Come on man. "Express Yourself" isn't classic? Pretty much a blueprint for all mainstream rap that followed. And as far as being timeless, hip-hop was still evolving at the time. The production might not quite be to the fully mature level it was at just a few years later, but N.W.A. was pretty integral in helping to achieve that. Definitely had a couple of the most iconic songs in rap history and should clearly be categorized as "essential."
In my opinion, Hip Hop was far more matured and fulfilling before NWA came around, and while there are exceptions, I see them as the beginning of the end for real Hip Hop, which we are most certainly witnessing in the mainstream "Hip Hop" of today. Very talented and influential, but historically and artistically they are standing on much, MUCH wider shoulders.
Really? Tupac got bigger after NWA and Biggie too. You have Jay Z blowing up after NWA and Common as well. Even a rapper that a member of NWA discovered in Eminem. Don't agree with you here. I think post NWA hip hop artists are better. No way that rap was mature with NWA...they opened up an entire new genre to rap! There is definitely more trash, which 2 Live Crew started, but plenty of gem rappers and producers.
I'm not quite sure how your opinion was formed, but there is no basis in which anyone can say hip hop was "far more matured" before 1986. There is also no grounds that you can stand on declaring 1986 as the beginning of the end. I'd also like to know how you qualify "much, MUCH wider shoulders" in reference to who was more talented and influential in hip hop.
I agree somewhat if we're talking about lyrics. But I don't think production really reached it's maturity until the early 90s when everyone was being signed left and right before they really had the formula narrowed down to the crap we have today. So much unhindered creativity at that time...and many of the groups/artists never got much recognition.
You somewhat agree? Let me just name a few artists that don't happen without NWA. Ras Kass Dead Prez Killer Mike (Run the Jewels) Eminem Kendrick Lamar Also, yes there has been a lot of crap, but the whole hip hop is dead argument is over. There has been a lot of quality material coming out the past 3 years at least.
Sorry, not talking about their impact. Just saying I don't think they did a whole lot to push forward the maturity of rap in terms of lyrics. Musically though, definitely. I disagree with that, but of course that's a personal opinion. You're right though in that it seems like it's "healthy". Not like it's losing popularity, even if I personally can't really get into a lot of the artists nowadays.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OQ5rI461KNE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> great song. and there are many more out there.
You don't gotta tell me. Love RTJ! http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?p=9373936&highlight=jewels#post9373936 Also will buy just about any Wu-Tang solo albums. Will usually buy any new Roots release. A few one-offs here and there that I quickly lose interest in. I liked the Vince Staples EP a lot from last year, but haven't checked out his recent album. Anyway, the five or so hip-hop albums I feel are worthwhile enough to buy every year just doesn't translate to "a lot of quality material" for me. I mean, I can't even really get into Kendrick Lamar who is pretty much considered to be the savior of rap, so you know I'm in trouble.
Every song on SOC sucked? Terrible taste Excellent songs: SOC F tha Polince 8 Ball Compton's in the House Dopeman Good songs: Gangsta Gangsta If it Ain't Ruff I Ain't tha 1 Decent Songs: Express Yourself Parental Discretion Not so Good: Quiet on that Set Something 2 Dance 2 Something Like That
I'm talking about lyricism. It seems you have an agenda tho so I won't continue the discussion if you're unwilling to have an open mind about it.
ahh ok. i try to keep my music tastes well rounded. but having a 5 year old, going to school 3/4 time, and working enough to barely pay my bills. i dont have the ability to know as much new music as i used to.
wtf...sheesh...I'm not a big fan of their lyrics...sorry...no need to have a fit. A lot of N.W.A. fans seem to be really sensitive to any criticism of the group. It's okay if not everyone likes the same group for the same reasons that you do. and dead prez lyrics I wouldn't really classify as being similar to N.W.A....Public Enemy maybe
Your reference of Next Friday and Snoops "Chin Check" make anything you say irrelevant when it comes to a conversation about anything being timeless. You likely hadn't grown a single hair on your nuts when NWA was breaking down social and musical norms.
