What Happened to REAL Hip Hop?

[HELLA PINOY]

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d19/tdstark/Hip%20Hop/whathiphopis.jpg

THE FOLLOWING IS AN ARTICLE I FOUND ON ASSOCIATEDCONTENT.COM BY MIKE VISQILIO. IT REALLY SPOKE TO ME CUS I'M BOUT TIRED OF ALL THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF TRUE HIP HOP!

Growing up with an older brother who constantly listened to hip hop, I was exposed to many MCs at a young age. When I was young, hip hop to me consisted of Big L, Hieroglyphics, A Tribe Called Quest and many other MCs and groups that I considered to be very talented at doing what they did. As I grew up, hip hop, just like every other musical genre "progressed" you could say, and rappers such as P Diddy and 50 Cent started to emerge. To the general public, these "MCs" were a huge hit, but to me, they were nothing but a dissapointment.

Rap back when I was young was filled with struggling MCs telling the stories of their lives, the hard shit they dealt with growing up and the constant struggle in life with money, family, and women. You turn on the radio or MTV now and all you hear are rappers talking about sex, money, and killing people. You rarely ever hear an MC on MTV that can actually spit, instead you hear rappers using there kindergarden rhymes to gain the respect of millions of brainwashed fans.

It's like Immortal Technique said "If you go platinum, it's got nothing to do with luck. It just means that a million people are stupid as fu*k." I remember hearing verses from rappers that actually had meaning behind them, that actually made you think, verses such as this:

"You see, my aura's positive I don't promote no junkSee, I'm far from a bully and I ain't a punkExtremity in rhythm, yeah that's what you heardSo just clean out your ears and just check the word"- ATCQ

Compare a verse like that with one of 50 Cent's, and the difference in talent is laid out right in front of you. Here's a verse from 50 Cent for example:

"I ain't that nig** trying to holla cause I want some head I'm that nig** trying to holla cause I want some bread I could care less how she perform when she in the bed" - 50 Cent

I don't know about anyone else but to me modern day hip hop is garbage. I'm not saying that underground hip hop isn't in existence or going strong, because believe me I'm a huge fan of the modern day underground MC's like Jedi Mind, Blackalicious, Gangstarr, Canibus and many more, all I'm saying is why aren't these MC's mainstream, why isn't their talent being exposed? Why does Lil Jon continue to make money yelling Yea and OK in his songs? You tell me.




So what do you guys that still know what true Hip Hop is about, think?

[Escobar]

unfortunately, kanye west is not real hip hop either

real hip hop is still around, you just need to look around for it


underground rap is full of real hip hop

Joell Ortiz, Immortal Technique, Armageddon, etc..

[StarryInoueSky]

I agree about the whole garbage... The 'Hip Hop' today is just... bleh. They all say the same thing... it kind of goes with a few other music genre's but it's not as bad as this is. It's what Escobar said, it's there but you have to look for it.

[aznxenocide]

As the "Blue Scholars" so poignantly said, "[Hip Hop's] not dead/ It's just malnourished and underfed."

Besides, The Roots, Nas, Lupe Fiasco...these guys are still around and making music.

[Gamma]

I'm impressed two people have mentioned Immortal Technique, the best rapper in my eyes.

Fake Hip Hop will sell as long as there is people buying CD's or going to their concerts.

[aznxenocide]

Yeah, he's good, but his whole diatribe gets old after awhile. Especially since every song basically expounds on the same themes. It's nice to just kick back and listen to some Lupe Fiasco "Daydreamin'" or "Kick Push."

Clipse, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu Tang...

Although the number of chicks you can pick up is exponentially related to the number of moves one knows of the Soulja Boy dance. Ain't gonna get any chicks with N.W.A. Thus, why I still put up with them. XD

[HELLA PINOY]

I'm impressed two people have mentioned Immortal Technique, the best rapper in my eyes.

Fake Hip Hop will sell as long as there is people buying CD's or going to their concerts.

...and believe it or not sadly, 90% of the people buying this new garbage are little white boys in the suburbs who listen to it and the next day, think they're hard. I watched "Hip Hop vs America" on BET and they were talking about how todays hip hop is a mirror looking back into mainstream America. Today's youth are making hip hop what it is and sadly it's going downhill fast. Unfortunantly this is what sells these days; bling, grillz, cars, money, violence, glorifying pimps, and bad talking women...

