Crooked I - Today's MCs Can't Even Last A Minute With The Older MCs

[V2DHeart]

True words Crook,

BUT - It isn't the rappers themselves. They can be as hot as any underground rapper, but when they're offered a 4 bedroom house, and a an income of of top 5-6 figures a year, they'll rap however they're told to rap. It's as simple as. The industry lost money that way, but are now gearing towards incprorating ad's into the artists, music videos, and even concerts on these 360 deals they put out on artists these days

& to the people saying Crook sounds old - he is old. He's been in the game in since the mid 90's. He is "Old School" - all these records people are fiending for IE - untouchable, C Style Records tracks etc, were made in the 90's. It's past the 90's now, but more importantly - it's almost past another decade too.... People need to realise - Crooked I ain't making it, no matter how many hot tracks he does for Dre, no matter how many mixtapes he does, or how many relationships he conceals. It's over for him in terms of hitting big time. Rappers need to be in their 20s to break out mainstream, and as a Crooked I fan, I don't like to say that, but it's true

[westside159]

Thank you Preeeeach  Crooked I .  Speak on it

New MC Eiht album Which Way Iz West
 

[Triple OG Rapsodie]

& to the people saying Crook sounds old - he is old. He's been in the game in since the mid 90's. He is "Old School" - all these records people are fiending for IE - untouchable, C Style Records tracks etc, were made in the 90's. It's past the 90's now, but more importantly - it's almost past another decade too.... People need to realise - Crooked I ain't making it, no matter how many hot tracks he does for Dre, no matter how many mixtapes he does, or how many relationships he conceals. It's over for him in terms of hitting big time. Rappers need to be in their 20s to break out mainstream, and as a Crooked I fan, I don't like to say that, but it's true

I think everyone knows this. Its time for Crooked I to realize this so he can actually put an album out and stop waiting for an opportunity that's never going to come.

[S.C. The Beast]

he sounds old sayin shit like that

does any1 actually know how old Crooked I actually is?

everyone seems to bullshit about his age and wikipedia constantly changes so i dunno what to believe.

I seen a picture of him with dr dre in an NWA jacket, so if I was to guess I would say late 30s

[salkku]

those rhymes he was spittin at the end were straight fire

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/ThY-aFbnFg8?fs=1" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/ThY-aFbnFg8?fs=1</a>

[UCC]

& to the people saying Crook sounds old - he is old. He's been in the game in since the mid 90's. He is "Old School" - all these records people are fiending for IE - untouchable, C Style Records tracks etc, were made in the 90's. It's past the 90's now, but more importantly - it's almost past another decade too.... People need to realise - Crooked I ain't making it, no matter how many hot tracks he does for Dre, no matter how many mixtapes he does, or how many relationships he conceals. It's over for him in terms of hitting big time. Rappers need to be in their 20s to break out mainstream, and as a Crooked I fan, I don't like to say that, but it's true

I think everyone knows this. Its time for Crooked I to realize this so he can actually put an album out and stop waiting for an opportunity that's never going to come.

I don't think it's the age that's the big problem...

I think the problem is, is that having dope lyrics and being a dope MC isn't enough to go mainstream

Eminem is white and did the crazy alter-ego as his gimmick
50 Cent had the uber-thug can't be killed gimmick
Game has the thug gimmick and the West Coast Gang gimmick
Lil Wayne has the "I'm a crazy alien rapper, what am I gonna say next" dressed as a ghetto rock star gimmick
Snoop has the laidback funny high gangsta with the cool voice gimmick
Wu-Tang had grimy-ass shoalin warrior monks gimmick
Jay-Z has the street hustler entrepreneur business man gimmick


Crooked I hasn't really got a gimmick... he's kinda repping the West, kinda gangsta, has a name that is a bit generic, has great lyrics
If you've only got great skills, then you will stay underground.
If you're going to be gangsta, you need to be a huge thug looking dude like 50, or have really good gang credentials or are crazy enough to seem like you must be totally hardcore, like Game is good at conveying.
Plus the thug gangsta gimmick is so overcrowded, it's so hard to make a name using that gimmick.

