5. Listen to the words. By that, I mean pay attention to what’s being said, not only how it’s being said. Sometimes the most obvious messages are hidden in the plainest wrappers. (See what I did there?)
4. Don’t compare artists. As much as you’d like to, it’s impossible to put any 2 artists in the same box. If they do fit in the same proverbial space, though, it’s more than likely that the latter one is a shameless facsimile, whether they willingly admit it or not.
3. Open your mind. Every rap dude can’t be the most lyrical, & every MC isn’t here to convince you of his/her ubiquitous super villain status. Gucci Mane, for instance, is awesome at being Gucci Mane. I’d rather him not try to teach me anything other than what skrippers eat & how he sells his drugs. & in the same vein, Kid Cudi can’t sell me a booty song. Mos Def, definitely, but not Kid Cudi. No way.
2. Allow it to be entertainment. Simple & plain. Think of it as the difference between a feature film & a documentary; it’s only as true as your perception.
1. Stop hating. (Whatever the hell that means.)
great post, could not have said it better myself hence i am not spitting word salad all over the comments today.
also an edit button would be cool on this site since i seem to spew my thoughts over the net alot lol dont drink nd type i am learning slowly
#2 says it all for me.
I used to really feel like if you weren’t rapping like Mos, Talib, or Common, then whatever you had to say was irrelevant and was setting black people back. As such, I would have never allowed myself to enjoy anything outside of that box. I’m glad that I matured enough to be a little mire objective about this rap shit. How else would I now be able to enjoy the likes of Ricky Rozay and Lil B the Based dog?
Most people nowadays live by their headphones only !! Peeps don’t go out to lounges or clubs where you’ll hear diversity or at least what’s different from your IPod. Hang with like minded fans, so you’re jamming the same music.
Going out to clubs help me realized I liked a couple of artists I’d never admit otherwise lol
& for the record, I fucks w/Gucci Mane & Yo Gotti & NaSir Jones & IGGY Azalea, etc.
All that shit is entertaining. Holds it’s own value. That should be important to mafuckers.
2. Allow it to be entertainment.
^ this one I have to disagree with somewhat. Public Enemy had a lot of “entertaining” music that was thought provoking, and made you listen even closer. Today, that sentiment means “don’t believe what they say, it’s just fun for a dollar”. A lot of people didn’t really know the science of beef until KRS dropped that song and made them go back and study.
And if anything, quasars & black holes are known to give off energy in the form of musical notes and it has been recorded. That’s not entertainment, that’s science. I don’t have to listen to music for entertainment either.
Be careful of that generalization, it can kill any type of credibility we ever had in this game…
Musicians, which is specifically what I’m referring to, are entertainers, by definition. I’m not talking about cosmic ambiance, & can’t even allow a conversation about hip hop music to turn into anything regarding outer space on my end. It’s not that deep, fam.
If I want to educate my children, I’ll point them to a school or a book, as all parents should. If I want to see them dance, I turn on music. When I go to parties, rarely is there a moment when the DJ decides to play XClan for education purposes. Edutainment (the actual thing, not the BDP album) is an anomaly. Rappers aren’t paid to teach you. Record labels don’t intentionally sign instructors. It sounds good, but we both know it’s not actuality.
I don’t have to be careful with the generalization, because I get it. People who lack valid perception have to be careful. Parents have to be careful. Single moms w/o the proper role model for their sons need to be careful. The problem is that the generalization has been buried under a sense of ownership, like these entertainers are working for morals & letters of recommendation. Fans think that just because a man writes something that it’s truth. No dice.
No rapper has ever used the disclaimer “Be careful: You might learn something.” If someone picked up information from whatever song/music, it’s because of how the individual is wired, not because that’s the intention.
I have absolutely no control over the culture’s credibility. You have to take that up w/the artists, the TI’s, & the parents of the fan demographic.
“I don’t have to be careful with the generalization, because I get it”
^ but you do Grands…do you think all others “get it” fam? Real talk…
“I have absolutely no control over the culture’s credibility”
^ nor do I…or do I? We have worldwide public places where they read our words & research…do we not owe it to them to pass a jewel or 2 rather than keep them all for ourselves & ours?
