Pieces of the Hip Hop Pie: Scattered Convos about Rap Music
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Artist:
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Album:Kweli:Confidential
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Track:Beef 2 (feat. Murda Mook)
Since Frost's been talking about Soulja Boy and Everywoman expressed her love and distaste for certain music, I wanted to post a song that kinda addresses both issues.
In MrFrost's posts, there have been discussion about why vets (Ice-T mostly) feel the need to blame Soulja Boy for the fall of the industry, whether or not their in the right, and the real pitfalls for Hip Hop.
Imeverywoman posted a general statement about how she respects, but doesn't necessarily like (to listen to) all music & musicians. In the process, she mentioned her waning toleration for Hip Hop, and attributed the falling interest to the changes that come with growth & and age; I'd add the decline of an artform.
On the post concerning Soulja Boy, Contrabandwidth argued that showmanship was a big reason for the fall of Hip Hop. I agree, but place some of the blame on the internet; the ease with which people can create, distribute, or download music has led to laziness on from artists as well as fans. But we haven't really discussed how the industry has a huge hand it all this. Let's face it, Hip Hop is big business.
Since we live in a society of instant gratification, the methods used by record companies feed into the unquenchable thirst for music now, now, now. Although you could argue that they haven't really figured out how to manage/handle the distribution of music over the net, the music that is being produced largely consists of catchy hooks, ring tone beats, poppy flow, and dance moves. These songs can be put out on a factory belt. It's the EZ Button for Hip Hop (did I use that phrase already?)... So what else?
Well, there's the way rappers go at other rappers. We love beef! Hip Hop can't get enough, and there's always something (see 50 Cent for details). And while I realize that battles are as much a part of Hip Hop as rhyming, the shit is a little outta control. There's always talk about who's gonna cap who, and how tough these guys are, how they'll go pop the trunk or whatev... I seriously didn't intend for this to be a long post.>>>
Anyway, basically I don't like Soulja Boym, but I don't blame Soulja Boy for the fall of Hip Hop. I think there are way too many aspects, and one major aspect is money. I mean, that's why he's in it right? That's why a lot of people are in every field that their working in, but look at the way crappy music is fed to those w/ short attention spans. Look at the promotion of beef dvd's (Mtv Fight Klub, Smack DVD, hell just look at YouTube). Look at the overnight Hip Hop songs, that fizzle and fade as quickly as they caught on. In 20 years, we'll be blaming someone else for the decline of our music, while the people making most money off Hip Hop don't even rap.
Mtv is runnin this rap shit
Viacom is runnin this rap shit
AOL and Time Warner runnin this rap shit
We poke out the asses for a chance to cash in
- Mos Def
peace
Comments (9)
the rate of overnight hip hop songs is overwhelming. there's so much music being pumped out everywhere, spewed out to internet users etc., that songs are only good enough to stay on the public's radar for a short time before it's onto the next. i wish there was a magic button to put everyone on pause for a minute, make 'em come with something real. this was such an excellent read, S4L!
I think hip-hop is having a dark period similar to rock's "hair-band" era of the late 80s right before and the pendulum swung back to the Nirvanas, Radioheads, Soundgardens, Smashing Pumpkins and the like .... jazz went through it and so did the blues. I think in about 5 years there will be a pleasant balance of empty music for people who prefer it and fun, substantive music for music lovers... I could be wrong. But I'll offer a different version of the future and say that in about 20 years, our children will be reveling the wealth of good music that's being made at this very moment....while the then-40-yr-old Soulja Boy fans will be scratching their heads wondering how it snuck up on them. And we'll be having too good of a time with the dope shit to worry about who's to blame for The Dark Ages...
And some of the ones who gave up on hip-hop and got disenchanted will return, just like old Beatles and Rolling Stones fans who gave up on new wave and butt-rock came back.
Hopefully *fingers-crossed*
haha - bring on the Hair Hip Hop! let's see the afros and eyeliner phase!
let me first start by saying I love this post.
