Written by: Duval Zimmerman @duvaljr
Hip-Hop culture today is in a dire place; I feel that the artists of today are making a mockery of it. Hip-Hop music is supposed to be an art - music of meaning and substance. The 90's was a great time for Hip-Hop culture – from the artist, to the beat, to the lyrics. You felt something in your soul when you heard songs like Tupac’s "Keeping Your Head Up" or Jay-Z’s "Hard Knock Life". More importantly, Hip-Hop was an avenue for expression, a way to deliver a message of hope to each listener. The music was very powerful in the 90s and essentially amounted to "hood politics," as Hip-Hop icon Nas stated in his song "One Mic."
Hip-Hop music today is headed in the opposite direction – it’s too gimmicky and the art is being disrespected. The lyrics and messages in today's Hip-Hop music don’t serve the same purpose they did in the 90s. Musical substance is not priority number one; in fact, now it’s more about the beat and a dance. Just turn on your local radio station and tell me what you hear. I get sick and tired of listening to "one hit wonders." In the past ten years how often have you been able to go out and buy an album like Kanye West’s "College Dropout" and play it from start to finish? I get it - the music industry needs low level talent. It is how we as critics gauge top-tier talent. But that does not mean that the industry should sign anyone who is making music. The quality of the artist and music should be top notch even if that particular artist is at the bottom of the totem pole.
With the "one hit wonder" mentality, I have deep concerns about the future of Hip-Hop culture simply because when I look at the current roster of artists I can't help but wonder who will carry the torch when the greats like Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem retire. There are a handful of artist out there making real music, but there are also artists (both mainstream and Independent) making it hard to believe that the Hip-Hop culture has any longevity. I blame the industry executives for this downward spiral; major record labels only care about the money, not about the art. Instead of chasing these lack-of-substance one hit wonders, label executives should pay more attention to polished new artists like 4ourty8, Jon Dubb, Locksmith, and SonReal; who not only has a story to tell but also appreciates the art of Hip-Hip, making his music meaningful. Hopefully the Hip-Hop culture will return to its glory days when artists like Common, Nas, Tupac, Biggie, and Mos Def were making music and it was as an art of purpose.
-Duval Zimmerman twitter.com/duvaljr | instagram.com/duvaljr
Let's start a discussion. I am inviting you to comment below with your thoughts on this topic and how we can improve it.
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While this opinion piece is quite hard to follow due to the writing, I can understand the sentiment behind it. This discussion is one that has been happening for decades among those within hip hop culture and covers many topics. While the writer references hip hop culture as a whole, most of his beef is actually within the single element of rap. To understand the reason hip hop could even become the force, the voice, and the catalyst that it did we must understand the history of the culture. We must look to the roots and birthplace of hip hop. Most would agree that the 70’s would be a good place to start. To be honest you would have to look back further yet to fully grasp why hip hop became what it did and why we are where we are now.
To save myself an hour of typing about the history of hip hop, I’m just going to recommend that you take a look at every damn thing on the homie Roberto Rivera’s site: http://thegoodlifeorganization.com/resources/
Now, if we want to break down and discuss why rap and the hip hop genre of music is where it is, that keeps things simple. For that I’d simply say capitalism. If there is money to be made, people will make it. The same reason idiots dream of selling 10 & 20 sacks on the corner is why idiots will create music for the lowest common denominator despite the social and cultural ramifications…and despite their own asses possibly being locked up or shot. Yet, some see their artistry as a part of their being and their chance to shape & mold the universe with nothing more than their words. This is why many of the artists you mention have had to be labeled as “conscious” rap etc. There is a balance to be had with easily digestible/consumable songs and actually having a message. Angel Haze does this brilliantly (IMO) in her tracks “Battle Cry” and “A Tribe Called Red”. However, most talented artists that have substance are still kept to the underground for many reasons. Thankfully, we live in the digital era where googling quality shit is quite easy. Homeboy Sandman, Dessa, POS, Mr. J Medeiros & many more are easily found. Plus we have SoundCloud to actually meet and collaborate with artists of integrity all over the globe.
At the same time, we must keep in mind that dope ass beats and dancing are fun too. As a student of the old school & avid KRS 1 fan I’m all about that knowledge. Knowledge is the key! However, we all are human beings, and human beings love music…even if there is no message. We like to party, alter our mind states, and have sex. These things are not inherently wrong or destructive. They just need to be kept in proper balance. So what I propose is that we-who are the creators, curators, and keepers of hip hop-keep a proper balance. Have fun when there is fun to be had, but raise hell when injustice shows it’s face. Dance when you want to dance, but mourn when there is something to mourn. Let go of all your cares, but be sober and ready when someone needs your words to guide them.
I could go on & on & on since I used to teach classes & after school clubs on this stuff and my opinions reach beyond this comment box…but I’ll respect the mic & let the conversation continue organically.
Cheers,
Ben Z
Great comment Ben. Balance is vital!
I feel that rap music is being very watered down and oversaturated because the industry wants rappers to promote their own corporate products and businesses. And I think the problem is that artists have to find ways to use Hip Hop to make expressionist music without feeling that selling out and getting the money is vastly more important than keeping the culture alive. Because if not, the culture would be more about doing whatever to satisfy the people with money (who are really out to keep the oppression alive) than doing something thats positive to the community and eradicate the poverty and more importantly the mental slavery that keeps people oppressed.
King Kalie
I think the past popularity of hip-hop with substance was a very brief anomaly which only occured due to the novelty of the genre. Good hip-hop will never be mainstream again. Mainstream music is always corrupted by money, no matter what genre we’re talking about. Electronic dance music is going through a similar phase – Deadmau5 has already pulled a Nas by saying EDM is dying. Quality hip-hop will never truly die though, it will live forever in the underground. As a niche, kinda like jazz.
In Response To Duval Zimmerman : Is Hip-Hop Headed In The Right Direction? http://rapgeekz.blogspot.com/2015/03/in-response-to-duval-zimmerman-is-hip.html