If you want to come across as the "Boss" who is a big entrepreneur, you need to be making loads of cash and have Beyonce on your arm, otherwise everyone is going to be asking why the Boss isn't in million dollar music videos, etc.

If he found his own unique gimmick, kept the dope lyrics, and had a big co-sign from someone big like Dre, and then got some catchy choruses, then he could very well go mainstream

[Chamillitary Click]

I hate when people say shit like this.

There are plenty of albums from this past decade that would get the same praise, if not more, if they were dropped between '90-'97.

"Oh, it's a near classic"; back in the 90's that phrase wasn't even a thought lol. Shit was just labeled classic, there were no internet forums to people to nit-pick every last detail about an album.

GangstaBoogy got it right; people won't admit that newer things are better than older things.

I can admit that there are artists that are wack, undoubtedly; but to say "nobody can hang with them" is stupid.

[J.E.]

Crooked actually said.."today's MC's on the forefront of music..." etc.

[UCC]

I hate when people say shit like this.

There are plenty of albums from this past decade that would get the same praise, if not more, if they were dropped between '90-'97.

"Oh, it's a near classic"; back in the 90's that phrase wasn't even a thought lol. Shit was just labeled classic, there were no internet forums to people to nit-pick every last detail about an album.

GangstaBoogy got it right; people won't admit that newer things are better than older things.

I can admit that there are artists that are wack, undoubtedly; but to say "nobody can hang with them" is stupid.

That's part of what makes a classic though, how much it innovated

If Run DMC dropped their debut today, shit would seem mad simplistic and old, but it came out at a time when there wasn't anything like that and that's part of why it's a classic

If Lil Wayne had dropped the Carter III in 1967, sure as hell it would be classic, because he would have just invented Hip-Hop with one album, that's the reason it would be classic

But dropping it in the last few years and it's just another Hip-Hop album that's no doing much differently


So part of what Crooked I means is that today's artists aren't developing rap as much as artists back then

Also, early '90s MCs would still eat up most of today's MCs, on just technical skill and flow and everything

[Chamillitary Click]

^Today's artists are developing newer things; but the second they do, everybody runs, points fingers & says "That's so wack, Tupac is turning over in his grave".

Let's face it, "hood life" or "thug life" or whatever you want to call it, isn't an unlimited, infinite topic; eventually, everything that needed to have been said, will have been said & then all you got is people repeating themselves.

So basically, if you're a rapper today you're one of two things;

1. Somebody trying to have a unique sound & it's "wack".
2. Somebody trying to duplicate old records from the 90's & it's either "wack" or "blah, whatever; it's not as good as the 90's".

If you look into lists of "The Greatest Albums of All-Time", the last album to consistantly show up on people lists is "The Marshall Mathers LP"; a majority of people put that in their Top 10 & if it doesn't make the Top 10, it gets high recognition as a undeniable classic.

So what happened after that release? Was there some private meeting among rap fans saying "Alright, no more classics"; because if you look at it, impact is IMPOSSIBLE to acheieve 2010, so basically there can never be another classic again lol.

All you hear is "great album" or "oh, it's a personal classic, but I understand this isn't allowed to be in the discussion of 'greatest albums', I just like it a lot".

I'm not denying that better albums came out in the 90's, I'm not saying Nas/Pac/Cube/Wu/etc. in their 90's prime isn't better than almost anyone from today; just I don't like how ANY album from today is automatically second to 90's albums, just because of "impact".

[Triple OG Rapsodie]

^Today's artists are developing newer things; but the second they do, everybody runs, points fingers & says "That's so wack, Tupac is turning over in his grave".

Let's face it, "hood life" or "thug life" or whatever you want to call it, isn't an unlimited, infinite topic; eventually, everything that needed to have been said, will have been said & then all you got is people repeating themselves.

So basically, if you're a rapper today you're one of two things;

1. Somebody trying to have a unique sound & it's "wack".
2. Somebody trying to duplicate old records from the 90's & it's either "wack" or "blah, whatever; it's not as good as the 90's".

