Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
I want to, but I just can't...
Rage against a Machine
written by JusHH
written by JusHH
This past Thursday, Jay-Z once again made headlines. Props to Hov for still being able to do more with one song than most are able to do with a whole album. He made an event out of the release of his new song and turned the Hip-Hop community upside down. (Note: its 2009 so I can't say how many people outside of the tri-state area actually cared, but NY is still NY and it was a big moment.) Now I was as excited as the next man until I realized that he was making this huge event to battle...
Autotune?
I just have a few thoughts on the subject...
I know in the eyes of many Hov can do no wrong but after the opening line, he lost me. First of all, is autotune even a used anymore? Save for T-Pain and Ron Browz, you don't hear it like you did at the end of last year. People were already getting tired of it and were moving forward. Why pick now, to make such a "bold" statement? If he did it 8 months ago, now we're talking.
Second he says that his songs don't have melodies? Umm, really Jay? Hard Knock Life, Show me what you Got or the litany of hit singles for the club that you have in your catalogue. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the call for everyone to step their rap game up but its kinda easy for you when you are already rich. If you tried to come out today, you'd have T-Pain on your song too. You also hated on ringtones and itunes as if your music isn't for sale on both and you haven't pocketed some change as a result.
Then the jist of the rest of the song was that this song was more street and gangster than what everyone else is putting out right now. If that is true, couldn't you have picked a harder beat? I'm sorry but the jazz, saxophone thing didn't scream out hardcore.
And of course the biggest irony is that Kanye produced this song? Umm, so Hov were you just s**ting on Kanye's entire career in 2008 and his last album. Keep in mind that album was released under your umbrella.
I'm just asking that the next time you stop NY in its tracks to listen to your next record, you gotta come with something better Hov. And if you want to battle something, go at something that talks back.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Back at It
So I'm not sure if ya'll heard this joint yet but I'm pretty sure now that T.I. has received his sentence and his deal is solidified, he doesn't really give a f$%k about this whole "non-violent" image that he portrayed while working on staying out of jail during his prime. Can't say that I blame him and since the record is hot, I'm not hatin. But I will say that Wayne can't come on a track like this with the tip-toe flow he has so carefully mastered, I think Lil' Scrappy or Killer Mike would've been much better suited for this one, hell, the PERFECT counterpart woulda been Young Buck to form a 2 for 1 beef special, just a thought. Enjoy.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
The Kid From TO...
Kid Tested, Adult Approved
written by Just K
written by Just K
Let’s take a look at the current crop of hot MCs.
Of course you’ve got Jay-Z. At the end of the year, Jay-Z will be forty-years-old (40’s the new 30?). His debut album, Reasonable Doubt, dropped in 1996. He’s been making quality music for well over a decade.
Nasir Jones a.k.a. Esco a.k.a. Nasty Nas will be 36 this year. His Illmatic album, arguably the greatest hip-hop release of all time, was released on 1994. Esco’s cranked out songs that display political awareness and social consciousness for over a decade and a half. Geez.
Eminem was already known for battling by the mid-90s, but he really hit the big stage in 1999 with The Slim Shady LP. He’ll be 37 before the year’s out.
Lil’ Wayne, though still in his-mid 20s, has been a part of the rap game since the late 90s with his debut album being released in 1999. In fact, Weezy was three albums deep before the amazing that is “Tha Carter” hit in 2004.
50 Cent dropped in 2003. He’s in his 30s, but the streets have know about him since “How to Rob” in 1999.
Kanye West is also in his 30s and debuted in 2004.
The Game dropped in 05. He turns 30 this year.
Jeezy came out the same year as The Game with Thug Motivation: 101. He hits 32 in the ’09.
I’m Serious, T.I.’s debut album, came out in 2001. He hits 29 before 2010.
About half of these MCs having been giving us hits since the 90s. Durability and longevity are beautiful things. Most of the list is in their 30s. With age comes wisdom I suppose. I personally love almost everyone on this list. I feel like I grew up listening to Jay-Z, Nas, and even Lil’ Wayne. I was in college when Kanye released college dropout. I swear he was rapping a lot of what I was thinking. I remember the hype surrounding 50 when he dropped. I remember thinking The Game was the dude that was going to bring the west back. I was around for the drastic switch in style/flow for T.I. from I’m Serious to Trap Muzik. And I was definitely feeling Jeezy despite his simple lyrics and couldn’t explain why. It was hilarious watching all my people experience this inexplicable phenomenon with me; we chalked it up to authenticity and adlibs. I say all of this to say that anyone under the age of 20 hasn’t really had the chance to experience an MC they can call their own.
For anyone under the age of 20, the only exposure to lyricism they really get from the radio is from artists that were established before their time. The kids never get to see the MC from the beginning to see how their styles have changed and/or evolved or how an artist has grown. The only young buck that’s all over the airwaves now is Soulja Boy, who has admittedly traded in witty rhymes for fun songs. Where are kids getting their fill of lyricism from? Enter Drake.
This is the first artist that folks under 20 can truly claim as an MC. He can put together solid rhyme patterns, impressive and catchy flows, and witty wordplay, not to mention he gives the vibe of being a regular, personable guy. Is he the best thing since sliced bread? Nah, but neither were a lot of the artists I mentioned earlier when they first burst onto the scene. The dude can do something that a lot of young MCs hitting the mainstream can’t do. He can spit. Yes he has hooks. Yes he can sing. I guess the ladies find wheelchair Jimmy attractive. Whatever. He can really rhyme. This current group of kids has not been able to say that about an artist that they were able to follow from day one until Drake’s hype started building. He’ll probably be 23 when his debut drops – a young spitter indeed. This is the guy they get to grow with, root for, celebrate, and truly enjoy for his ability to rhyme as well as make fun songs. So I’m happy for the kids. It seems like they may have finally gotten one. Congratulations.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment