HIP HOP - PIP POP :::: What Is The Next Stage?

As of late I have been having a rough time accepting a few things in the world of entertainment. Specifically of the Hip Hop Variety. I am a well educated person of the streets, or so I like to think. Many things capture my attention these days when it comes to the music genre. 

There are many Hip Hop artist out now. Whether it is by major label or they are pressing their independent works or having a mix tape flood their local scene. I have been let down time after time with the nonsense that is being called rap. I am cool with gangsta rap, I am cool with Back pack and I am cool with bubble gum. So my argument does not concern the genre as much as it does the quality. 

What happened to the lyrics? In the past 10 years I have witnessed the quality fall short of spectacular. I no longer see the art form growing as it should. What happened to the word play? Every thing seem simple and contrite as all possible. The vibe is gone. 

Rappers today are trying way to hard to have a persona and are forgetting about the lyrics. The only thing that keeps me listening is the beats. The production is way up, the lyrical content, you guessed it..way down. I prefer watching American idol two days in a row before buying another rap album.

I did not write this to name any names. However I hope that those who do come across this that have a career or plan on having one. To take the time out to rethink their approach. Don't let the record company sway you in to thinking without a brain, it is impossible to do. The end result is no thought equals no lyrics. It is that simple.

The record companies have drain the art out of Hip Hop. It is all sales now. Hip Hop is just PIP POP. Pop music, that claims it is real over heavy baselines. Mix tape rappers who consider themselves the toughest on their blocks may be the toughest on their block, but what about the world. You can not and will not run it all. Matter of fact, it is better to drop art, tell us what really going on in your mind and souls. I have heard a million and one song this years that consist of how many guns, women, dollars, and cars you have. I think it is time for something new.

Some may hate Mister Dress code for stepping out or MR. Team owner for stepping off and on the stage. You cant blame them or be mad at the growth in these individuals. The problems with the Hip Hop community stem from the problems in the hood. So of course the hood will buy anything that sounds tough, if they don't have any other options. Give the world variety and it will eventually take it as it is. 

So I dare the next decade of Hip Hop to be better. You have the year 2010 to begin the work, and to start a new era. This is a six month heads up. The world expects more and nothing less.

What is the next stage? No I am not saying for everyone to get on the vocoder or to make an EMO RAP Album, but I am saying take a cue from those who have taken the risk. Hip Hop is about fusion of the world around it. The problem is that it has gotten to cocky with itself and stop growing in the direction it began growing towards . Is it now too old to change its ways? Are you the next act to bring the change? Look around you, that is where Hip Hop is.

The Rap Game is beginning to look more like the w-Rap-ed insane

It seems Lil' Wayne Rapper from New Orleans has lost all of his marbles from the overuse of drugs illegal and over the counter. Now I tried my best to stay away from this guys issues but at what point do you step in to say something? I think to answer that question, it should have been a long time ago when it comes to young Mr. Carter.

When you begin to wander around on stage during your own concert. It is evident your brain is fried, and those around you are not doing a good job at helping you up.

Watch the video people, and Wayne if you see this think about it for a long time:



In closing:

Do not discount that he makes really good Hip Hop music that you can listen to, however someone needs to intervene in this guys life. I does not look like his so called daddy Baby is doing a good job and did more to influence this guy into the wrong direction.

Letter to the subject:

Lil'Wayne I love you music, and your talent is tremendous and you can do rap thing without all the drugs. Take some time to clean yourself up. So that the generations to come can hand you your lifetime achievement award instead of some memorial service that the world will forget. You are successful, but you still have a mark to make. Whatever your demons, do everything in your power to shake them off. If you want to send me a note drop a line with an e-mail. I am so serious on this. And this goes out to whoever is reading this. It ain't cool, my contact information is on the side, drop a line.

I know that you are the only Rapper who would openly "Kiss your Boss" on this mouth. You may have caught some slack for it. But are you going to burn you legacy in every leaf, piss it out in every urinal you come across, or are you going to pray to the porcelain every time you over drink. Enough is Enough, get from around those who do not offer you a thing, even from around those who think they own you because they saved you as a child. Your debt is paid, you made millions, got out of your hood, and all you have to to is take that step to a better life. Money ain't everything, it is just the thing that helps you sustain what is already valuable and cant be replaced and that is your life.

