So….what’s killing rap.

yOu are quite a bit more succinct than I
but you are correct sir

Rocket River

 

I think almost anything we can think of contributes to killing rap. That seems vague but there's been things DELIBERATELY trying to kill off rap for a long while. From censorship to parents, politicians, "real music" listener critics, pseudo aristocratic pretentious hecklers, etc.

Then actual music industry factors like mainstream radio and tv filtering rap down to a distinct type, consumers changing their tastes, downloading, rap's profitability and visibility and "average homeboy" wanting a piece of it,
and rap has evolved to how it is.

Also, "Keep it Real" (any Dave Chapelle clip is welcomed) go so WAY taken out of context. To where actual Bloods and Crips started "bangin on wax". But that goes to show how wide open rap was to where that was taken almost as artistic expression.

 

Good spoof on rap today.

<embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-4796415214829377292&hl=en-CA" flashvars=""></embed><br />via <a href="http://www.videosift.com/video/Chappelle-Turn-My-Heaphones-Up" title="Chappelle - Turn My Headphones Up">videosift.com</a>

 

yeah, and kick push is for rookies new to rap music. it gets much better than kick push

 

Nas was on TRL the last time he dropped an album about 2 years ago. That Hip Hop is Dead album I think it was.

 

Well eminem at his best was one of the best, so that doesn't really mean Jay-z sucks. Jay-z's longevity sets him apart, rapppers come and go after a few albums, the man has put out 10 platinum albums. Yeah eminem put out a few sick albums, but you saw him run out of **** to rap about fast on his 4th, encore. Which was a weak album. Thus just the ability of Jay to keep coming up with new tracks and records is an accomplishment, let alone to keep selling them.


Jay-z has never had a #1 single. Which I really can't even fathom how insane that is. (how do you have 10 albums go platinum without a single #1?)

Have you listened to Jay-Z repertoire?

But have you listened to reasonable doubt (his first album) and the blueprint (an album he made in 2 days)?

 

Selling records doesn't indicate anything about talent. I think Jay is talented, but not on par with top of the line Eminem talent. Jay's longevity has more to do with his incredible savvy on the business end. The fact that he put out 10 platinum albums just means he is persistent, and smart with his marketing.

Beyonce didn't hurt his success either.

My point is that while selling in quantity and dominating airplay are indicators of popularity, they are irrelevant when discussing talent.

 

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0L5eHWIis6U&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0L5eHWIis6U&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
This is RAP, its kind of a hybrid since it was produced by Mike Shinoda/Linkin Park.

It's called The Instrumental- Lupe Fiasco


<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t3SYbTAeWZ8&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t3SYbTAeWZ8&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

"YAHHHHHHHHHH b**** YAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" "Get out my face hoe!!"
I bet you can guess who this is from.

 

This is nothing new. Not to get off track, but the same happened in the '50's with rock music being branded as evil 'negro' music that was 'polluting' white kids. Any research you do on Elvis will tell you this.

 

kevin federline killed the rap.

 

Mainstream Radio is the reason hip-hop is weak right know. The labels know all they need to make big money is one single with radio play. It doesn't really matter who it is as long as it's catchy.

In turn the consumers suffer from a weakened art.

Hip-Hop ain't dead, most people are just looking in the wrong place. I haven't heard radio in years.

Here are just some examples from our own backyard in Houston

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YVbE3hIV5j4&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YVbE3hIV5j4&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OXRpdoZslrw&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OXRpdoZslrw&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

 

Because not many listen to Lupe Fiasco.

 

Agreed Rocket River! great post.

People act like Nas never sold out... Please do your research. Nas is top 10 IMO(off Illmatic alone!) but don't be biased in regards to his career. Nas attempted to do what Jay-Z did, but failed miserably. Casual rap fans tend to forget that.

Nas is art. Jay-Z is a business. But they are both tremendously gifted rappers and understand their place in Rap's history. That's why I always respected Jay-Z. In it for the money, but understood his role. Most rappers don't care about the history aspect of it. It's like comparing J.R. Smith and Kobe. Physically, both are talented off the charts and in the NBA, but mentally, who would you rather have?

And another thing, being a backpacker/socially conscience/political (whatever that means!) doesn't make you an MC or more lyrical. You can't tell me Talib is more lyrical than Canibus or Immortal Technique is more lyrical than Black Thought!?

 

this song explains EXACTLY why rap has gone sour. WE ARE ADDICTED TO MAINSTREAM/TV. if you think he's rapping about boxes think again....what else is shaped like a box and produces colored images?

 

I think you're selling jay-z's talent short, but to each it's own.

 

saying eminem>jay z is probably one of the most ridiculous statements ever

 

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0dRgYd5Mxs0&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0dRgYd5Mxs0&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Immortal Technique- Dancing with the Devil


This is REAL gangster RAP.


I'm sorry since were in Houston (dirty south), but everything that comes out of the south is trash.
Especially Houston, but mainly ATLANTA

Bun B- "draped up n dripped out, know what im talkin bout?" <<< Actually i have no clue what youre talking about Bun B

Mike Jones- "who mikes jones, who mikes jones , who mikes jones, who mikes jones, who mikes jones X89580586086"

Chamillionaire- "They trying to catch me ridin dirty" < Okay? thats great, dont get caught, and dont make a song about it.


ATLANTA KILLED HIP HOP

DJ UNK- WALK IT OUT
SOULJA BOY
LIL JON..
ALL THAT OTHER CRAP

 

chamillionaire is actually a great rapper, check out his last Album. that being said, if anyone was listening to 97.9 in the past hour...trash music at its best right there.

 

Rap is great. People always like to reminisce about the old days about how it was so much better. It was good,but there is still good stuff. Some of the beats they make now days are a 100x better. Biggie and Pac were good, but they weren't the only two good rappers.

You have your little jon, but you still got your lupe's out there as well.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/s26EEQ1_nLU&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/s26EEQ1_nLU&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>