Were rap interviews ever just “about the music”?

[Street Knowledge]

One common talking point that some rappers(and their fans) claim is the reason they don’t do rap interviews on radio or podcasts is because they want to talk about “just the music bro”. The idea is that the hosts ask them about personal lives, beefs, outside ventures etc.

But the question is when has that ever been the case in hip hop history? If I go back and listen to an Eminem interview in 2000 they just gonna talk about the Marshall Mathers LP? Or a Ja rule interview in 2002 is gonna all be about what inspired him to make last temptation?

I think a better explanation is, I don’t need the radio like those guys did 20 years ago due to streaming so I don’t have the same incentives to sit down with these hosts. Even if I leave it to just podcasts I don’t see how the questions are not similar to ones I saw being asked in the past

 

[Sauce Dab]

No it’s never been just about the music, people have always cared about the gossip about the artist. Talking about the music was just the cherry on top

 

[Complexion]

Fifs interviews are amusing and laced with game. Too many rappers have that corporate media training or everything else is a "Na mean?" as they talk a whole load of nothing but 50 always gives you something to think about or makes you laugh with his harsh realities and aggressive content presented in an interview context.

*reflects on the glory days*

 

[Knucklehead]

Artists are complaining because their management offers them up for interviews with huge caveats about topics that can be discussed. Most self respecting hosts decline and the artists feel persecuted as if they’re not allowed to promote their music. Hard feelings emerge and the cycle perpetuates itself.

 

[MegaTronBomb!]

One common talking point that some rappers(and their fans) claim is the reason they don’t do rap interviews on radio or podcasts is because they want to talk about “just the music bro”. The idea is that the hosts ask them about personal lives, beefs, outside ventures etc.

But the question is when has that ever been the case in hip hop history? If I go back and listen to an Eminem interview in 2000 they just gonna talk about the Marshall Mathers LP? Or a Ja rule interview in 2002 is gonna all be about what inspired him to make last temptation?

I think a better explanation is, I don’t need the radio like those guys did 20 years ago due to streaming so I don’t have the same incentives to sit down with these hosts. Even if I leave it to just podcasts I don’t see how the questions are not similar to ones I saw being asked in the past

You do know that The breakfast club is a syndicated radio show that's heard all over the country right? it's in like nearly 100 plus cities.

You'd have much much more incentive to sit down with CTG and DJ Envy than you would to go on someones podcast.

 

[MegaTronBomb!]

Artists are complaining because their management offers them up for interviews with huge caveats about topics that can be discussed. Most self respecting hosts decline and the artists feel persecuted as if they’re not allowed to promote their music. Hard feelings emerge and the cycle perpetuates itself.

It's not even that breh, these dudes straight up don't have media training.... That's why EST Gee is up there acting like it's a police interrogation. half of them are socially awkward drug addicts who can't function in normal settings without getting high.

And even if it was just about the music, an artists creative process,life events and connections/relationships that led to making the music are all things that make interviews worth listening to.

These dudes don't even have enough going on in their careers outside of open cases to have wildly controlled interviews like that.

 

[Easy-E]

Fifs interviews are amusing and laced with game. Too many rappers have that corporate media training or everything else is a "Na mean?" as they talk a whole load of nothing but 50 always gives you something to think about or makes you laugh with his harsh realities and aggressive content presented in an interview context.

*reflects on the glory days*

You forgot "In the particular environment"

50's interviews are always dope

 

[King Poetic]

Its not only rap musicians, its other music as well..

Majority of these DJ’s or Host dont even listen to the person they interviewing music.. case in point was envy when Chloe ask him about her shyt ..

Gossip is more important than the music

 

[Street Knowledge]

You do know that The breakfast club is a syndicated radio show that's heard all over the country right? it's in like nearly 100 plus cities.

You'd have much much more incentive to sit down with CTG and DJ Envy than you would to go on someones podcast.

Superstars in music in 2023 usually don’t do either

They can only get the washed up dudes or the guys on the come up

 

[boogers]

rappers to me have always been like comic book superheroes or wrestlers

its all about cutting a good promo

sometimes they even overlap

 

[Complexion]

The constant influx of socials also ripped away the mystique and showed how many celebs are cornballs. Those who worship them regardless couldn't care less but its an interesting shift to have witnessed where regular people can become famous and you see how pressed these so called stars really are beneath image.

If that doesn't make it click that the whole world is a stage I don't know what will because some are paid to play the parts and others give the performance of lifetime as they really believe the script they were handed and never questioned.

 

[maxamusa]

The reasonable doubt documentary is hands down the best hip-hop related visual you can watch. They actually have everyone involved in the album talking strictly about the process of making the album. Breaking down lyrics and all that.


Thats why when I joined here I saw Joe budden had a podcast and was like "oh shyt this gonna be some dope lyrical underground shyt"


boi was I wrong.


Everything hip-hop related is either some TMZ love n hip hop BS or a drama about the struggle and growing up hard.


It sucks.

I wish there was more shyt geeking out about the actual process of making music.

 

[Complexion]

Posting this here so I can check it later as it just popped up in my recommended:

 

[Knucklehead]

The reasonable doubt documentary is hands down the best hip-hop related visual you can watch. They actually have everyone involved in the album talking strictly about the process of making the album. Breaking down lyrics and all that.


Thats why when I joined here I saw Joe budden had a podcast and was like "oh shyt this gonna be some dope lyrical underground shyt"


boi was I wrong.


Everything hip-hop related is either some TMZ love n hip hop BS or a drama about the struggle and growing up hard.


It sucks.

I wish there was more shyt geeking out about the actual process of making music.

Check out Dissect Podcast.
Whole seasons on specific albums.

 

[maxamusa]

Check out Dissect Podcast.
Whole seasons on specific albums.

rep pending