STRAIGHT OUTTA HIP HOP: Recent Comments

Comment on Based On A True Story

Bg — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:41:41 GMT

You funny, you got some of them figured out but like you said everybody ain't the same. Some of these people really lived that life and they giving you real life situations. Now a days every thing is incriminating anyway. So who cares and like you said its entertainmen, maybe stretching the truth some could save some jail time.

Comment on Sleep When I'm Dead

Ace the Time — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:05:36 GMT

Agreed. My girlfriend was just saying this exact thing to me a week or so ago. Losing sleep is sort of a neccesity when you have to do everything yourself, but sleep is a big part of our lives for a reason.

It does serve as a bragging right though.. but it also serves as a test, how much can you sacrifice. Im tyring to sleep more now myself, the women in my life have convinced me haha.

I wrote about this exact thing myself, check it out: http://craftinclassiks.com/2011/refuse-to-sleep/

Comment on ?uestlove Explains J. Dilla's "Little Brother" Beat

EmDee44 — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:20:38 GMT

this story is awesome bruh, HOWEVER, it proves my point, that i make with you over and over again..... HIP-HOP IS DEAD. the balance is waaaaaay off between the J.Dilla's/9th Wonder's and Wiz Khalifa's/Big Sean's - the rap game is outta control, and stories like this are only appreciated by Hip-Hop nerds like you and me. Some 15yr old with Souljah Boy in their ipod could not only care less about this story, but they've never heard of J.Dilla.....
or Bill Russell for that matter LMBO (inside joke).

Comment on Wealth In Hip Hop

The C — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:55:12 GMT

Blah, blah, blah....
All the same stuff with a varying cadence and melody. Who is more than a THERMOMETER? Who's more than a temperature reader? No one in the game is a THERMOSTAT!

As much as they all talk about being GAME CHANGERS none of them are. They all simply reflect everything broken about the HOOD while they get Rich and Move out of the HOOD leaving all the Peeps still in the hood in their same dilemma.

Where's the music that helps to lift people up out of the dirt and gutter that they live in? Talkin' about yo gurls big %$# and how much money you got and how you might shoot somebody is gettin' old YO!

Lift me up! Pick my head up so I can get out of the ghetto wit' you! Teach me how to be a better MAN instead of how to be a meaner THUG! Tell me about Legal opportunities instead of celebrated CRIME that you try and call "WORK"!!!

Blah, blah, blah! All the same STUFF-(copy and share this if you feel the same)
R.T.B.Y.M.

Comment on Our Past Can't Be Our Present

H.E.R. Lover — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 02:09:06 GMT

You're right; garbage is garbage. In this particular blog, I'm not arguing that artists that aren't representing the culture should get a pass. I'm arguing that because there are so many that have taken advantage of the culture, many people (perhaps not us) don't appreciate the talent that is out there and instead of celebrating them, find perceived flaws based upon artists that perceived them. This doesn't apply to everybody, but tothose it does, all they are doing is essentially robbing themselves of a quality music experience and stripping down those that are holding down hip hop the correct way.

Comment on Our Past Can't Be Our Present

EmDee44 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:18:18 GMT

We are on the same page, somewhat in this regard. Artist being artist? Yes. Recreating artist from the past? No. Understanding history of the art form? Yes. On those topics, we are on the same page.
Where I think our language parts past is "the final product." No. I don't expect J. Cole (or any other rapper for that matter) to "imitate/copy" another MC, that's not hip-hop at all, it's just biting. What I DO want today's MCs to understand stand WHAT IS HIP-HOP and do their best to present THEIR impression of the art, in their own way. Serena and Venus re-invented the game of tennis but they didn't bring lacrosse to the game, they brought TENNIS with a Serena and Venus twist. Waka, Gucci, Souljah Boy are NOT Hip-Hop. They are dudes bringing baseballs to the basketball court. Not only is it the wrong game, they are bringing baseballs with no baseball skills. LOL The Late Great Michael Jackson brought SOMETHING different to music/R&B that was WELCOMED and UNIQUE. It IS beautiful (as my son watches Moon Walker in the background) even today. But, seriously Bro, garbage is garbage. It's not about what I like or don't like. It is what it is. There are more actors than there are hip-hop artists and less honesty in the game and more kats trying to get paid.
Money is not hip-hop; whether you rap like KRS-1 or not, that's just not what this art form is about.

Comment on Our Past Can't Be Our Present

H.E.R. Lover — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:52:05 GMT

I think we agree, but are disconnecting in what it means to compare the past to the present (and future). It is extremely important to STUDY the past. I try to make that clear in most of the blogs I write. We need to understand that Lil Wayne was influenced by Jay-Z, who was influenced by Big Daddy Kane and Rakim. Having that knowledge helps us to see where it was that we actually came from as a culture and if we decide that the culture has loss something when looking at Lil Wayne's content, style, etc. to that of Rakim, then that is one thing.

