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Who favorited?Guest Blog: Real Hip-Hop... What is it?
by on May 5th, 2009
Believe it or not, hip-hop roots have been dated back to as early as
1925. Earl Tucker aka Snake Hips invented a style of dancing that is
similar to today's hip-hop dance moves. Similar moves he did would later
inspire one element of hip-hop culture, break dancing. In 1950 the
Soundclash contest between Coxsone Dodd's "Downbeat" and Duke Reid's
"Trojan" started the DJ battling. DJ battling would soon morph
into MC battling. Fast forward a few years and before you know it you
have DJ Herc hired as a DJ at the Hevalo Club. About that same time DJ Grand
Wizard Theodore accidentally invents 'the scratch.'
Hip-hop at this point in time had nothing to do with lyrics. It was all about DJ's either battling or throwing a party on the block for people to dance, or both. (There was the graffiti around this time as well, another elements of the hip-hop culture).
It wasn't too long after the element of emceeing appeared. DJ's would find it too difficult to say things to keep the crowd into it while DJ battling. Which brings me to this... most people say they want old school hip-hop back when there was lyrical ability, and the lyrics meant something, etc. Well I got news for you, old school hip-hop is technically rhyming words such as "cat" with "hat." MC's would basically rap about simple things, for parties and for people to dance to while having a good time. Sounds eerily similar to what is criticized nowadays, doesn't it? Here's another little fun fact: hip-hop got its name from dancing. Rappers or emcees in this time never get brought up when people talk about new school hip-hop vs. old school hip-hop. I personally believe they are excluded because those ignorant fools (I'll elaborate more in a second) know it will ruin their entire argument.
By ignorant fools, I mean (this may become more clear when this is over) those people who believe what they say is right and if you disagree you are wrong. Like so and so is real hip-hop, but Soulja Boy is not. Etc. But they fail to realize, here's the entire point in this blog, REAL HIP-HOP IS A MATTER OF OPINION!!
I cannot stress enough at how many people do not understand that. I never knew that opinions/facts were so vastly complex; some people could not fully grasp and comprehend them. I believe some of these same people need to pay more attention in school and/or go back to school.
Every one has a personal preference and opinion when it comes to hip-hop. Some say Biggie was the greatest of all-time, some say 2Pac is. Some say Lil' Wayne is the best rapper alive; some like pliesgoat(and his other names) are infatuated with Plies. (But with him, he just makes idiotic statements doing so) But the fact is, whoever you believe is the greatest of all-time or best rapper alive is just your opinion. And you are not wrong, just like nobody else is wrong for their opinion. That goes the same for "real hip-hop".
If you chose to believe Rakim, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Tupac, Big L, etc. (some of my favorite rappers) are real hip-hop and Soulja Boy, Gucci Mane, Hurricane Chris, Weezy F. Baby, etc. are not. (I like all of them to a certain extent as well, I hate Weezy now though but that is a different story for a different time). That is all fine and dandy, but don't go around and say someone who believes Soulja Boy is real hip-hop is wrong and call them idiots. And then go as far as to say you don't know anything about hip-hop and you don't listen to real hip-hop. You are an ignorant cretin if you do this. This isn't 100% related, but to an extent it is.
Soulja Boy said on, I believe it was DJ Skee show, "That some people listen to a certain type of hip-hop which consider real hip-hop and that Soulja Boy doesn't fit that." He did not say he isn't real hip-hop, he said by their definition of real hip-hop, he is not that. But there is no set answer to what real hip-hop. Who comes up with what is real hip-hop and what isn't? YOU DO! Each person decides for themselves. This isn't some shit like "2+2 = 4". That is a set answer that you cannot argue. But hip-hop does not have that.
Nas said himself he likes some radio shit and club music, like Soulja Boy. But people who are real hip-hop ignorant fools like to, basically not acknowledge it. Some may even get upset with Nas for his opinion. I'd also like to add how it is funny that these ignorant fools consider KRS-One hip-hop, but never seem to acknowledge the fact KRS welcomed Soulja Boy to hip-hop. Some will even go as far as saying, "well what gives him the right to say what is hip-hop and what isn't." If you do not see the connection I have been trying to make this entire time and with that last part, slap yourself. None of this should have gone over any single person's head.
