I had a conversation with someone today that got me thinking: what's really the problem people have with 'mainstream' hip hop? Let's explore this shit. . .
One of the biggest complaints I hear about mainstream hip hop is that it's all the same. . . same 'bullshit ice rap' (c) Ye over substandard beats. . . perhaps this pleases the masses (I mean, obviously, that's why it's on the radio), but it leaves the true hip hop connoisseur thinking: 'the fuck?!'. . .
After analyzing the situation, I came to the conclusion that there seems to be two separate issues at hand here. . . A. It takes a special kind of person to want to hear 'Becky' 67 times over the course of one hour. . . (and by special, of course I mean moronic) in other words, most heads don't actually like the music that is played on mainstream radio (for the most part). . . nor the amount it's played. . . or played out for that matter. . . B. it's my personal opinion that a lot of heads really don't want the music they love to be mainstreamed. Let me explain.
There is a certain level of respect, understanding, passion, intelligence, etc, that is assumed when you meet someone that truly has good taste in hip hop. For instance, if someone tells me their favorite rapper is Soulja Boy, I assume they are an average human being, with average taste is music, an average life, and average interests. They look to the radio to tell them what kind of music to listen to, what albums to buy, what clubs to go to, etc. That's all fine, no judgement (not really, but whatever. . .), BUT. . . when I meet a person and they tell me their favorite rapper is DOOM. . . I draw a totally different conclusion about that person. . . to me they are a person with obviously good taste in music, which, for a person who loves hip hop as much as I (and more than likely you) do, this means they are probably a person worth getting to know. . . or at least a person you shouldn't make fun of. . . immediately. . . or not, whatever.
My point in that last bit of sentiment was this: Deep down, hip hop heads are sort of elitist. . . we really don't want that girl in a hooker heels, multicolored booty shorts, and an Ed Hardy cut off baby tee reppin' Jaylib. That being said, as much as we claim that we don't listen to the radio because all they play is garbage, we don't REALLY want 'our music' to be 'popular'. Or do we?
This is not to say that heads don't want our favorite artists to be successful, we do. . . just not so successful that they sell out and conveniently lose all their talent. See, that's the thing about commercial rappers, they are already talentless, so their fan's don't have to worry about these types of things. . .
There is yet another level to this shit, and that level is fan support. . . The Drakes, Weezy's, Plies (es?), and Gucci's of the world aren't really having problems selling albums, because they have tremendous fan support. . . yes, perhaps their skill level is crap. . . but people are buying their records, their songs are being played in clubs, and they are getting major radio play. . . On the other hand, better rappers albums are making in one year what Weezy is making the first week of his album sales (if that). . . not to mention the fact that I have NEVER heard a DOOM song on the radio or in a typical club. . . it doesn't really seem fair, does it? One would like to think that the best should be on top, but that's just not the case in the kingdom of hip hop. . .
I guess the problem here is that, we want our music to be popular, because we want our favorite musicians to be successful, but not at the cost of selling out, dumbing themselves down, and just generally fucking up to appeal to the average consumer. . . but it seems like, logically speaking, by people not being more supportive of the musicians we purport to love, we might be forcing their hand in selling out. . . that or dooming them to a life filled with great raps, but little paper. . . and thus, possibly no raps at all. . .
The moral of this story is, you can't have it both ways. . . you can't scream about how much mainstream music sucks, and how the radio, MTV, VH1, BET, etc, only give video and radio play to the Weezy's of the world when you don't REALLY want better hip hop making an appearance in mainstream media. We have to figure out a way to support our favorite musicians so that they can continue to make the music we all love, while simultaneously supporting themselves, and keepin' it ghetto with the plastic cups.. Being a musician (when you are not MAD famous) is not exactly an easy gig, and it takes a lot to make it work.. MC's and producers have bills, families, problems, and need to eat, just like everyone else. . . and they can't do that if they are barely making enough money to cover the costs of putting out an album..
One of the biggest complaints I hear about mainstream hip hop is that it's all the same. . . same 'bullshit ice rap' (c) Ye over substandard beats. . . perhaps this pleases the masses (I mean, obviously, that's why it's on the radio), but it leaves the true hip hop connoisseur thinking: 'the fuck?!'. . .
