West Coast Connection Forum

DUBCC - Tha Connection => Outbound Connection => Topic started by: QuietTruth on June 05, 2006, 07:16:15 PM

Title: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: QuietTruth on June 05, 2006, 07:16:15 PM
Lately, lately I've been putting some Old Skool in heavy rotation. Shit that prolly not a lot of people heard about. Just Ol' shit from the real beginnings of hip hop, just to fully understand it all. Not just peices of it but the full culture. On T.V. and shit they just throw out lil pieces of the puzzle of hip hop and I have just been putting it all together. Been reading crazy articles, bumpin some ol Busy Bee, Spoonie Gee, The Treacherous 3 etc etc. Learned a real lot! I was up on Old Skool forums too reading and shit and a lot of people was complaining on how hip hop is today. Like who isn't..but I see it now...a lil more in different ways. But..

What do ya'll think is missing from hip hop at the moment? I mean going back to shit like this, the real ol shit, its pretty obvious to tell but for those who ain't 100% understood wit it, what ya'll think is missing?

:idea:'s?
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: Sikotic™ on June 05, 2006, 07:45:49 PM
Substance.
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: Tha_Blaq_Sinattra on June 05, 2006, 07:51:16 PM
Talent!
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: "THE" MoSav on June 05, 2006, 11:54:23 PM
Lyrics. Just Hip Hop Period......
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: coola on June 06, 2006, 12:40:11 AM
hip-hop is what it is... we cant control it... i'll tell you what theres too much of though, too much violence in hip-hop, half the shit thats rapped about, they say it brings awareness... thats their excuse to make themselves feel good for rappin about gang-violence and drugs.

thats why i'm off the west-coast vibe... i only check for dj quik, and some others from the west, purely because i cant support the west-coast "bang bang" movement. i just cant relate to it anymore, my life is going in a different direction. gang-bangin needs to stop, the black community is killing and raping itself, positive music would help heal the wounds.
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: Don Breezio on June 06, 2006, 12:49:14 AM
to tell you the truth...there is nothing missing from hip hop....the only problem with hip hop right now is the fans...i am including myself in this as I am realizing that i've basically been a bitch as far as hip hop goes and so have all of you....hip hop doesnt need shit...do you really think back in the old school days there wasn't shitty rap around? of course there was! you just don't hear about it now because it sucked! same crap will happen...the problem now is that all the hip hop fans bitch too much...we all just sit around and talk about whats wrong with hip hop...theres nothing wrong with hip hop...theres something wrong with the fans
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: wcsoldier on June 06, 2006, 12:55:22 AM
1. focus on MUSIC, less businessmen (movies....) but don't dream money rules this world
2. making albums, not COMPILATIONS, i.e making a consistent album with just one or two producers and beatmakers...
3. quality over quantity, put less effort in mixtapes and save their best for albums..
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: Kassem on June 06, 2006, 01:02:21 AM
Gangsta music is dead, Wat in a gangsta life hasn't been rapped about growing up in the hood,killing people,going to jails,selling drugs, there isn't new ideas in a gangster lifestule to be used,all was consumed.who are the people who are still dropping classics Outkast ,mos def ,maybe kayne non of them are gangsta rap
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: XaNdEr on June 06, 2006, 01:27:46 AM
to tell you the truth...there is nothing missing from hip hop....the only problem with hip hop right now is the fans...i am including myself in this as I am realizing that i've basically been a bitch as far as hip hop goes and so have all of you....hip hop doesnt need shit...do you really think back in the old school days there wasn't shitty rap around? of course there was! you just don't hear about it now because it sucked! same crap will happen...the problem now is that all the hip hop fans bitch too much...we all just sit around and talk about whats wrong with hip hop...theres nothing wrong with hip hop...theres something wrong with the fans

