Ok, I've done the best out now. I've done the best ever. Now it's time to judge their works. Here are my Top 10 albums
1. All Eyez On Me, 2pac
2. Illmatic, Nas
3. Ready To Die, Notorious B.I.G.
4. The Chronic, Dr. Dre
5. Enter the 36 Chambers, Wu-Tang Clan
6. Straight Outta Compton, N.W.A.
7. Strictly For My N.I.G.G.A.S, 2pac
8.. Doggystyle, Snoop Doggy Dogg
9. Me Against The World, 2pac
10. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Lauryn Hill
Friday, May 11, 2018
Top 10 Rapper All-Time
Now for the hardest part. The 10 greatest rappers to ever spit verses. From the late 70s until now. LA, New York, Compton, Chicago, New Orleans, Miami, Houston, across the globe. Here's my 10:
1. 2pac
2. The Notorious B.I.G.
3. Nas
4. Rakim
5. Andre 3000(5-12 is a coin flip situation. Arguments can made for any between these artists)
6. Ice Cube
7. Jay-Z
8. LL Cool J
9. Big Daddy Kane
10. Snoop Dogg
Honorable Mention: Eminem, Big L
1. 2pac
2. The Notorious B.I.G.
3. Nas
4. Rakim
5. Andre 3000(5-12 is a coin flip situation. Arguments can made for any between these artists)
6. Ice Cube
7. Jay-Z
8. LL Cool J
9. Big Daddy Kane
10. Snoop Dogg
Honorable Mention: Eminem, Big L
New School Top 10
The new generation of Hip-Hop is a thoughtful one. One that doesn't get its due credit. Like ever other generation, its artists are constantly compared. Who's the greatest? Who sells the biggest numbers? Everyone has different takes, but here's my top 10. These are artists associated with being after 2010
1. Kendrick Lamar
2. J. Cole
3. Drake
4. Big Sean (coin flip decided between him and Chance. Sean gets the nod for longevity)
5. Chance the Rapper
6. Joey Bada$$
7. Childish Gambino
8. Logic
9. Wale
10. Meek Mill
1. Kendrick Lamar
2. J. Cole
3. Drake
4. Big Sean (coin flip decided between him and Chance. Sean gets the nod for longevity)
5. Chance the Rapper
6. Joey Bada$$
7. Childish Gambino
8. Logic
9. Wale
10. Meek Mill
Protest Rap Part Two: Tupac
Okay, so I already talked about Pac in one of my earlier posts. But I felt I needed to go into deeper detail as to Tupac's words were so impactful. Tupac will forever capture the brilliance, anger, and potential of young black males in a way no one has before or since.
Songs like "Point the Finga", "Changes", "Trapped", and"So Many Tears", speak on police brutality, systematic racism, and materialism in a poetic, honest, intelligent way that was wise beyond Pac's years. He broke things down, resonating with both high school dropouts, and Harvard graduates. It's ironic that Tupac was so fascinated with Shakespeare, because he's most certainly become a Shakespearean figure. Tupac was a paradox
He was revolutionary. He was insightful. He was sensitive, and had a soft spot for black women. He gave a speech at an NAACP banquet at 21 that evokes Malcolm X. He dropped 3 of the top 10 rap albums of all-time by the time he turned 25.
He helped temporarily bring a truce between Crips and Bloods. He comes from a lineage of Black Panthers. His words and music crosses generations, and resonates with oldheads and milennials alike. All of this from a nerd
Songs like "Point the Finga", "Changes", "Trapped", and"So Many Tears", speak on police brutality, systematic racism, and materialism in a poetic, honest, intelligent way that was wise beyond Pac's years. He broke things down, resonating with both high school dropouts, and Harvard graduates. It's ironic that Tupac was so fascinated with Shakespeare, because he's most certainly become a Shakespearean figure. Tupac was a paradox
He was revolutionary. He was insightful. He was sensitive, and had a soft spot for black women. He gave a speech at an NAACP banquet at 21 that evokes Malcolm X. He dropped 3 of the top 10 rap albums of all-time by the time he turned 25.
He helped temporarily bring a truce between Crips and Bloods. He comes from a lineage of Black Panthers. His words and music crosses generations, and resonates with oldheads and milennials alike. All of this from a nerd
Protest Rap Part One: N.W.A.
Hip-Hop has been one the biggest platforms for outspokenness on social issues, especially in the black community. Over the past 30 years, rappers like Tupac, Nas, and Chuck D have spoken on topics like police brutality and systematic racism. However, no talk about rap and social statements is complete without N.W.A.. The group touched on several problematic issues at the core of our country. The group's I-Don't-Give-A-Fuck attitude when calling attention to those issues paved the way for a lot of later artists to make statements about said issues.
N.W.A. was comprised of Eazy E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella. Formed in 1986, their 1988 debut album Straight Outta Compton turned Hip-Hop on its back. The album is on the consensus short list for greatest Hip-Hop albums of all-time. Known as one the pioneering albums of gangsta rap, the album touches on racism, profiling, police harassment and brutality, and the violence and crime that plagued the streets of Compton and South Central Los Angeles. The track "Fuck Tha Police" in particular stands out from the album. The song protested the racism of law enforcement, and resulted in N.W.A. receiving a letter from the FBI.
N.W.A. started fade to as the 80's gave way to the 90's. Cube left in 1989 over money disputes. Dre was next, causing a rift temporarily. Before Eazy succumbed to AIDS in 1995, the group had planned a reunion. But it wasn't to be.
N.W.A. left it's mark on Hip-Hop, and its members' contributions are still felt today. Dre and Cube's accomplishments go almost without saying. But Dre also gave birth to the careers of Snoop, Eminem, 50, The Game, and Kendrick Lamar. Cube's impact switched over to movies as much as with music. Nearly 30 years after their debut, N.W.A still remains impactful, and their words are relevant.
N.W.A. was comprised of Eazy E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella. Formed in 1986, their 1988 debut album Straight Outta Compton turned Hip-Hop on its back. The album is on the consensus short list for greatest Hip-Hop albums of all-time. Known as one the pioneering albums of gangsta rap, the album touches on racism, profiling, police harassment and brutality, and the violence and crime that plagued the streets of Compton and South Central Los Angeles. The track "Fuck Tha Police" in particular stands out from the album. The song protested the racism of law enforcement, and resulted in N.W.A. receiving a letter from the FBI.
