Hip Hop????????????

[pezza]

I thought I'd pose a kind of double question cos it seems relevant at this time considering so much has already happened in hip hop. There are not many types of music that stand the test of time like hip hop but it's obviously here to stay. So the two questions are: What do you see as the essence of hip hop and where is it heading?

I think it has its roots in vinyl, so cratedigging is a big part of it and the art of the MC of course. The art of drum layering and sampling have become increasingly important but are a continuation of these roots. Shit, I didn't realise this was going to be such a hard question. In another sense you could say hip hop is about breaking down social barriers and creating a community to channel violence and aggression, this is the zulu nation aspect. It's not just about the music but breaking and graffiti too. So it's community, art and party for people who like to keep it real.

Where to from here? I think it has to stay true to these elements and keep absorbing more cultures and complexity with an increase of live performance and a move toward more original compositions and less relying on pre existing material. That's my 2 cents.

[Truthmusik]

Homie, I feel you on the whole culture aspect of hip hop as more than just a music genre...But in no way has hip hop stood the test of time...at all. Hip hop is barely a teenager as far as music goes...25-30 years isn't much...We, as part of the hip hop comminuty, are going to be responsible for what happens to hip hop in the next 10 years...If TV and film continue depicting rap music they way they have been...we're in trouble. The general public thinks hip hop is Jeezy, Rick Ross & Jim Jones(them being the better of the garbage out right now...ie Ying Yang, Dem Franchise Boyz, & all that crunk bullshit)...Sure they make catchy songs and rap on solid beats for the most...but they have abandoned (if they ever even embraced) the art form of hip hop. I, personally, think there is a lot of work to be done by independent artists to make a change in the culture...We all know there are plenty of cats reppin for the underground, and also a lot of cats supporting the underground...but does the average MTV/BET viewer have any idea about what goes on outside their television? f**k no. So it's our job to expose it, and show there is much more to say than some dope dealing, diamond wearing, self infatuated bullshit.

I'm done.

[pezza]

truthmusik said:

Homie, I feel you on the whole culture aspect of hip hop as more than just a music genre...But in no way has hip hop stood the test of time...at all. Hip hop is barely a teenager as far as music goes...25-30 years isn't much...We, as part of the hip hop comminuty, are going to be responsible for what happens to hip hop in the next 10 years...If TV and film continue depicting rap music they way they have been...we're in trouble. The general public thinks hip hop is Jeezy, Rick Ross & Jim Jones(them being the better of the garbage out right now...ie Ying Yang, Dem Franchise Boyz, & all that crunk bullshit)...Sure they make catchy songs and rap on solid beats for the most...but they have abandoned (if they ever even embraced) the art form of hip hop. I, personally, think there is a lot of work to be done by independent artists to make a change in the culture...We all know there are plenty of cats reppin for the underground, and also a lot of cats supporting the underground...but does the average MTV/BET viewer have any idea about what goes on outside their television? f**k no. So it's our job to expose it, and show there is much more to say than some dope dealing, diamond wearing, self infatuated bullshit.

I'm done.

This may be the case but it's testament to hip hop that even so it has continued to develop over the last 25-30 years. Admittedly it has to a large extent been swallowed up by popular culture. I saw this starting to happen especially with LLCoolJ and this is when I started to lose interest because the culture changed to one of the individual who's the baddest mofo on the block. I guess it changed even before that. I remember getting caught up in the whole Roxanne Shante vs UTFO thing and I never for a second considered it to be commercial cos it was raw but looking back it had a commercial value and no doubt record company executives saw dollar signs and ways to manipulate the mass market. I still think despite the commercial aspect there is still development in hip hop and the fact that it has a significance in so many countries has to be a good thing and that some of the original spirit is still there for self-expression of the less than fortunate. By and large I say forget about the commercial sh*t because something is lost in that process. But that's not to say that every so often a dope track doesn't make it into the charts. So what are the hallmarks of authenticity? At what point can you say; this is not hip hop anymore?

[j1]

At what point can you say; this is not hip hop anymore?

that's a tough question cuz hip hop has always been a mixture of genres
you can take some crunk club music or something and compare it to some avant-garde shit like apc or busdriver and they're really don't have much in common. yet they're both considered hip hop..
everyone's gonna have their own interpretation of what hip hop is and should be
personally, i dont really care what you call it as long as it sounds good

[bigvernthearkitekt]

"What do you see as the essence of hip hop and where is it heading? "

To me the essence of hip hop is the message. The message is crucial.

I think that there will always be people who want to listen only to what they consider real hip hop and others who want to listen to whatever is most popular at the time.

There will be a never-ending debate of old school vs. new school and which is superior and why. Even when todays new school is tomorrow's old school.

People who like the old school will always say that the new shit isn't as good as the old shit , and people who like the new shit will always say you are old, this is the new hottest thing, you don't understand !!!

Some heads will chase the $ and sacrifice their art. Some will go broke staying true to their art. Some will just make good music.

I'll continue to listen to what I believe is good music.

[Derock]

Word,

cosign these wise words