After analyzing the situation, I came to the conclusion that there seems to be two separate issues at hand here. . . A. It takes a special kind of person to want to hear 'Becky' 67 times over the course of one hour. . . (and by special, of course I mean moronic) in other words, most heads don't actually like the music that is played on mainstream radio (for the most part). . . nor the amount it's played. . . or played out for that matter. . . B. it's my personal opinion that a lot of heads really don't want the music they love to be mainstreamed. Let me explain.
There is a certain level of respect, understanding, passion, intelligence, etc, that is assumed when you meet someone that truly has good taste in hip hop. For instance, if someone tells me their favorite rapper is Soulja Boy, I assume they are an average human being, with average taste is music, an average life, and average interests. They look to the radio to tell them what kind of music to listen to, what albums to buy, what clubs to go to, etc. That's all fine, no judgement (not really, but whatever. . .), BUT. . . when I meet a person and they tell me their favorite rapper is DOOM. . . I draw a totally different conclusion about that person. . . to me they are a person with obviously good taste in music, which, for a person who loves hip hop as much as I (and more than likely you) do, this means they are probably a person worth getting to know. . . or at least a person you shouldn't make fun of. . . immediately. . . or not, whatever.
My point in that last bit of sentiment was this: Deep down, hip hop heads are sort of elitist. . . we really don't want that girl in a hooker heels, multicolored booty shorts, and an Ed Hardy cut off baby tee reppin' Jaylib. That being said, as much as we claim that we don't listen to the radio because all they play is garbage, we don't REALLY want 'our music' to be 'popular'. Or do we?
This is not to say that heads don't want our favorite artists to be successful, we do. . . just not so successful that they sell out and conveniently lose all their talent. See, that's the thing about commercial rappers, they are already talentless, so their fan's don't have to worry about these types of things. . .
There is yet another level to this shit, and that level is fan support. . . The Drakes, Weezy's, Plies (es?), and Gucci's of the world aren't really having problems selling albums, because they have tremendous fan support. . . yes, perhaps their skill level is crap. . . but people are buying their records, their songs are being played in clubs, and they are getting major radio play. . . On the other hand, better rappers albums are making in one year what Weezy is making the first week of his album sales (if that). . . not to mention the fact that I have NEVER heard a DOOM song on the radio or in a typical club. . . it doesn't really seem fair, does it? One would like to think that the best should be on top, but that's just not the case in the kingdom of hip hop. . .
I guess the problem here is that, we want our music to be popular, because we want our favorite musicians to be successful, but not at the cost of selling out, dumbing themselves down, and just generally fucking up to appeal to the average consumer. . . but it seems like, logically speaking, by people not being more supportive of the musicians we purport to love, we might be forcing their hand in selling out. . . that or dooming them to a life filled with great raps, but little paper. . . and thus, possibly no raps at all. . .
The moral of this story is, you can't have it both ways. . . you can't scream about how much mainstream music sucks, and how the radio, MTV, VH1, BET, etc, only give video and radio play to the Weezy's of the world when you don't REALLY want better hip hop making an appearance in mainstream media. We have to figure out a way to support our favorite musicians so that they can continue to make the music we all love, while simultaneously supporting themselves, and keepin' it ghetto with the plastic cups.. Being a musician (when you are not MAD famous) is not exactly an easy gig, and it takes a lot to make it work.. MC's and producers have bills, families, problems, and need to eat, just like everyone else. . . and they can't do that if they are barely making enough money to cover the costs of putting out an album..
I think Invincible put it best when she said "You want good music? You gotta support it."
If, regardless of how you feel about mainstream music, you have positive feelings about non mainstream music, you have to show your support. . . and by support, I don't mean just illegally downloading albums and then speaking highly about them on your favorite social networking site. . . Buy albums, go to shows, REALLY support these artists.
Let me make something clear here. . . I am not saying that the problem with the people reading this article is that they are supporting the WRONG thing. . . because I am assuming if you are reading this particular blog, you are probably not the biggest fan of mainstream hip hop. . . what I am saying is that you are not supporting ANYTHING. . . good or bad. . . mainstream or non mainstream. . . just. . . nothing. . .
Maybe this is just wishful thinking on my part, but. . . maybe. . . just maybe. . . if we would stop being elitist assholes for like. . . 3 minutes. . . and instead, showed some real support for GOOD artists. . . we could change the game. Follow my logic on this: If everyone who claims to love the DOOM's of the game (lesser known, thus lesser supported, yet more talented MC's/producers/etc than those who are currently mainstream music makers) actually supported the DOOM's of the game, then that music, the GOOD music, would become mainstream. . . much more support will be being shown for it, thus pushing it out into the world for more than just the isolationist DOOM fans to consume. Radio stations might play it. . . MTV might begin showing DOOM music videos. . . next thing you know, kids will be wearing iron masks for Halloween instead of drawing fake tattoos on their foreheads trying to imitate that douche bag that need not be named. . . Dare to fucking dream. I'm just sayin'.