Artist to Reconsider :::: Everlast

Everlast - A popular artist who emerged out of the group House of Pain. I know many can remember Jump around. That song that the DJ puts on in the club every weekend to get us riled up to have a good time. This is the father of that group. Everlast Branched out on his own in the late 90's to put together Whitey Ford Sings the Blues. The album bounced around the scene for some time and received great reviews from the underground music scene as well as the mainstream.

The year was 1999 and What its like fell onto my lap, I looked over to my roommate and asked him what is this, and he stated to put it in and vibe to it. So I Followed his instruction, placed the disc into my CD player, and what came out in my opinion was an instant classic. A classic that has gone unnoticed for too long. When I say unnoticed, it is to say that Everlast has gone down as a one hit wonder and this is not the case. When someone can put together a solid album such as Whitey ford, one hit is so far from the truth. The record companies are to blame, they made too many attempts to box him into a category and from that, resulted in the loss of a dedicated fan base. However his fan base is built on rebellion, those who know you do not need a category to exist, those who took the correct pill, and are always willing to see how far the rabbit hole goes( one for cliche). Remember this album was both a commercial and critical success (selling more than 3 million copies). However the world needed to classify his music and the artist. They did not appreciate that he is as multi talented as he is. He can deliver both Rap Lyrics and Bass Guitar strumming for your listening pleasure.

He is the best of both worlds, with out the second artist to ride along. Now who can deny that? He is the complete musical a package, heck I think he would sing you a love song if you gave him an opportunity to do it his way.

So for this posting Everlast is my Artist to Reconsider, and begin the petition to keep good music alive.

What its like



Endz

Many would remember the misunderstanding between him and Eminem or not. Either way ti went something like this.

Wiki post:

In 2000, a feud erupted between Everlast and Eminem. Eminem felt insulted by "I'll buck a 380 on ones who act Shady" from Everlast's verse from the Dilated Peoples all star track "Ear Drums Pop (Remix)". Eminem then in turn dissed Everlast several times in public and on the song "I Remember (Dedication To Whitey Ford)", mocking Everlast's rap/rock style, released as a b-side to the D12 12" vinyl single "Shit On You". Everlast then recorded the track "Whitey's Revenge" and released it on his official website. The track contained the lyric "Better run and check your kid for your DNA," referring to Eminem's daughter, Hailie. Eminem responded with the help of his group D12 on the track "Quitter", in which he took shots at Everlast and threatened to kill him if he ever mentioned Hailie's name again. Everlast later stated in various interviews that he felt everything had been said and he would now refrain from further responses.

Now their is a new stage in Everlast's life; a new group by the name of La Coka Nostra, hardcore no filler. They feel that the industry is missing good Rap music. That is something that you know I am in agreement with, and I can endorse La Coka Nostra as I would Wutang, it is time for real music with substance to make its return, and not this "Contrived" stuff we hear every day.

La Coka Nostra Which is a combination of House of Pain and some new members. Embracing the new members they has expanded and rearranged some things but HOP is still in there with new blood.

Here is the La Coka Nostra Version of Jump Around





LA Coka Nostra Myspace page

I will have more on this group and the featured artist as they have available. I look forward in continuing to bring you great artist and their mission to bring good art no matter their outlet.

Real Throwback::: Rakim- Guess who's Back?

A time existed when Lyrics mattered to the population, and garbage was not the main course, MC Hammer was getting booted off world stage. Rakim ruled the mic and soulja Boy was in preschool, and the Ying Yang twins were figuring out what to do with their lives.

This is what music is all about, not about the diamonds, the cars, the houses, the women, and the fame, but the lyrics. Rakim brought you this, and depicted colorful ideas in deep metaphor, grounded by his street wisdom and book smarts, it made him a huge figure in the Rap World, and remains the prototype to many, minus the bubble gum rappers, and the studio gangsters. From Jay-Z, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Nas(major influence in his delivery), The Game, Lloyd Banks, and yes even 50cent.


Enjoy!

Dark Man X is Back

DMX ft Junior Reid and Dawg E. Slaughter BAD BOYS - NEW MUSI... DMX is back and he is angrier than ever. Catch the live track at the link above. Smartenupnas!

There is a Rumor that Earl Simmons if putting out a Gospel album. I would appreciate his delivery put to use in such a way. I think that it will be powerful, as long as he draws on the raw passion that he has.