http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PTDv_szmL0
During the late 90’s and early 2000’s it was painfully easy to become at least a one-hit wonder in the rap game. Every week it seemed a new artist or group was coming out with a catchy single that would lead to a subpar album. Yet for a while, people still purchased these albums. With music downloads skyrocketing to an uncontrollable rate, many rappers suffered as their fan base was short of dedication, and their album’s were short of true material. Fast forward to 2011 and the rap game is still dealing with many of the same problems, but some offer different solutions. The most popular rappers right now, at least for radio’s sake, are the likes of Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, B.O.B., and Rick Ross. Only two of those names had put out any cd’s prior to this year worthy of consideration, and just last year the other 3 were “who’s that’s?” But the method for success that these young guys have taken seems to work, constantly flooding the Internet with new mixtapes and throwaway songs, while waiting for that big hit to break. But the big hit is no longer a club anthem, or a ladies song, but instead the rap-pop. Wiz Khalifa’s “Roll Up” and B.O.B.’s “Nothing on You” share many similarities although the two are drastically different, and rapping about two completely different topics. Both songs feature some displays of lyrical ability, but sound like something made for Z100 before Hot97. And that is exactly what these artists, or at least the executives pushing and printing their work, are looking for. Some would call it selling out or not real Hip-Hop, but it definitely has mainstream appeal. Unlike the many mixtape rappers who have serious content in their work, these are the guys who are being heard by the masses, something that was easy to gain just a few years back. If you want your album to be purchased rather than downloaded, there seems to be a need for this rap-pop. Although personally not a huge fan, I can see why these young artists who put their heart and soul into the music game would like to see the rewards of their effort, and this may just be the only way. -C.S.
Today's music really makes me wonder how it is exactly that these musicians strayed from focusing on having important lyrics to just having good beats. Sure, there was tons of dance music in the 90's but it does not compare to the distasteful music flooding mainstream radios. What ever happened to the good days when A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and Common shattered new grounds with the powerful hits? I'll tell you. I completely agree with Craig when he says that its about trying not to become a one hit wonder. Now a days it is in fact rare for any musician in any genre to be a one hit wonder. Unless you're an
ReplyDeleteAmerican Idol who isn't Kelly Clarkson or any other recent contestant. The music industry has become more about who can we target so that we can earn a large profit. Of course, who better to target than teenagers. Older generations don't accept the music being played now because it holds no value. Especially when you compare these artists to those from the past. What woman has really created a bigger break through greater than Madonna? Sure many can argue Lady Gaga, but she is just a mere copy. This goes to show that rap isn't the only genre being effected. However, it is the one that has been hit the hardest because it has undergone a significant transition. Today's lyrics have become all about dougying and any other "instructional" dance that comes to mind. Listeners are no longer tuning in to find deep connections with the words being said. Instead, they just want "carefree" music. Maybe that is just what producers think since it is what keeps selling. All of this makes me wonder, will ever return to the golden years or will the money hungry music industry just continue to prosper?