100% agree wit tha shit, dats why i never say way back was better and shit like that...its just...it was different not worse nor better...different, hiphop from 2day is just different from old skool hiphop but dat dont mean it gotta be bad...to tell the truth i dig a lotta south artist right now which not many others feeling...call me fake or whatever but i like paul wall, slim thug, bun b, lil wayne etc....westcoast fans need to shut up bout the ol' day and stand behind their artists...

stop complaining aint no bad hiphop, its different.... ;)
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: coola on June 06, 2006, 01:56:17 AM
Gangsta music is dead, Wat in a gangsta life hasn't been rapped about growing up in the hood,killing people,going to jails,selling drugs, there isn't new ideas in a gangster lifestule to be used,all was consumed.who are the people who are still dropping classics Outkast ,mos def ,maybe kayne non of them are gangsta rap

yep
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: ecrazy on June 06, 2006, 02:03:21 AM
Im missing from Hip Hop
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: herpes on June 06, 2006, 05:25:37 AM
That we let women dictate what will be popular..... a womans box = most powerful object in this world.
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: suckaa free on June 06, 2006, 11:43:27 AM
Gangsta music is dead, Wat in a gangsta life hasn't been rapped about growing up in the hood,killing people,going to jails,selling drugs, there isn't new ideas in a gangster lifestule to be used,all was consumed.who are the people who are still dropping classics Outkast ,mos def ,maybe kayne non of them are gangsta rap

 :oi:  dont forget about eating babies while molesting the sister(brotha lynch hung) 
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: Dj Eskimo on June 06, 2006, 12:03:35 PM
creativity, everyone seems to jump on bandwagons  :-\
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: CRAFTY on June 06, 2006, 12:10:42 PM
creativity, everyone seems to jump on bandwagons  :-\

Exactly. If there's a hot new producer, everybody & their mama will want to work with that producer. Hot new artist? The same..
Artists are afraid of being creative because "the fans might not like it". Fuck that...I'd rather buy an album from an artist who chooses to be creative than from someone who sticks to that same old "mainstream music formula" (club single, street anthem, working with well-known producers & artists).

@ QuietTruth: can you send me those articles you've been reading? Also, that link to that Old Skool Hip-Hop forum would come in handy for me. I'm doing my thesis on the Evolution of Hip-Hop Culture, so those things might be interesting for me. Thanks.
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: The Classics on June 06, 2006, 02:59:19 PM
Variety. It's too much of a risk to be creative and if someone steps out of the box and is successful with it then the new trend is set and we complain about that.
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: M Dogg™ on June 06, 2006, 03:09:16 PM
Hip Hop is missing FREEDOM. No artist will put out an album of what they want to, and if they do, they get hated on like Kanye West.

Nice job on the research. I did the same back in the 90's. Now I think I have a full feel of Hip-Hop. I knew it from the westcoast side, but I never truly understood the east, which is why I was so quick to say Fuck New York, Jay-Z sucks, and so on. Then you realize the whole picture, now I can truly enjoy an old school eastcoast album. I remember I had the whole MC Shan/KRS-One battle in my headphones for a week and I could not stop listening to it.

And maybe that's what's missing. These new cats aren't listening to the true old school. They think Hard Knock Life is an old school track.
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: QuietTruth on June 06, 2006, 03:40:35 PM
Hip Hop is missing FREEDOM. No artist will put out an album of what they want to, and if they do, they get hated on like Kanye West.

Nice job on the research. I did the same back in the 90's. Now I think I have a full feel of Hip-Hop. I knew it from the westcoast side, but I never truly understood the east, which is why I was so quick to say Fuck New York, Jay-Z sucks, and so on. Then you realize the whole picture, now I can truly enjoy an old school eastcoast album. I remember I had the whole MC Shan/KRS-One battle in my headphones for a week and I could not stop listening to it.

And maybe that's what's missing. These new cats aren't listening to the true old school. They think Hard Knock Life is an old school track.