N.W.A. started fade to as the 80's gave way to the 90's. Cube left in 1989 over money disputes. Dre was next, causing a rift temporarily. Before Eazy succumbed to AIDS in 1995, the group had planned a reunion. But it wasn't to be.
N.W.A. left it's mark on Hip-Hop, and its members' contributions are still felt today. Dre and Cube's accomplishments go almost without saying. But Dre also gave birth to the careers of Snoop, Eminem, 50, The Game, and Kendrick Lamar. Cube's impact switched over to movies as much as with music. Nearly 30 years after their debut, N.W.A still remains impactful, and their words are relevant.
Next Up: J.I.D.
Hip-Hop is a genre full of stars. The biggest rappers are some of the brightest stars in any genre. Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole, Chance The Rapper, Drake, Logic, the list goes on. Every so often, an artist will come thru with potential to not only last, but put their mark on rap in general. We've seen so many artists become superstars. Now the only question is who's next. No one has shown more promise than J.I.D. . Drawing comparisons to Kendrick Lamar, the Atlanta-bred rapper quietly dropped one of the best albums of 2017, and has the potential to be a breakout star.
J.I.D., whose real name is Destin Route, attended Hampton University, where he played football. It was here that he met his frequent collaborators EarthGang. He later joined together with them to form Spillage Village. In February 2017, J.I.D. signed to J.Cole's Dreamville label. On March 10, 2017, he released debut album , The Never Story, which made its way onto the Billboard 200.
J.I.D. has the potential to be one of the biggest names in rap. His jazzy, introspective raps may one day put him on the level of his mentor. My only hope is that his next project comes out soon. Will he capitalize on his bright future? Will he help carry the torch for the next ten years? Only time will tell
J.I.D., whose real name is Destin Route, attended Hampton University, where he played football. It was here that he met his frequent collaborators EarthGang. He later joined together with them to form Spillage Village. In February 2017, J.I.D. signed to J.Cole's Dreamville label. On March 10, 2017, he released debut album , The Never Story, which made its way onto the Billboard 200.
J.I.D. has the potential to be one of the biggest names in rap. His jazzy, introspective raps may one day put him on the level of his mentor. My only hope is that his next project comes out soon. Will he capitalize on his bright future? Will he help carry the torch for the next ten years? Only time will tell
Thursday, May 10, 2018
All Falls Down: Kanye West's First 3 albums
Over most of the past two decades, Kanye West has been one of the most talented, polarizing figures to ever seen in Hip-Hop. His blend of brilliance, and arrogance have given us some of the most notable moments of the past 10 years, from his well documented history with awards shows, to his comments about George Bush. Current frustration aside, Ye has been one of the brightest stars we've ever seen. He is a mix of controversial, outspoken, awe inspiring, poetic, honest, and socially conscious, in a way that no other artist except Tupac Shakur has. His first three albums, as well his fifth album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, are regarded among the greatest Hip-Hop albums of the 21st century.
Yeezy found his way to relevance as a producer on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint. Desiring to be taken seriously as a rapper in addition to his beatmaking credits, Kanye was continually overlooked until he was signed to Roc-A-Fella records in 2002. In October of 2002, Kanye was critically injured in a car accident that left his jaw fractured. This didn't stop him, however, as he recorded the song "Through the Wire" with his jaw wired shut. Kanye's debut album, The College Dropout was released on February 10, 2004. The album was an instant classic, debuting at Number 2 on the Billboard 200. The album's production was heavy on gospel and soul, a contrast to the grittier, gangsta rap at the time. College Dropout spoke on materialism, mass incarceration, systematic racism, higher education, and rappers like Drake, Lupe Fiasco, Childish Gambino, Wale, and Kid Cudi have credited the album, for giving birth to a wave of rappers who strayed from the typical subject matter at the time.
Kanye's sophomore album Late Registration was released on August 30, 2005. The album reflected the impact Ye had already established. Due to the success of success of The College Dropout, Kanye's soul sound had been heavily copied, which led him to incorporate live instruments into his songs, as opposed to the heavy use of soul samples on The College Dropout. The album debuted at number 1, giving Kanye his second consecutive number one album.
And, finally, we have Graduation. The nerd rap classic, maybe the greatest nerdy rap album of all-time, although Illmatic, The Low End Theory, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, To Pimp A Butterfly, and It Takes a Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back most certainly would have something to say about that. Gradation debuted at Number 1, giving Kanye his second straight album to do so, and his third straight album to hit number one period. The album almost went platinum in it's first week. Leading up to its debut, Graduation was hyped in a sales battle with 50 Cent's Curtis. Upon both albums' releases on September 11, 2007 Graduation stomped the competition, selling almost 300,000 more first week copies. This was widely known as "The Day Kanye Killed Gangsta Rap". The album also marked a departure from his signature soul sound, due to it being so heavily copied by his peers. Graduation was noted for it's electronic house sound that was popular in West's hometown of Chicago. This album is credited even moreso than Kanye's previous work for opening doors for introspective, melodic, non- gangsta rappers.
Kanye West's impact on Hip-Hop is undeniable. At his peak, he reached the"more than a rapper", evolving past a genre plateau that we've only seen in black artists like Michael, Marvin, James Brown, and Tupac. An undeniable genius, he may be our biggest talent since Tupac and Biggie's deaths. In his prime, he was a force to be reckoned with, and one of our brightest stars in any music genre.
Yeezy found his way to relevance as a producer on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint. Desiring to be taken seriously as a rapper in addition to his beatmaking credits, Kanye was continually overlooked until he was signed to Roc-A-Fella records in 2002. In October of 2002, Kanye was critically injured in a car accident that left his jaw fractured. This didn't stop him, however, as he recorded the song "Through the Wire" with his jaw wired shut. Kanye's debut album, The College Dropout was released on February 10, 2004. The album was an instant classic, debuting at Number 2 on the Billboard 200. The album's production was heavy on gospel and soul, a contrast to the grittier, gangsta rap at the time. College Dropout spoke on materialism, mass incarceration, systematic racism, higher education, and rappers like Drake, Lupe Fiasco, Childish Gambino, Wale, and Kid Cudi have credited the album, for giving birth to a wave of rappers who strayed from the typical subject matter at the time.
Kanye's sophomore album Late Registration was released on August 30, 2005. The album reflected the impact Ye had already established. Due to the success of success of The College Dropout, Kanye's soul sound had been heavily copied, which led him to incorporate live instruments into his songs, as opposed to the heavy use of soul samples on The College Dropout. The album debuted at number 1, giving Kanye his second consecutive number one album.