You don't have to be a fan to have respect for their significance. MC Ren and Ice Cube were considered great emcees. I've got plenty of criticism for the group I even agreed with one of your earlier points. Dead Prez are self proclaimed as "somewhere between NWA and PE"
Okay, you got me there. I'm sure they were influenced by N.W.A., but I just don't really see any similarity in the lyrics. Dead Prez seemed much more cerebral. Can you imagine N.W.A. with these lyrics? Spoiler "Mind Sex" by Dead Prez [Hook] It's time for some mind sex, we ain't got to take our clothes off yet We can burn the incense, and just chat Relax, I got the good vibrations Before we make love let's have a good conversation [Verse 1] Pardon me, love, but you seem like my type What you doing tonight? You should stop by the site We could, roll some weed, play some records and talk I got a fly spot downtown: Brooklyn, New York Now I know you think I wanna ****, no doubt But tonight we'll try a different route How bout we start, with a salad, a fresh bed of lettuce with croutons Later we can play a game of chess on the futon See, I ain't got to get in your blouse It's your eye contact that be getting me aroused When you show me your mind, it make me wanna show you mines Reflecting my light, when it shines, just taking our time Before the night's through, we could get physical too I ain't trying to say I don't wanna ****..cause I do But for me, boo, making love is just as much mental I like to know what I'm getting into [Hook] (singing): before we make love [Verse 2] African princess, tell me your interests Wait, let me guess, boo: you probably like poetry Here's a little something I jotted down in case I spotted you around So let me take this opportunity Would you share a moment with me, over herbal tea? Take a walk verbally, make a bond certainly? Cause in my hand I bet your hand fit perfectly And it's like we floating out in space when you flirting with me C'mon, a little foreplay don't hurt Imagine my chest under this shirt, your ass under your skirt It's like walking the hot sands and finding an oasis Opposites attract: that's the basis Our sex is the wind that separates the Yin from the Yang The balance that means complete change, our aim Is to touch you in a delicate spot And once we get it started, I ain't trying to stop [Hook] [Outro] She smiles; I smile She walks - no - she glides softly by me, changing night into day She opens her mouth to speak And so sounds ring in my head She speaks, and I want to dance to her rhythm She moves ever so gently, increasing my desires As I place my arms around her waist Hold and squeeze unto me I want to melt into her body, and discover the base of her warmth Her beautiful black body that no human mind could ever conceive She's love, she's truth She's real, as real as the stars that shine in the heavens As real as the sun that bathes her body As real as the moon that glows and the birds that sing and the rose That blossoms in Spring - for she is that rose And not just any rose, but a black rose Black rose stands tall and stronger than any other plant A black rose, that stands as Creator Of nations of black roses That never loses her petals, and blossoms all year round Black rose, sweet rose, thornless rose, eternal rose Please look my way Please look my way Please look my way Black rose
I haven't seen the movie yet but let's be real... Cube leaving NWA was the digging of the grave and then he murdered them when he released "Death Certificate." Spoiler I never have dinner with the president. I never have dinner with the president. I never have dinner with the president. And when I see your ass again, I'll be hesitant. Now I think you a snitch, Throw a house ***** in a ditch. Half-pint b****, ****in' your homeboys. You little maggot; eazy e turned f*****. With your manager, fella, ****in' mc ren, dr. dre, and yella. But if they were smart as me, Eazy e would be hangin' from a tree. With no vaseline, just a match and a little bit of gasoline. Light 'em up, burn 'em up, flame on... Till that jheri curl is gone. On a permanent vacation, off the massa plantation. Heard you both got the same bank account, Dumb ni**a, what you thinkin' bout? Get rid of that devil real simple, put a bullet in his temple. 'cause you can't be the ni**a 4 life crew With a white jew tellin' you what to do. Pullin' wools with your scams, now I gotta play the silence of the lambs. With a midget who's a punk too, Tryin' to **** me, but I'd rather **** you. Eric wright, punk, always into somethin', gettin' ****ed at night. By mista ****packer, bend over for the gotdamn cracker, no vaseline... Jerry Heller is probably still mad at Cube...Lol.. Cube took a lot of heat in the media when that album came out. Cube killed it on "I Ain't The 1." That's one of the best songs on the album IMO. Well they said so themselves and it seems you haven't heard all of Dead Prez's songs like "Hell Yeah." But you're comparing rappers from the mid 90's (who probably get more play on the east coast than in other parts of the country) to a group in 88 when gangsta rap was in its toddler stage.
All thoughts are cerebral... Can you imagine if you knew which Ice Cube song inspired them to write this song?