I agree that the fame and the money are too much of a draw for people who have some sort of catch, its the get rich quick scheme of the decade.... and we all lose because of it. suckers the whole lot of us lol, a catchy beat, a funny rhyme, a track that we can make lil pookie do a dance to when we have company. it almost in some ways feels like we have given in to the idea that its just not going to get better, I certainly hope not. there are some very talented folks in the world of Hip Hop who have high aclaim but yet to recieve the true commercial rewards they deserve.
long gone are the days of artist taking pride in what they do, living, eating breathing, sleeping hip hop now its all about making the all mighty dollar with the least amount of work possible.
Im reminded of one of my favorite videos ever, the Roots "what they do"
I remember chuckling the first time I saw it, wondering how many folks would take notice, how many folks would really really understand.
sometimes I feel like Im part of some underground society of former hip hop lovers forced underground by the likes of Soulja boy, and songs like chicken noodle soup...... so lets all unite and wait for the day of freedom to once again reign lol
peace and blessings.
Even though I'm sure few people actually check back unless you comment directly after them, I wanna say thanks to everybody for the positive comments.
Brit: I think it's a combination of "come & go" songs and the shrunken attention span of the music listeners. Do you know people outside of MOG that appreciate lyrics (and actually know them) like you do? Magic or Scientific Genius, I would greatly appreciate it if you could get working on that Pause Button, Miss Brit. Thanks
Sum Majere: I really like your theory, and I'm anxious to see what Grunge's Hip Hop equivalent will be; All-Concept Albums All The Time? Think about how rare true concept albums are: I have two...three. Prince Paul's Prince of Thieves, Masta Ace's Disposable Arts & A Long Hot Summer.
Molli: Hair Hip Hop had it's time, I think... Remember when Snoop and DJ Quik and Krayzie Bone and Ice-T (permanently) had long, permed out pimp hair?... Actually, I guess four Hair "Bands", do not an era make.
Everywoman: I'm glad you loved the post (especially since it was partially inspired by you). It's really funny that you say it's the get rich quick scheme of the decade because every area of entertainment and advertising has been influenced by hip hop in some way: television, movies, video games, foods, beverages, and endless amounts of electronics and clothing.
On another note, I LOVE "What They Do"... talk later
Thanks
That pause button...yup, I'm tinkering away all day, every day. Any day now..any day now!
eggggcellent!
I dunno. I see it going this way. See, you can't fight the internet and instant distribution. So, soon artists will get away from dropping cds with 16 songs, and just drop a song here and a song there. I mean, honestly, if 50 cent only dropped 4 good songs every year instead of two albums with a TOTAL of 4 good songs, I'd like him a lot more. And that way, people like me aren't suffering from music overload. And, still (hopefully) the cream rises to the top. Not to mention, artists could start going straight to online distributors and start saying fuck the major labels. Now, how would THAT change the quality and content of the music out there? And, you'd still have your Soulja Boys, but the format would give him his run, let him make his money, and then dispose of him. Only people with real staying power would be able to survive.
It almost seems like the net (digital outlets specifically) has encouraged artists to do a a hot song here & there, because of our ability to purchase whichever songs we want. I think you're right about 50 (and more than a few others) & the good vs. the garbage. A full length CD just might be beyond his scope, but when he's on, he's definitely on.
As far as the music overload, it's the curse that comes with the gift, I think. Last year I had Little Brother, Kweli, Brother Ali, Pete Philly & Perquisite, Ghostface, stic.man, the Wu, CunninLynguists, Median, Mr. J. Medeiros, Dela, Guru, Blue Scholars, Magestik Legend, Phat Kat, Consequence, Oh No, Pharoahe Monch, Kanye, Jay, Blue & Exile, Black Milk, One Be Lo, more albums, some mixtapes, some garbage (Cassidy wasn't garbage, but it wasn't nearly as good as I hoped), and music from a few other genres filling up my playlists. It took me well into the 08's to listen to most of those albums all the way through. That kinda avalanche of music makes me to listen a lot less to people who deserve it (LB's album was so ill) and move to the next album. Decisions, decisions.
Is the full length Hip Hop album a throwback at this point, reserved only for a talented few who understand the concepts of the musical arc, story-telling, lyricism, quality, and creativity?