And, finally, we have Graduation. The nerd rap classic, maybe the greatest nerdy rap album of all-time, although Illmatic, The Low End Theory, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, To Pimp A Butterfly, and It Takes a Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back most certainly would have something to say about that. Gradation debuted at Number 1, giving Kanye his second straight album to do so, and his third straight album to hit number one period. The album almost went platinum in it's first week. Leading up to its debut, Graduation was hyped in a sales battle with 50 Cent's Curtis. Upon both albums' releases on September 11, 2007 Graduation stomped the competition, selling almost 300,000 more first week copies. This was widely known as "The Day Kanye Killed Gangsta Rap". The album also marked a departure from his signature soul sound, due to it being so heavily copied by his peers. Graduation was noted for it's electronic house sound that was popular in West's hometown of Chicago. This album is credited even moreso than Kanye's previous work for opening doors for introspective, melodic, non- gangsta rappers.
Kanye West's impact on Hip-Hop is undeniable. At his peak, he reached the"more than a rapper", evolving past a genre plateau that we've only seen in black artists like Michael, Marvin, James Brown, and Tupac. An undeniable genius, he may be our biggest talent since Tupac and Biggie's deaths. In his prime, he was a force to be reckoned with, and one of our brightest stars in any music genre.
Monday, March 12, 2018
The Generation Gap (The Break Between Eras)
Since what feels like the beginning of time, the youth and their elders have been at odds over--well, everything. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the black community, and black culture obviously pour into Hip-Hop. Young adults, especially young minority adults, and ESPECIALLY young black adults, have always felt misunderstood, particularly by prior generations. My generation feels older generations seem to look down on us. There's an unfair amount of condescending bashing coming from older generations. A lot of us feel like they don't understand us, and they don't want to. The biggest criticism from the "Hip-Hop is dead" old-heads is the lack of lyricism or subject matter, or as my mom would it, "Y'all don't talk about nothing". Contrary to that stereotype, this generation has list of thoughtful lyricists that could go on for DAYS. Kendrick, Cole, Drake, Chance, Joey Bada$$, Logic, Wale, J.I.D., Joyner Lucas, Mac Miller, Macklemore, Big Sean, Childish Gambino, A$AP Rocky, Big K.R.I.T., Earl Sweatshirt, the list goes on. Anyone who knows me knows I am HUGE fan of old school Hip-Hop, and am all about respecting elders and paying respect to the legends. But I'm prideful about the generation I'm a part of. There seems to be a lack of respect between the old generation and the new, and it seems like the older generation is more disrespectful.
However, I agree with the older fans to an extent about content matter. A lot of the popular music is either lacking substance, or overtly sexual. There's a lack of love songs compared to previous generations. I don't think my generation is as laid back, relaxed, or happy as the ones before. I think we take things too serious, and don't express our emotions the way we should, which is a product of our environment. My Hip-Hop education, so to speak, started with the older Hip-Hop I heard growing up. Between my uncle's fascination with hardcore artists like Biggie, Big Daddy Kane, Wu Tang, and Snoop Doggy Dogg, to my parents' preference of nerdy, soulful acts like A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, I had no choice but to become a Hip-Hop head. Their favorite artists became my favorites, and impacted not only the kind of music I like, and my old school Hip-Hop and R&B/soul-heavy musical pallet, but the new school artists that I call my favorites. Kanye West, The Game, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Bryson Tiller, etc. connected with me because they were reminiscent of the artists I got put onto. So I can see a lot of things that the older generations are saying.
However, I detest the way that older people in general approach us, and I think it's bigger than just music. They treat us like we're a nuisance. They blame us for the problems in this country, especially the crimes in inner cities. We get talked to like we're a nuisance, and not like their kids, grandkids, nieces, or nephews. I think that my generation has developed somewhat of a chip on our shoulder, and that there is a break in the link between eras. Most of us feel like we don't get the regard we deserve, and disrespect begets disrespect.
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming. I think the complaints of Hip-Hop falling off a reach. There are still artists in this generation that will go down as some of the greatest to ever do it. I don't see much difference between now and the Golden Era except for the type of Hip-Hop that's promoted. To quote 9th Wonder "[Growing Up] We had a lot of stupid songs, stupid dances. We had a lot of one hit wonders. The difference between that time[The Golden Age] and this time is that one hit wonder didn't make the cover of Vibe. That one hit wonder wasn't the face . And as popular as Vanilla Ice was, Vanilla Ice wasn't seen by America as the face of Hip-Hop. He was just seen as, a clown, to be honest. Same with MC Hammer. Our face of Hip-Hop in 1994 was Biggie and Tupac". I agree with that heavily. As much of a pull as Kendrick Lamar and J.Cole have on rap right now, the biggest hits of the last year are going to artists that aren't known for putting messages and thought into their music. Aside from Kendrick's dominance last year, most of the hits were songs like " Bodak Yellow", "XO Life Tour", "Rockstar", "Rake It Up". Artists like Lil' Yachty, Lil' Uzi Vert, Kodak Black, etc. are being seen as some of the most popular faces of rap. Hip-Hop is still Hip-Hop, what's changed is the marketing. But the older generations did the same thing. The only difference is no-one was touting 69 Boyz(The group that made "Tootsie Roll") as the greatest rapper alive. The art form is still alive, as a matter of fact. It overtook rock as the most popular genre. That never happened before at any point in Hip-Hop. LL, Big Daddy Kane, and Rakim didn't do that. Tupac, Big, and Snoop didn't do that. Jay, Nas, Kanye, and Em didn't do that in their primes. Although all of those legends most definitely laid down the groundwork, that was an accomplish this current generation of rappers achieved. So put some respect on our name!
Sound off in the comments
1520 Segwick Avenue,the birthplace of Hip-Hop
However, I agree with the older fans to an extent about content matter. A lot of the popular music is either lacking substance, or overtly sexual. There's a lack of love songs compared to previous generations. I don't think my generation is as laid back, relaxed, or happy as the ones before. I think we take things too serious, and don't express our emotions the way we should, which is a product of our environment. My Hip-Hop education, so to speak, started with the older Hip-Hop I heard growing up. Between my uncle's fascination with hardcore artists like Biggie, Big Daddy Kane, Wu Tang, and Snoop Doggy Dogg, to my parents' preference of nerdy, soulful acts like A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, I had no choice but to become a Hip-Hop head. Their favorite artists became my favorites, and impacted not only the kind of music I like, and my old school Hip-Hop and R&B/soul-heavy musical pallet, but the new school artists that I call my favorites. Kanye West, The Game, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Bryson Tiller, etc. connected with me because they were reminiscent of the artists I got put onto. So I can see a lot of things that the older generations are saying.
