Lately I have been thinking about the future of the culture and its influence on the lives of its listeners. We’re living in very weird times. The standards of Hip-Hop are being challenged not by the close minded politics we’re so used to but by the open minded children of the culture. New members of the mainstream such as Kendrick Lamar, Big Krit, Drake, Kid Cudi, Lil B, J. Cole, Odd Future, and Jay Electronica are busy at work destroying the columns that we have loved so. The fear that has been realized is actually understandable because we don’t know where we are heading on such a path. I however am not that worried because I believe that the new era will be the very opposite of our former era of gangsta glitz and will be one of greater enlightenment.
J. Cole is hailed as a savior of Hip-Hop right now. Some praise him because of over hyped tracks and just plain obsession while there are others who praise him for what he has established and continue to work towards. J. Cole does deserve some praise for his recent success with his debut album that sold more than 200K first week which will most likely help lead to a new direction for up and coming rappers to take. We’ll be saying bye-bye to the old ideas of promoting such as a changing one’s identity to a more mainstream friendly version. Also there will be more rappers with substance in the game who can actually do well in sales thanks to J. Cole’s accomplishments. He’s definitely not the best rapper of our time but he’s the front man for the next generation and that right there is a title that is worthy of boasting.
If Cole represents the spark most certainly Kendrick Lamar represents the revolution. He has been hailed as one of the next great lyricist and has even predicted his death in several songs. That sounds like legend status to me. With co-signs from the likes of Dr. Dre, The Game, Snoop Dog, RZA, and other fathers of the culture he already has gained some noise around him. J. Cole himself actually connects to Kendrick because he produced Hiii Power for his arguably classic album, Section .80. I’m expected this link and his association with him to lead to the rise of the artist formally known as K. Dot. Kendrick’s works can’t be placed in a box and have a deeper meaning behind them. That is enough for you to check him out right there since rappers are often very linear.
If we’re talking about non-linear rappers then we’re talking Odd Future and Lil B as well. Not only are they West Coast representatives, they also bring in ideas and movements that really questions the game. Lil B lacks a flow and is often putting out songs that are mostly boasting about looking like some famous figure but he also has many songs where he speaks like some type of sage. Odd Future is a collective of kids with their infamous de-facto leader Tyler the Creator challenging our beliefs with what many call insane thoughts, and showcasing his gang as some insane kids who have a lot to say. To keep it simple it’s never that simple with the Wolf Gang. At first glance it seems like the west just birthed a bunch of weirdoes, and outcasts but after studying them a bit longer I realized that they are needed to advance and live on so that we have a stronger culture. If anyone believes they aren’t you can look to America and see that revolution and radical ideas are essential to change.
We have been trying to go so hard for so long that we might need to see a doctor. All jokes aside, the rise of “emo” rap is here too. Well people call it “emo” rap but the truth is that it’s the next evolution for us. Kid Cudi and Drake are known for speaking openly about their emotions and have been clowned on doing such so many times it’s not even funny. They represent the real people of the world because let’s face it not everyone is a gangsta and can take everything life throws at them like one. We need something we can relate too and these rappers are giving us exactly that. Drake is actually making more rappers talk about their emotions because he’s their idol and the same can go with Cudi just on a smaller scale. In a few years those tough guys on the forums and websites will just look plain silly calling Drizzy a soft rapper.
The changing tides won’t only affect the east coast and west coast but the south as well. We’ve been known for our weak lyrics, and club themed tracks but a few are proving that we’re not all snap and clap. Jay Electronica, Yelawolf, and Big Krit are just some notable names. Jay Elect is actually praised like a God for his music and wisdom. Big Krit’s production and style is very soothing and he also holds his weight with lyrics that always hold some substance or cleverness to them. Yelawolf is able to run the Slaughterhouse Pack and Eminem, enough said . They all also have something that’s been missing in the mainstream world, the art of storytelling. They’re all breaking the ice but this is definitely not the last we have heard from them. Their influence is also going to be prominent because I guarantee the future rappers from the south will share some likeness.
These are just some of the rappers that are possibly leading the future. I’m sure many people probably believe that the future won’t be like this but this is just my prediction. In fact I want those same people to put on rookies who messages and sound that they like instead of relying on someone behind a computer screen. Fans are the ones who truly hold the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment