MUSIC
This is for Hip Hop primarily. Question: What were your parents listening to growing up? You'd probably say some old Motown, or that 70s disco/soul stuff. And your grandparents were probably rocking out to some "Rocking Robin."
My point is this: your parents weren't listening to the same music that their parents listened to, and so on and so on. When I went to St. Mary's in the D as a 5th grader, I know Sister Jean wasn't knocking "Fuck the Police." I know Ms. Bivins wasn't playing "We got the Jazz" at Chicago's Ray School. But don't be surprised if you hop into any random middle school in America where both the teacher and student are in class rapping, "...I'm ridin' round with that Nina."
Why? That's because creatively, music has topped off or reached it's limits in the Hip Hop/Rap genre. Ok screw it, I'll make examples for Hip Hop like I did for the other categories.
Wayne, Drake, Ross,ASAP Rocky, and the million other popular/contemporary artists are cool, but there will NEVER be another "Illmatic", "Reasonable Doubt," "36 Chambers," "OB4CL", "Ready2Die," "Life After Death," "Amerikkkas Most," "Chronic," "Aquemeni/SPlayalistic", "Straight Outta Compton," "The Infamous," "IronMan," "Paid In Full" "Its A Big Daddy Thing" "Supreme Clientele," "Resurrection," "Low End Theory," "Midnight Mirauders" "BluePrint," "The Sun Rises in The East," "Hard to Earn" "What Thee Album" "We Come Strapped".
What's really popping or are the tenements of contemporary hip hop? Drug Dealing, "p" popping music, flossing, dancing music seem to be the most popular.
Ok with the drug dealing/street music/flossing, what more do you need to learn or hear that Big, Hov, or Illmatic didn't explain? With the "p" popping music, cant we just throw on some Luke? "Shake ya what ya momma gave ya" and "I wanna rock" can do the trick. Holla at Hammer and Diddy for the dancing music.
The sad thing about it is the one major phase that Hip Hop endured, political/conscious rap, has yet to recycle. I used to hear boasts of afrocentric reaffirmations permeating in the lyrics of Quest, Public Enemy and X-Clan. That doesnt seem to fly nowadays or even 10 years ago. Even when Hov questioned Nas' propensity to kick knowledge, Nas flipped it with this retort: "Naw Im just tryna kick that ish you need to learn tho." Kick that knowledge Esco!
Obviously that proud state of hip hop wont resurface because hip hop is global and a lot of big time checks are being signed by hands that usually dont have melanin. And the consumers dictate what's popping, and I dont think the consumers (who are 80% non black) are trying to hear that. That 'don't bite the hand that feeds you' mentality has got us in a rut and I'm looking at these suckers like sell outs.
Overall, cats nowadays are just copycats. Wayne self-admittedly studied and emulated the G.O.A.T Hov, and these young dudes rocking all the 80s styles (snapbacks, high top fades, hair designs, retro shoes,etc) are copy-catting the best this hip hop genre has to offer. Yes you could say 'Things happen in cycles" but when I was starter jacket fresh with my Jordans on in the years of 1988-1991 I wasnt trying to copy nothing from the 70s. No one in my generation did. We were too busy inventing new styles.
There are some cats out there making substantive and quality music, unfortunately the problem is they're being drowned out by an over saturation of wackness. Hip Hop scholar Dr. M.E. Dyson once said "The wrong niggas are holding the mic."
Contemporary rap is like Mc Donalds, and these rappers are the drive thru clerks or managers of said Mc Donalds. We need those Rakims, Krs Ones, Mos Defs back in the forefront playing the role of "Big Momma" to serve that substantive soul food.
Until then, billions will continue to be served and you rap consumers are going to end up like buddy from "Super Size Me."
Bro I'm feeling this piece. But I think it's a problem of no one cares. All of the dudes who are suppose to be the gate keepers of hip hop don't know the business side of the music industry. And the guys who aren't as good with the mic are better business men. And I think that trend has gotten hip hop to the point of where it's at today.
ReplyDeleteNow don't get me wrong Hov is an example of the best of both worlds, but I don't feel like he cares anymore. Now he put out J Cole, who to me; is one of hip hop's best chances to getting back to it's roots. But Hov didn't take him under his wing like would have in the beginning of his career, example Memphis Bleek.
His focus is money, and there's nothing wrong that. But it's going to take someone with a name as big as his to care more about their legacy then their wallet to help restore order. Until then hip hop will continue to die.
Dayuummm....speaking of Hov and 'best of both worlds', how does it feel to be an athlete, ass kicker and scholar main?
Deletelove ya points, and I agree 99% of them. You're right, its all ab the love...on some, "wheres the love?" ish. hov didnt groom cats like bleek, state p, sigel n them back in the day...but after seeing ye blow, he prolly like 'im only messing w cats that prove they can be a monetary asset to me.'
Hip hop is stuck in neutral. its a big money blueprint everyone is adhering to, and if it aint broke, then don't fix it!!!!!
Nicely stated. As my man above said, "no one cares". That is where the problem lies. Today's youth,and even the older generation unfortunately as well, have become complacent and dumbed down. No one even recognizes let alone will stand against this "buffoonery" because that in itself was the original plan.... For the masses,especially the black masses, to be dumbed down, de-sensitized, and non-thinkers.They are like cattle in line for slaughter. No matter how many they see shot in the head in front of them in line, they stay in line for their turn. Everyone who has been consciencious and wanted to make a change has either been killed off or made purposely irrelevant. I'm personally down to start the revolution!
ReplyDeleteGood points .. all across the boards .. the music industry hasnt been the same since the creative development dept closed down and politics opened up. It'll never be the same. Beautifully written tho.
ReplyDeleteDon P
I agree with alot of the points that have been made, if not all...I just think it boils down to perspective? We're old. Or getting there. Soon there will be a young Dice that is blogging or doing some Jetson's type thing on a whatever the newest thing a ma jig will be...talking about there will never be another Lil' Wayne or where are the trailblazers like Drake?
ReplyDeleteYes, the gap has narrowed from what our parents liked, to what we liked. But just like I remember my friends Dad rapping and knowing about Nas when I was only 14, that revolution was not televised and this one is not being televised either. It's being tweeted.
#chicagorapbeef's
Wanted to mention one more thing. Imitation is the highest form of flattery?
ReplyDeleteApplying your theory to different scenario's, would I be incorrect in saying that Dr. King is only an imitation of Mahatma Gandhi? Or would it be fair to say Kobe is sooooo far down the troth when you speak of Connie Hawkins, Dr. J, Earl The Pearl, The Big O,...won't even mention your Airness.
I have this very same debate with my dad. Kobe is ok, but he's no Dr. J. Mike was damn good, but he wasn't Dr. J. And I hear what I feel are very similar sentiments with you, when it comes to hip-hp and movies.