However, I detest the way that older people in general approach us, and I think it's bigger than just music. They treat us like we're a nuisance. They blame us for the problems in this country, especially the crimes in inner cities. We get talked to like we're a nuisance, and not like their kids, grandkids, nieces, or nephews. I think that my generation has developed somewhat of a chip on our shoulder, and that there is a break in the link between eras. Most of us feel like we don't get the regard we deserve, and disrespect begets disrespect.
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming. I think the complaints of Hip-Hop falling off a reach. There are still artists in this generation that will go down as some of the greatest to ever do it. I don't see much difference between now and the Golden Era except for the type of Hip-Hop that's promoted. To quote 9th Wonder "[Growing Up] We had a lot of stupid songs, stupid dances. We had a lot of one hit wonders. The difference between that time[The Golden Age] and this time is that one hit wonder didn't make the cover of Vibe. That one hit wonder wasn't the face . And as popular as Vanilla Ice was, Vanilla Ice wasn't seen by America as the face of Hip-Hop. He was just seen as, a clown, to be honest. Same with MC Hammer. Our face of Hip-Hop in 1994 was Biggie and Tupac". I agree with that heavily. As much of a pull as Kendrick Lamar and J.Cole have on rap right now, the biggest hits of the last year are going to artists that aren't known for putting messages and thought into their music. Aside from Kendrick's dominance last year, most of the hits were songs like " Bodak Yellow", "XO Life Tour", "Rockstar", "Rake It Up". Artists like Lil' Yachty, Lil' Uzi Vert, Kodak Black, etc. are being seen as some of the most popular faces of rap. Hip-Hop is still Hip-Hop, what's changed is the marketing. But the older generations did the same thing. The only difference is no-one was touting 69 Boyz(The group that made "Tootsie Roll") as the greatest rapper alive. The art form is still alive, as a matter of fact. It overtook rock as the most popular genre. That never happened before at any point in Hip-Hop. LL, Big Daddy Kane, and Rakim didn't do that. Tupac, Big, and Snoop didn't do that. Jay, Nas, Kanye, and Em didn't do that in their primes. Although all of those legends most definitely laid down the groundwork, that was an accomplish this current generation of rappers achieved. So put some respect on our name!
Sound off in the comments
1520 Segwick Avenue,the birthplace of Hip-Hop
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Femcees: Women lyricists in Hip-Hop
Since the rise of lyricists in the late 1980s, female rappers have been among the most impactful. They've given us some of Hip-Hop's most greatest hits and albums. From groups, such as TLC, Salt 'N Pepa, and JJ Fad, to solo artists, like Missy Elliot, Lauryn Hill, the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Eve, Trina, and Nicki Minaj, the have undoubtedly left their mark on this art form, both in the classics they've given us individually, and the stars they gave us( Such as TLC introducing us to Andre 3000 or Missy Elliot having a direct influence on the rise of Aaliyah, Justin Timberlake, and Timbaland). And seeing that this Thursday, March 8, is International Women's Day, i thought this would be an appropriate time to show love to some of my favorite female rap artists.
Lauryn Hill is considered one the greatest rappers to ever breathe into a microphone, male or female. She was at the forefront of the blending of Neo-Soul and Hip-Hop that was so popular in the late 1990s and 2000s, along with acts like A Tribe Called Quest, D'Angelo, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, The Roots, Outkast, and Kanye West. Her 1998 debut album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, is considered one the greatest Hip-Hop albums of all-time, and has left fans anxious for a follow up. She rose to fame as part of the rap group, The Fugees(along with Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel). Her appearance in Sister Act 2: Back In the Habit, and the Fugees breakout sophomore album, The Score, led to her rise in popularity. Since the release of her solo album, she has fell out of the public eye, reappearing periodically, most notably when she reunited with The Fugees for Dave Chappelle's Block Party. She also appeared on the soundtrack of What Happened, Miss Simone, the biopic of the legendary Nina Simone. In the 20 years since its release, Miseducation has impacted and entire generation , and has heavily influenced just about every female rapper that come after her, as well as male emcees such as J.Cole and Kanye West. In fact, West originally featured her on his single "All Falls Down".
Queen Latifah may be the female rapper closest to being a household name, due to her discography, as well as her acting credits. She brought a tomboyish bravado that demanded respect from her peers. Latifah is known for her deep subject content, especially the womanist approach she brings to her material. Her debut album, All Hail The Queen, was chosen as one of The Source's 100 best rap albums. She released two more albums, Nature Of A Sista, and Black Reign, after which she stepped away from rap. Since then, she has released two jazz albums, and become one the most well known actresses in Hollywood. Her filmography includes Set It Off, Living Single, House Party 2, and Girls Trip. Latifah was one of the first, as well as one of the biggest female rap superstars we've seen. Black Reign was the first gold album by a female rapper, and the song "U.N.I.T.Y" off of the album earned her a Grammy for Best Solo Rap Performance, making her the first female rapper to do so.
Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes is criminally underrated when discussing female rappers, and well as women artists in general. As one-third of the legendary group TLC, she holds the honor of being the only female rapper with a diamond album(TLC's CrazySexyCool has sold 14 million albums). She was known for her quirky voice and her brash, outspoken, sometimes explicit behavior. Left Eye was crucial to the group, with her verses being the staple of some of their biggest hits (Waterfalls, What About Your Friends, No Scrubs). She also showed her versatility as the group shed their New Jack Swing, Bel Biv Devoe-type sound of Ooooooohhh...On the TLC Tip for more of a grown, soulful R&B style as they grew into CrazySexyCool and FanMail. TLC was groundbreaking, especially for women, and most especially those in Hip-Hop and R&B. Every female current R&B or Pop singer owe TLC a great debt, and every female rap owes Left Eye a tremendous debt. TLC empowered women with their lyrics, breaking stereotypes and showing that women, especially black women, come in different types, with problems and insecurities that deserve to spoken on. The group was an equal trio of three parts, but Lisa was arguably the attention drawer of the group. To quote Jermaine Dupri "She was the one who would curse on TV. She had the tattoos. You could not expect the unexpected. When you see Lisa, you could expect something from her. That is the gift she carried". Lisa's debut album, Supernova sold poor overseas, and was not released in the United States. However, that should be attributed to a low budget and lack of the marketing push it deserved. Her lack of huge solo work is part of the reason she is overlooked, however, I would like to point out that Andre 3000 has never released a solo album, and is still in most rap fans' Top 10, if not Top 5. Lisa was ahead of her time, both with her deep, quirky raps, and her futuristic concepts for videos like "No Scrubs". She laid down the blueprint for a lot of rappers, and her influence can be seen today in artists like Nicki Minaj.
No female rapper may have ever been domineering as MC Lyte in the late 1980s. She was the Hip-Hop version of the girl who bullied everyone one the playground, striking fear not only into other female rappers, but her male contemporaries as well. She was the first solo female rapper to release a full album, Lyte as Rock, which was critically acclaimed, and one of the most influential almost in Hip-Hop history. Like Latifah, she was well known for her empowerment of women in her lyrics, and the hardcore bravado she attacked the microphone with. She has made a number of hits, including "Poor Georgie" and "Cha Cha Cha". Lyte showed that female emcees could play with the boys, and were to be respected. Without Lyte, there's no Lauryn, no Nicki, no Rapsody.
There have been a large number of female artists and producers that have contributed to Hip-Hop over its almost 40 year long mainstream history. They have produced countless classic, inspired artists, and given way to others. Their impact has been monumental, not only musically, but in some of the thought process and social exchange they have sparked. Not only from the four I went into detail about, but countless others including Roxanne Shante', Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, Nicki Minaj, Eve, Monie Love, Salt N' Pepa, JJ Fad, and even non-Hip-Hop artists like Aaliyah, Beyonce, and Janet Jackson. So who's next? Who will take the torch and enthrall audiences next? Will it be someone we've already seen, who blossoms into a superstar? Or will it be a new face? Stay tuned.
Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes is criminally underrated when discussing female rappers, and well as women artists in general. As one-third of the legendary group TLC, she holds the honor of being the only female rapper with a diamond album(TLC's CrazySexyCool has sold 14 million albums). She was known for her quirky voice and her brash, outspoken, sometimes explicit behavior. Left Eye was crucial to the group, with her verses being the staple of some of their biggest hits (Waterfalls, What About Your Friends, No Scrubs). She also showed her versatility as the group shed their New Jack Swing, Bel Biv Devoe-type sound of Ooooooohhh...On the TLC Tip for more of a grown, soulful R&B style as they grew into CrazySexyCool and FanMail. TLC was groundbreaking, especially for women, and most especially those in Hip-Hop and R&B. Every female current R&B or Pop singer owe TLC a great debt, and every female rap owes Left Eye a tremendous debt. TLC empowered women with their lyrics, breaking stereotypes and showing that women, especially black women, come in different types, with problems and insecurities that deserve to spoken on. The group was an equal trio of three parts, but Lisa was arguably the attention drawer of the group. To quote Jermaine Dupri "She was the one who would curse on TV. She had the tattoos. You could not expect the unexpected. When you see Lisa, you could expect something from her. That is the gift she carried". Lisa's debut album, Supernova sold poor overseas, and was not released in the United States. However, that should be attributed to a low budget and lack of the marketing push it deserved. Her lack of huge solo work is part of the reason she is overlooked, however, I would like to point out that Andre 3000 has never released a solo album, and is still in most rap fans' Top 10, if not Top 5. Lisa was ahead of her time, both with her deep, quirky raps, and her futuristic concepts for videos like "No Scrubs". She laid down the blueprint for a lot of rappers, and her influence can be seen today in artists like Nicki Minaj.
No female rapper may have ever been domineering as MC Lyte in the late 1980s. She was the Hip-Hop version of the girl who bullied everyone one the playground, striking fear not only into other female rappers, but her male contemporaries as well. She was the first solo female rapper to release a full album, Lyte as Rock, which was critically acclaimed, and one of the most influential almost in Hip-Hop history. Like Latifah, she was well known for her empowerment of women in her lyrics, and the hardcore bravado she attacked the microphone with. She has made a number of hits, including "Poor Georgie" and "Cha Cha Cha". Lyte showed that female emcees could play with the boys, and were to be respected. Without Lyte, there's no Lauryn, no Nicki, no Rapsody.
There have been a large number of female artists and producers that have contributed to Hip-Hop over its almost 40 year long mainstream history. They have produced countless classic, inspired artists, and given way to others. Their impact has been monumental, not only musically, but in some of the thought process and social exchange they have sparked. Not only from the four I went into detail about, but countless others including Roxanne Shante', Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, Nicki Minaj, Eve, Monie Love, Salt N' Pepa, JJ Fad, and even non-Hip-Hop artists like Aaliyah, Beyonce, and Janet Jackson. So who's next? Who will take the torch and enthrall audiences next? Will it be someone we've already seen, who blossoms into a superstar? Or will it be a new face? Stay tuned.
Monday, February 26, 2018
Tupac and Biggie
Every so often, we are blessed with legendary musical talents who define their time periods. Michael Jackson. James Brown. Elvis Presley. Jimi Hendrix. Kurt Cobain. Marvin Gaye. John Lennon. The artists span over multiple different genres. In Hip-Hop however, no one looms larger than Tupac Shakur and Christopher "Biggie" Wallace. Tupac was a living paradox, the militant poet who was heavily versed in both Shakespeare and black nationalism, who wrote" Hit 'Em Up" and "I Don't Give A Fuck" as well as " Dear Mama" and "Keep Ya Head Up". Biggie, the self-described "Livest one, from Bedford-Stuyvesant", the Brooklyn-bred king of flow, who not only told stories, but brought them to life. The two will always be tied together, their deaths leaving us thinking about what could have been.
