Hip is current, hop is the rhythm but is that what Hip Hop has turned out to be in past years? Let’s take a walk back in history before we start. Kerry “Cowboy “Wiggins gave birth to Hip Hop in America but you could say he wasn’t planning on it, you know like your little sister? Small joke. It all started in 1979 when Kerry jokingly repeated the phrases “hip, hop, hip, hop” to a fellow army buddy as a rhythmic new tone to the marching step they took instead of “one, two, one, two”. It became a trend which later led on to performances along with Fabulous Five which featured the legendary GMF (Grand Master Flash). Now that we’ve done a little bit of research let’s get down to business. Emceeing (act of being a “MC”) is not as popular as it used to be in the earlier origins of Hip Hop. Hip Hop artists now a day’s prefer to speak to the public with catchy phrases, synonyms, and a abundance of figure of speeches. Nothing wrong with that, I’m not a Hater Maino but I do have a problem with it still being referred to the general public as Hip Hop. “The game needs change and im the mof***ing cashier” Drake – Successful Funny: Check Catchy: Yes Facebook status material: Sure Hip Hop: Errrr Your right Drake the game could use some changing, but not in a way were you totally obliterate the roots of this magical art. Since when has Hip Hop been about rapping about how much money you have and the size of your 69’ Impala rims? Sure you could mention it once, maybe twice but to make a whole song about it. Sorry that doesn’t work for me. Let’s start it off. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LB4D-GbQ9A4&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LB4D-GbQ9A4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> Shut em’ Down – Public Enemy – 1991. Hip Hop takes the form of racial rights to the African American society. A recurring event, Hip = Current. A point is trying to be passed in the form of a rhythm. Excellent piece of work. Another Goodie <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ro08bILEvqc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ro08bILEvqc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> F’ Tha Police – NWA – 1988. Hip Hop’s introduction to “Gangsta Rap” was all NWA. It was gangsta rap but it still remained Hip Hop as the song was sending a message of the police brutalities going on in the suburbs of California. Hey! A wild Hipmonhop! It looks like it’s evolving too! (referring to the game Pokemon; another joke..your suppose to laugh) Flavor is creeping up in your ear drum. Knock knock. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9-MLp3l2fkA&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9-MLp3l2fkA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> Flava in Ya’ Ear – Craig Mack – 1994. The Hop= Rhythm , reveals it’s new colors. While still lyrically profuse, Craig Mack gives the sound of the song a new favorable beat, without sounding like an idiot cough* Plies *cough. You keeping up? <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CjhLeHrWVb8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CjhLeHrWVb8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> Free Mumia – KRS-1 – 1995. One of my personal favorites, KRS-1 takes a stand for Hip- Hop. He explains that this music is not only a genre, it’s a lifestyle. Don’t diss it. Period. Now let’s talk about Beef. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/94bNyh6BBB0&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/94bNyh6BBB0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> What’s Beef – Biggie Smalls – 1997. What is beef? Beef is the inheritance of a feud carrying over into Hip Hop music at least that was what the original definition meant until people started using the words in the streets. Beef was born in the late 90’s the early focal points of beef were West Coast-based rapper 2Pac (and his label, Death Row Records), and East Coast-based rapper The Notorious B.I.G. (and his label, Bad Boy Records). After arguably the biggest beef between two MC’s ended in the tragic murders of both rappers, the game took a sharp turn. Hip Hop was dying. Hip Hop than turned into more of a market rather than what the streets would speak. Various Mc’s still remained determined to right about the ghetto and what their childhood was like when growing up but it was evident that most people would rather do the shoulder lean than take time listen to Taleb Kwali’s amazing album “Eardrum” (2007). After writing this whole assessment, do I really need to tell you how ridiculous the game has gotten? Stanky Leg? LOL Smiley Face? Your a Jerk? Now I can’t say I haven’t listened to the songs because they are catchy but PLEASE. Please. Do not call that Hip Hop. What would Pac and Biggie say? What would Big Pun say? What would Eazy, Grand Master, Big L, all the fallen gods of Hip Hop say about this tragedy? For those who remain loyal to the music. Wu Tang, Nas, KRS, Taleb, Mos Def, Immortal T, Common, Rakim etc. Hell I’ll throw in Jay-Z and Kid Cudi. Save Hip Hop. Just something I wrote for my school (Obviously without the embed videos). Tell me watcha think? Took me a while to write this. Will accept suggestion and healthy criticism, will not accept insults.
If you thought Eardrum was amazing, you need to listen to Talib Kweli's Reflection Eternal (his best solo album, IMO)...and of course the Blackstar album (Talib Kweli & Mos Def).
You lost most of your cred the second you began posting stuff from the '90s. Truest hip-hop died around '97 once and for all. Then once Master P became popular, real stuff was gone forever. And the answer is an overwhelming "NO." Hip-hop is by and large dead. THIS was hip hop... the first 12 years or so... notice the progression... 1978 <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LQDQ8ZMeZF0&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LQDQ8ZMeZF0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> 1979 <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XT5zQmjGxg4&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XT5zQmjGxg4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> 1980 <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QVzLtdV8OFo&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QVzLtdV8OFo&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> 1981 <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hk_DBrjtH0s&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hk_DBrjtH0s&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> 1982 <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4E-nLlrAZQc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4E-nLlrAZQc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> 1983 <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/afugvilArOM&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/afugvilArOM&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> 1984 <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3p4B6Z_rOf0&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3p4B6Z_rOf0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> 1985 <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DphkDgAMKqY&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DphkDgAMKqY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> 1986 <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qRfnnLaU8fU&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qRfnnLaU8fU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> 1987 <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dfnvsoEirbg&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dfnvsoEirbg&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> 1988 <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PfjF4yr8GVA&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PfjF4yr8GVA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> 1989 <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4lp6mR-TD9w&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4lp6mR-TD9w&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> From RUN DMC's breakout, and the subsequent success of the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, etc... that was the Hip Hop era's peak. It all began downhill with Hammer (though I liked him), and Vanilla Ice, etc. Gangsta rap was the death of hip hop and the beginning of marketing.
