Mar 29 2007
Life Imitates Shitty Music
I really don't know where to begin with this one. I really don't.
While driving home the other night with a friend, we were listening to the preeminent hp-hop/rap song of all time — Rapper's Delight by the "Sugerhill Gang." I hadn't listened to it in a while, and I had forgotten just how damn good that song is.
That got me thinking about about why, for all the other music I've discussed on this site, I haven't posted about any good hip-hop/rap music that's been released lately. Not just decent hip-hop, but that same amazing, driving hip-hop that started the industry.
The thought slipped my mind until today, when I saw this article over at The Seminal about how "Hip Hop Isn’t Dying, It Just Sucks."
The author of that article makes some very good points, many of which I unconsciously have been thinking since about …. oh, June 1992.
He pointed out how the rap scene right now is chaotic, without any unity or artistic purpose; it’s just people trying to get rich.
He pointed out how hip hop, as a musical art-form, just isn’t living up to musical standards; how it’s just plain bad.
I agree with him on those, and many of his other points. However, the author also notes:
It takes a lot to “kill” a genre of music. People have been writing about the end of rock and rap since the day they were created. I’m not saying hip hop is dying or dead.
With this I disagree. Rap and hip-hop music is dead. Period. End of story.
And do you want to know just how I know this? Just watch this clip. It's one of the most disturbing videos you'll ever see next to Hayden Christensen's zombie-like portrayal of Darth Vader in Star Wars, or a commercial for fat-free mayonnaise.
Oh. My. God. Yes, rap is dead. As a doornail.
If you know someone who doesn't already hate the Bush Administration, show them this video. That should do the trick.
WHAT. THE. FUCK. I just vomited so hard that shit came out of my mouth after watching that. And I could only survive the first 45 seconds.
That said, I have to disagree about the state of hip-hop. I would say that POPULAR hip-hop, or commercial hip-hop is not only dead, but culturally and morally bankrupt, and devoid of true talent. But there are a lot of outstanding, even brilliant, hip-hop acts out there. Blackalicious, Lyrics Born, Mos Def, Common, The Roots, Maroons, Lifesavas, Lupe Fiasco, Flipsyde, Rhymefest, The Streets, Ghostface, MF Doom… those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. The Solesides and Quannum Projects artists in particular have sort of succeeded the older school Native Tongues groups (De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, etc), making solid, smart, insightful hip-hop, while still expanding it’s horizons.
Oddly, this issue just came up on a comment thread at Pajiba.
Yeah, and I see you left a comment over on Dustin’s site, too.
You know what that makes you, right? You’re just a god-damn comment whore!
You broke my heart Fredo. You broke my heart!
That video makes my skin crawl.
Thanks for the link though! I don’t agree that hip hop is quite dead…dying maybe but all isn’t said and done.
Look… I don’t know how to tell you this, but… sometimes, I look at other sites.
Sometimes… I even…
Look - it’s not you. It’s me.
Alright, you two. You are BOTH whores for my Malcontent.
so when are we all getting together and drinkin’?
well…I don’t know you all yet, but if that’s an invitation I’m down…
American hip-hop may be dead (hell, there’s even a song about it), but there’s some interesting sounds coming from different countries which are putting up a good challenge to the somewhat dated USA styles.
Try the Hill Top Hoods on for size…. or don’t if you can’t deal with hip-hop with an Australian accent.
FT
You’ve got something of a point Flametree…Dizzy Rascal is one of my favorites. But is the scene really that much better in Australia?
J-Ro, I dunno if you can call it better, but I think the Aussie hip-hop scene is definately vibrant at the mo. Unfortunately, when hip-hop first hit our shores, most Aussie groups attempted immitating the American style, which frankly sounds shite with an Aussie accent. It’s only been over the past 5 years that groups have found the right hip-hop sounds that marry in with our accent and it is continuing to develop nicely. Good Buddah is another one to look out for.
As a side, I’ve been listening to some Leboneese hip-hop lately, which sounds frickin awesome even though I don’t understand a word they’re saying!
FT
I definitely can’t speak for Aussie hip hop, but I’ll have to check out the acts you recommend. It’s good to know they aren’t trying to imitate Americans. I personally love British hip hop because its got its own style. I’ll definitely be hitting up some of those acts.
good content. and ya im down with it . if its ain invitation!
musicman
http://top10songschart.com/