Comments on: SXSW Day 3: On Rap’s “Little Emperor” Phase and Showing and Proving

By: hiphopincarnate

hiphopincarnate — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:55:12 +0000

hey man you should be punched in the mouth for talking shit implying Blu isn’t lyrical the guy’s a lyrical assassin…get that soul amazing 2, her favorite color, fuck it just use your ears dumbass because you sound like a man with a small penis. just sayin. Blu. Nuff said.

By: Disco Vietnam

Disco Vietnam — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 23:18:31 +0000

I think a big problem is that a lot of what makes hip-hop production unique is that it’s often completely synthetic and can’t be accurately approximated with live instrumentation. Even when a group like The Roots interprets a Primo beat, that shit just does not swing properly because what makes it special is its use of decay and the spaces between the attacks. As a result, live bands compensate by being louder, incorporating more distorted guitars, more cymbal crashes. The result unfortunately is Korn/Limp Bizkit bullshit. Is that the rapper’s fault? Not really. It’s barely the band’s.

By: Scott T. Sterling

Scott T. Sterling — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:23:53 +0000

@Alex: I think it’s safer to say that these insipid rappers in no way represent the “average” black person. They just gravitate towards the most popular rock band in the room at the time and move towards it (see Jay-Z + Linkin Park) in the same way that those asshat bands trip over themselves to hook up with the biggest rapper they can.

I too look forward to Sir Weiss speaking on this subject.

By: goathair

goathair — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:53:06 +0000

You didn’t mention it, so I’m just assuming that B.o.B. danced on one leg quite a bit. It’s THE go-to move for rappers gone rock (see Wayne, Lupe, Kanye, and Pharrell).

I also think it’s necessary to point out that rappers also love Coldplay and John Mayer, something I’m sure Jeff will elaborate on tomorrow.

By: Tauwan

Tauwan — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:24:18 +0000

I’m with you Alex. I mean I know Limp/P.O.D./Korn/etc. had a nice amount of time in the spotlight, but they shouldn’t be the end all be all when it comes to influences for a rapper’s foray into rock, expecially when said forays wind up sounding like B-Sides from the last few Kid Rock albums.

(And don’t even get me started on the Linkin Park + Rapper phenomenon we had to experience a few years back. -Snorts- “Linkin Park”…You know they are just itching for Lil Wayne to hit up their cell phones, asking for a collaboration. Like ready, willing, and able. haha.)

By: Passion of the Weiss

Passion of the Weiss — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:05:27 +0000

This is actually a big part of tomorrow’s post. Think you’ll like it.

By: Alex Ludovico

Alex Ludovico — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:25:21 +0000

Also, why does your average black person think rock music begins and ends with fucking Korn/Limp Bizkit?
Its fucking embarassing to think that people look at me and assume this is all I know about rock.
Whenever rappers “go rock” I vomit a little bit.
Its fucking disgusting.
Sorry, had to vent.

By: Passion of the Weiss

Passion of the Weiss — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 05:22:10 +0000

@ Tray: I’m not sure whether you’re not reading closely, or just want to make my arguments sound reductive. But it’s pretty clearly stated that a lack of groups (and outside in-studio collaboration), crews of yes-man cronies, AND 18 track albums with 15 producers, are all contributing factors. As is quality control–when Mickey Factz or Charles Hamilton release 1,000 songs a year, it vitiates both their value and brand.

Lil Wayne can do it because he’s Lil Wayne. Its also what makes his music frustratingly disposable. Who should be Lil Wayne’s mentor? I believe the label was called Cash Money. I believe the man was named Mannie Fresh. Or Baby. Or Juvenile, etc.

@ Joey: Thanks. I don’t believe that anyone can justifiably argue that rap is at a creative zenith. I can’t imagine being a 14-year old Lil Wayne stan, the way we were with Wu. Conversely, I don’t think it’s as dire as some make it out to be. I suppose like most Americans, it just needs to re-evaluate its values.

By: Joey

Joey — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:04:44 +0000

Some great thinking and writing here, Jeff. Nice job; really feeling this post.

Mickey Factz, Asher Roth, Charles Hamilton–all of them are boring or lame or some combination. You did a nice job articulating a lot of the factors that lead to this. I can’t tell if I am overly curmudgeonly or if rap is just worse than it was when that canonical shit to which you made reference was in heavy rotation. I tend to go with the latter, though I recognize that I am also a hater. But this was all well said.

By: Deen

Deen — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 02:57:37 +0000

Wayne would be an ideal candidate for a 13 track Timbaland album. There are just enough space pockets in Timbaland beats for Wayne’s gibberish to fit like a glove. Hell, I might buy that album.