Hip Hop is still alive, but the A&Rs are keeping it locked up! That way, they can dress up pop-stars as hip hop artists! <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y2hDLrT6Il8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y2hDLrT6Il8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/g3dfmy3dk-w&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/g3dfmy3dk-w&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5uBVeE1QZoA&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5uBVeE1QZoA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> <object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3BvwjCOypV8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3BvwjCOypV8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object> <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MXchPFg9XZM&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MXchPFg9XZM&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8WxTebdT7DI&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8WxTebdT7DI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> And the re-birth of gangsta rap is upon us! <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W8kVOz8RVaE&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/W8kVOz8RVaE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2M6fWDfkVoE&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2M6fWDfkVoE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
I agree with whoever said Master P started the downfall of hip hop. Seemed like everything was fine until he came along with his moaning and his ugly mug covered in gold teeth. He over saturated the hip hop game with so much crap in such little time that I guess people figured it was the standard. Then came the Cash Money bull****... "bling bling" was born and hip hop became a joke...and it has been ever since.
I went to Rock the Bells this summer in NYC. I went in thinking I knew at least something about Hip Hop, but soon discovered I was very uninformed about the scene. However, the concert did reinforce some conceptions I had about the Hip Hop scene and gave me a little more insight: - Abounding ignorance, especially regarding the political. At some points, they're screaming "F' THA POLICE", about how the gov't is one big conspiracy, how they do not give back to their citizens (and the obviously have no idea what they're talking about); not five minutes later they're gushing about how this is the greatest country on earth. It just does not make any sense. - KRS-1 was emceeing the thing - the dude just spews nonsense about the "spirituality" of Hip Hop and how it is a lifestyle. "The gangsta stuff you see on TV - THAT'S NOT HIP HOP!!!!!" (crowd applauds). "Hip Hop is beat boxin', freestylin', GRAFFITI WRITIN'....." Huh? At least for me, I associate defacing property with 'gangsta stuff'. They try so hard to dissociate Hip Hop with crime and gangs, basically all the negatives that follow Hip Hop, but it's all for naught. Try as they may, but just look at some of the lyrical content of Hip Hop/rap songs, the types of trouble Hip Hop's artists get into... it's just pointless to even try. - Only in Hip Hop concerts do crowds cheer after being referred to as "Motherf'ers". "ALL YOU MOTHERF'ERS THROW YO HANDS UP" "woooooooo" At one point, the dude from House of Pain screamed something along the lines of "IF YOU DON'T KNOW THIS DUDE, YOU A STUPID MOTHERF'ER". Uhhh... okay. Thanks. It was just funny to see. I understand it's just Hip Hop colloquialism, but that's the problem... just so much gratuitous cursing and screaming and just general foolish behavior that undeniably characterizes the Hip Hop culture, making it hard to take seriously. - Not to mention the perpetual childish "feuds" between rappers or groups or possees because he said something about his mama/record label/car/girlfriend/blah blah blah. And then the ceremonial public "make-up" at a concert where they collaborate on a song.... it's just so stupid. It's like I'm watching WWF. I realize it's not all like this. It's not all money/cash/hoes and I definitely appreciate some sector of Hip Hop. But after immersing something like 12 hours into that Rock The Bells concert, I came out thinking even less of Hip Hop. And I went in not thinking much of it in the first place.
I wouldn't say hip hop is dead, but today's mainstream hip hop might make it seem that way. Real hip hop is alive and well in the underground. Recommended artists: Madlib, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Oh No, Little Brother, CunninLyguists, MF DOOM, J Dilla (RIP), Raekwon (new album's great), Ghostface
Exactly. I get tired of people saying Hip Hop is Dead. Firstly, when Hip Hop first emerged, it wasn't exactly mainstream. So its fitting that the most talented hip hop artists currently are not the guys we see and hear on radio or TV all day. But if you want to go the mainstream route, guys like Drake, Wale and Kid Cudi are pretty damn talented. And trust me, if rappers back in the day were making the same amount of cash that rappers do now, you damn well would hear them rap about how much money they got. Last I checked, Hip Hop was about freedom of speech so you could talk about anything. The past is the past, it can't be recreated. Leave it as it should be. That's like saying Rock music is dead because there's no more music like Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley. Ok sure, mainstream Hip Hop may not be the greatest, but how great is the other mainstream genres in Music?
I haven't really listened to hip hop in about 7-8 years. The bling era just killed it imo. Today's mainstream music is so s****y and has no substance. It's too bad because my friends still love hip hop, especially my Indian friends. Then again they also listen to Indian music, which is the same obnoxious two second rythm played over and over again.
Radio-Friendlies, Remixes, Rappers trying to sing choruses, etc is what killed it. Auto-tune put the nail in the coffin.