I hope after reading this some people will begin to open their minds and realize the difference between opinions and facts. You can truly see the world from a different place if you look at it with an open mind. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
P.S. Again to clarify, real hip-hop ignorant fools are people who don't understand opinions and facts. I'm not calling people who say Soulja Boy isn't real hip-hop but Rakim is ignorant fools. I'd also like to mention there are a growing number of people who do realize the difference, but there are still an ample amount of people who stay ignorant.
Hip-hop at this point in time had nothing to do with lyrics. It was all about DJ's either battling or throwing a party on the block for people to dance, or both. (There was the graffiti around this time as well, another elements of the hip-hop culture).
It wasn't too long after the element of emceeing appeared. DJ's would find it too difficult to say things to keep the crowd into it while DJ battling. Which brings me to this... most people say they want old school hip-hop back when there was lyrical ability, and the lyrics meant something, etc. Well I got news for you, old school hip-hop is technically rhyming words such as "cat" with "hat." MC's would basically rap about simple things, for parties and for people to dance to while having a good time. Sounds eerily similar to what is criticized nowadays, doesn't it? Here's another little fun fact: hip-hop got its name from dancing. Rappers or emcees in this time never get brought up when people talk about new school hip-hop vs. old school hip-hop. I personally believe they are excluded because those ignorant fools (I'll elaborate more in a second) know it will ruin their entire argument.
By ignorant fools, I mean (this may become more clear when this is over) those people who believe what they say is right and if you disagree you are wrong. Like so and so is real hip-hop, but Soulja Boy is not. Etc. But they fail to realize, here's the entire point in this blog, REAL HIP-HOP IS A MATTER OF OPINION!!
I cannot stress enough at how many people do not understand that. I never knew that opinions/facts were so vastly complex; some people could not fully grasp and comprehend them. I believe some of these same people need to pay more attention in school and/or go back to school.
Every one has a personal preference and opinion when it comes to hip-hop. Some say Biggie was the greatest of all-time, some say 2Pac is. Some say Lil' Wayne is the best rapper alive; some like pliesgoat(and his other names) are infatuated with Plies. (But with him, he just makes idiotic statements doing so) But the fact is, whoever you believe is the greatest of all-time or best rapper alive is just your opinion. And you are not wrong, just like nobody else is wrong for their opinion. That goes the same for "real hip-hop".
If you chose to believe Rakim, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Tupac, Big L, etc. (some of my favorite rappers) are real hip-hop and Soulja Boy, Gucci Mane, Hurricane Chris, Weezy F. Baby, etc. are not. (I like all of them to a certain extent as well, I hate Weezy now though but that is a different story for a different time). That is all fine and dandy, but don't go around and say someone who believes Soulja Boy is real hip-hop is wrong and call them idiots. And then go as far as to say you don't know anything about hip-hop and you don't listen to real hip-hop. You are an ignorant cretin if you do this. This isn't 100% related, but to an extent it is.
Soulja Boy said on, I believe it was DJ Skee show, "That some people listen to a certain type of hip-hop which consider real hip-hop and that Soulja Boy doesn't fit that." He did not say he isn't real hip-hop, he said by their definition of real hip-hop, he is not that. But there is no set answer to what real hip-hop. Who comes up with what is real hip-hop and what isn't? YOU DO! Each person decides for themselves. This isn't some shit like "2+2 = 4". That is a set answer that you cannot argue. But hip-hop does not have that.
Nas said himself he likes some radio shit and club music, like Soulja Boy. But people who are real hip-hop ignorant fools like to, basically not acknowledge it. Some may even get upset with Nas for his opinion. I'd also like to add how it is funny that these ignorant fools consider KRS-One hip-hop, but never seem to acknowledge the fact KRS welcomed Soulja Boy to hip-hop. Some will even go as far as saying, "well what gives him the right to say what is hip-hop and what isn't." If you do not see the connection I have been trying to make this entire time and with that last part, slap yourself. None of this should have gone over any single person's head.