I really like Common and Nas though. They're keepin the spirit alive in mainstream where it counts these days.

Ya, Kanye isnt really considered true hip hop but his lyrics are about as close as they come in some songs like "Everything I Am". Here's a couple lines that got my attention:

okay fair enough, the streets is flarin' up
cause they want gun-talk, or I don't wear enough
baggy clothes, Reebok's, or A-di-dos
can I add that he do spaz out at his shows
so say goodbye to the NAACP award
goodbye to the In-di-a Arie award
they'd rather give me the nig**-please award
but I'll just take the I-got-alotta-cheese award

I know that people wouldn't usually rap this
but I got the facts to back this
just last year, Chicago had over 600 caskets
man, killin's some wack s**t
oh, I forgot, 'cept for when nig**'s is rappin'
do you know what it feel like when people is passin'?

[Escobar]

unfortunately, lupe isn't "real" hip hop either

Canibus is probably the most underrated rapper ever, and his last album "For Whom The Beat Tolls" is probably the best album i have EVER heard..but he gets no type of play at all..it's sad really

[aznxenocide]

Lupe's better than Young *__________* or Li'l *_______*. Besides, I'd say that "Daydreamin" was one of the best rap songs ever.

Canibus? Alright. I will check him out.

Did anyone check out Game Theory? Loved that album to death.

[Escobar]

but im not comparing him to lesser , widely known rappers

im comparing him to "real" hip hip

he isn't that

Joe Budden is another example of real hip hop also

[Alucard]

Real hip-hop is stuff made by Tupac and B.I.G.

nuff said...

[HELLA PINOY]

Real hip-hop is stuff made by Tupac and B.I.G.

nuff said...

Uhh...actually they Biggie invented the style known as "gangsta rap". Though they both were legendary rappers in their time and their deaths were a shocker, they really started to influence the bad image of hip hop...and we all know how the story does from there.

The culture of today is way whack as far as all the bling, grillz and baggy ass pants that was actually started in prisons to show other inmates that they were "available", and shirts about 5 sizes too big that look like bed sheets on these skinny little white boys.

I'm actually kinda surprised that the Def Jam games had a good hip hop soundtrack...except the new one "ICON" which the only decent song on there is "Hate Me Now" by Nas.

[Shadoblak]

What happened to real hip hop? Same thing that happened to all real music...The hip pop garbage that plays most of the time is like processed cheez (Not cheese, Cheez, with a z) Its not fresh, its not real and when it goes bad people just buy more, they buy the slices and jars in bulk and eat it up.....But to people who've tasted real music, it just makes you sick....

[HELLA PINOY]

Ya now I why they call Young Jeezy "Young Cheezy", lol.

Today's standards of music in general is just at it's all time low, I think. Rock isnt what it used to be and Hip Hop sure as hell isn't what it was meant to be. They all just need to grow the hell up, study up on music and then express the true side of hip hop culture and style.

[Agmaster]

You can trace gangsta rap to NWA. Which is pre Big and Pac. They just had the coastal fued and everyone likes a fight.

I would call Kanye real hip hop. Just because he is well liked by the masses does not discredit the content of his rhymes. He even tells you that he's conflicted about being deep and shallow. 'Fake' (in this case...mainstream) rappers for the most part refuse to be conflicted. They can't have doubt, because when doubt gets in and noone toughens up to remove up, the house of cards fall. Basically, if they let the truth leak, their image/career is ruined.

As for where 'real' hip hop is? It's everywhere. And underground does not equal real. I have heard a lot of unsigned stuff that's just as bad as what the radio plays in teh daytime.

It all comes back to this inane desire to keep it real. I belive Morpheus said it best. 'What is real?' Is it how our lives are? Is it suffering? Is it family? Is it what we desire in this world? And if you say 'Real is how it is in the streets' then go turn on the radio, because I am certain there is a street out there that is like how 50 and Wayne describe them. Real is a disturbingly subjective word, and what is real to you, probably ain't to me.

Also, rap is not just about content, it's about presentation. I was talkign with a friend of mine and I just couldn't understand why he didn't like rap. He's smart enough, thinks like me and likes most things I like, but he's definitely the rock to my rap. His answer after finally thinking about it made so much sense. 'I like the emotion in my music. I like what sounds good. The lyrics don't mean as much as how they are said.'

