Frusturation.
Over the last few years hip-hop fans, in particular the heads from N.Y. have seen an ever-more decreasing amount of "east-coast" branded emcee's with something to say dropping records. Or to put it simple, emcee's/rapper's whom are just tight!. So as I tried to point my finger on the reason as to why this is happening I found myself going back some years making comparisons and such.
Back in the golden era which some would say is in between 1988 to 1995, alot of the New York born/bred rapper's were dropping gems right, left and center. Most were on major labels and everytime something fly came out, we knew about it be it from other forms of sources outside of the internet. The Source, the radio, the corner bootlegger etc..
I think it's common knowledge these days that major labels only want sugar-coated rapper's who don't really go beyond the "shoot-em-up" tales and "fuck-the-world" attitude. Throw in a couple of lovey-dovey songs and club songs and bingo!. Instant post '98 rap star. From the rise (and downfall) of Ja Rule to the power-hunger 50 Cent to the next dude who's "o.k." but not original when rhymes and reason are concerned. It's the same ol' same ol'.
So what am I babbling on about now? Well for example, in 1994 talent made you who you are. Nas to Biggie.. same story in 1995/1996 but talent had transformed more into what you had to say Jigga to AZ.. But now in 2005 no one is saying anything and the talent is starving. If say talent or a story got you a deal back in the day like Nas, Biggie, DMX, AZ, OC and other N.Y.C. emcee's did then how is hip-hop going to further more evolve these days?
It's this reason, the labels not caring anymore for that story or that talent why Papoose hasn't dropped. Saigon hasn't dropped. Ali Vegas in no where in sight. Without the same old cliché cats like Cassidy and Lloyd Banks would also be in the same boat as the previous mentioned. I mention these emcee's because like it or not, they are the future (in the meantime anyways) of New York's scene. Each is quite different from the next, even though most are branded as just a mixtape/punchline rapper.. I don't believe that, I think they have something to say and by what Ive heard from each, they all have talent. Don't agree? It's cool.
These young dude's have the potential to say be the next Nas (Saigon), Biggie (Papoose), Jigga (Banks) and so on. But without our intervention to start supporting them more these labels won't give a damn about their story and their talent. So we'll hear instead a half-assed debut with sugar coated clichés, same old tired references and their follow up's won't be any better. The result? (fill in name) R&B Rapper Version. 20 or Version 30. etc.
A rapper doesn't have to sell 1 mill plus to be considered a star in hip-hop in my view, the talent is what gives them that status. That's how I'll always see it. If say 350, 000 fans cop Papoose's debut or Saigon's debut in overall amounts then the labels will be like :damn WHA?!.. They never heard of these dude's and for them to see a no-name (in their eyes) get that much attention on a constant basis then I believe in time shit will change.
After a couple then next big name blowing won't be R&B Rapper Version. 20 but instead a new cat with mad talent and a real story to back it.
Fans will always be the key to hip-hop's future... 'til we realize that then we'll keep getting hit by the same old same old everytime.
Opinions, comments etc..
peace.
Over the last few years hip-hop fans, in particular the heads from N.Y. have seen an ever-more decreasing amount of "east-coast" branded emcee's with something to say dropping records. Or to put it simple, emcee's/rapper's whom are just tight!. So as I tried to point my finger on the reason as to why this is happening I found myself going back some years making comparisons and such.
Back in the golden era which some would say is in between 1988 to 1995, alot of the New York born/bred rapper's were dropping gems right, left and center. Most were on major labels and everytime something fly came out, we knew about it be it from other forms of sources outside of the internet. The Source, the radio, the corner bootlegger etc..
I think it's common knowledge these days that major labels only want sugar-coated rapper's who don't really go beyond the "shoot-em-up" tales and "fuck-the-world" attitude. Throw in a couple of lovey-dovey songs and club songs and bingo!. Instant post '98 rap star. From the rise (and downfall) of Ja Rule to the power-hunger 50 Cent to the next dude who's "o.k." but not original when rhymes and reason are concerned. It's the same ol' same ol'.
So what am I babbling on about now? Well for example, in 1994 talent made you who you are. Nas to Biggie.. same story in 1995/1996 but talent had transformed more into what you had to say Jigga to AZ.. But now in 2005 no one is saying anything and the talent is starving. If say talent or a story got you a deal back in the day like Nas, Biggie, DMX, AZ, OC and other N.Y.C. emcee's did then how is hip-hop going to further more evolve these days?
It's this reason, the labels not caring anymore for that story or that talent why Papoose hasn't dropped. Saigon hasn't dropped. Ali Vegas in no where in sight. Without the same old cliché cats like Cassidy and Lloyd Banks would also be in the same boat as the previous mentioned. I mention these emcee's because like it or not, they are the future (in the meantime anyways) of New York's scene. Each is quite different from the next, even though most are branded as just a mixtape/punchline rapper.. I don't believe that, I think they have something to say and by what Ive heard from each, they all have talent. Don't agree? It's cool.
These young dude's have the potential to say be the next Nas (Saigon), Biggie (Papoose), Jigga (Banks) and so on. But without our intervention to start supporting them more these labels won't give a damn about their story and their talent. So we'll hear instead a half-assed debut with sugar coated clichés, same old tired references and their follow up's won't be any better. The result? (fill in name) R&B Rapper Version. 20 or Version 30. etc.
A rapper doesn't have to sell 1 mill plus to be considered a star in hip-hop in my view, the talent is what gives them that status. That's how I'll always see it. If say 350, 000 fans cop Papoose's debut or Saigon's debut in overall amounts then the labels will be like :damn WHA?!.. They never heard of these dude's and for them to see a no-name (in their eyes) get that much attention on a constant basis then I believe in time shit will change.
After a couple then next big name blowing won't be R&B Rapper Version. 20 but instead a new cat with mad talent and a real story to back it.
Fans will always be the key to hip-hop's future... 'til we realize that then we'll keep getting hit by the same old same old everytime.
Opinions, comments etc..
peace.