Word!! Agreed Definetly.
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: WestCoasta on June 06, 2006, 03:42:44 PM
hip-hop is missing albums from artists, period


too many politics get in the way leading to people (companies) making shitty records and aiming it at shitty audiences
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: The "Untouchable" DJR on June 06, 2006, 04:16:14 PM
hip-hop is missing albums from artists, period


too many politics get in the way leading to people (companies) making shitty records and aiming it at shitty audiences

True definitely too much politics in hip hop going on right now and the rap game is over crowded so many new artists popping up left and right and most of them are just followers not trendsetters...
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: Now_Im_Not_Banned on June 06, 2006, 05:09:17 PM
I can sit here and type up an article about this shit, but the things missing in (what the general public knows as) hip-hop is basically everything it was based on to begin with...And it starts with REALNESS. Sure, there are lots of real cats coming out, but they are overshaddowed, and I really don't agree with that...The real cats don't get the shine...PeACe
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: jeromechickenbone on June 06, 2006, 06:00:23 PM
Mainstream Hip Hop of today (and I use that term loosely), is by and large a joke in my opinion.  Peeps have touched on the big problems:  lack of creativity, major label monopolies, radio station monopolies, too predictable, redundant, payola, etc.   The balance of power is heavily skewed to one side, and it's killing the game.

There are still quality artists, but it is very difficult to get their voice heard.  Let me ask yall this:  Do you think a major corporation wants an independant thinking, intelligent person dropping albums on their roster, or some ignorant ass mother fucker that can't read contracts and will do any fucking thing you tell them for a few bucks?  If all you're concerned with is your bottom line rather than the art, you want that shit to be as dumb and accessible as possible - gotta get that mass appeal.  Little kids don't know any better, and they gobble anything up that they are told is "hot".  That's a huge problem to me.  

Do you think songs like Laffy Taffy are new to Hip Hop?  Hell no, that isn't something new.  The problem is that balance is lacking.  If I turn on the radio to "THE NUMBER ONE STATION FOR HIP HOP & R&B!" to check for new songs (LOL, haven't done that in years), all I'm really hearing is the same fucking bullshit over and over.  I'm not learning anything new, i'm being fucking brainwashed.  They're telling me this bullshit is Hip Hop?  I'd accept that statement if they were to play some half way intelligent music after Laffy Taffy.  I could digest hearing that song if it was complemented with something else of substance, but it's followed up with more bullshit.  They're not interested in the artistic side, they're interested in brainwashing the youth that all this shit is hip hop, and it aint.  It's monopolistic corporate America's brainchild to exploit the youth in turn padding their pockets.  But I guess getting paid justifies anything in the Hip Hop world.

You think rappers doing love songs is something new?  Hell no, that isn't something new.  The main difference I see nowadays is that cats have no shame nor accountablity for their music that they put out.  All these rappers act so fucking hard in their interviews and shit, and then these faggots start skipping around on tv in fucking sweater vests, singing along.  Then, the next thing they tell you (and lots of people buy this) "I'm just doing this type of joint for the ladies"  or "I'm just trying to create a buzz" or "This is my club banger" or "This is my street anthem".  LMFAO!!  Who the fuck is talking here?  The 'rapper' or the douche bag business man that knows dick about music?  Why in the fuck do hip hop fans accept these answers?  They don't even hide or deny this shit! And people continually gobble this bullshit up.

Some of the most classic hip hop songs ever made were about relationships or spittin at a girl or whatever.  Big Daddy Kane made numerous songs about ladies, but he NEVER sacrificed his credibility in doing so.  He was still mad lyrical.  Same with Tupac - he touched on so many subjects, but he always did it having true hip hop as the backbone.  Cats today unapologetically put out tracks that any self respecting "MC" wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole.

And all you guys throwing your hands up and act like you cant do shit kill me.  For one, if there is an artist that you really respect and admire, BUY THEIR FUCKING ALBUM.  Don't just download the shit.  Don't get it twisted, it's all gravy to listen to it prior to making the decision to purchase, and it keeps everyone honest.  But if you download an album and bump the shit out of it with no intention of supporting the artist financially, then you're a piece of shit.