If you look into lists of "The Greatest Albums of All-Time", the last album to consistantly show up on people lists is "The Marshall Mathers LP"; a majority of people put that in their Top 10 & if it doesn't make the Top 10, it gets high recognition as a undeniable classic.

So what happened after that release? Was there some private meeting among rap fans saying "Alright, no more classics"; because if you look at it, impact is IMPOSSIBLE to acheieve 2010, so basically there can never be another classic again lol.

All you hear is "great album" or "oh, it's a personal classic, but I understand this isn't allowed to be in the discussion of 'greatest albums', I just like it a lot".

I'm not denying that better albums came out in the 90's, I'm not saying Nas/Pac/Cube/Wu/etc. in their 90's prime isn't better than almost anyone from today; just I don't like how ANY album from today is automatically second to 90's albums, just because of "impact".

Who should get more credit, the guy who invented the wheel, or a guy today who comes up with the latest brand of tires?

On the subject of innovation, I think there are plenty of areas that haven't been explored within hip hop. I just think most emcees feel safer following the status quo. Also the Marshal Mathers LP isn't the last album to be considered classic. The College Dropout, Speakerboxx/The Love Below, Get Rich or Die Tryin, etc. The past few years? Sure. Hip Hop album sales have decreases drastically and sales are one of the signs of impact. Basically if the album doesn't make an impact, it can't really  be a classic.

[Do Dirty]

Thats actually NOT true. At their best: guys like Joe Budden, Crooked I, Game, Eminem, and a few others are better than a lot of the vets that people give praise too. People just don't like the idea of admitting someone new is better than someone old, just like in basketball most fans won't admit Kobe is top 10 cuz they hate the idea of seeing him ahead of legends like Jerry West or Wilt Chamberlain.

He said forefront. Budden, Crooked and a few others aren't in the forefront. They're doing their thing, but they're not there unfortunately. Eminem would be seen as an older MC or Vet by Many

[Chamillitary Click]

^Today's artists are developing newer things; but the second they do, everybody runs, points fingers & says "That's so wack, Tupac is turning over in his grave".

Let's face it, "hood life" or "thug life" or whatever you want to call it, isn't an unlimited, infinite topic; eventually, everything that needed to have been said, will have been said & then all you got is people repeating themselves.

So basically, if you're a rapper today you're one of two things;

1. Somebody trying to have a unique sound & it's "wack".
2. Somebody trying to duplicate old records from the 90's & it's either "wack" or "blah, whatever; it's not as good as the 90's".

If you look into lists of "The Greatest Albums of All-Time", the last album to consistantly show up on people lists is "The Marshall Mathers LP"; a majority of people put that in their Top 10 & if it doesn't make the Top 10, it gets high recognition as a undeniable classic.

So what happened after that release? Was there some private meeting among rap fans saying "Alright, no more classics"; because if you look at it, impact is IMPOSSIBLE to acheieve 2010, so basically there can never be another classic again lol.

All you hear is "great album" or "oh, it's a personal classic, but I understand this isn't allowed to be in the discussion of 'greatest albums', I just like it a lot".

I'm not denying that better albums came out in the 90's, I'm not saying Nas/Pac/Cube/Wu/etc. in their 90's prime isn't better than almost anyone from today; just I don't like how ANY album from today is automatically second to 90's albums, just because of "impact".

Who should get more credit, the guy who invented the wheel, or a guy today who comes up with the latest brand of tires?

On the subject of innovation, I think there are plenty of areas that haven't been explored within hip hop. I just think most emcees feel safer following the status quo. Also the Marshal Mathers LP isn't the last album to be considered classic. The College Dropout, Speakerboxx/The Love Below, Get Rich or Die Tryin, etc. The past few years? Sure. Hip Hop album sales have decreases drastically and sales are one of the signs of impact. Basically if the album doesn't make an impact, it can't really  be a classic.

Credit is one thing, to say "this > that" because of impact is another.

