today's topic: rap musicdisclaimer: if you are not a music lover, this post is not for you. if you do not care for rap music, please search for porno or find something better to occupy your time.
sept 8th.
the best day for hip-hop culture in 2009. 2 highly anticipated hip-hop albums were released: jay-z's blueprint III & raekwon's only built for cuban linx II. both artists are highly respected in the hip-hop community and great lyricists. this was a very important day to me, on a personal level....before i discuss why, quick commercial:
people who know me, ask my opinion of albums whenever they drop. i am happy and take pride in seeing people who actually care what i have to say. sometimes my opinion influences their feelings on a particular album.....other times, they could give a shit. on sept. 8th, i received copious amounts (not even kidding) of text messages all saying variations of this phrase: "you MUST agree with me that jay-z has the album of the year, nigga"...minus the nigga for my white and asian acquaintances, this is what occurred. now let's start the show © 'ye west
what i learned on sept 8th is this: there are two types of rap fans...or on a wider scope, music fans in general.
the head: the hip-hop head. loves rap music. commercial or underground. backpack or gangsta. this person understands there is a place for everyone in hip-hop, with talent....from Soulja Boy to Nas....they realize all talented rappers represent a different aspect/perspective on what the hip-hop culture has to offer to the listener.
the ned: the trendy listener. intially comments on a song stating: "i like the beat." likes an artist based on their persona rather than the music. top 40. bases their musical taste on record sales or potential record sales....justifies their "rap badge" by stating one of these 5 rappers is their favorite of all-time: 2pac (everyone loves 2pac, right?), jay-z (big pimpin is the shit), lil wayne (drinks the wayne kool-aid), common (he eats peas & cornbread like me, and he's saying something), or kanye west (he's original)....this person will drop rap music for r&b once they turn 30
the head: the hip-hop head. loves rap music. commercial or underground. backpack or gangsta. this person understands there is a place for everyone in hip-hop, with talent....from Soulja Boy to Nas....they realize all talented rappers represent a different aspect/perspective on what the hip-hop culture has to offer to the listener.
the ned: the trendy listener. intially comments on a song stating: "i like the beat." likes an artist based on their persona rather than the music. top 40. bases their musical taste on record sales or potential record sales....justifies their "rap badge" by stating one of these 5 rappers is their favorite of all-time: 2pac (everyone loves 2pac, right?), jay-z (big pimpin is the shit), lil wayne (drinks the wayne kool-aid), common (he eats peas & cornbread like me, and he's saying something), or kanye west (he's original)....this person will drop rap music for r&b once they turn 30
both types of people showed their true colors on sept 8th. the head appreciated both albums. i believe jay-z dropped a solid album. it's not a classic (reasonable doubt) or extremely terrible (kingdom come). if i were nelson george or touré, i'd give it 7.5/10. i would give my review of the album....but who cares, really? i believe raekwon dropped a superior album...frontrunner for rap album of the year (waiting on wale). the head has heard both albums, mutliple times. understands why jay-z went the direction he did in bp3. also realizes why an ob4cl2 is needed in today's rap climate. the ned heard bp3 and christened it as the greatest thing since ass and titties. did not bother checking for raekwon's joint, nor do they know who raekwon is, yet will defend bp3 as the superior album without giving the other one a listen...i understand why people would automatically assume jay-z has the best album. mainly because they buy into the image....jay's more popular, he's married to beyoncé, has a ton of money, has the respect of everyone from obama to oprah. neds are familiar with his music and are comfortable with familarity. this is why we have so many variations of the same sound in rap music.here is my issue: i can not...scratch that...will not discuss rap music with "neds" anymore. it only frustrates me. logically, it makes no sense to defend one album as superior to another without hearing both albums. this is not me downplaying bp3 or praising raekwon. this is a matter of today's hip-hop listener, the ned.
it starts with the radio. songs are played until you become familiar with them, and develop a liking for the song. generally, this is why certain songs are played each hour, on the hour....that and payola (another topic for another day). the ned develops their rap taste from the radio. does not bother looking up new music they potentially may like, they simply accept what is given to them. the ned is the reason why BET is run by white people. this is why some hip-hop heads are upset (not me, more on that later)...they are upset because there is not a balance on what is commercially offered in rap music. they complain about people accepting too much of the same thing (crunk, snap, chopped n screwed, hyphy, dance songs, hipster hip-hop aka leg warmer music).
i am not upset with the game simply because i am always finding new rap records to listen to. for example, because i did not grow up to see the beastie boys at their peak, i can go back and discover their records. as a result, their music is "new" to me. that is my escape from the bullshit.the bottom line for me is this: i know longer care why rap music, and hip-hop culture is the way it is. i am doing my job in making sure the real shit stays alive by buying good albums, seeing solid artists perform live, and always looking up new/"new" artists i am not familiar with. i love music, particularly...rap. it is my obsession. i take it seriously. please do not look at me funny when you ask to hear what i am listening to and hear me respond with: epmd, j dilla, or kool g. rap....i will look at you funny, and call you a herb.
this is the line in the sand. if you are real about proclaiming to like music, yet casually accept whatever is offered to you....you are a ned. stay on your side of the fence. when people ask you who your favorite artists is, and you respond with: "i like everyone" or "there are so many"....you are a ned. give me 50ft. there is no reason for being a ned, yet proclaiming to "love" music. there is a difference in loving music, and liking backgroud noise (music to listen to in your car, favorite song in the club, etc.)...i challenge everyone who geninuely loves music or wants to have a better appreciation for music (not just rap), to search for things you like. there is no excuse in the age of iTunes, twitter, various blog sites (5ivebruhs anyone?) to be a ned. be a "head" whether its hip-hop, country, heavy metal, whatever....just appreciate the music. not the persona. record sales. trendiness...focus on just the music. it'll make your life better.i guarantee it © george zimmer
oh yeah.......shoutout to jake delhomme
