Caution. Kids at Play: Have We Outgrown Hip-Hop? (Commentary)

[Habit]

I wonder why it is that if someone discusses their feeling about hip-hop and how the way current hip-hop isn't really that great, they're labeled "elitist"? Because according to this I would fall into that category, yet I've been listening to "ignorant" shyt my whole life as well as some "elitist" hip-hop/music (whatever that is)...In your opinion, are dudes like SchoolBoy Q, Asap or AB-Soul for "elitists"? Reks, Flatbush Zombies, Gibbs?

Your views, attitude or tastes in music are not even the issue. The main issue is whether you actually go out and buy SchoolBoy Q, Asap or AB-Soul albums. Or even Reks, Flatbush Zombies, Gibbs albums.

The main thing these artists drop and sell 14,000 copies, and you wonder why Waka Flocka drops every year and SchoolBoy Q can't get a deal. The argument that music "current hip-hop isn't really that great" falls on deaf ears, because you are a BIG part of the problem.

 

[DANKTHRONE]

How accurate is this article talking about rap album sales? Like who honestly buys CDs anymore?

 

[Shogun]

I rarely listen to hip hop anymore. I don't think content is eally the issue, I just think the artform reached its peak a while ago, and is in the downturn now. I also think, in general, hip hop lacks longevity. This is true of most art forms, particularly music. I would guess the majority of us fell in love with hip hop as kids....it's only natural that your tastes eveolve with age. I mostly listen to jazz now.

 

[mbewane]

my point was about those that try to dismiss hip-hop all together

there's a difference between a "hip-hop elitist" and just a plain "elitist" (but it is a derogatory term either way). a "hip-hop elitist" isn't talking about how they "outgrew hip-hop"

OK, I misunderstood you. I do criticize it, but it's mainly because I've been used to so much more, in a sense you could say I've been spoiled by the genre. Don't think I'll ever out-grow it, I've been listening to more and more other stuff but I'll always need that daily fix

Your views, attitude or tastes in music are not even the issue. The main issue is whether you actually go out and buy SchoolBoy Q, Asap or AB-Soul albums. Or even Reks, Flatbush Zombies, Gibbs albums.

The main thing these artists drop and sell 14,000 copies, and you wonder why Waka Flocka drops every year and SchoolBoy Q can't get a deal. The argument that music "current hip-hop isn't really that great" falls on deaf ears, because you are a BIG part of the problem.

Well tbh I live in Brussels and dont even know if these albums make it here, last album I bought must be Shaolin vs Wu-Tang...but that's beside the point imo, if Q makes quality music (as he does) without being on a label, why does he need the label anyway? There's a thread out there asking why rappers still sign on a label, haven't read it yet tho...It's my understanding dudes are eating off of concerts and shyt so....? I'm not sure they need to be on a label to make quality music, how did guys like OF (regardless of whether you like them or not) create a movement with free albums?

But...are you saying people actually buy Waka albums

How accurate is this article talking about rap album sales? Like who honestly buys CDs anymore?

 

[Serious]

How accurate is this article talking about rap album sales? Like who honestly buys CDs anymore?

last album I bought was Nas, and before that I copped Common the Believer.

I support who I want....

I mostly listen to jazz now.

bro can you put me onto cool jazz artist or tracks to listen too....

Lowkey I've been listening to electronic music lately:


It's fairly relaxing to listen to after a long day.

 

[TLR Is Mental Poison]

Just when I think its dead, Kendrick drops the disc of the year w/o warning. Hip hop is still around...you just have to be patient.

 

[VerbalIntercourse]

I don't think Hip-Hop has ever really been about the elitist claptrap that is evident in this thread. I think it was my generation in the 90's that took hip-hop too seriously and took the fun out of it.



Hip-hop was always about catchy beats and fun lyrics.











Contrast these uplifting and fun songs with these 90's "golden era hits"










It's kinda of depressing. I think the 90's was a depressing era.

Today's music is just about swag and comedy. It's fun music again. There's nothing wrong with it.

 

[thaKEAF]

I recently realized I would download albums/mixtapes just because I had access to them but it was kinda like my relationship with WWE. The majority of the shyt is garbage but I take part in here and there just cause I've always been with it. I don't think I'll ever 100 percent leave the genre but almost everything people love on here I hit with the face. Most of the stuff that I do end up liking ends up with like a page or two full of responses.

