Please excuse my absence, Ainz and Black Bruce Wayne put me on probation after my last post about the darkside of New York City. Guess my fellow New Yorkers didn’t like the criticism. But I’m back like Shyne Po and I don’t plan on getting deported. Anytime soon anyway.
During my time served, I had some time to think and more importantly listen to the new music that’s been flooding the airwaves. Jay Z, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Skyzoo all dropped some quality hip hop albums. And of course, Kid Cudi dropped an album as well. Why didn’t I include him with that list? Not that it wasn’t a quality album (debatable depending who you ask), I just don’t know if it’s hip hop per se. It’s been touted as a hip hop album, played on hip hop stations, but when compared to the MCs previously listed; you can definitely hear the difference. So is Kid Cudi really hip hop?
Yes and no. Hip hop is a relatively new music genre. Older genres like rock have many sub-genres, sub sub-genres, cult followings, etc. Hip hop has finally hit that point where gangsta rap, cocaine rap, backpacker, underground and mainstream no longer encompass the totality of the art. I mean do you think Kid Cudi fits in any of those sub genres?
And Kid Cudi isn’t alone. Sure you have new cats like K’naan and B.O.B. who are slightly off the map, but folks were doing it before them. Gnarls Barkley isn’t hip hop, but individually Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse definitely are. They’re roots are from hip hop, the influence is within both their CDs, but it’s far from a Goodie Mob LP. One could argue the same for cats like N.E.R.D., Pharrell (solo) and even Mos Def. While Mos is one of the most underrated MCs out there, but he’s different from where he was before. “The Ecstatic” is a far audio evolution from “Black on Both Sides”. Same can be said for Q Tip and his new album Kamaal The Abstract. And Pharrell is one of the most prolific and talented hip hop producers in the game right now. So how can they not be hip hop?
All these artists listed, and more, may rap a few bars, have started as an authentic MC or just have roots in the game, but where they are now is far beyond hip hop music. They’ve created a different entity that encompasses hip hop, mixed in with rock, techno, electronica and various other types of music. And it’s a blossoming sub genre. Maybe even a genre unto itself. It’s necessary to progress and it balances out the more traditional forms of hip hop. It’s time to acknowledge that some artists are in a totally different place and can no longer be constrained to just being labeled as just a hip hop artist or MC.
Seattle – Don’t You Pigeon Hole Me – Washington
posting probation!? wow lol and i thought the NYPD is bad
anyway, i couldn't agree with you more about this article. and you bring up a good point about and Jay Z, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah (i don't know skyzoo). but i am also interested to here your opinion on this:
recently i had a discussion with another hip hop lover in which the debate was brought up about "adult hip hop." The Chief, ghostface, red & meth and even Jay (although he will sell no matter what) are all well respected artist who don't really stand a chance in todays hip hop. While we love them, nobody is really buying it. I haven't heard any of Rae's new music on the radio but yet I'm overloaded with Soulja boy and Juelz. Is there a market for rappers 29+
PS (pardon my language) but whos dick needs to be sucked to get NERD on the radio
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Victoria Rondo. Victoria Rondo said: Beyond Hip Hop | SH Collective Magazine http://bit.ly/1Ki1ez [...]
Yep, I still have an e-anklet on.
To answer your question – I think there is a place for them, but like any other artist that stays true to their "era", they will only sell to their original audience. I hate to compare those MCs to an old R&B group, but you don't see young girls swooning over K Ci & JoJo. The same will probably happen to most classic '90s MCs. They'll be supported by their original fans and will probably pick up a few new fans along the way, but that's it.
We'll just have to wait until there's an oldie hip hop station, until then check out Mister Cee at noon.
And as for N.E.R.D., uhh, I dunno about that. I respect your enthusiasm though. I would love to hear "Yeah You" or "Am I High" on the radio. Matter of fact, if there's a back that needs to get broken, holla at me.
Check out Skyzoo The Salvation. You may enjoy. Thanks for commenting!
SW good post and welcome back! I told y'all he'll bring T.O. contraversey but I'll be no Garcia, McNabb or Romo…lol
I think overall, hip hop is growing. I like how you mention N.E.R.D because they have gone out of their way in interviews to say we aren't a rock group, hip hop group, we just make music. I think there are some artist who aren't fans of being pigeon hold and they want their craft to just be seen as music whether their last projects were with Goodie M.O.B or Norah Jones. I'm sure they acknowledge their hip hop roots but they probably want to stretch out their craft .
Possesses an expansive ear,
-BBW