"A dope MC is a dope MC with or without a record deal all can see" Krs-one.
You've seen and heard it before a legendary rapper Is asked what they think of modern-day hip-hop and where it's headed. Most if not all say they like the direction it's headed and think that hip-hop has evolved. For hip-hop purist this answer always seems to leave a sour taste in their mouths. Is the answer political? Does it have to do with the rapper encouraging those after Them? Or are they trying to stay in popular rappers good graces so that they might have one more track, one more cameo...well, one more payday? Whatever the real reason, students of hip-hop are not buying it. Why?
A look back to the early era of hip-hop
all the way through the 80's and 90's,
The mindset of the hip-hop pioneers, seems to give a crystal clear answer.
The culture, the music was different. Being an MC Was something Clearly defined. It was also something That you had to constantly defend and prove to be.
If I could sum it up in one Sentence, or even one word this would be it, Lyrics.
You had to have talent, you had to have skill. There was almost no way around this.
An MC was constantly being judged, not by their outward appearance, not by who they were dating, not by going to fashion shows or what they were wearing. No, an MC was judged by lyrical content. Who had the dopest metaphors, similes,etc. all the other stuff came in dead last.
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Turn on your radio listen to modern-day hip-hop, the music getting nonstop airplay. Hip-hop has evolved, but into what? The term MC is not used as often as it used to be And to a degree That is probably best. This generations rappers are more flash than substance. If I could sum it up in one sentence or even one word it would be Flow. Hip-hop fans have discarded the need to listen to the words of any song as long as the beat is dope and the flow is tight. Although flow has always been important to a lyricist it is the content within that flow that determined your success. Slang as well has always been a part of hip-hop But many rappers nowadays Will just make up a word To keep the flow going. The keen listener will note that some Lyrics are just well... idiotic. Here is an Example.
“Where All my dogs at…Randy/ Get off my dick, bitch…Andy…Go against me nowwwwwwww, I dare you…Bambi” Nikki Minaj
A few years back Common was being interviewed by sway and was asked about his "Beef" with Drake and who would win in a battle. If you know the History of Hip Hop, Common could've at that point Bitched slapped sway and not many people would blame him. In what Universe does a Legendary Rapper get asked about a Modern day Hip POP rapper beating him in a Battle?? Sway of course points to Drakes albums sales and what he has done in the Mixtape game. The question is, What is Drake going to do? Throw his checkbook at him??? This is a Battle we are talking about. We are talking about Lyrics! Not Bank accounts! In the world of Battling not alot of Popular Rappers could even pass a first round against guys that quite frankly most people don't even know about.
Is this something that the New generation has a grasp on? Or does it sound like the Ramblings of an Old man? Does it even matter anymore?
Let us know! We'd Love to hear opinions from Different generations of Hip Hop!!
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