To use your analogy, today's wheel > caveman wheel; the cavemen will always get the credit, but today's wheel still rolls as well & better.

The College Dropout & Get Rich or Die Tryin' are two classic albums, but I can't think of a time where somebodies list went:

"1. Illmatic
2. Doggystyle
3. College Dropout
4. 36 Chambers
5. Get Rich or Die Tryin'"

Maybe not in EVERYONE'S list because people dislike or "don't feel" Eminem's music, but a majority of the time MMLP gets credit for being one of the greatest.

The two you named are amazing albums; including both of Kanye's other albums too, but they are just "modern day/personal/near classic" albums.

[BiggBoogaBiff]

Yaaawwn


same ol' old skool new skool thing.  i'll shoot every1 of u niggaz in the face.  old skool deez nutz nigga

[Triple OG Rapsodie]

^Today's artists are developing newer things; but the second they do, everybody runs, points fingers & says "That's so wack, Tupac is turning over in his grave".

Let's face it, "hood life" or "thug life" or whatever you want to call it, isn't an unlimited, infinite topic; eventually, everything that needed to have been said, will have been said & then all you got is people repeating themselves.

So basically, if you're a rapper today you're one of two things;

1. Somebody trying to have a unique sound & it's "wack".
2. Somebody trying to duplicate old records from the 90's & it's either "wack" or "blah, whatever; it's not as good as the 90's".

If you look into lists of "The Greatest Albums of All-Time", the last album to consistantly show up on people lists is "The Marshall Mathers LP"; a majority of people put that in their Top 10 & if it doesn't make the Top 10, it gets high recognition as a undeniable classic.

So what happened after that release? Was there some private meeting among rap fans saying "Alright, no more classics"; because if you look at it, impact is IMPOSSIBLE to acheieve 2010, so basically there can never be another classic again lol.

All you hear is "great album" or "oh, it's a personal classic, but I understand this isn't allowed to be in the discussion of 'greatest albums', I just like it a lot".

I'm not denying that better albums came out in the 90's, I'm not saying Nas/Pac/Cube/Wu/etc. in their 90's prime isn't better than almost anyone from today; just I don't like how ANY album from today is automatically second to 90's albums, just because of "impact".

Who should get more credit, the guy who invented the wheel, or a guy today who comes up with the latest brand of tires?

On the subject of innovation, I think there are plenty of areas that haven't been explored within hip hop. I just think most emcees feel safer following the status quo. Also the Marshal Mathers LP isn't the last album to be considered classic. The College Dropout, Speakerboxx/The Love Below, Get Rich or Die Tryin, etc. The past few years? Sure. Hip Hop album sales have decreases drastically and sales are one of the signs of impact. Basically if the album doesn't make an impact, it can't really  be a classic.

Credit is one thing, to say "this > that" because of impact is another.

To use your analogy, today's wheel > caveman wheel; the cavemen will always get the credit, but today's wheel still rolls as well & better.

The College Dropout & Get Rich or Die Tryin' are two classic albums, but I can't think of a time where somebodies list went:

"1. Illmatic
2. Doggystyle
3. College Dropout
4. 36 Chambers
5. Get Rich or Die Tryin'"

Maybe not in EVERYONE'S list because people dislike or "don't feel" Eminem's music, but a majority of the time MMLP gets credit for being one of the greatest.

The two you named are amazing albums; including both of Kanye's other albums too, but they are just "modern day/personal/near classic" albums.

umm....your analogy is wrong because the wheel IS considered one of the greatest inventions while the latest 2010 wheel isn't. Obviously creativity and impact play a crucial role. For instance, Rakim is considered one of the greatest emcees because of his caliber of lyricism compared to those around him when he came out. He was the best to do it at that time. Today there are many emcees on his level, but they will never attain that level of greatness because they didn't define lyricism like he did. They just took his style and ran with it.

Also I dont see the MMLP on a GOAT list that often, unless its the list of a hardcore Eminem fan. And I'd definitely say The College Dropout is a classic. Its the album that made Kanye an instant superstar. Even Rolling Stone recognized its greatness.