Also, i'd highly recommend satellite radio.  I have Sirius - it's got 3 hip hop stations:  2 of which I listen to <2% of the time, and 1 I can't seem to ever turn off.  It plays classic commercial free hip hop from 1979 to 1995 and its the greatest hip hop radio station that i've ever heard.  I'd pay 12 bucks a month for this station alone.  The other 2 HH stations will play some great contemporary hip hop, but they do play some bullshit that doesn't keep me tuned in all the time.  Sirius now has over 4 million subscribers.  That = serious $, so don't think you have no influence.  

Another thing is alternative media, ie DUBCC.  The quality of info I get on this board exceeds pretty much any news outlet.  You think this site and others like it don't effect hip hop?  Look at people they've interviewed here over the years.  

So there are a few things you can do to change hip hop, even if it is on a small scale.

Anyways, sorry for writing a fucking book here but music is my favorite thing in the world.



Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: QuietTruth on June 06, 2006, 06:40:24 PM
^ Propz for that shit.

Do you think songs like Laffy Taffy are new to Hip Hop?  Hell no, that isn't something new.  The problem is that balance is lacking.  If I turn on the radio to "THE NUMBER ONE STATION FOR HIP HOP & R&B!" to check for new songs (LOL, haven't done that in years), all I'm really hearing is the same fucking bullshit over and over.  I'm not learning anything new, i'm being fucking brainwashed.  They're telling me this bullshit is Hip Hop?  I'd accept that statement if they were to play some half way intelligent music after Laffy Taffy.  I could digest hearing that song if it was complemented with something else of substance, but it's followed up with more bullshit.  They're not interested in the artistic side, they're interested in brainwashing the youth that all this shit is hip hop, and it aint.  It's monopolistic corporate America's brainchild to exploit the youth in turn padding their pockets.  But I guess getting paid justifies anything in the Hip Hop world.

Hell yeah. Now that I've been listening to some real ol shit, I can tell you how clear the meaning and story behind each rhyme in each line is. Not that there is completely none out today but now it's called conscious rap. Back then it wasn't called that becuz it didn't have to be. It was conscious. It was real. It's crazy how a yesterday M.C. for example, like Rakim has to be categorized into a style of hip hop known as a form of conscious rap becuz his lyrics aren't like today's rappers.


"I'm just doing this type of joint for the ladies"  or "I'm just trying to create a buzz" or "This is my club banger" or "This is my street anthem".  

And it's funny how M.C.'s back then didn't have to use them excuses.


Now I like this shit, the 'Fuck off' rap songs. 'I don't give a fuck'...Club bangers wit bumpin beats...and hell, so do a lot of other people and we became so used to it we don't appreciate the REALNESS no more, unfortunately. It's overlooked. :-\
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: Juronimo on June 06, 2006, 07:45:46 PM
Damn Jrome, you said 4 much here. You dropped a lot of shit. Here are my thoughts.

Mainstream Hip Hop of today (and I use that term loosely), is by and large a joke in my opinion.  Peeps have touched on the big problems:  lack of creativity, major label monopolies, radio station monopolies, too predictable, redundant, payola, etc.   The balance of power is heavily skewed to one side, and it's killing the game.

I agree with that, but what are we as hip hop heads doing to change this? We need to do our part.

There are still quality artists, but it is very difficult to get their voice heard.  Let me ask yall this:  Do you think a major corporation wants an independant thinking, intelligent person dropping albums on their roster, or some ignorant ass mother fucker that can't read contracts and will do any fucking thing you tell them for a few bucks?  If all you're concerned with is your bottom line rather than the art, you want that shit to be as dumb and accessible as possible - gotta get that mass appeal.  Little kids don't know any better, and they gobble anything up that they are told is "hot".  That's a huge problem to me.  

