Gangstas Make The World Go 'Round

Apparently….

We can't ALL be gangstas.... can we?

So I’m on the blog run and checking out all of this new music that’s out there. Upon making my visit to HipHopDX.com I start reading the comments. Apparently, Hip-Hop is no longer about who’s more witty, technical, charismatic or talented. It’s about who’s more believable. Now, while I do contend that a lot of the essence of Hip-Hop revolves around convincing the listener of how (insert hip-hoppy adjective here) you are, I do NOT contend that the ability to trick you into participating in your own belief’s suspension is reached through a singular path. In other words, just because an emcee threatens you with a big ass gun, on a record, that don’t make em dope!!

I know that there’s lots of music out there and an even larger selection of blogs/sites where you can listen to these selections, but as I read the comments it becomes clear that the technical merits of rhyming are completely lost on a large selection of listeners out there. I saw people like Gucci, Baby and Nicki Minaj get props for being openly ignorant while artist like Em, Tanya Morgan and even Lil Wayne (the new untouchable artist… huh?) saw criticism for using pattern changes, vocal changes and double entendras. This just makes me sad. Maybe because I personally understand that 100% of the artists out there are just giving you a slice of the real. Never the entire story. It’s just not possible to do so.

I suppose I’m just having a disillusionment moment. I (and every artist I know) pride myself on putting words together in a unique and heartfelt manner. It just burns to know that the majority of the people out there are completely uninterested in being dazzled/impressed/awed by an artist anymore. It feels like they just want you to dumb down everything so that they no longer have to do any extra thinking. I just don’t get it. I remember listening to “Only Built 4 Cuban Links” over and over trying to figure out the metaphors and similes they were using. Hell, I still don’t know wtf Rae meant by “lobster heads”. If somebody got that one, bless me, please.

I guess all I can do is hope there is still a group of people that actually do listen and want to be dazzled by wordplay and imagination. People that ACTIVELY participate as listeners. Otherwise Imma have to go back to professional wrestling and that would suck.

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~Chito