Broadening my music awareness/appreciation whatever

Ok, lately, I have realised that whilst I like to think of myself as being pretty aware of music and music genres, there are some areas where I am seriously lacking any real knowledge and/or awareness. Especially the following:

• Rap
• Jazz
• Country

There are probably others too but these are the main ones. Camacaroon has already suggested a few rap artists and albums to me so I am working on that one, but if someone could throw some jazz suggestions at me, or some country then that would be great.

I just think that if I am going to say I dislike a type of music I should at least know what I am talking about. So far I have been surprised by the fact I kinda like some of what Camacaroon suggested, especially since to be honest, I have always stayed the hell away from rap. Same with country.

Jazz I have always been interested in but I have just never looked into it or even really thought about it.

So, any advice on where to start? o:

p.s Did I spell broadening right? Because that looks really fucking weird to me.

 

You did spell it right x3
And I dunno where to start, as I don't listen to any of those either. Rarely Rap and never the others, so im no use :c

 

Try Cowboy Troy. It's rap and country and his songs get stuck in your head forever.

As for jazz, I know jack shit about that too. Some of the very few bands I know...
I recommend Spyro Gyra for smooth jazz. Great moody songs.
Down to the Bone makes beautiful smooth/acid jazz music. Try listening to "The Zodiac" and not like it.
Then there's Absynthe Minded, a Belgian band but they play in English. Their most well-known song is "My Heroics, Part One". They blend jazz and soft rock, which I guess would make them jazz fusion musicians. Another jazz musician from my country would be Tooth Thielemans, who is a master of the harmonica.
Also, if you want to stray from the traditional jazz path, you could check out John Zorn, either solo or with Naked City. He's categorized as avant-garde jazz. It mixes jazz with grindcore and has some punk elements. Not for everyone! Many people would just call it noise.

 

For rap:
-Wu-Tang Clan
-Gang Starr
-Styles of Beyond
-Jay-Z
-Joe Budden
-The Crystal Method

Can't say for jazz or country though. Don't listen to either much.

 

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
they are my favorite
and my favorite song is: Staring Through My Rearview by: 2pac
its really deep and makes you think about life
i recomend it

 

For hip-hop/rap:
Dr. Steel. He fits more on the electronic side of the genre, but is easily a great choice.

For jazz:
Marcus Miller. A relatively well known jazz bassist and one of my personal influences.
Louie Armstrong. Can't go wrong with good ol Satchmo.

For country:
The Charlie Daniels Band
Johnny Cash. Both of these guys should be quite obvious.

 

Jazz:
Chick Corea
Keith Jarrett (he's actually from around where I live, I think)

Rap:
Kanye West
Kid Cudi
Charles Hamilton

 

Jazz / Blues:
Fats Domino.

I don't listen to rap, and my taste in country is limited. If you like folky country, i'd recommend Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband.

 

I am not really a country person, but I really like Taylor Swift, Johnny Cash, and the Dixie Chicks are pretty good. As for rap, right now, I really like the song "Beautiful" by Eminem. But "I Know You Want Me" by Pitbull is good, although I don't know if it counts as rap...:)

 

For rap, all I can suggest that I don't see already mentioned is Jae Millz