Tupac was born in East Harlem, New York. His mother, Afeni, was a Black Panther. His family moved to Baltimore, and while Tupac was there, he developed a close friendship with actress Jada Pinkett(later Jada Pinkett-Smith), as they attended the same performing arts high school. Pac is quoted as saying "Jada is my heart. She will be my friend for my whole life." At 16, Tupac moved to Marin City, California, a suburb of Oakland, and about 5 miles north of San Francisco. From there, he got his start as roadie with the group Digital Underground. He first appeared on their song "Same Song" from the soundtrack of the 1991 movie Nothing But Trouble. From there, he got his break, appearing as Roland Bishop in the urban classic Juice, and releasing his debut album 2pacalypse Now. The album received a large amount of controversy when a Texas youth who murdered a state trooper claimed the album influenced him to do so. This incident, and the grimness of songs like "Brenda's Got a Baby", "I Don't Give a Fuck", and "Trapped" led Dan Quayle to condemn the album, saying " There's no reason for a record like this to be released. It has no place in our society." 2pac's second album, Strictly For My N.I.G.G.A.Z. went platinum, and is noted as his breakout album. He starred in the movies Poetic Justice and Above the Rim. In late 1993, Shakur, among others, was charged with sexually assaulting and raping a woman he had a prior sexual relationship with. Tupac vehemently denied the charges until his death. During the time period of this trial, Pac was shot five times at Quad Studios in New York. He checked himself out the next day against doctor's orders. He was found not guilty of rape, but convicted of first degree sexual abuse and inappropriate touching. He was sentence 1.5 to 4.5 years in prison, but was bailed out by Suge Knight, after Tupac agreed to release his next three albums under Suge's label, Death Row Records. Tupac became the first artist with a number one album while in prison, as his album Me Against The World reached the top of the charts and stayed there for four weeks. Fresh out of jail, with a giant chip on his shoulder, Tupac seemed to unleash his rage, declaring war on Biggie, Sean "Puffy" Combs, and Bad Boy Records. On June 4, 1996, Tupac released "Hit 'Em Up". Known for being arguably the greatest diss record of all-time, the song was the main turning point in the East Coast-West Coast feud, as it added gasoline to the fire that had already been started at the 1994 Source Awards. Tupac released his fourth album, All Eyez On Me on February 13, 1996. This would be Tupac's last album to come out during his lifetime. On September 7, 1996, Tupac was shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting after watching the Mike Tyson- Bruce Seldon fight in Las Vegas. Six days later, on September 13, 1996, Tupac died from respiratory failure and cardiopulmonary arrest in connection with multiple gunshot wounds. He was 25.
The other Hip-Hop martyr, the Notorious B.I.G. was larger than life. Biggie stood 6'3" and weighed over 300 pounds. Born in Brooklyn to Jamaican parents, Big started dealing drugs at 12. At 18, he spent nine months in jail. At 20, he met, and signed with Sean Combs. On August 4, 1994, Biggie married R&B singer Faith Evans only eight days after meeting her at a Bad Boy photoshoot. On September 13, his debut album Ready To Die came out. The album has gone 4x platinum, and is credited for revitalizing East Coast Hip-Hop . Biggie met Tupac on the set of Poetic Justice, and the two instantly became close. Their friendship soured, however, as Tupac accused Biggie and Puffy of setting him up in the shooting that occurred at Quad Studios on November 30, 1994. At the 1994 Source Awards, Suge Knight insulted Sean Combs and Bad Boy Records, stating that any artists that " Wanna be an artist, and doesn't wanna worry about the executive producer, all in the songs, dancin'......" should join him at Death Row. That moment, coupled with Knight's alliance with Tupac, ignited a feud between the coasts. Biggie's 1995 and 1996 were fairly quiet, at least musically. He focused on his protege' group Junior M.A.F.I.A., comprised of childhood friends such as Lil' Kim and Lil' Cease. After the tragic death of his former friend Tupac, the Rap game was undisputedly B.I.G.'s for the taking. His debut album Life After Death was released on March 25, 1997. The album went platinum, reaching number one on the Billboard 200..... but Biggie wouldn't live to see in. In the early hours of March 9, 1997, he was gunned down in a drive-by shooting while leaving an after party for the Soul Train Music Awards in Los Angeles. He was only 24 years old.
Tupac and Biggie both left huge fingerprints on Hip-Hop, and music as a whole in a short period of time. They seen as both legendary, and on an untouchable pedestal, and as a symbol of potential that hadn't been reached. They are part of a group, along with Aaliyah, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Pimp C, and Eazy E, of musical icons gone too soon. Quincy Jones said it best when describing Tupac's death. " If we had lost Oprah Winfrey at 25, we would have lost a relatively unknown, local market TV anchorwoman. If we had lost Malcolm X at 25, we would've lost a street hustler named Detroit Red. If Martin Luther King had died at 25, he would've been a local minister who had not yet reached the national scene. And if I had left the world at 25, we would have lost a big-band trumpet player and aspiring composer-- just sliver of my life's potential...". Pac and Big accomplished everything they did in a span of five years, reaching heights and captivating audiences in a way no had before and no one has since. They have given birth to just about every rapper who's come along after them . Nas, Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, and J. Cole, among a host of others, cite them as influences. They became much bigger than they art form that brought them to the public eye, and will be on constant replay, influencing generations after them deep into the distant future.
The other Hip-Hop martyr, the Notorious B.I.G. was larger than life. Biggie stood 6'3" and weighed over 300 pounds. Born in Brooklyn to Jamaican parents, Big started dealing drugs at 12. At 18, he spent nine months in jail. At 20, he met, and signed with Sean Combs. On August 4, 1994, Biggie married R&B singer Faith Evans only eight days after meeting her at a Bad Boy photoshoot. On September 13, his debut album Ready To Die came out. The album has gone 4x platinum, and is credited for revitalizing East Coast Hip-Hop . Biggie met Tupac on the set of Poetic Justice, and the two instantly became close. Their friendship soured, however, as Tupac accused Biggie and Puffy of setting him up in the shooting that occurred at Quad Studios on November 30, 1994. At the 1994 Source Awards, Suge Knight insulted Sean Combs and Bad Boy Records, stating that any artists that " Wanna be an artist, and doesn't wanna worry about the executive producer, all in the songs, dancin'......" should join him at Death Row. That moment, coupled with Knight's alliance with Tupac, ignited a feud between the coasts. Biggie's 1995 and 1996 were fairly quiet, at least musically. He focused on his protege' group Junior M.A.F.I.A., comprised of childhood friends such as Lil' Kim and Lil' Cease. After the tragic death of his former friend Tupac, the Rap game was undisputedly B.I.G.'s for the taking. His debut album Life After Death was released on March 25, 1997. The album went platinum, reaching number one on the Billboard 200..... but Biggie wouldn't live to see in. In the early hours of March 9, 1997, he was gunned down in a drive-by shooting while leaving an after party for the Soul Train Music Awards in Los Angeles. He was only 24 years old.
