Remember when rap was “our story” it reflected on the hard times and struggles of us in our communities. I remember when I first heard that members of The Fugees were Haitian. It was at that point I felt a personal connection with Hip Hop. Like wow these guys are talking about the same things I went through growing. I still listen to the album til this day and that’s 13 yrs later. That longevity, that’s what rap was all about in back in the days. I believe that any album released between 91’ and 99’ is still being played. These classics have gone through cassette, cd’s, to MP3’s and only God knows in the future.
BUT, NOW I don’t even know what I’m listening to. There are times where I’m not even sure what radio station I have on anymore, because these songs sound like pop music. I can’t even remember the last meaningful rap song that made bop my head and say “yeah for real that’s the truth right there”. Now-a-days it seems like hip hop is now just house music. Don’t get me wrong I do enjoy a little techno and a little house, but I like variety and I’m definetly not feeling that in the music.
I dunno how someone “tasting like sugar” applies to me trying to survive during a recession. The only time I hear a reference to the recession is probably when a rapper says that they can’t get an 09’ Bentley so they’ll get an 08’ instead. Rappers, mainly the mainstream ones, are nothing but advertisement boards for things that don’t up lift the community at all. A rapper talks about spinning rims than 10 cars on the road with spinners. They talk about their $500 Louis Vutton kicks than next thing you know everyone is rocking Louie (fake or on wholesale). Rappers are now infatuated with “ballin” and how tight their “swagga” is.
Here’s an interesting quote I picked up from a Facebook friend. It reflected on the change in Hip Hop:
” The Terms “BALLIN’ & SWAG” have gone to f*ckin far! Itz Getting Crazy Out Here, People Want There Image To Be Perceived As Lavish!! What Happen To Ni&&az Saying “Im Maintaining” GUCCI, PRADA & LOUIS With No Whip? Taking Cabs & Getting Rides. What The F*ck Is Happening To The Black Community!!! Give Back…”
I have no idea what I’m hearing on the radio, and neither do a lot of people I know understand. These rappers are trendsetter and aren’t selling hope but false hope. And putting black men and women in debt as the try to follow the new trend rappers are identifying themselves with today. I’m not saying that there is nothing wrong with looking like a gentlemen or a diva that’s cool. But if you’re trying to catch to the Jones and making minimum wage you need to fall back a little and evaluate trying to flaunt like a rapper.
Hip Hop I can’t identify with you anymore. I think back to when Common rapped about H.E.R. Now she’s seemed to have rebounded, but only as a vengeful woman who is out to hurt those she’s come across that hurt her. And that’ exactly what Hip Hop is doing now its not uplifting anymore there are no morals to a story. There is no Slick Rick, Tupac, or a Biggie. Yea we have a few talented rappers Jay-Z, Nas, and Eminem (just to name a VERY FEW), but for how long. How long will it be until they go off course and follow this downwards spiral or aren’t even significant in music. I can’t stand seeing Lil’ Wayne and Kanye West being named rappers or lyricist of the year. Hip Hop is going against the grain and foundation it was built on and is on the brink of collapsing. Honestly rap isn’t humble anymore, it just SUCKS.
“I might’ve failed to mention that the shit was creative
But once the man got you well he altered the native
Told her if she got an energetic gimmick
That she could make money, and she did it like a dummy
Now I see her in commercials, she’s universal
She used to only swing it with the inner-city circle
Now she be in the burbs lickin rock and dressin hip
And on some dumb shit, when she comes to the city” -Common
