The 30 Greatest Hip-Hop Demos
By Chairman Mao | Mar 17, 2011 | 2:55 pm | Permalink
Hard as it may be to imagine nowadays, there was a time when you needed more than just an Internet connection and a liberal dose of self-delusion to launch your career as a professional rapper*. You needed the skill to concisely channel your talent into a few choice songs, the resourcefulness to get that material into the hands of the record label gatekeeper who possessed the key to your hip-hop dreams, and a liberal dose of self-delusion. You needed a demo.
True, dropping a noise-making independent single, adding a hot guest verse on yourmansnthem’s record, or being the beneficiary of some good ol’ fashioned show biz nepotism could be more direct routes to getting on. But the traditional demo tape—an industry calling card in the form of a TDK60; that romantic relic G Rap and Erick Sermon once devoted crisp-lisped verses to—was still key to sealing the deal with any potential A&R suitor, and provided the unconnected masses perpetual hope of a seat on the express from ashy to classy.
They don’t make demos like they used to because, well, they don’t make demos anymore period. Blame the Interwebz for saturating cyberspace with more rap “projects” than New York City public housing. Yet as the Web taketh away so doth it giveth, regularly gifting us beaucoup vintage demos and lost OG versions of tracks from the classic hip-hop era like every day is rap nerd Xmas (or at least Kwanzaa). Here are the best in circulation, rap rarity bliss laced with crazy tape hiss.**
* Actually, feel free to replace “rapper” in this sentence with any other vocation (save for maybe doctor or astronaut) and the sentiment still basically applies.
** Pre-debut LP material only. (Well, almost.)
Written by Chairman Mao (@chairmanmaonyc).
Stretch March 17th, 2011 at 06:26 PM
You forgot to mention Payday Records, as well as Freeze which was part of the Priority deal.
Shawn Biggs March 17th, 2011 at 09:55 PM
No body deserves to be number one other than B.I.G
verge March 17th, 2011 at 10:47 PM
The Organized Konfusion demos and quite a few others here, and NOT here, are much iller than Biggie's but it's a matter of personal taste. This is a cool list, props Chairman Mao, no way would I wanna sit here and rack my brain to do something like this. A part 2 of lesser known acts' demos would be the bee's knees.
Hannibal March 19th, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Why? Because that's all you know?
Kell Bc August 3rd, 2011 at 04:28 AM
Hannibal, that really made no sense.... knowing lesser known Demo Tape's takes more knowledge more time, more dedication to digging.... then a person like yourself going to google & typing the 50 of the best hiphop albums. I'm assuming you don't even know what Verge is about.... do some research & go a little deeper then the shallow waters of hiphop your only frolicking in you herb.
reese March 18th, 2011 at 01:07 AM
does anyone have downloads for some of these demos? it would of been cool if they put download links in the list too
MontePlus March 28th, 2011 at 10:23 PM
I agree... You should check us out at www.dynamicproducer.com
nubalance March 18th, 2011 at 01:07 AM
saafir boxcar sessions demo. slept - if youre tired then go take a nap - on. cenobites. fabulous fleas. beatnuts intoxicated demo. good job chairman.
Clarence Ray Ash March 18th, 2011 at 03:42 AM
This whole list is incredible. Thanks for taking the time !
GeeKay March 18th, 2011 at 04:06 AM
Nas' demo is the best imo. i listen to it everytime the seasons change..it jus thas that feelin to it
Clarence Ray Ash March 18th, 2011 at 04:25 AM
After having skimmed, and listened to several of these I hadn't heard all the way through ha ha.. I have to say: : Public Enemy should have been #one.. one.. one .one. one...
j love hater March 18th, 2011 at 04:57 AM
who the fuck is j love? that guy is already getting on my nuts!
Huh? March 18th, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Cage doesn't drop the N bomb at all in that song... Not even once.. Not sure where you guys pulled that from
He Who Hungers March 19th, 2011 at 10:28 AM
few bars before the end of the 1st verse.
Seriously? March 19th, 2011 at 05:07 PM
"Sick - I guess I am so could you please pass the Pepto / Next up, I'm stealing niggas hearts like I was klepto" Sooooooo, did you even listen to the song?
Huh? March 18th, 2011 at 10:09 AM
Cage doesn't drop the n bomb once on that song.. Not at all. What are you guys talking about??
verge March 19th, 2011 at 12:13 AM
Not sure exactly what you're talking about but I DO have Cage demos where he drops n-bombs here and there. Some of his better material, imo, no racist.