Tupac and Biggie both left huge fingerprints on Hip-Hop, and music as a whole in a short period of time. They seen as both legendary, and on an untouchable pedestal, and as a symbol of potential that hadn't been reached. They are part of a group, along with Aaliyah, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Pimp C, and Eazy E, of musical icons gone too soon. Quincy Jones said it best when describing Tupac's death. " If we had lost Oprah Winfrey at 25, we would have lost a relatively unknown, local market TV anchorwoman. If we had lost Malcolm X at 25, we would've lost a street hustler named Detroit Red. If Martin Luther King had died at 25, he would've been a local minister who had not yet reached the national scene. And if I had left the world at 25, we would have lost a big-band trumpet player and aspiring composer-- just sliver of my life's potential...". Pac and Big accomplished everything they did in a span of five years, reaching heights and captivating audiences in a way no had before and no one has since. They have given birth to just about every rapper who's come along after them . Nas, Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, and J. Cole, among a host of others, cite them as influences. They became much bigger than they art form that brought them to the public eye, and will be on constant replay, influencing generations after them deep into the distant future.
Sunday, February 18, 2018
The Kings of the New School (Kendrick, Cole, Drake, and Chance)
Hip-Hop has evolved as an art form since its heyday in the 80's and 90's, but there are still a lot of rappers who embody what the culture has been known for since Hip-Hop's rise to mainstream popularity. Today, with all the rappers of different sounds and approaches, such as Logic, Big Sean, Joey Bada$$, Wale, etc., there are probably four rappers who are head and shoulders above everyone else. With all the intelligent lyricists around, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Drake, and Chance the Rapper have the most pull of anyone in the game right now, each with a different approach, a different cult following, and different, trendsetting sound. Kendrick is the consensus king, the west coast heir to the throne, with hints of trap and soul music, that appeals to old head Hip-Hop fans and youth alike. J. Cole is the melodic, soulful, insightful MC from Fayetteville, NC that would make Nas and Lauryn Hill proud(No pun intended). Drake, the reigning king of the pop charts from the 6 who seemingly makes hit after hit. Chance, the newcomer, the colorful, refreshing, down to earth kid from Chicago with acidic jazzy vibes.
Kendrick Lamar, by most accounts, is the best rapper alive, and has been for a number of years. Kendrick was born and raised in Compton, California. He was a straight A student at Compton High School, and idolized Tupac Shakur. In fact, one of the major points of his childhood was when he was able watch his heroes Tupac, and Dr.Dre(whose Aftermath label he later signed to) His mixtape Overly Dedicated and debut album Section. 80 led to widespread breakout acclaim. His major label debut, Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City, solidified him as a major force in the rap game, and is considered one of the greatest rap albums in recent memory. Kendrick's verse on
Big Sean's Control signaled his take over, and has been widely considered " The verse that woke the game up". His album To Pimp A Butterfly showed a change from his traditional West Coast sound to one infused with Jazz and spoken word. The album led to 11 Grammy nominations, one less than Michael Jackson's record of 12 from the 1984 Grammys. His album DAMN, was arguably the most popular album of the past year. The album outsold Drake's More Life, which was shocking, as Drake's style is seen as more pop, and more conducive to record and streaming sales At one point, all fourteen tracks from the album were on the Billboard Hot 100. He was also the curator and one of the executive producers for the newly released Black Panther: The Album soundtrack for the movie Black Panther. Kendrick's music follows in the footsteps of his hero Tupac Shakur, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, etc., delivering hits that made statements on social issues, such as Alright and Blacker the Berry, both from TPAB.
J. Cole, possibly the artist most mentioned with Kendrick(the two have been tied together since Cole produced for Kendrick's hit HiiPower off of Section. 80) , has a little bit different of story. A native of Fayetteville, NC, he used academics as a way to get to New York and vie for a major label record deal. One of the few rappers with a college degree, Cole graduated magna cum laude with a degree in communication and business. One of the greatest rappers of the current generation, he was originally snubbed by Jay-Z before being the first artist signed to his Roc Nation label. After his breakout mixtapes, The Warm Up and Friday Night Lights, his debut album The Sideline Story( named for his frustration with the period of time his album was "benched") debuted at #1. Next came his sophomore album, Born Sinner, which reached #1 in its second week, outselling Kanye West's Yeezus, and solidified him as a Hip-Hop megastar. He followed that up with 2014 Forest Hills Drive, which is hailed as one of the greatest rap albums of this decade. His latest album, 4 Your Eyez Only, debuted at number one, and made J. Cole one of three rappers to have each of their first four albums reach number one on the Billboard 200(DMX and Drake). He also fits into the line of artists known for using music as a platform for social and polital change. His songs, Be Free and Neighbors are probably the biggest examples
Drake, the wunderkind from Toronto, first appeared in the public eye on the series Degrassi. He signed to Lil Wayne's Young Money label, and has been arguably the most successful artist of the past ten years. He is the only artist to have a Grammy nominated diss record, as his single Back to Back was nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 58th Grammys. He broke onto the scene with his EP, So Far Gone, which debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200. As previously said, Drake's debut album, Thank Me Later, as well his next three albums, Take Care, Nothing Was the Same, and Views, all debuted at # 1 on the Billboard 200 as did his mixtape, If You're Reading This, It's Too Late, What a Time to Be Alive, his joint mixtape with Future, and More Life. Drizzy has had a stranglehold on the charts since his rise to popularity, and is one the most impactful MCs of the new school. His blend of rap with smooth R&B has also undoubtedly influenced a generation of rappers and singers like Bryson Tiller and Tory Lanez.
Last but not least, Chance the Rapper has ascended to the top of rap like no one else in the past 2 years. Yet to release an album, Chano still has his fingerprint on Hip-Hop, and has changed the game despite not being signed to major label. Drawing comparisons to Kanye West and Andre 3000 for his soulful, jazz and gospel inspired sound, Chance is known for his world beating authenticity. His debut mixtape, 10 Day, was named after the length of his suspension for marijuana possession that led to its conception. His next mixtape, Acid Rap, debuted at number 63 on the Billboard 200, even with his sales on Amazon and iTunes not being counted. He is the lead artist of the band The Social Experiment, and is featured of their album, Surf. His third mixtape, Coloring Book, was the first streaming-only album or mixtape to be nominated, let alone win, a Grammy. The album won three.
These artists have become superstars in their own right, and carried on the torch that artists like LL Cool J, Nas, Tupac, Biggie Smalls, DMX, Jay-Z, and Kanye West bore before them. The four of them are on an elite level above anyone else in the rap game right now, and contribute heavily to Hip-Hop recently becoming the most popular genre of music.
