For a long while now I have been disappointed with the state of underground hip-hop. Whether it be too serious, too corny or even a little too full of itself I have had to satisfy myself with the mainstream and sometimes the mundane.

That is until a resurgence of simple beats, poppy lyrics and a fantastic party feeling rose to the surface. Names like Spank Rock, Chewy Chocolate Cookies and Simian Mobile Disco were reinventing fun rap. It's sort of a robotic electric boogaloo with a pinch of 8-bit new wave.

Simian Mobile Disco - I Got This Down (zShare)

Attack Decay Sustain Release is the debut album from Simian Mobile Disco and is well worth a listen. It provides a jump start for several emotions, not the least of which is the one that makes you want to get up and dance.

Peaches is by far my favorite female/novelty/half-baked/pornocore/androgynous artist and when you mix in a dash of Tone-Loc, it doesn't get any better.

With the passing of Pimp C recently after a show with Too Short I am all too quickly reminded that if I like a rapper they are either now dead or in jail (or have spent quite a stretch in the clink). Pimp C was a rare bird; whether solo, with UGK or featured on someone else’s track he received constant play with me. It’s fitting then that after serving a couple of years in jail on weapons charges that a few months later Pimp C was found belly up in a hotel room.

Pimp C's smooth flow instantly caught hold of me the first time I heard him on the Crooked Lettaz track "Get Crunk" The song is a pre-solo career David Banner, Kamikaze and one of the finest verses from Pimp C. After hearing that track I dug up all the old UGK albums discovering each one better than the last. My only regret in loving Pimp C unconditionally is that I will defend the latest albeit sub par UGK release.

Crooked Lettaz ft. Pimp C - Get Crunk (RapidShare)

Just because a rapper is dead does not mean that they get a free pass into my ‘favorites’. (see: Big Pun and Proof). It does however give you a head start in the street cred game against all the other rappers whose empty promises leave me dissatisfied with the current state of rap music.

Peanut Butter Wolf gave hope to all the geeky white guys who liked Rap. Opening our eyes to constant history lessons and Charizma was one of the better teachers. Channeling MC Shan, KRS One, EPMD and Big Daddy Kane made for some great verses and some great beats. Tragically Charizma was gunned down in December of 1993 cutting short a sure promising rap career.

Peanut Butter Wolf & Charizma - Methods - Part 1 & 2 (RapidShare)