=+=+= HIP HOP =+=+=

[Daoud]

EMCEEING / RAP
DJING (deejaying / turntablism)
B-BOYING ('breaking', uprocking, downrocking and boogeying)
GRAFF (graffitti art)

for starters: www.zulunation.com

Whether ol' head classicist or newbie rap fan, put it out there.

What you like or don't like, events, music, films, videos, websites, publications, performances, gears, artifacts, etc.

If you're curious have questions or think you know everything about Hip Hop, let's discuss it. This is open but let's be easy on the " f**k pop / ol' school / new school " 'cause there mad other spots to spit vitriol. Hold me accountable too.

It's yours!...

[jahluv]

props to DJ Soul - NYC

DJ Clue - 1995 "Springtyme Stick Up"
.mp3 files on zshare
Side A
Side B

What were you doing 13 years ago?

[Janus Spills]

First, respect on the zulunation link necessary..

Depending on who you ask, they say Hip Hop is dead. I have mixed feelings about that. It definately isn't as creative and pure as it used to be. But it's larger and more recognizable than it ever was. So, it truly becomes an issue of purity vs. commercialism. Then again, what genre/subculture hasn't suffered the same fate once it becomes popular enough? It's sad to see an entire generation of so-called fans who can't name a non-platinum rapper prior to 1999. It's sickening that for them the timeline starts with the death of Biggie and Tupac.

As for what needs to change, I believe the production sound has played itself out. I love a dope beat as much as anyone. But I can't remember the last Hip Hop producer besides Dan the automator(Deltron 3030 is the best mullenium classic in my opinion)and possibly Dangermouse that has really blown my mind as far as pushing the envelope. There are more dope emcees than ever, but the music is lacking in my opinion. I feel like we hit a wall creatively. Plus the age old battle against Hip Hop misogyny still looms but that's a lost cause.

I also miss the Hip Hop group. Everybody wants to do it solo now and it took away the great idea that young black or latino men and women can join together and create a serious force. Groups like Native Tounge, Juice Crew, DITC, Hiero(still doing it), Dogg Pound are virtually non-existent. It's sad to say but it's very possible thtat the best of Hip Hop may already be behind us.

[jahluv]

^^^
No love for Dilla (rip), MF Doom, Battlecat, or Crazy Tunes? There are some dope ass beatmakers out there still doing it. We were talking alot about a UK brotha named Benga over on the old board...

BBC DJ Gilies Peterson's show this week is all about the producers - check it...
"Its all about the Beats tonight. We focus on the Beat Generation old and new. 11 Producers worldwide recommend some classic & current beats. Music from DJ Premier, Phat Kat, Dimlite, Dabrye, J Dilla, Madlib, Wu-Tang Clan, Afta 1, Bullion, Sound Species, Pete Rock and more.'

Rhymers? Eh, there are a lot of wack ass cats out there right now. it boggles my mind that Lil Wayne has sold 1.3 million units in a week and a half. Ghostface put out two bangin' albums that got no love, explain that to me.

Another BBC show - this one spotlighting the wordsmiths, mixed by DJ Sarah Love - Check it...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/sarahlove/

[Jervon]

Everything changes, while I'm also confused on how much Wayne sold, especially based just off of Lollipop, I try not to think about it that much. I enjoy some of the "Hip-Hop killer" songs, like Supaman and my new joint is that Tyga- Coconut juice, they are from the same cloth as the Quad City DJs or Tag Team put out.

Plus I turn to people like Royce Da 5'9", Joe Budden and Mickey Factz when I want to hear some good hip-hop/rap.

This Wale kid is also making some noise, but I can't get into the kid.

[Janus Spills]

Jah, I'm feelin you about Lil Wayne and Ghostface. That's a travesty and a half. I can't even defend that, for real. Now, the dope rhymesayers aren't getting the recognition they should, but there's no real shortage of them. I mean, no matter where I go I can here a hot 16 bar rap that a dude can spit out. There's millions of emcees out there, and perhaps a quarter of them are worth listening to. That's still a lot of rappers.

As for producers, all the ones you mention are great in their own right. I definately have to check out that show when it comes out. But there's no real breakthrough. The average Hip Hop beat is a 3 1/2 minute loop no matter how dope the beat is. Some of those producers you've mentioned have changed it up every now and then, but that's all. Dan the automator, on the other hand, makes beats within beats that feels like you listening to 2 or 3 songs at once. Not saying everybody should follow that formula(biting is a no-no)but it's a break from the monotony in the production. Dope beats are still being made, but they're not cutting edge.

btw, it seems you're the man when it comes to media links, holmes. that's dope.

