robots and flowing. On this gem of a track, the politically conscientious emceeing starts out backed by an eerie little viola picking pattern and smatterings of anxiety filled trumpets, and by end crescendos to crunching guitars and full strings and horns. Give it a listen.

Also, in the spirit of full disclosure, this song first came to my attention via Cartoon Network. My bad.

Handlebars - The Flobots