We have had many people come along in the 30 plus year history of Hip-Hop and represent us as a people and a culture rather properly. We have had political, cultural, social and artistic agendas carried out in the name of Good Music. However, there can be no Heaven if there is no Hell? I and countless fans of rap across the globe have had to put up with a Snow for every Tupac. We have had to put up with a PM Dawn for every Biggie. We have had (and some are still enduring) a Tony Yayo for every KRS-One. We have lived through our fair share of Ying-Yang Twins for every Public Enemy. There are SO MANY wack rappers out there, that I could talk for weeks about the sheer amount of BULLSHIT that passes itself off as rap these days.
Nas said Hip-Hop was dead. I have heard arguments on both sides of this issue. Is it dead? Whose fault is it? Can it be resurrected? Or has Hip-Hop simply taken on another form? Hip-Hop at its roots was ALWAYS about having a good time and recognizing the social ills that plagued our community. In the 80's during the crack epidemic, this changed. Rap was filled with stories from New York, the south but primarily the west coast of drugs, guns, women and excess. True 80's. Lyricism and content gave way to style and lack of substance. The saddest part of all of this is that if you listen to or are ever involved in an argument with people nowadays about what is good rap music. Especially kids. Oohhh, the pointless arguments about who is better, Soulja Boy or The GS Boys. Gimme a break. I have heard people say Plies or Lil Wayne is the Greatest. You can't be serious?
However, we have had an ambassador for the rap game return from a self imposed hiatus. Jay-Z is back. You heard it here FIRST, "The Blueprint 3" is TIGHT!!! Jay bowed out with "The Black Album", which was a good album with some memorable tracks. His so-called return in "Kingdom Come" was not a "TRUE" Jay Z album and I only say that in the alienation of his true base - taking streets raps and everyday situations and finding a way to relate them to people who have not lived them. Last Friday, Jay-Z appeared on Bill Maher's show on HBO. It was refreshing to listen to an interview that I didn't have to get the newest slang dictionary to decipher. It was nice to listen to someone not say, "Yaknowutumsayin" or "Nawmean" every few seconds. It was nice to watch an interview with a rap artist who wasn't so high that he didn't know where he was, let alone who he was talking to. It was nice to hear someone talk about the art involved and that they weren't shitting on the buying public and putting down just ANYTHING in the studio. I think all rap artists should watch this interview as part of their hip-hop orientation and learn about longevity and building your brand to something more than a brief period of being "paid" because you could buy some big ass necklaces and old school cars.
Anyway, you'll see what I'm talking about. Well without further ado:
Rap's True Ambassador Parts 1 - 4
Don't believe me....check these videos out.....
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Well until next time....
R. Steed (Big Goldie)
"Fluffy Puffy - The Media Mogul in Training"
www.dashowtv.com
www.arewenotentertained.blogspot.com
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