It is a problem and the only way to even come close to fixing it is to take the music back to the streets. The streets have been essentially eliminated from the equation in order to mass produce a commoditity. Modern day rap music for the most part is manufactured just like cereal or toilet paper. Speaking of toilet paper, most of that music is barely worthy of it.

Do you think songs like Laffy Taffy are new to Hip Hop?  Hell no, that isn't something new.  The problem is that balance is lacking.  If I turn on the radio to "THE NUMBER ONE STATION FOR HIP HOP & R&B!" to check for new songs (LOL, haven't done that in years), all I'm really hearing is the same fucking bullshit over and over.  I'm not learning anything new, i'm being fucking brainwashed.  They're telling me this bullshit is Hip Hop?  I'd accept that statement if they were to play some half way intelligent music after Laffy Taffy.  I could digest hearing that song if it was complemented with something else of substance, but it's followed up with more bullshit.  They're not interested in the artistic side, they're interested in brainwashing the youth that all this shit is hip hop, and it aint.  It's monopolistic corporate America's brainchild to exploit the youth in turn padding their pockets.  But I guess getting paid justifies anything in the Hip Hop world.

I'm with you on that, there's a complete lack of balance. In the early 90's, you'd hear some bullshit like PM Dawn or Marky Mark but after that, you'd hear Naughty By Nature or Geto Boys. That balance is gone and that's the main reason I don't fuck with radio anymore. For every Julio G, there are 10 no balls having ass-kissing faggots pretending to be cool playing whatever the program director tells them to play.

You think rappers doing love songs is something new?  Hell no, that isn't something new.  The main difference I see nowadays is that cats have no shame nor accountablity for their music that they put out.  All these rappers act so fucking hard in their interviews and shit, and then these faggots start skipping around on tv in fucking sweater vests, singing along.  Then, the next thing they tell you (and lots of people buy this) "I'm just doing this type of joint for the ladies"  or "I'm just trying to create a buzz" or "This is my club banger" or "This is my street anthem".  LMFAO!!  Who the fuck is talking here?  The 'rapper' or the douche bag business man that knows dick about music?  Why in the fuck do hip hop fans accept these answers?  They don't even hide or deny this shit! And people continually gobble this bullshit up.

Some white man in a suit should not be dictating what hip hop is. The streets dictate what it hip hop is. Period.

Some of the most classic hip hop songs ever made were about relationships or spittin at a girl or whatever.  Big Daddy Kane made numerous songs about ladies, but he NEVER sacrificed his credibility in doing so.  He was still mad lyrical.  Same with Tupac - he touched on so many subjects, but he always did it having true hip hop as the backbone.  Cats today unapologetically put out tracks that any self respecting "MC" wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole.

I don't disagree with that, but I think many of them have been forced into that position. They may not want to do it but they have to. Did you know that Common's label made him record "Reminding me of Sef" to put on his album? Well the song turned out to be a banger and one of my alltime favorite Common joints...What was my point again? Never mind.

And all you guys throwing your hands up and act like you cant do shit kill me.  For one, if there is an artist that you really respect and admire, BUY THEIR FUCKING ALBUM.  Don't just download the shit.  Don't get it twisted, it's all gravy to listen to it prior to making the decision to purchase, and it keeps everyone honest.  But if you download an album and bump the shit out of it with no intention of supporting the artist financially, then you're a piece of shit.

*applause* Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, i'd highly recommend satellite radio.  I have Sirius - it's got 3 hip hop stations:  2 of which I listen to <2% of the time, and 1 I can't seem to ever turn off.  It plays classic commercial free hip hop from 1979 to 1995 and its the greatest hip hop radio station that i've ever heard.  I'd pay 12 bucks a month for this station alone.  The other 2 HH stations will play some great contemporary hip hop, but they do play some bullshit that doesn't keep me tuned in all the time.  Sirius now has over 4 million subscribers.  That = serious $, so don't think you have no influence.  