I hope after reading this some people will begin to open their minds and realize the difference between opinions and facts. You can truly see the world from a different place if you look at it with an open mind. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
P.S. Again to clarify, real hip-hop ignorant fools are people who don't understand opinions and facts. I'm not calling people who say Soulja Boy isn't real hip-hop but Rakim is ignorant fools. I'd also like to mention there are a growing number of people who do realize the difference, but there are still an ample amount of people who stay ignorant.
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Shout Outz To Ma Nigga LayzeKidd..
Phenom!
I hate when people say real hip hop, I stressed this same point for a minute, but you know way more than I did, prop’s for writing this blog, and hopefully it’ll open some eyes.
It’s hard to say what’s hip hop and whats not……. Everybody has their fav rappers and their opinions so that’s that.
My question is…….. Why is hip hop/Rap the only genre of music that we have this debate about??? Rock bands don’t diss other bands like, “They’re not real rock n roll, or REAL Country……” and all that. It’s different types of rap that all different kinds of rap for different kinds of people like club bangers, conscience rap, “back pack” rap, etc…..
But most people don’t feel as though Soulja Boy isn’t hip-hop. Most people just think that nigga is garbage. And yes that is an opinion to an extent. You can prefer someone over another person in rap. But when you look at the full picture, there were boundaries that were set in terms of greatness. You can’t honestly sit there and say Soulja Boy is better than Tupac or Nas or Biggie or Scarface or Ice Cube etc…. I mean you can, but it would show your lack of hip hop knowledge. It’s like saying Joe Johnson is better than Jordan, Magic and Bird. Of course you can say that, but you’re going to come off ignorant in terms of NBA knowledge. You can say a pitbull can beat a tiger in a fight but again that wouldn’t be too knowledgeable. You feel what I’m saying? I’m not trying to come down on anybody but there are boundaries to everything in terms of comparison. That means you can’t just blurt out random shit without it being compared to something/someone that already did it before.
Basically anyone has the right to think or say what they want but an opinion is going to be held against standards that were set (facts). I have personally opinions too. I think DMX is top 3 all time but I don’t think most people would agree with that….There is nothing wrong with your personal opinion but based on comparison other people might think differently.
Who would have thought 15-20 years ago baggy jeans would be the style? your ignorance of anothers choice in clothing boggles my mind. Baggy Jeans didnt become popular until the 90s and it is a fad that has died with the rest of the fads. its a style, its not about following someone, if you put it like that, your a follower for wearing baggy jeans as well, cuz you sure as hell werent the first person to wear jeans like that. smh….
no hate here, but respect others OPINIONS in style, they see someone wearing something and they think its a good look (just like you with baggy jeans or any other style you wear) and want to wear what they like. its not rocket science, stop trying to make it hard.
Keep listening.
-doo the “doo”
Hip-Hop IS set trippin
PS that potato thing was on some MacGuyver shit
MAD PROPS!
Are you just saying that because of his subject matter being mostly about drugs because I think that the drug talk was the only different element he brought to jazz, and I know you might say his energy, but jazz was energetic music my friend.
Think about it, it was a time for African Americans to be revolutionary man. They were there for the civil rights movement, segregation. If I’m not mistaken they were a huge part to Harlem’s Civil Rights Movement.
Times have changed, how revolutionary can you be in 2009??? The world has changed, the youth has changed, it is well known that this generation is mainly influenced by money, that’s why you hear it so much.
In those times people, mainly African Americans, went to college to be able to prove the system wrong, advance in America, and earn a sense of pride, knowing that they made it.
What is the main reason we go to college in these times….we wanna make big money, case closed.
EMINEM be GOAT while NAS be GOD
Just outta curiousity.. Why do you always write Eminem is GOAT while Nas is God?