However, do say that hip hop has fallen off because there are no more Rakims is what gets us in trouble. There won't be any more Rakims and we don't need anymore. Expecting somebody to fill the shoes of Rakim will only lead to disappointment. I love Nas and what he represents, but I want J. Cole to be J. Cole. I want Cole to know (and I think he does) what Nas means to hip hop, but I don't want him to try to re-create Illmatic. If he creates a classic, then great! But trying to re-create Illmatic is no different then two terrible rappers trying to re-create similar club songs.

So, I agree, knowing history is imperative. I never have and never will question that. But expecting former hip hop greats to recapture their prime in a different body sets us up for failure.

Comment on Our Past Can't Be Our Present

EmDee44 — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 03:41:54 GMT

@so_hiphop - First off, as usual, this blog is exceptionally written. Secondly, I totally disagree. LOL I think you didn't delve far off enough in your comparing past MCs to current MCs. Yes. Comparing LBJ to Jordan, J.Cole to Nas has gotten a little redundant and forced people to miss out on the talent we have before us. HOWEVER, comparing Waka Flaka WHACK to Rakim or Phonte for that matter, is necessary. Necessary, because, for some reason, RAPPERS today feel they don't have any connection, commitment or accountable responsibility to the past. Some, not all, have no sense of history, resulting in no sense of self, resulting in some of the worst "rap music" the world has ever scene. Historically speaking, music released between 2000 - 2011 has been the most popcorn, shallow, womanizing imitation of music Hip-Hop has ever seen. It's downright disrespectful, selfish and ignorant to PURPOSEFULLY disown and dishonor the past. Do I expect Bow-Wow to rap like Big Daddy Kane? No. But I do expect Bow-Wow, to carry the title of MC with some level of respect. If I joined the Army today, I would be expected to uphold the integrity, honor and ethical code that military men/women upheld before me. Men can't be afraid of being compared to their Fathers (good or bad), however, they have to first be MEN themselves and then call for acceptance as the men they are. If we are honest with ourselves, MC's are not willing to accept comparisons because the truth is, they are little boys and girls not desiring the work that comes with being MC's. President Obama is compared to previous presidents and even those that claim they can do it better. Athletes are compared to other athletes, that's a part of the territory. The only thing worst than a bad MC, is a scared MC. Scared of the responsibility, scared of being called to do real work, scared of answering the call of being an MC. So in closing. No. MC's shouldn't be compared to MCs of the past, simply because they are not MCs, they are cowards. Man-up, tuck your skirts in, and BE MCs. Ladies? Instead of insulting the Barbies of the past, show why we should care that you are the Barbie of today.

MD-OUT!!!

Comment on Hip Hop's Materialistic Mindset

H.E.R. Lover — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 03:32:14 GMT

You are right. There is a responsibility to search if you want something. I think people like you and me that want that search and know where to look. Who I'm concerned about are the people that, for lack of a better term, don't "know any better" and don't realize what that the music they are listening to is hurting all of us.

There is a part of me that actually wishes to keep hip hop out of the mainstream, to let it get back to what it once was and those that want to find it will. However, I also understand that it serves such a big purpose to our culture and that if we can get back to some sort of awareness back in the mainstream, then it may, just may spark a change in many more of us that it has thus far.

I know we can't save everybody and that's not what I'm asking, but I think so often, those of us that are looking are the ones that already have an understanding of what these artists are talking about. It's almost preaching to the choir (a future blog topic), but it's the ones that aren't hearinig the message that truly need it.

I do agree though that, as I mentioned in a past blog (great minds think alike!), we need to focus more on bigging up great MCs (I second your Skillz reference) as opposed to belittiling MCs we aren't fond of.

Comment on Hip Hop's Materialistic Mindset

Aaron — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 01:40:46 GMT

I totally feel what you are saying about getting back to some balance with regard to the content and images that are most popular to the general public. I do also feel that the change that has taken place has many origins, one of which is a different point of reference for today's consumer of rap music or Hip hop in general. From the DJ slowly fading to the back as the rapper became more important (and that happened in my generation before our eyes) to the almost total separation of the other elements of Hip Hop leaving the most popular one being the one with the mic.

But I think there has to be some level of responsibility with all of the choices and information at one's fingertips through instant technology to SEEK something beyond what one is fed to by the media (radio & T.V.).

In other words if you WANT something more, better, different it exists. And I think I am certainly a product of that train of thought in large part due to my frame of reference in Hip Hop (1979, I'm 45). I think rather than worry about trying to change or even elevate the existing rappers in question would we be better served simply trying to talk about, support & help promote those who DO show creativity and skillz? (Yes a reference to the actual emcee!)