I have XM radio since it came with my car when I bought it. The old school station (channel 65) is pretty good, they have a couple of good shows like the backyard boogie mix which plays all west coast shit and then they have the Prince Paul illout show, which is tight. They were talking about Stetsasonic and I learned something listening to it. I didn't know they were the first rap band, I thought it was Digital Underground. Prince Paul is the shit, one of the most underrated producers if you ask me. They also have a mix that comes on around 6pm, which plays alot of mid 90's east coast shit.

Another thing is alternative media, ie DUBCC.  The quality of info I get on this board exceeds pretty much any news outlet.  You think this site and others like it don't effect hip hop?  Look at people they've interviewed here over the years.  

Sites like dubcnn/dubcc are crucial, since we can find out about music that's ignored by the large media outlets.

So there are a few things you can do to change hip hop, even if it is on a small scale.

I agree, and that's where we need to start. We need to support the local underground artists that are blowing up the spot and producing good music by buying their music and seeing their shows. We need to expose other heads to whatever good music that you find. And most importantly, buy the fuckin album if it's good instead of downloading it! At least see that artist perform live or something. It's up to us too keep this shit moving or else we will lose it forever. Also everyone needs to study their history. I was dismayed when only a handful of people responded to that post about Afrika Islam that was made on this board. That's our history, our culture. It belongs to us and we need to take this shit seriously.

I've been into this shit since the 80's and I was in the underground hip hop scene as a rapper in the early 90's. I've done the freestyle thing, battling, making tapes using my homies secondhand equipment, all that shit. Some folks I used to run with back then are still trying to get on to this day. This shit is precious and we need to protect it and we can't let them kill it. It's up to us.
Anyways, sorry for writing a fucking book here but music is my favorite thing in the world.
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: Mr. O on June 06, 2006, 08:54:28 PM
fuck mang....this hip hop sounds like slavery to me.....just can't do anything but to do what others say is GOOD.
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: Don Jacob on June 06, 2006, 11:43:44 PM
hip hop has been dumbing itself down more and more

everything is being materialized , watered down, and stripped of originality

everything is a recycled formula to sell records or create an image or used as a stepping stone for business ventures,,,love for the craft and its art is neglected. the music has become secondary to artists putting out the records.

when artists do put out something meaningful and/or original it usually a) gets ignored or b) gets copied and overdone


hip hop is in it's hair metal stage. and as big as it is and as much as many of you and i love the culture.....hip hop will lose it's spot on top

Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: J Bananas on June 07, 2006, 12:32:50 AM
a lot of recent "hip hop" makes me feel like i'm watching a bunch of liquored up slaves at a plantation goin jive and tribal. thats why i made this audio tribute to modern rap i hope you all will take a peek, and drop feedback:

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=D02CF1074A490378

Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: Leggy Hendrix on June 07, 2006, 01:49:35 AM
integrity
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: K.Dub on June 07, 2006, 01:50:03 AM
Topic: What is missing from Hip Hop today?

Tupac, Biggie, Big L
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: Semir on June 07, 2006, 03:40:57 AM
It's all about money these days, they don't care what they write and what the fuck they talkin about as long as it's commercial and it sounds good and got a catchy hook its all good for them, that's what got them wrong.
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: gav09 on June 07, 2006, 03:56:38 AM
Originality and substance. 95% of lyrics these days are bout cars, bling, bitches & $$$ thats it!
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: macknlatin36 on June 07, 2006, 08:15:19 AM
therer aint as much fun as i use to feel in hip hop minus some tracks i still bump but to be for real and this is me, I use to love hearing the DJ scratching in the backround.  That shit use to pump me up like crazy and me wish i had turn tables.  Recently i really havnet heard anything like that in alot of the newer albums.  Kinda of like Moment of truth album or Ressurrection did.
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: Now_Im_Not_Banned on June 07, 2006, 10:32:49 AM
Mainstream Hip Hop of today (and I use that term loosely), is by and large a joke in my opinion.  Peeps have touched on the big problems:  lack of creativity, major label monopolies, radio station monopolies, too predictable, redundant, payola, etc.   The balance of power is heavily skewed to one side, and it's killing the game.