[Rosenda]

Music industry in general is like that though, from my observation. (Be it country, rock n roll, hip hop, or r &b). Middle of the road shit is easy to promote and produce on the part of the industry practioners. And the artists get to feeling it dont take much creativity and talent, because the industry promotes a "formula" that worked with the first originator and just copy it as long as it sells.

The benefit of the internet I think is it's easier for us consumers/listeners to have direct contact with each other, and pass along suggestions and mp3's of the artists we REALLY think are TRUE quality.

It's bypassing the Machine of Industry somewhat. Case in point, I'd have NEVER heard of MFDoom/Quasimoto/Dangerdoom and Madlib if it were not for some of you all here in the old boards of AfroPunk. Were they on the radio? No. Were they promoted on television? No.

But by direct contact with other hip hop fans (and yes I can say I've made some great other discoveries similary among rock the same way) passed me along some great information about artists I really now enjoy and can't believe I missed out on before.

Hip Hop ain't dead, it's just drowned out by Industry Formulas. But it's not impossible to find still some great talented writers rhymesayer and beatmakers.

The kids like Lil Wayne and others that I don't because they push him like mad, in regards television presence, videos, advertising. He got maybe a few songs he's done I like but not nearly enough to think he should be winning any awards yet.

You CAN'T let the blown up well advertised middle of the road copycat formula made hip hop artists distract you into believing there NOBODY talented out there. You just gotta look harder and in other places for them. You WILL find them.

Exactly the same goes for Rock And Roll, which is my other love musically, along with Ska and other Music.

[Janus Spills]

You CAN'T let the blown up well advertised middle of the road copycat formula made hip hop artists distract you into believing there NOBODY talented out there. You just gotta look harder and in other places for them. You WILL find them.

Good advice. That's where I'm at now with it. Keeping my ears and eyes open.

[Daoud]

Madlib, The Roots & Ghostface consistently keep me from jumping out a window.

[ibrother]

Landmark Seattle Hip Hop Arts and Culture Exhibition
“Dope Emporium” Opens at Artopia, Georgetown Arts Festival
http://seattledebate.org/dopeEmporium.htm

Seattle, WA – June 7th, 2007 - As a collaborative production from the Seattle Hip Hop community, Dope Emporium is a festival that spotlights the multifaceted talent and ingenuity of local Hip Hop Culture through two stages and five hours of live music and art, fashion, Hip Hop Debate, spoken word, turntablism, an Urban Arts Media film short, a producer and graffiti art challenge, b-boy/b-girl showcases, and more. Silent Lambs Project, 4BC Music, The TWOMP, and Hip Hop Congress are proud to launch the second episode of Dope Emporium on June 23rd, 2007 as a part of Artopia, the Georgetown Arts Festival presented by the Seattle Weekly. This landmark event is more than just a Hip Hop show; it is an open invitation for all to participate in the continual creation of Seattle Hip Hop History.

[SaintGermaine]

Yes yes, I was actually talking to a friend of mine last night about how current pop rap is pretty much unlistenable. They're not really even rapping really. Anyway, yeah, there is good stuff out there -- Madlib, Edan, Count Bass D. What is MF Doom up to these days anyway, he hasn't done anything since DangerDoom I think. The whole beef thing with MF Grimm is so dumb, they should bury the hatchett and make a dope KMD album with Count Bass D and Kurious. I'd spend money on that.

[Compound Egret]

I don't know if Ghostface and Weezy really have the same "clientele", Jahluv. People can decry songs like "lollipop", but anyone can sing the hook after they hear it two times. The beat also bumps in the trunk, at the tip rail, "champagne room", dance floor, etc. None of that makes the actual rapping on the song any better, but it does greatly expand the potential audience.

Just like in any other style of music, the most talented and creative people may not move the most units.

[jahluv]

^^^
I know EC - I've had this conversation with several teenagers on my block who cannot understand why I don't like Lil Wayne. I had my feelings hurt when one of them said The Roots were that "grown and sexy" shit and they weren't feeling 'em.

I'm sure my uncles felt the same when I was bumping Ice T or RodneyO and Joe Cooley back in the 80s - and I thought the stuff they liked was wack. Time marches on...