I've seen alot of good hip hop bands. Many of them just back-up groups for headlining artists but with the talent to be their own entity. I was always disheartened that an equalizing style like go-go never really took off as an artform the way hip hop did. I think the rapper's ego never allowed for the musicians to become equals. Likewise, the industry turned it's back on musicians preferring to treat us like slaves rather than commodity.

Saw a few really good examples of legit hip hop bands years ago with some unique spins on the style: all-female band, A band called Flack which was a funky group of black and filipino rappers and musicians. They rocked. Another band mixed go-go/reggae/rapping/toasting but with real songs rather than just some grooves.

I would really like to hear this group Flack you wouldn't happen to have any of their albums would you?

That does indeed sound awesome. I would like to hear it as well, please :D

The Roots... they're playing with Jimmy Fallon now right?

I wish I knew what happened to them. All I knew is they were from around the Richmond, Va. area and I'm talking back in the early 90s. As far as I knew they never released anything but I'd like to believe they did and maybe changed their name. I've searched the web for them for years now. I saw them live and the image is still burned in my mind of this mix of black and asian musicians onstage funking out and making it sound real. I know someone has to have a tape of a community center performance they did for a Unity Day celebration. I have to track them down. Stay tuned.

Check these guys out.. Not bad. They combine hip hop, spoken word, female vocals, and hardcore grooves with elements of jazz, funk, blues,rock, soul,acoustic,etc..
myspace.com/thebreakdownband
Saw them here in toronto- lots of energy...

The best live Rap shows I have seen have to be The Roots & Common. I saw them both at The Commodore in Vancouver. Great venue for live acts.

The only live rap show ive ever seen is the Roots. And let me tell you, they blew my mind.

I saw Gym Class Heroes, they put on a pretty good show. It's basic, but they're good.

I've always thought this was a great concept and i would love to see more of it these days. I mean it adds a whole new element to the genre.