Have you ever heard the term “Gone Til November”? Yes me too. It seems that all the fans of good rap music, better known as Real Hip hop, have left the Arena and are said to have headed to the back of the arena for a chance to perform on stage.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be a rapper, but at least first recognize that artists like Jay-Z, P-Diddy, Nas and even some of the new rap stars like Rick Ross, Drake and BOB have paid what it takes to get where they are. they want. they are in today. Also take note of the fact that they learned what it took, they worked hard, and they also had to wait in line. One thing these three newcomers have in common is the fact that they always mention how they got to where they are and through whom. This is real. (Tribute – respect or reverence paid or rendered).
The problem is that the game has changed so much to the point where most of these new artists don’t mind crediting the pioneers of rap for paving the way for them. That is silly and it is as if society does not give credit or recognition to Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and some of the others who died for their achievements in helping to eliminate segregation and discrimination.
I remember a time when fans had more loyalty for artists who were truly talented. Artists like Big Daddy Kane, Eric B. & Rakim, Ice Cube, Public Enemy and even female artists like Salt & Pepper, MC Lyte, The Brat, Lady Of Rage etc. were putting out better quality music. Although they were all in competition, they still had respect for the pioneers before them like Afika Bambaataa, The Sugar Hill Gang, Run DMC, and Kurtis Blow, etc. I can’t say that about some of today’s artists and music.
Just create a catchy hook and a simple beat from programs like fruity loops and Reason and you’ll have a hit. What happened to fat beats and fat bass lines and beats that not only repeat for 8 bars but have more of a live feel to them? Although there is a lot of new production that I like and play, I also recognize that many of them have become too simple. With most of today’s production featuring similar-sounding lyrical content, you’re lucky if a so-called hit song lasts a hot month or so. Why would I say a month? Well, the fact is that so much new music comes out by the hour, by the minute, by the second and due to abundance, a song that is a hit today is old tomorrow. Mainly because today’s fans don’t mind giving you too much credit, because most will be releasing their songs tomorrow. Hurry up and enjoy your fame and invest all the money you can earn wisely because the rap game is oversaturated and short lived for many.
What happened to raps with substance about struggle, poverty and overcoming? Today it’s all about cars, jewelry, clothes, material possessions and of course sex. Most of the artists doing all this new stuff were once fans of the pioneers at some point, but because some became overnight celebrities, they forgot about the struggle that went into maintaining a lifestyle. It was considered a fad. Instead, they constantly take for granted and ignore the real effort that got them to the entry point to get a chance in the first place.
Something is missing with a lot of the new rappers, mc’s, lyricists, spitters, rhymers, etc. and that is the proper training to become an entertainer. It’s more than just rapping and having this so-called swag with an overdeveloped ego, you’ve learned how to connect with your fans. See when most of the pioneers who paved the way had a performance, they came with a show. It could have included a live band, high-energy dancer routines, showmanship and a passion to entertain because they lived hip hop. They weren’t just for fame or money. His strong dedication to pleasing his fans by putting on a real show, created a real connection and because of that, fans showed crazy love and still do.
Back then, no one or his mother wanted to be a rapper or a DJ, so there was no animosity or trouble. I am grateful to have been a part of such a powerful moment in rap history and to witness the birth of a culture of people who lived in harmony for what they loved. They showed true passion in their real raps about real music for real people and for that reason most of their music today is timeless.
Now, this is not to say that there are currently no real rappers or real producers left in the game today. Of course there are, but with the lack of substance of the lyrical content, the range of longevity seems very different now. Most of the great music made in the 80s and 90s and even some of the early 2000s is still playing not only on many radio stations, satellite radio, I-pods, etc., but even in clubs. 10 to 15 years from now will reveal the real truth about where music is headed today. Hopefully, as the world goes full circle, that rap music with substance will come back, full circle. Why should we worry? One major reason is that the quality of the actual music is greatly compromised, and two, because so many fans are trying to become rappers and are polluting the game, Peace.