Just wondering…. And no I don’t have a problem with it. Just curious.
Anywas great blog, but someones opinion can be wrong.
You can’t tell me Birdman isn’t the worst rapper of all-time. Even though its my opinion, its 100percent statistically proven by the scientists at M.I.T that Birdman would be performing at elderly bingo nights in the outskirts of Greenbow, Alabama if it wasn’t for lil wayne.
good post tho
~aldos dead,im Don!
Excellent blog. That’s two blogs in two days that make perfect sense. Why does everyone keep claiming that these cats writing these blogs are old as fuck? Dude from yesterday was 19 and I’m sure dude who wrote this isn’t that much older. LayzeKid, do you mind posting the year you were born to shut up hakf of these cowards? You don’t have to be old to appreciate good hip hop.
You can be 12 and love good hip hop. I started listening to hip hop in 3rd grade and my first cd ever purchased was Cypress Hill “Temples of Boom”. Classic album…
Anyways, I was born in 1985 and love Big L and Rakim. They are in my top 5. And No, I’m not an old head.
People who keep mentioning Soulja Boy being tight are not intelligent. Let me guess, you kids were born in 95? Go to school, get an education, because that’s the problem with you young punks. You think being gangster and stupid is cool… But it’s not… Trust me!
And I read comments referring to the ignorant fool thing.
By ignorant fool I mean people who fail to recognize it’s all opinionated.
And as far as the Farmar/Kobe comparisons you can’t really use it to the full extent as you can in hip-hop.
It’s like this, you can say Kobe is better than James or even Kobe is better than M.J., that’s fine it is your opinion. But in basketball, they produce numbers/statistics to back up their play. (And for the Kobe/MJ comparison, you can’t really do because they played in different eras and you can’t compare eras)
The closest thing that we got to someone addressing the “system” is Plies. Before I get trashed by everybody who doesn’t listen to his album just hear me out.
Over his three albums dude talks about real struggles/issues on songs like:
100 Years
Bid Long (bonus track)
On My Dick
The Real Testament (Intro)
Worth Going Fed Fo
Somebody Loves You
Rich Folk
1 Day
Gotta Be
Family Straight
Co-defendant
All those songs are on one of his albums, and address real struggle. Something alotta rappers don’t get too deep into these days.
yes, everyone has different opinions, but what if your opinions are shit. Let me refer to basketball, like they do so much on this site, if i say Kobe Bryant (Jay Z) is the best player in the game, and some young kid comes to me with Jordan Farmar (Soujah Boy)and says he is the best player in the game, that is his opinion, should i respect that?? Or am i one of the ignorant fools you speak of for disagreeing? I get your point, we should all agree to disagree, cause everyones opinion is valid to them. But what kind of hip hop site would this be if we all agreed to disagree. It would go like this:
PliesGoatpt.2: Plies is better than Nas, i jack off to his album cover.
Marquis Sade: I respect that opinion little homie, me too.
Doo-Flinky: I killed more niggas in the hood than Aids.
BoSox: respect to that Doo-Flinky.
Yung Mayo: I’m the best rapper ever, even though BKnaptown kills me lyrically all the time.
SecondSon: You are the best rapper ever Mayo, i concur.
it would be a boring fuckin site, disagreements make this site. don’t everyone hear agree that Lil Wayne is the hottest rapper out? No you are ignorant fools than
I’m a little confused with what you wrote. First, I don’t understand why my name is mentioned. And second, it doesn’t even make sense. “BoSox: respect to that Doo-Flinky.” What does that even mean? If it means I have respect for who ever Doo Flinky is than I guess that would be a valid point? I don’t even know who Doo Flinky is so why wouldn’t I respect him? I respect everyone I don’t know, why wouldn’t I? I don’t know them. If you are not talking about that please feel free to elaborate more on the subject.
