It’s been a catch phrase for a while. But for those of us who were actually old enough in the 90’s to appreciate it we know Hip-HOP, is dead. Not because we lack artists or talent but because record companies won’t take risks. Anyone who lives in Brooklyn can put on B-cat and see talented people at odd times of the night rap just to rap. There are talented artists all over; the real problem is by the time an album drops, it’s been so preformatted and polished, and that it sounds just like something else.
In an age where sales are down, and a recession is on the horizon, companies don’t want to take risks. This results in them trying to lead the artist through well-traveled routes that are safe and profitable. Real Fans however understand that individualism is as important as the beat is. Hip-hop has an innate ability to constantly reinvent itself. But the bulk of what’s on the shelves is all copycats. Anyone who has been around long enough and listens carefully will notice, most songs either, name the greats of the 90’s, or slightly change their lyrics.
Why did Biggie and Tupac rise in the 90’s? Because it was unexpected, labels, called a fad, originally shunned Hip Hop. So people took it to the streets rapped from there heart. Not for a world audience, or the mainstream public. They did if for themselves and there friends. When people heard it, they were shocked it was explicit, it was honest, and it was unpolished. It then became world phenomena. That’s why there was the controversy over Dr. Dre’s the Chronic, and the constant drama with Tupac Shakur. Until then No one else had articulated what minorities, and poor urban teens go through so well to such a wide audience. Here artists are explaining how America’s hidden racism works, to the entire international community. Now people have to be confronted with reality, which gets embarrassing!
I have no doubt in my mind that the big label executives prefer, when artist rap about cars, chains, and guns. These are products that can be branded, and sold, and then each used to sell the other. The ultra macho image, hip-hop has become is as a result of cooperate America trying to commodify it. What saddens me most is that the next generation won’t even know what true hip-hop is. I have to wonder, will Hip Hop ever come off life support
Post a Comment