So should the words of Lena Horne, Gil-Scott Heron and others just be written off as entertainment? Public Enemy made millions educating thru music.
“Single moms w/o the proper role model for their sons need to be careful.”
^ that’s a futile dart because I know plenty of single moms who are that role model and their sons grow quite well, while some sons end up hating the dads around always trying to school them and they went rogue. Did you ever ponder that some of those same sons/daughters actually read your blogs and may feel that way about you? Certain things they want to come and see what you say about it?
Yeah, it is that deep. It’s why “keep it real” came about in rap music in the first place. Heads knew the savage in the pursuit of happiness would ruin the integrity of the art.
Cmon, man. What do you want from me?
I’m Tony Grands, not Tony Atlas.
Also, bruh, how many jewels do I drop on a daily basis? Aint no cut & paste bullshit going on here, fam. I drop jewels, daily, for free. You gotta miss me with the “you’re not doing your part” routine.
& taking bits of a paragraph is using quotes out of context.
and I’m not saying you’re a savage either…
I don’t think you get what I’m saying fam…I’m not telling you to save the world…I’m showing valid points on how music ain’t just entertainment…it ain’t just about some clown ass fool with a tin sounding chain and fake designer duds in front of a camera telling fake street stories and rehashed movie scenes to where I don’t believe a nann a rapper…others have done and succeeded doing the same thing I’m speaking about…and the message gets out there…there are musicians in other countries that use music to get political points across and rally the people for unity…not for “entertainment”.
So I am/will disagree with “music is entertainment”…that’s what them fools who are steadily pushing the bullshit WANT Y’ALL to think…music is a universal language, a powerful and viable tool that is being taken away.
But I see you’re precise dart, sykoticfiles is a free site. I have no intentions on trying to make a thin dime from it.
Never said it was all music. I merely suggested that the listener “allow it to entertain” them, in order to actually enjoy some hip hop music without all the politics & criticism. That’s all. It’s just a suggestion.
i know you never said it fam, I typed I would have to disagree somewhat, and went into why I would…you may know the deal, but you can’t assume the majority of your reader’s knew or even saw it from the stance I typed.
If I never said it, I can’t rightfully defend it. At the end of the day, it’s up to the person to decide, no matter what.
2. Allow it to be entertainment. Simple & plain. Think of it as the difference between a feature film & a documentary; it’s only as true as your perception.
++++++++++
$yk says:
August 29, 2011 at 6:58 pm
2. Allow it to be entertainment.
^ this one I have to disagree with somewhat. Public Enemy had a lot of “entertaining” music that was thought provoking, and made you listen even closer……..
^
but you’re right, it’s up to the individual…if they ain’t got it right, why should you bother? It ain’t your fault they’re like that or fuked up, true?
The best way to enjoy hiphop is to know you have options
I abide by the ” If you dont like it, dont listen to it” option.
I know the hiphop heads that know better still try to “fight the good fight” and keep the memories of what was alive. I totally get that and support that. But trying to teach this younger generation about it is pretty much a lost cause. They dont respect the older generation and have little to no desire to learn the history. If you are not a “swaged out super hustler/ gangster” or a “technicolor tight pants wearing ass nucca” they aint trying to hear you.
I went off topic but yeah….
“If you are not a “swaged out super hustler/ gangster” or a “technicolor tight pants wearing ass nucca” they aint trying to hear you.”
^ them the ones feeding into the “it’s entertainment, don’t believe them”, “if you don’t like it you’re hating” mentality.
Like seriously, who picks the playlist for children’s music to sell? Their peers? No, old heads, who want them to learn what they want them to learn. They pick songs that their companies have vested interest in. They don’t want them to sing ‘Fight The Power’, they want them to sing “I kissed a girl and I liked it…” so they can push agenda…even they know music is not just entertainment, it’s a powerful tool…
Lady Gaga went from wearing a meat dress to totally looking like a man…you think her fans are looking at that as entertainment? or are they taking notes saying “I can do this too”? How did she get that power…music…this Kreayshawn thing is the same…how much are niggas gonna let slide you say something?