Your analogy about opinions is a little off wack. When people have opinions about sports they are most likely correct or at least reasonable. I don’t think it’s fair to say that anyone on this website would ever make such a stupid comment about Farmar being better than Kobe. I mean, I understand what you are saying but that isn’t a fair analogy. Can’t you compare something else like Kobe VS. Lebron? Manning VS. Brady? Shit.. Bob Sanders VS. Ed Reed VS. Polamalu?
by the way, Manning over Brady and Bob Sanders over both
Kobe vs. Duck Lacrosse: whos the better rapist
Ask Jay-Z to make an album like Soulja Boy’s…Full of dance songs and songs about nothing that get people hyped up, and I’ll bet he fails and no one buys it.
Ask Soulja to make an album like the Black Album, and he’ll fail as well.
My point, they’re both better than each other at making the type of music their known for making.
just bullshittin layzekidd, nice blog, good points.
but its KOBE! hahaha, no charges, and evrybody turned on her to make her look like a slew…plus, is he not still goin around city to city while makin millions of dollars? all the snow bunnies are prolly still throwin themselves at him, he prolly just got that dave chappelle contract now! sign on the dotted line before we knock boots! lol
Lol problem is he’s a loony.
1
EXAMPLE: Rakim is one of the best emcees ever (opinion). He had alot of radio play and support in the 80’s and early 90’s. (fact) Hes been considered a legend by nearly every respected hip hop journalist (fact). Many of his styles and rhymes are complex and are beyond simple wordplay (fact).
Now RAkim isnt my fave but you see how peoples opinions could be more valid when backed up with facts rather just someones opinion. So yes it is all a matter of opinion, but just because you have an opinion doesnt make it valid.
HAHAHA
“Sigh” you had some good ones in there but so unimagitive.
1st-If you look at the bottom right corner of my pic it says “knightlyfe”..that’s the photgrapher’s pin name for my promotion company. You can check it out on my profile.
2nd-lol nigga I live in Orlando. Aint nothin but spanish and white, especially on my campus.
3rd- I don’t care what anyone says, Kara is one bad ass white girl. Lol so u can suck my dick!
“Sigh” you had some good ones in there but so unimagitive.
1st-If you look at the bottom right corner of my pic it says “knightlyfe”..that’s the photgrapher’s pin name for my promotion company. You can check it out on my profile.
2nd-lol nigga I live in Orlando. Aint nothin but spanish and white, especially on my campus.
3rd- I don’t care what anyone says, Kara is one bad ass white girl. Lol so u can suck my dick!
CAN A NIGGA UNDER THIRTY WRITE A BLOG PLEASE
IF U WANT TO SEE A BLOG ON WHAT RAPPERS FUCK THE BADEST HOES
PROP ME
FUCK THIS BORING BULL SHIT
“Sigh” you had some good ones in there but so unimagitive.
1st-If you look at the bottom right corner of my pic it says “knightlyfe”..that’s the photgrapher’s pin name for my promotion company. You can check it out on my profile.
2nd-lol nigga I live in Orlando. Aint nothin but spanish and white, especially on my campus.
3rd- I don’t care what anyone says, Kara is one bad ass white girl. Lol so u can suck my dick!
4th- I dress clean always. That’s me. I’m comfortable and hoes luv it.
If ur ever out of that desolate burrough of yours and happen to be in the OC holla at me, that’s for anyone. It’s my job to drink and fuck bitches lol.
deuces
when its said what is real hip hop its not the tv or radio says what hip hop is. we dont have dj’s like we used to or brakedancer,gaffti artist that we as hip hop can look up to. what i missed is when rappers were the mc and later became the emcee a smooth opperater opperating correctly.
hip hop should only go forward and not backwards.IF emceez like krs-one and rakim changed the mic and brought us emceez like 2pac,biggie,big pun,big l,immortal technique,dead prez,ludacris,eminem,etc. The hood loves these guy for their lyricism.the sad thing is commiercal hip hop is controled by people who don’t know the culture.these people don’t like when rappers use lyricalism from new rappers cause they’re not sure if it would sell big.that is real talk of what is real hip hop.it’s bigger than what most people understand.like the guy who blog this he saw it from a smart way but he only saw it from small point of view.