Kendrick Lamar, by most accounts, is the best rapper alive, and has been for a number of years. Kendrick was born and raised in Compton, California. He was a straight A student at Compton High School, and idolized Tupac Shakur. In fact, one of the major points of his childhood was when he was able watch his heroes Tupac, and Dr.Dre(whose Aftermath label he later signed to) His mixtape Overly Dedicated and debut album Section. 80 led to widespread breakout acclaim. His major label debut, Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City, solidified him as a major force in the rap game, and is considered one of the greatest rap albums in recent memory. Kendrick's verse on
Big Sean's Control signaled his take over, and has been widely considered " The verse that woke the game up". His album To Pimp A Butterfly showed a change from his traditional West Coast sound to one infused with Jazz and spoken word. The album led to 11 Grammy nominations, one less than Michael Jackson's record of 12 from the 1984 Grammys. His album DAMN, was arguably the most popular album of the past year. The album outsold Drake's More Life, which was shocking, as Drake's style is seen as more pop, and more conducive to record and streaming sales At one point, all fourteen tracks from the album were on the Billboard Hot 100. He was also the curator and one of the executive producers for the newly released Black Panther: The Album soundtrack for the movie Black Panther. Kendrick's music follows in the footsteps of his hero Tupac Shakur, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, etc., delivering hits that made statements on social issues, such as Alright and Blacker the Berry, both from TPAB.
J. Cole, possibly the artist most mentioned with Kendrick(the two have been tied together since Cole produced for Kendrick's hit HiiPower off of Section. 80) , has a little bit different of story. A native of Fayetteville, NC, he used academics as a way to get to New York and vie for a major label record deal. One of the few rappers with a college degree, Cole graduated magna cum laude with a degree in communication and business. One of the greatest rappers of the current generation, he was originally snubbed by Jay-Z before being the first artist signed to his Roc Nation label. After his breakout mixtapes, The Warm Up and Friday Night Lights, his debut album The Sideline Story( named for his frustration with the period of time his album was "benched") debuted at #1. Next came his sophomore album, Born Sinner, which reached #1 in its second week, outselling Kanye West's Yeezus, and solidified him as a Hip-Hop megastar. He followed that up with 2014 Forest Hills Drive, which is hailed as one of the greatest rap albums of this decade. His latest album, 4 Your Eyez Only, debuted at number one, and made J. Cole one of three rappers to have each of their first four albums reach number one on the Billboard 200(DMX and Drake). He also fits into the line of artists known for using music as a platform for social and polital change. His songs, Be Free and Neighbors are probably the biggest examples
Drake, the wunderkind from Toronto, first appeared in the public eye on the series Degrassi. He signed to Lil Wayne's Young Money label, and has been arguably the most successful artist of the past ten years. He is the only artist to have a Grammy nominated diss record, as his single Back to Back was nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 58th Grammys. He broke onto the scene with his EP, So Far Gone, which debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200. As previously said, Drake's debut album, Thank Me Later, as well his next three albums, Take Care, Nothing Was the Same, and Views, all debuted at # 1 on the Billboard 200 as did his mixtape, If You're Reading This, It's Too Late, What a Time to Be Alive, his joint mixtape with Future, and More Life. Drizzy has had a stranglehold on the charts since his rise to popularity, and is one the most impactful MCs of the new school. His blend of rap with smooth R&B has also undoubtedly influenced a generation of rappers and singers like Bryson Tiller and Tory Lanez.
Last but not least, Chance the Rapper has ascended to the top of rap like no one else in the past 2 years. Yet to release an album, Chano still has his fingerprint on Hip-Hop, and has changed the game despite not being signed to major label. Drawing comparisons to Kanye West and Andre 3000 for his soulful, jazz and gospel inspired sound, Chance is known for his world beating authenticity. His debut mixtape, 10 Day, was named after the length of his suspension for marijuana possession that led to its conception. His next mixtape, Acid Rap, debuted at number 63 on the Billboard 200, even with his sales on Amazon and iTunes not being counted. He is the lead artist of the band The Social Experiment, and is featured of their album, Surf. His third mixtape, Coloring Book, was the first streaming-only album or mixtape to be nominated, let alone win, a Grammy. The album won three.
These artists have become superstars in their own right, and carried on the torch that artists like LL Cool J, Nas, Tupac, Biggie Smalls, DMX, Jay-Z, and Kanye West bore before them. The four of them are on an elite level above anyone else in the rap game right now, and contribute heavily to Hip-Hop recently becoming the most popular genre of music.
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Introduction
Hi, my name is Elijah Reed, and I am a Hip-Hop head. I've been fascinated with the genre for as along as i can remember. I grew up in a household where a lot of old school soul/R&B, and Hip-Hop was played. I fell in love with all three, but found the latter captivating in a way I had never experienced. Rap embodied outspokenness, intelligence, self expression, and social activism. The four elements of Hip-Hop are rapping, graffiti, deejaying, and b-boying/break-dancing. Out of the four, MCs have always grabbed my attention the most.
The way that rappers like Tupac, Rakim, Nas, and Kanye West were able bring the words they wrote to life. Hip-Hop music has grown into an art form with many different kinds of artists. Art evolves over time, for better or worse, but one thing that has stayed at forefront of Hip-Hop has been lyricists with deep content matter, and outspokenness on social issues. Rappers that "actually talk about something" as my mother would put it, grabbed my attention during my childhood and early adulthood. It's precisely these "nerdy rappers" that I plan to talk about. I am a huge fan of the art form and culture, and take them very seriously, which is why I feel I am the right person. I think I can talk about Hip-Hop, the rappers, and the impact of the culture it's created in a intelligent, unique way. My intended audience is Hip-Hop fans, young and old, and I believe I can connect with both.
The way that rappers like Tupac, Rakim, Nas, and Kanye West were able bring the words they wrote to life. Hip-Hop music has grown into an art form with many different kinds of artists. Art evolves over time, for better or worse, but one thing that has stayed at forefront of Hip-Hop has been lyricists with deep content matter, and outspokenness on social issues. Rappers that "actually talk about something" as my mother would put it, grabbed my attention during my childhood and early adulthood. It's precisely these "nerdy rappers" that I plan to talk about. I am a huge fan of the art form and culture, and take them very seriously, which is why I feel I am the right person. I think I can talk about Hip-Hop, the rappers, and the impact of the culture it's created in a intelligent, unique way. My intended audience is Hip-Hop fans, young and old, and I believe I can connect with both.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)