 

[Majestyx]

i guess i outgrew it, cuz most of all the shyt people say is great is corny to me. i just listen to other shyt and keep it moving. i dont enter too many hip hop discussions.

kendrick, flatbush, schoolboy... all that shyt is real boring to me, or just flat out wak as fukk.

i fukks wit KA, Doom, G-Side, killer mike, but most of the the other shyt,

 

[Mr. Somebody]

Your views, attitude or tastes in music are not even the issue. The main issue is whether you actually go out and buy SchoolBoy Q, Asap or AB-Soul albums. Or even Reks, Flatbush Zombies, Gibbs albums.

The main thing these artists drop and sell 14,000 copies, and you wonder why Waka Flocka drops every year and SchoolBoy Q can't get a deal. The argument that music "current hip-hop isn't really that great" falls on deaf ears, because you are a BIG part of the problem.

People who create demonic songs celebrating demonic culture dont deserve to make a profit. I Love hearing about their albums being bootlegged.

 

[Habit]

Well tbh I live in Brussels and dont even know if these albums make it here, last album I bought must be Shaolin vs Wu-Tang...but that's beside the point imo, if Q makes quality music (as he does) without being on a label, why does he need the label anyway? There's a thread out there asking why rappers still sign on a label, haven't read it yet tho...It's my understanding dudes are eating off of concerts and shyt so....? I'm not sure they need to be on a label to make quality music, how did guys like OF (regardless of whether you like them or not) create a movement with free albums?

But...are you saying people actually buy Waka albums

You can buy albums off iTunes. I don't think the point is worth debating since you are from Brussels, Belgium, you won't be able to relate to most of my points.

 

[Dusty Bake Activate]

People who create demonic songs celebrating demonic culture dont deserve to make a profit. I Love hearing about their albums being bootlegged.

Weren't you posting in my Sean Price appreciation thread on the old site? Is his music not demonic? All he talks about is punching dudes in the face and shooting them.

 

[Dusty Bake Activate]

It took me a long time but I eventually realized that hip-hop just isn't that important to my life. I used to take it seriously, like it was a religion or ideology, or something of sacred value because it was. But then I grew up. It's just music. My life, family, money, career, personal development as a man, peace and happiness are what's really important.

I still enjoy listening to stuff here and there of course. I loved Nas-Life Is Good. That was grown man rap...adult contemporary hip-hop if you will. That and Murs & Fashawn-This Generation which I also liked are the only albums I actually bought in recent memory.

Not just hip-hop, but music in general just doesn't inspire me like it used to. This year is the first time ever I find myself not needing to listen to music in the car and listening to talk radio or a podcast instead.

I just don't relate to hip-hop like I used to. Hip-hop was always youth-oriented anyway and I'm getting older. The kids can have it now. I'm cool with that.

 

[acri1]

I hate to admit it, but I just don't listen to rap/hiphop as much as I did when I originally joined SOHH. And a lot of the time, the stuff I do still listen to is from artists that were around when I was in high school/college (Nas, Jay-Z, the Roots, Common, Kanye, etc.).

Not sure if it's because I'm getting older or if the music is just getting worse.

Maybe because I prefer more political/lyrical/storytelling stuff as opposed to club/party songs and that's not in right now.

 

[bouncy]

I think it's two things. We are getting older, the value of music went down. We are older, and experienced the things most rappers talk about, and being they are saying the same things in the same way, with the same type of instrumentals, it isn't really something intriguing. Add to the fact that so many people are doing it, the value isn't there. At one time, it was something special from finding the hot artist, to finding where to get the music. A lot of rappers were proud to be different from the mainstream, now you are lame if you aren't wearing the newest $500 jeans that everyone talks about, or have a bentley. I remember when you can have a fly "normal" car, and gear BUT how you rocked it with some jewels showed you was the shyt. If you knew about rich shyt, it just showed you was up on your shyt NOT because it cost a lot. If it was corny, it was corny.

I still like Hip Hop, but I don't take it serious like I once did, but that is everything in my life besides money. Once you learn how damn near everything we are taught is so serious are bullshyt, you realize what is important is eating good food, having money to live nice, being healthy, having good sex, a nice drink or herb to relax, a good relationship with family and friends, a hobby to challenge your mind, and a peace of mind. Everything else is some bullshyt or just entertainment that we were taught is important to have when it's just to boost our ego, and/or to make someone else rich.