Well-stated and I agree. That being said, anyone who likes Soulja Boy is a subhuman idiot. But other than that... all musical taste is pretty subjective.
I agree with both of you, for the most part. Anyone who is really into whatever type of music they're into, I respect (whether that be hip hop, country, rock, jazz, blues, trance, electro, house, etc.) But there's A LOT of really bad music out there -- Souljaboy status bad. If someone told me they are a huge Nickelback fan, that would definitely change my opinion of that person.
I'll say this like I do in every "hip hop died" thread that happens at least twice a year : hip hop's died several deaths over the past two decades or so, and before that it was supposedly just a fad. If you were to look at public opinion, hip hop never made it and never will, yet here it is still selling records, still pulling in audiences, and still raking money. It was raking in millions, now it's raking in nations. It's amazing how hip hop's and rap's influence has reached across nations. On a side note, I wish there were more collaboration among American rap acts and music from other nations. Jay-Z and others have already been influenced by Indian and Middle Eastern beats, and I wish more of that would happen.
*slaps knee* Damn. Really wouldn't of ever guessed that. Out of all my school i'm usually considered the Hip Hop mastermind... guess there's always smarter than you at out there.
Actually I do not put the bottom category with the top, the top is significantly better. Why? Because they were able to make great music that appealed to the masses. I think there is something to be said about commercial success. Yeah, the bottom group had good music, but not great. The top group took good music and got the world to demand it on the radio. The bottom group rarely ever does. That is not to say that just because you made it on to the radio means it is good music because there is tons of **** on the radio. However, if you can make good music that appeals to the masses, you have done a better job than the rest of the artists. You also have to have good beats with the lyrics. Just good lyrics does not equal hip-hop. Plus it is getting so old to hear about oppression, crack babies, etc. I can only take so much of that. Sometimes I do think people that live and die by listening to only this genre of music are completely delusional. You are not hard, a thug, or even enlightened. Also, if that is what the artist wants to rap about, come up with a new fresh way to do it. Obviously those are not the only things in the world. Also, I am tired of people throwing out Talib Kwali and Mos Def every time they are trying to gain some kind of credibility when talking about hip hop music. For me, someone who pulls that card probably knows even less than the biggest soulja boy fan. One other thing that annoys me, is people that pull out music from a 5 or 10 year period and say that anything outside of that isn't music or hip hop. Listen, it is the same as when your parents or grandparents said that to you about the music you listen to. It is a completely stupid thing to do. "Hip hop died in the 80's". "No in the 70's". "No in the 90's". Really, do you not feel stupid?
Thanks, I'll check it out. I've seen a lot of people overseas combine genres and have it sound awesome.
I agree that just having good lyrics (without beats) does not make for good hip hop. But Kweli's Reflection Eternal album is his only solo album that I really think is a classic - great lyrics and (Hi-Tek) beats. The thing about Jay-Z is that he has a ton of hit singles, but aside from Reasonable Doubt, I don't really think any particular album of his is a classic on it's own. My favorite hip hop album of the past year is still Q-Tip's The Renaissance. Just about every track is solid, both beat wise and lyrics wise.
Stop talking, you sound like a baby who lost his pacifier. What's the problem here? They get credibility because their lyrically superior to other MC's/rappers. Why because they talk about drugs? Get real bro, people talk about the things that go down in the hood. They tell it like it is, the hood is a scary/dangerous place where people get shot 2-3 times a week. I can't speak for Compton or Bankhead or Detroit but I have lived in Brooklyn and most of the things rappers say that happen in Brooklyn, happen. Another thing, if you don't like or agree with the thread, don't post in it, especially 5 paragraphs....
I will say this about hip hop/rap... More than ever, the producer has been getting a lot more recognition these days and in a lot of the new music to come out recently is driven more by the production/beat instead of the performance of the artist. Artists flock to these big name producers because they know doing a song with The Runners or Timbaland is going to get them bigger sales and raise more awareness of their song. The one thing I do not like about rap albums these days is rappers going with a lot more than 2-3 producers for their albums. It makes them sound like a bunch of singles. I like my rap albums to have a consistent sound to them throughout.
When I ready the first paragraph, I almost threw my drink up on to the screen because I thought you were being sarcastic and found it hilarious. Then I realized you were serious, and that was just sad. This link is just for you
I'm a big fan of producers and the good ones get recognition because they deserve it. They make the music, arrange it, create the chorus and concept. The rapper just comes in and uses his image/voice to fill out the track. This isn't always the case but I think some people would be surprised at how little the rapper is involve in some of these hit singles.
Ok and the blog name is "Stuff White People Like" and the title of the article is " #116 Black Music that Black People Don’t Listen to Anymore" What does this have to do with race? Are you mentally unstable?
I love producers too, dont get me wrong. But just like you said, these rappers aren't having much involvement in these hit songs and I just don't like that. All that beat driven music has a place, but Id like to see rap start to focus more on the rapper and the emceeing part of it. It doesn't even have to be lyrical, just a strong voice, good flow and delivery. Hell, I don't consider Young Jeezy's lyrics to be anything above mediocre at his best moments, yet Im a big fan of his albums. They sound great in the car and his swagger and presence on the mic just appeals to me. I would just like to see a rapper work with less producers on their album, come up with a concept and craft a sound that fits the rapper. Some of the nicest emcees go to these hit making producers that just doesn't fit them IMO and the strong beats they rap on hide the emcees skills.
Apparently, you did not read the article. You should. Here is another one: New York is the safest big city But according to you, blood runs up to the knees in Brooklyn
Ok I didn't say New York city wasn't safe, I said Brooklyn wasn't. There different cities... same states. No where in there does it even mention Brooklyn.. Reading and comprehension, you learn it in elementary school. Put another coin in, try again.
Uhh...Brooklyn is part of New York City. Didn't you say you've lived in Brooklyn? And the whole time, you never knew you lived in NYC? Really?
With all that reading and comprehension, no time for geography. Also, if you go to nyc.gov, look up the crime statistics, they are not very different proportionally to the population between each of the Burroughs.
