Hip - Hop: The State Of The Music Message.
August 21st 2008 09:14
One of the running themes you continue to read about is the state of Hip - Hop and rap music. A lot of people, from the casual observer to the music insider have been saying that Hip - Hop is dead.
Here's my observation.
Hip - Hop is not dead to be sure, but she seems to be in a comatose state right now. With the exception of a few shining lights (Nas, Kanye, Lupe Fiasco) the direction it's headed will surely bring about it's death if we don't turn things around.
In addition to being a radio and television personality with over 30 years in the game, I also run a talent consultancy. Part of the problem with quite a few of today's artists is that the music has become disposible. We have a bunch of sheep who spit about the same things in pretty much the same way to the point where a lot of product is a very bad cliche' and makes a mockery of itself. It's everything from what they wear (all variations of the same thing) to how they present themselves in public (rediculous cartoon coons).
I get no less than 75 to 100 pieces of new music every week and a majority of it ends up file 13'd because it IS so bad. The discipline it takes to be a SUCCESSFUL artist isn't there in a LOT of cases and it shows in the music and the lack of business sense.
I get approached on the street daily by someone wanting to give me their product and I WON'T TAKE IT. Here's why. A lot of these kids want to have a career but have absolutely no business sense. They mistakenly think that all they have to do is record something and they'll get on when nothing could be further from the truth. I tell them that if they want me to listen, it has to be presented in a professional manner. This weeds out the pretenders from the possible contenders.
None of the music has been packaged in a professional way and I've stated on many occasions that I won't take anything that's nothing more than a CD with information written with a Sharpie. The way you present your material let's me know if you're serious or not.
Out of that 75 to 100 pieces I get every week, there are MAYBE 5 worth giving a second listen to and out of those 5, I'm lucky if I get 2 that could seriously be considered for airplay. You say that rap is subjective and that there is no good or bad hip - hop. I have to disagree there as well or radio stations and record companies wouldn't be so selective about what gets picked.
Have you noticed that there haven't been any REAL Hip - Hop classics sinse the mid to late 90's ? Good music and artists stand the test of time and everyone else becomes an afterthought or a never thought of at all.
The biggest problem with Hip - Hop is that WE NO LONGER CONTROL THE CULTURE. It's been co - opted to Corporate America and record companies that have a dumb it down agenda and a majority of us gladly drink the kool - aid. We're at a critical crossroads in Black America where Hip - Hop could be VERY USEFUL in saving some of our kids if only those in the rap community would collectively decide to quit trying to live up images they KNOW are self - destructive and use their 16 bars for a better, more positive purpose
Your text goes here
Here's my observation.
Hip - Hop is not dead to be sure, but she seems to be in a comatose state right now. With the exception of a few shining lights (Nas, Kanye, Lupe Fiasco) the direction it's headed will surely bring about it's death if we don't turn things around.
In addition to being a radio and television personality with over 30 years in the game, I also run a talent consultancy. Part of the problem with quite a few of today's artists is that the music has become disposible. We have a bunch of sheep who spit about the same things in pretty much the same way to the point where a lot of product is a very bad cliche' and makes a mockery of itself. It's everything from what they wear (all variations of the same thing) to how they present themselves in public (rediculous cartoon coons).
I get no less than 75 to 100 pieces of new music every week and a majority of it ends up file 13'd because it IS so bad. The discipline it takes to be a SUCCESSFUL artist isn't there in a LOT of cases and it shows in the music and the lack of business sense.
I get approached on the street daily by someone wanting to give me their product and I WON'T TAKE IT. Here's why. A lot of these kids want to have a career but have absolutely no business sense. They mistakenly think that all they have to do is record something and they'll get on when nothing could be further from the truth. I tell them that if they want me to listen, it has to be presented in a professional manner. This weeds out the pretenders from the possible contenders.
None of the music has been packaged in a professional way and I've stated on many occasions that I won't take anything that's nothing more than a CD with information written with a Sharpie. The way you present your material let's me know if you're serious or not.
Out of that 75 to 100 pieces I get every week, there are MAYBE 5 worth giving a second listen to and out of those 5, I'm lucky if I get 2 that could seriously be considered for airplay. You say that rap is subjective and that there is no good or bad hip - hop. I have to disagree there as well or radio stations and record companies wouldn't be so selective about what gets picked.
Have you noticed that there haven't been any REAL Hip - Hop classics sinse the mid to late 90's ? Good music and artists stand the test of time and everyone else becomes an afterthought or a never thought of at all.
The biggest problem with Hip - Hop is that WE NO LONGER CONTROL THE CULTURE. It's been co - opted to Corporate America and record companies that have a dumb it down agenda and a majority of us gladly drink the kool - aid. We're at a critical crossroads in Black America where Hip - Hop could be VERY USEFUL in saving some of our kids if only those in the rap community would collectively decide to quit trying to live up images they KNOW are self - destructive and use their 16 bars for a better, more positive purpose
Your text goes here
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