Bottom line: Elitism is wack. Stop keeping good music from the world because you want to be looked upon as a REAL hip hop head because you are the one person in the room who know who can name all 9 members of the Wu-Tang Clan. . . Yeah, I get it. . . it's nice to be an expert at something. But you know what would be nicer? Turning on the radio and hearing something other than 'LOL (Smiley Face)'. I am sure your local DJ, who probably did not become a DJ to play the same 6 songs in rotation ALL FUCKING DAY, would appreciate playing something that took some actual talent to create. I am sure your favorite rapper would also agree that it would be nice for them to be seeing the numbers that their less talented counter parts are seeing in terms of album sales. See? Everyone's happy.
Here's a thought: If your favorite MC or beat maker drops an album. . . or God forbid. . . a mixtape. . . go out and BUY IT. Back up all that talk you spew out on the daily about how much you love them, and actually hold them down. . . you never know. . . if the 500,000 of us that purport to love these people actually put our money where our mouth is, maybe our music could be mainstream. . . but then, what would we have to complain about?
If, regardless of how you feel about mainstream music, you have positive feelings about non mainstream music, you have to show your support. . . and by support, I don't mean just illegally downloading albums and then speaking highly about them on your favorite social networking site. . . Buy albums, go to shows, REALLY support these artists.
Let me make something clear here. . . I am not saying that the problem with the people reading this article is that they are supporting the WRONG thing. . . because I am assuming if you are reading this particular blog, you are probably not the biggest fan of mainstream hip hop. . . what I am saying is that you are not supporting ANYTHING. . . good or bad. . . mainstream or non mainstream. . . just. . . nothing. . .
Maybe this is just wishful thinking on my part, but. . . maybe. . . just maybe. . . if we would stop being elitist assholes for like. . . 3 minutes. . . and instead, showed some real support for GOOD artists. . . we could change the game. Follow my logic on this: If everyone who claims to love the DOOM's of the game (lesser known, thus lesser supported, yet more talented MC's/producers/etc than those who are currently mainstream music makers) actually supported the DOOM's of the game, then that music, the GOOD music, would become mainstream. . . much more support will be being shown for it, thus pushing it out into the world for more than just the isolationist DOOM fans to consume. Radio stations might play it. . . MTV might begin showing DOOM music videos. . . next thing you know, kids will be wearing iron masks for Halloween instead of drawing fake tattoos on their foreheads trying to imitate that douche bag that need not be named. . . Dare to fucking dream. I'm just sayin'.
Bottom line: Elitism is wack. Stop keeping good music from the world because you want to be looked upon as a REAL hip hop head because you are the one person in the room who know who can name all 9 members of the Wu-Tang Clan. . . Yeah, I get it. . . it's nice to be an expert at something. But you know what would be nicer? Turning on the radio and hearing something other than 'LOL (Smiley Face)'. I am sure your local DJ, who probably did not become a DJ to play the same 6 songs in rotation ALL FUCKING DAY, would appreciate playing something that took some actual talent to create. I am sure your favorite rapper would also agree that it would be nice for them to be seeing the numbers that their less talented counter parts are seeing in terms of album sales. See? Everyone's happy.
Here's a thought: If your favorite MC or beat maker drops an album. . . or God forbid. . . a mixtape. . . go out and BUY IT. Back up all that talk you spew out on the daily about how much you love them, and actually hold them down. . . you never know. . . if the 500,000 of us that purport to love these people actually put our money where our mouth is, maybe our music could be mainstream. . . but then, what would we have to complain about?
Good read. I agreed for the most part, but I disagree when you say 'do we really want underground artists in the mainstream?'...
ReplyDeleteI might be alone on this, but I truely wish that
artists like Slum Village, Blu, Foreign Exchange, Buff1, The Roots, etc got mainstream airplay. I wouldn't even complain about radio playing the 6 songs every hour if those 6 songs were actually good.
That's why I don't even fuck w/ mainstream radio. I haven't touched the radio button on my boombox in like 10 years.
I fool w/ internet/college radio they play that real shit for true heads.