Storytellers, Battle rappers, Message rappers and Pop rappers
November 28, 2008 by Opinion
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So the Retro Kidz are rocking tonight with Slick Rick. We all know how great Slick Rick is. Perhaps the greatest storyteller our culture has ever produced. See I think comparing Slick Rick to say a Jay Z is like comparing Shaq to The Big ‘O’ (Oscar Robertson, google it young’uns). Not only are they from two different eras but they play different positions. The Big O was a guard who was the only NBA player who averaged a triple double for a whole season. The Shaq Diesel is perhaps the biggest most athletic big man ever to play the game.
You can’t compare them because as a guard you touch the ball more. You have the ability to create your own shot much easier than a center. A center for the most part must be fed the ball and his/her success depends more on the supporting cast.
I say this to say there are different positions as far as MC’s in Hp-Hop.
Storytellers or narrative rappers such as Nas, Slick Rick or Ghostface.
Battle rappers like LL Cool J, Chino XL, Big Daddy Kane.
Message rappers like Talib Kweli, KRS ONE, Public Enemy.
Entertainment rappers like Jay Z, Ludacris, Kanye.
Storytelling rappers can paint a whole narrative complete with dramatic arcs, protagonists, antagonists, climaxes and nadirs. Think ‘Children’s Story’ or Wu Tang (Ghost) on ‘Impossible.’
Battle rappers’ work is centered around chest pumping, braggadocios content. Although they may be like LL and have actually battled and built their career on destroying people’s career (Moe Dee, Canibus) most battle rappers are battling an opponent in absentia. Swagger rappers are a merger of Battle and Entertainment (see below) rappers.
Message rappers should not be confused with conscious rappers (which are actually a sub category). These artists are focused on teaching a lesson. That lesson can be positive or negative. Trap Stars like Jeezy are essentially message rappers with a not so positive message. A Talib Kweli or Common are message rappers with a focus on a community building message.
Entertainment or Pop rapper can be any combination of the previous categories. Their music has 1) pop appeal and 2) punctuated by catchy couplets. These verses are often long chains with non sequitirs (elements of storytellers think “Through The Wire”). Boastful like a battle rapper. And in the model of Jay Z they often claim to “never have wings on,” they “get their by any means on.”
This was supposed to be about the Retro Kidz but I got on a roll. Hope you like it. I came up with this theory on the way down to Thanksgiving Dinner.
Trivia – Win tix to see Jean Grae
Shwayze? For real? Nah, seriously?
November 26, 2008 by Opinion
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Someone sent this to the Bodega yesterday. This is a joke right?
Nike Sport Music and Malibu beach-rap phenomenon Shwayze join forces to release the Beach Body by Shwayze Workout, a 20-minute exercise program coached by band members Shwayze and Cisco Adler. The workout is a fresh approach to getting fit, with real calorie-burning, muscle-toning exercises described in Shwazye's fun-loving style, over music from group's infectious self-titled debut. Featuring the sun-soaked singles "Buzzin,'" "Corona and Lime" and "Lazy Days," the Beach Body by Shwayze Workout is an extension of the "summertime in a bottle" vibe Shwayze is known for, raising the temperature no matter where listeners are or what time of year it is. Shwayze says it best at the beginning of the workout: "Malibu's a state of mind and you don't have to live on the beach to want a body that looks good when things get hot!"I mean that Shwayze thing was not real was it? I thought that was a faux reality MTV show like The Hills or like the even sillier one on BET. I mean this copy has to be a joke “Shwayze is known for, raising the temperature no matter where listeners are or what time of year it is.” People don’t really write like that do they? I am not trying to dis the dudes. I thought the song was pretty catchy actually. And I liked the episode where dude had to get back to Cali for a court date after some Super Bowl shows. I never did understand what role the grimy looking DJ played. Anyway, I hope this Nike thing is a joke because whatever credibility Shwayze had will melt away like butter on a hot dinner roll after this. Warning to up and coming rappers: Don’t take every deal that comes across the table even if Nike is on the other side.
Trivia Q&A
Replicant Rap
November 21, 2008 by Opinion
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I have a new word to add to the lexicon. I already coined (sort of) Swagger Hop. Now I give you Replicant Rap - The evolution of the term ringtone rap.