There are still quality artists, but it is very difficult to get their voice heard.  Let me ask yall this:  Do you think a major corporation wants an independant thinking, intelligent person dropping albums on their roster, or some ignorant ass mother fucker that can't read contracts and will do any fucking thing you tell them for a few bucks?  If all you're concerned with is your bottom line rather than the art, you want that shit to be as dumb and accessible as possible - gotta get that mass appeal.  Little kids don't know any better, and they gobble anything up that they are told is "hot".  That's a huge problem to me.  

Do you think songs like Laffy Taffy are new to Hip Hop?  Hell no, that isn't something new.  The problem is that balance is lacking.  If I turn on the radio to "THE NUMBER ONE STATION FOR HIP HOP & R&B!" to check for new songs (LOL, haven't done that in years), all I'm really hearing is the same fucking bullshit over and over.  I'm not learning anything new, i'm being fucking brainwashed.  They're telling me this bullshit is Hip Hop?  I'd accept that statement if they were to play some half way intelligent music after Laffy Taffy.  I could digest hearing that song if it was complemented with something else of substance, but it's followed up with more bullshit.  They're not interested in the artistic side, they're interested in brainwashing the youth that all this shit is hip hop, and it aint.  It's monopolistic corporate America's brainchild to exploit the youth in turn padding their pockets.  But I guess getting paid justifies anything in the Hip Hop world.

You think rappers doing love songs is something new?  Hell no, that isn't something new.  The main difference I see nowadays is that cats have no shame nor accountablity for their music that they put out.  All these rappers act so fucking hard in their interviews and shit, and then these faggots start skipping around on tv in fucking sweater vests, singing along.  Then, the next thing they tell you (and lots of people buy this) "I'm just doing this type of joint for the ladies"  or "I'm just trying to create a buzz" or "This is my club banger" or "This is my street anthem".  LMFAO!!  Who the fuck is talking here?  The 'rapper' or the douche bag business man that knows dick about music?  Why in the fuck do hip hop fans accept these answers?  They don't even hide or deny this shit! And people continually gobble this bullshit up.

Some of the most classic hip hop songs ever made were about relationships or spittin at a girl or whatever.  Big Daddy Kane made numerous songs about ladies, but he NEVER sacrificed his credibility in doing so.  He was still mad lyrical.  Same with Tupac - he touched on so many subjects, but he always did it having true hip hop as the backbone.  Cats today unapologetically put out tracks that any self respecting "MC" wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole.

And all you guys throwing your hands up and act like you cant do shit kill me.  For one, if there is an artist that you really respect and admire, BUY THEIR FUCKING ALBUM.  Don't just download the shit.  Don't get it twisted, it's all gravy to listen to it prior to making the decision to purchase, and it keeps everyone honest.  But if you download an album and bump the shit out of it with no intention of supporting the artist financially, then you're a piece of shit.

Also, i'd highly recommend satellite radio.  I have Sirius - it's got 3 hip hop stations:  2 of which I listen to <2% of the time, and 1 I can't seem to ever turn off.  It plays classic commercial free hip hop from 1979 to 1995 and its the greatest hip hop radio station that i've ever heard.  I'd pay 12 bucks a month for this station alone.  The other 2 HH stations will play some great contemporary hip hop, but they do play some bullshit that doesn't keep me tuned in all the time.  Sirius now has over 4 million subscribers.  That = serious $, so don't think you have no influence.  

Another thing is alternative media, ie DUBCC.  The quality of info I get on this board exceeds pretty much any news outlet.  You think this site and others like it don't effect hip hop?  Look at people they've interviewed here over the years.  

