Were rap interviews ever just “about the music”?

[CarltonJunior]

As a whole, no.

But there was definitely more rap interviews just about the music in the past before this social media era. Even 106 & Park was more about the music than these podcasts.

 

[Iverson_64]

Say what you want about Talib Kweli but his podcast was totally on point.

He did his research, would actually reflect on the rapper's music/legacy, asked great questions, and gave rappers enough space to break things down without letting the interview go off the rails.

Talib has his issues but the man's interviews were exactly how hip hop interviews should ideally be.

Combat Jack was another one who seemed genuinely interested in the rapper and their music without getting into f*ckery.

F*ckery has always been at the forefront of many rap interviews for years though undeniably.

 

[Ziggiy]

Social Media has given the artist a direct means of connecting and curating their image to fans.

Why sit down with Envy and Charlemagne, who haven’t heard the music and who are only looking for the perfect soundbite with which to make you the donkey of the day?

J.Cole, Drake, and Kendrick still do interviews. Matter of fact I can probably find at least ONE print interview per album
Cycle for each of the three of them. But they don’t need to do a traditional press run to sell 300K+ first week and go platinum so really why should they? It doesn’t benefit THEM it benefits the podcast/radio station.

Traditional press runs work better for older artists. Nas, LL Cool J, Wutang, etc. which is why you’ll see them do that more lften because they’re fans are attuned to that than the digital wave. Nas is doing more press than he ever has since the 90’s because I think he realizes thats what works for him instead of putting up only IG promo. But Drake? Drake has the industry in the palm of his hands, it makes no sense for him to sit down with Rosenberg