Replicant Rap – defined as Hip-Hop music designed to serve a specific (usually simple) purpose over a short period of time. Also used for music and artists designed to capitalize on fast moving trends. Replicant rappers are disposable by nature. One marginal hit is all that is expected. These rappers are not expected to produce a robust catalog with far reaching earning potential. Many do not record a full album. The one song delivers the anticipated return via ringtone, digital sales or the amorphous internet buzz.
Opposite: tent pole
The word is taken from Ridley Scott’s 1982 classic film, Blade Runner.
From wikipedia: The film depicts a dystopian Los Angeles in November 2019 in which genetically manufactured beings called replicants – visually indistinguishable from adult humans – are used for dangerous and degrading work… Replicants have a four-year lifespan as a failsafe to prevent them from developing emotions and desire for independence.
The film centers around Harrison Ford as a Blade Runner, essentially a police officer specializing in tracking and killing rogue replicants who have exceeded their life spans.
The words ‘Where Are They Now’ are often used in conjunction with Replicant rappers.
Examples: MIMS, Bonecrusher, Pop The Brown Hornet, Slimm Calhoun, Lil Eazy E, The Pack, Kid Sister, Oaktown 357, Junior Mafia, Twinz, Yaggfu Front.
Note: Replicant Rappers are not all devoid of talent. Many actually are extremely talented. But just as the fictional replicants from Blade Runner they are not built to last. Many are similar to Rutger Hauer’s character in Blade Runner in that they resent their temporary role and life span. Some respond to the reality of their short life violently and lash out against their creators and ultimately refuse to die.
Some are like Harrison Ford or Sean Young’s character and are so well designed that they do not know they are replicants themselves. Their ignorance is so grand that their rhetoric and actions can be as violent as a blade runner. Never realizing they are hastening their own demise.
The classic example of this was Craig Mack. Mack burst on the scene railing against flash in the pan rappers with ‘Flava In Ya Ear.” Little did he know he was one of them.
Now some rappers we may think are replicants but are actually quite human.
Example: Consequence. When “Day Job” came out people predicted the demise of the Cons. The best he could do was Kanye’s ghostwriter. Fast forward to now and Cons is still here. Not quite the star yet but a replicant he is clearly not.
The blogosphere is full of blade runners like Byron Crawford who are more than happy to terminate a suspected replicant rapper on sight.
More on this later. I like this idea…
Alert: Blade Runner reference. “A”. and Jimmy Jones
So after what seems like a sabbatical or something it looks like Jim Jones is making a comeback. He’s on the cover of Complex (or is it Fader?). He’s on the ‘Pop Champagne’ song and the remix of some Ace Hood song. (Side Note: Ace Hood is a great name, however the kid seems to be destined for a short life like a replicant being hunted by Harrison Ford. Note to Ace: Don’t spend it all in one place and wind up like one of those D-Dame Dash dudes. Remember what KRS said ‘think about when you’re outta here.’)
I was never a Jim Jones fan by any stretch of the imagination. I do believe he deserves his piece of the Swagger Rapper pie. A point where Jimmy and I vociferously agree. What I do like that along with the return of Jimmy comes more appearance by Juelz Santana. That I am not mad it.
It does beg the question where is Cameron Giles? Looks like Dipset did not disband as much as reorganize under new leadership.
Annyhoo, ignorant rap will never die. They like roaches they just multiply.
Alert: Blade Runner reference. “A”. and Jimmy Jones
November 20, 2008 by Opinion
Filed under Uncategorized
So after what seems like a sabbatical or something it looks like Jim Jones is making a comeback. He’s on the cover of Complex (or is it Fader?). He’s on the ‘Pop Champagne’ song and the remix of some Ace Hood song. (Side Note: Ace Hood is a great name, however the kid seems to be destined for a short life like a replicant being hunted by Harrison Ford. Note to Ace: Don’t spend it all in one place and wind up like one of those D-Dame Dash dudes. Remember what KRS said ‘think about when you’re outta here.’)
I was never a Jim Jones fan by any stretch of the imagination. I do believe he deserves his piece of the Swagger Rapper pie. A point where Jimmy and I vociferously agree. What I do like that along with the return of Jimmy comes more appearance by Juelz Santana. That I am not mad it.
It does beg the question where is Cameron Giles? Looks like Dipset did not disband as much as reorganize under new leadership.
Annyhoo, ignorant rap will never die. They like roaches they just multiply.
Big Daddy Kane
Guest blogs #1
November 18, 2008 by Eric
Filed under Uncategorized
S.C. Report #1
November 18, 2008 by Eric
Filed under Uncategorized
