As an avid fan of hip-hop music, I listen to pretty much EV-ERY-THANG. *Ev-ery-thang???* EV-ERY-THANG!! I listen to pretty much EV-ERY-THANG!!! (I know yall know what I'm talkin about and want to laugh. You can let out a snicker. Giggle Giggle MF!) Personally, I am a huge fan of lyrics in rap songs. I love being mentally stimulated/hearing witty yet informational punchlines/listening to people actually saying something as opposed to rappers throwing words together because their ending syllables happen to sound the same. Because of this, I usually listen to music that has that type of content (i.e. Wale, Lupe Fiasco, Eminem, Slaughterhouse, J. Cole, etc.).
Most recently, I've learned to fully appreciate all music under the umbrella of hip-hop as opposed to comparing what I didn't completely approve of with what I considered actual "hip-hop music." That includes the likes of Gucci Mane, Soulja Boy, even the silly rhymes of the hype man aka Waka Flocka Flame! Some people may have a lot to say about what I just said, but check me right quick and let me explain.
People like to express their own versions of art in the way they feel best fits them. To some, it may be through vivid and colorful lyrics that paints a moving animation in your head. To others, it may be through telling a story of their own life sans figurative language for others to relate to. And to others, it may be through simple lyrics with crazy bass to make people feel good. Whatever the case may be, each person is expressing themselves in the way they see fit. Think of a little kid who, in their opinion, is drawing a dog, but to you it looks like a tree. Are you going to tell that little kid that his rendition of that art is wrong? What would you say if someone else just so happened to agree with the kid wholeheartedly? Such is the relation to hip-hop music. People are so quick to put their own labels on what hip-hop is and on what it isn't that the entire culture as a whole fails to get embraced. No genre of music is as diverse or as representative of individual expression as hip-hop...yet at the same token...it is also the most divided and unwelcoming of dynamic changes. Just because Travis Porter doesn't rap about the same type of music as Charles Hamilton doesn't make either of them any less a part of the hip-hop culture.
That brings me to my next point. All music isn't made for the same type of environment. Nas doesn't make club music. Gospel artists don't make music to get high to. Ice Cube isn't trying to come up with a new dance for the children to pick up on and do to EVERY song that comes out after. Cam'ron isn't trying to come out with a song without making up a new word that didn't previously exist! (lol just playin about the last one.) My point is...certain music is made to be played in certain environments. Unfortunately, the media and the music industry has so much say in what is played nowadays that is seems very skewed, however the distinctions do still exist. People make club records specifically to be played on the radio and in the clubs. Other people make music to inform society. Some make music for self-edification for others to relate to and hopefully grow from. You will never hear Wale's "Shades" joint played in a club, because it isn't meant to be a club joint, yet you might hear his "Pretty Girls ft. Gucci Mane" track. You possibly might hear Slaughterhouses "The One" track in a club, but you won't hear their "Raindrops ft. Novel" joint. People make music to fit different moods. With that, how is it possible to knock a certain type of music as "non hip-hop" just because it doesn't fit your idea of the genre, when the genre was founded on, not only the premise that we as black americans should have an avenue in which we could address the problems we were facing in society through a musical standpoint, but also the idea we could freely express ourselves. The boundary is pushed all the time: From establishing hip-hop in the first place, to Run DMC incorporating Rock, to NWA introducing Gangsta Rap, to Tupac and Biggie portraying their coastal beef, now to people trying to incorporate "Swag."
Basically, I finally stopped trying to compare the different subcategories that dwell under the umbrella of hip-hop and just started appreciating what was given to me...and quite honestly...I love all of it. People will tell you...I rock with Gucci Mane HARD! Only because I understand what he's delivering. I feel like others should do the same...just enjoy music for music...and stop being such harsh critics on what is given to us. Cuz I mean...let's be honest...it's not like ANY of yall are actually paying for it! Just kick back and enjoy...or dance and enjoy...or praise and enjoy...whatever mood the music puts you in!
HOLLA!!!!!
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