And keeping it 100…I have 2 grown seeds…no matter what you teach them, they have deal with their peers…
anyway it was a good convo for your fellowship to read…I’m off to go copy and paste music on the ‘files…
b e z
totally see and agree with your POV. its all part of a plan. What you spoke on above are the reasons I dont watch EmpTV or EBT (borrowed that from somebody, dont remember who but you know who you are) and I rarely listen to the radio. Thank God for my MP3.
how much are niggas gonna let slide (before) you say something?
1
I stay criticizing my culture for it’s downfalls & pointing out alternative methods. I even wrote a post called “Other things to do besides rap,” encouraging cats to take the same skills applied to rap & start other types of businesses. This particular nigga says something all the tine. You can check my library & the source’s.
& fam, please tell me you didn’t take that copy & paste comment as some sort of insult aimed at you…
@$yk
It’s all love & respect, juice. #salute
What I appreciate about this site is even when you robustly disagree and are passionate about your opinion, it’s always still love and intelligent debate. I can see and respect both of your input. Though I feel $yk’s lament, I know that these kids ain’t trying to hear nothing that motivates or encourages them to learn Truth, and those in power aren’t trying to do anything that ain’t fattening their pockets. Case-in-point: there’s a cat here named Dee-1 who spits HOT DYLAN. My dude actually taught high school & rhymed to get through to kids. But the kids here would rather embrace Boosie’s ol lying ass. There were some actually talking about they don’t fux w/Dee-1 b/c he ain’t talking bout “real shit” like Boosie is. Down here, they are mass-producing mass confusion, and these kids can’t tell the difference.
“Down here, they are mass-producing mass confusion, and these kids can’t tell the difference.”
thats everywhere bro and that statement is the absolute truth
any of y’all who at least have an idea of the type of person I am know I ain’t tryna to go @ Grands…just showing a different POV that isn’t seen on many sites…some food to spark the mental. But I do see some generalizations that need to be addressed…this rap thing started because we was fuked up in NYC, the late 70s-80s recession before Reaganomics started…this was our voice…we started a music genre that didn’t require a lot of musical talent (if you couldn’t sing or play an instrument but could write poetic justice, rap was for you). Fast forward to the “evolution”, we can’t even do what we originally did, which is utter fallacy. To let the young “do them”? That’s that willy bobo move right there. Them young are still taking orders from them OLD HEADS. Why let them learn & listen to them and yet turn the other cheek when they don’t listen to us!
The 1st thing the powers that be will do to get power is slander, take away any power that was created in order to implement control…even if it means to create friction between brothers to fight and then come in and provide a “solution” (east/west wars). Look at it now, rap ain’t selling, so the implementation of the “Caucasian Invasion (no racism)” has come about again. Say what you want about me, but the movement is recorded. What I’m typing is actual fact. The hood reporter is 1 step away from not having a forum at all. The voice is silenced for utter nonsense to be spewed.
The same way “hate” was implemented to take away the opinion, “entertainment” is used to quell the jewels that have been implanted.
Does anyone remember in the late 00′s when most of the OGs stepped back during the Soulja Boy/VIC/Young Joc/ Rocko days? Why do you think they came back to try again? To try and balance out the bullshit.
And trust I don’t believe the majority of comments out there because they come from interns/paid commenter’s/marketing strategies. The same things being done to Hip Hop are the same things done to MLK’s movement, Malcolm’s movement, The Black Panthers movement, the NOI movement. Slander them to take away any positivity they created in the minds of the people. Kill the leaders so you can gain more followers.
Am I wrong?
The love is me putting this out there…yes it is that serious.
Grands we fam yo…don’t forget that
That’s something we always been doing !! Sparking Conversations.
^All day.
Damn! The comments were off the hook this go ’round! Valid points all around… Grands done started something (positive) with this post. Should’ve checked this first before looking at that abomination in leapard print pic. Good shit everyone…
~now I feel like a fuckin cheerleader waving pom-poms. I ain’t bring shit to the game but smiled and clapped.
Lol!! Shoutout to Cap G!
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Short, clear and to the point. Fucking great.