Eric Sermon put a hot remix to one of Marvin Gaye’s song to put out “Music Makes Me High”. I must confess that I cannot go a day without listening to music. Though I am an R&B baby, I have to give the credit to the real hip hop artists out there. Hip Hop has come a long way since the early eighties and the days of Rapper’s Delight. Not only has hip hop put rapping on the music industry map, but it has become a full blown art form and culture in present day.
Back in the day, artists would spend the time writing their lyrics or even rapping about reality. That was the most attention catching aspect of rapping. Artists were putting a twist on poetry and spoken word. Next thing you know, they are flowing to beats and instrumentals. Real artists will make sense of their lyrics and tell you a story. That is what I miss from present day hip hop. It has gone from appreciating the art form to just making money and riding the fame for a few years.
A lot of these artists today do not have the capability to even attempt the longevity that LL Cool J has or even the likes of Snoop, Dr. Dre, and Jay-Z. While these rappers are now in their “producing” and “ghostwriting” years, the newbies are busy “walking it out”, doing the “stanky leg”, and “rogering that”! Though many songs today, got some hot beats and popular demand behind them, they lack substance and true creativity. Now this is just my opinion, but I believe many people believe that hip hop is dead. Though I don’t fully believe in that concept, I must agree to a certain extent. The passion behind the music is slowly dying. However, there are real hip hop artists that still bring originality, story-telling, and the art of emceeing. These artists remain under-rated in the industry of soldier boys and wacka flaka flames.
I feel as though there is a lagging respect for the hip hop art form that legendary artists have spent so much time and hard work to build. Yet, here comes these “dumbed-down” artists who out sell them in record sales. Does the new generation need to be schooled on REAL hip hop? Are they missing the point behind it? Why do I have to settle for listening to club bangers that lack the cohesiveness of actual words? The beats are good to nod your head to, but the lyrical substance is just not there.
It makes me question if these so-called artists are actually in the industry to spread their passion for hip hop or if they just want the Beamers, Benz, and Bentleys? A lot of them lack the talent and skill to put together a song that actually means something. The occasional dance song is good, but when the airwaves get flooded with “crap” it is sad that recording labels are not even supporting the art-form. It’s all about selling out arenas for the money and not to please the fans. It’s about the mortgage priced chain around the neck and the video sluts lap dancing after the video shoot is over. I can honestly say, I respect people who are about their business and want to pursue their dreams. However, current rap songs and videos support the negative stereotype that many real artists tried and are continuing to fight over the decades.
Ask a kid what they want to be when they grow up….a little boy would probably say he wants to be the next Lil Wayne and the little girl wants to be the next Nick Minaj. Though it is good that the new generation is supporting the hip hop game and continuing the legacies, they are currently steering it in the wrong direction. The industry is more than just spitting a few bars into a microphone or hyping up the crowd. What about learning the history, business, and true essence of hip hop? The flow of words over a beat machine has changed…the passion is little to none and we have to see Gucci Mane’s “Lemonade” video give me a lesson on flossin’ yellow ice. Current day music does not make me high…it leaves me feeling numb and dumbed out.
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