Don't hate on people loving the aesthetics. After all, I love clever wordplay, but I am smart enough to admit that some inane things just SOUND good. If hip hop is dead to you, fix it. There are all kinds out and a reason for all of them. Your opinion is not the final answer. This is to every, so Pinoy don't think I'm calling you out.

[Alucard]

The only good rappers out there IMO are Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, T.I., and .......... thats basically it .-.

[Agmaster]

Hahahaha...oh shi- you serious?

[Alucard]

Its my opinion, deal with it.

[Agmaster]

You mean out there on massive radio airwaves or out there existence?

[Alucard]

Whats your point? You trying to start beef or something? I'm not here to argue over some music that I barely care for anymore. If you have a problem with my opinion you can gfy cause I dont care if you disagree.

[Ryuuko]

I like Kanye West, hes music is actually decent, he doesn't talk about violence and sex like the rest. Though Hip Hop isn't really my taste, they don't make the music, a machine does >.>

[aznxenocide]

LOL

Online beef is always full of lulz. Chill out you guys.

:D

So you think anybody can make beats? Go listen to a semi-complex beat by like, the Neptunes or RZA or old Dr. Dre, and see if you can pull that out of your ass.

[Agmaster]

Beef? Why..are you thugging on me? No no, I am just surprised by your opinion and want to verify what it is.

[Primera Espada]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip_hop_music

rap is a part of hiphop, but rap is not always hip hop.

Whatever happened to hiphop? It was overshadowed by thugs with money who cornered the market and played up their hate mongering, self indulgant lyrics over the music as a whole.

Notice, the phrase MC doesn't get used as much. It's the "Rap Artist" this, and "Rapper" that. Why? Cause they don't sell themselves as hip hop, they sell themselves on the words, and that's rap.

Rap ain't hip hop, that's like saying guitar solos are rock n roll.

[Escobar]

just adding one more thing to this thread


it's sad that the best album in close to a decade hasn't gotten NO type of talk..i don't even think half the people in the world knows it exist..

For Whom The Beat Tolls by Canibus is probably top 5 in best albums i've ever heard

[Inuhanyou]

If you want to talk about "real hip hop" youtube "Reality Check" by verbal threat featuring dj premier. That'll take you back to your roots.

[HELLA PINOY]

Ya I was kinda suprised when I saw "Scratches By DJ Premire" on Kanye West's "Everything I am" track.

I wish John Legend and Common could get as much hype as "fitty" or "Fat Joe"

[beautiful_death]

Back in the day (I'm talking about 80s-early 90s) hip-hop songs used to be about everyday, lighthearted subjects; some were even politically conscious with an agenda.

Now it's all about bling bling, a pimped out car, getting laid, getting f**ked up, and bragging about who's gangsta.

Is hip-hop truly dead? I think it is...:cry

[Agmaster]

Heh, no. You are just woefully unitiated. I assume you think independent == Kanye West/Common, am I right? Don't think of this as a mere brushing off. I will gladly walk the disillusioned to the oasis of rap music outside of the radio.

That said, what's wrong with talking about what you enjoy?

[Frosted Heart]

There's already a thread like this in Debates. Meging the two now. :)

[beautiful_death]

To get REAL hip-hop, you need to do some serious crate-digging (which is what DJs do during their set). Of course, you could make your own beats or listen mostly to older hip-hop records. ^_^

[Agmaster]

Wrong wrong wrong. Well, maybe crate digging (the internet is my crate) comes easy to me, however I can name many artists that are making product right now that is real. They even have websites because they are far from a dying breed. First and foremost comes Aesop Rock and the Def Jux family. There is also MF Doom, Kool G Rap, Consequence, Pharaoh Monch, De La Soul (not dead), and the entire nerdcore movement (Beefy, MC Chris, MC Frontalot, 133t G34k B34t, etc).

So no hip hop is far from dead. And not that hard to find.

I'm sad Alucard never came back.

[beautiful_death]

I'm not that much of a hip hop head, but I listen mostly to old school hip hop and various DJs (my faves are DJ Q-Bert, DJ Rhettmatic, and DJ Keltech). I used to get most of my hip hop at Stacks, but that store closed down :(

[Agmaster]

It's ok. It's not dead though, just out of your line of sight. If you're interested in some current stuff I think you'd like, hit me up. As for now. Work is done, now for the sojourn home/