So there are a few things you can do to change hip hop, even if it is on a small scale.

Anyways, sorry for writing a fucking book here but music is my favorite thing in the world.







Yo man, MAJOR props on the reply, this is pretty much what I meant when I said "I can sit here and type up an article about this shit", you basically did it for me...I just don't bother anymore, nobody cares, they like Lil Jon over DJ Quik and Akon over Nate Dogg...What is known as Hip-Hop to the general public is simply not. We can probably sit together and write books on it, but is it really worth it? Do people really listen to the real? I don't think so...PeACe
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: QuietTruth on June 07, 2006, 11:56:02 AM

I agree, and that's where we need to start. We need to support the local underground artists that are blowing up the spot and producing good music by buying their music and seeing their shows. We need to expose other heads to whatever good music that you find. And most importantly, buy the fuckin album if it's good instead of downloading it! At least see that artist perform live or something. It's up to us too keep this shit moving or else we will lose it forever. Also everyone needs to study their history. I was dismayed when only a handful of people responded to that post about Afrika Islam that was made on this board. That's our history, our culture. It belongs to us and we need to take this shit seriously.


Word! The histroy part is fuckin NEEDED to know! How can you listen to hip hop and not even know how it started, how it all began. Nobody's true to it no more. The music today really is rubbing off becuz half of the fans don't give a fuck!

Research hip hop! I bet half the rappers today don't even know about it. Ya'll need to read and learn.  This culture is so interesting cuz it's so fuckin real! Now I'm glad I've been slacking on hip hop today to understand every piece of it..taking a break from it and reading up, I gurantee, ain't a bit close to a waste of time.
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: Wessia4LiaNia Chieee Chieee on June 07, 2006, 01:24:57 PM
Immortal Technique on Mtv, that's what's missing !
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: M Dogg™ on June 07, 2006, 02:36:48 PM
Immortal Technique on Mtv, that's what's missing !

very true.
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: Minkaveli on June 07, 2006, 05:09:47 PM
Great thread!!  Everything mentioned is very important.  We need more Producer/Emcee combos like Pete Rock/CL, Guru/ Premier, Hi-Tek/Kweli, Dre/Snoop.  We need to get rid of playlists and have more radio stations/ Video stations take the stand that the XM and Sirius Satellite radio take with hip-hop.  I agree that those stations are doing the right thing.  I love XM 65/Tha Rhyme and XM 66/Raw.  I also like Sirius 43/Old Skool with Dana Dane and Shade 45.  We need those stations to get rid of radio.  I personally hate the radio.  Fuck the Laffy Taffy bitches!
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: On The Edge of Insanity on June 09, 2006, 04:17:56 PM
One of the main problems to me is that there isn't a chance for crews to put out their albums on a major level without the label interferring and getting in all the latest big name producers just so they can sell more records. If you look at the majority of the classic hiphop records they were made by people who had being together for years and built up the vital chemistry that is needed in order to make a classic record. Pretty much anyone from the mid nineties era came up like this (Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Gangstarr, Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Black Sheep, the whole Bootcamp Click, etc), and there doesn't seem to be the outlet for that to happen anymore.
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: Mr. O on June 09, 2006, 06:29:30 PM
you know what's sad about hip hop these days? there's no music to remember....like ol' dayz...u know what i mean?

i agree with everyone here...but the only way to solve this...to do something about...change the game...make music.
Title: Re: What is missing from Hip Hop today?
Post by: BizzyR.I.P. on June 09, 2006, 06:41:23 PM
hip-hop is missing albums from artists, period


too many politics get in the way leading to people (companies) making shitty records and aiming it at shitty audiences
Probably agree with this the most. It sucks when talented artists that have something to say like Saigon, Crooked I, Sly Boogy, etc. can't even release an album. Most people never even heard of these cats and the way things are going most won't.