no disrespect to anyone on this subject because it's something i like to build on, think about and talk about just like anyone else, but i think the idea that hip-hop was ever exclusively an enlightened medium of reporting what's going on from a social standpoint in the hood is an illusion. it's people romanticizing the genre to suit a narrative they'd like to believe. the perfect shining example of this is in a golden age hip-hop context is that eric b and rakim made sure they were paid in full and rocked gucci on a level rick ross wouldn't even fuck with. haha.
it's a duality that black music has always had — even louis armstrong had his box back coat and his stetson cap and a twenty dollar gold piece on his watch chain. the culture has always been about being fly AND about being on top of what's happening in the neighborhood good and bad. i personally don't think there's a problem with this. and there were/are people who are familiar with the other side of the jazz game that think louis was a bitch compared to the bebop dudes.
as far as the bay, and its extended regions (i consider sac, seattle and KC) — the dopest shit coming out of these regions is some gangster rap that will never blow in any appreciable commercial way. if HD or mozzy had what it took to blow on a commercial level their music wouldn't be as good as it is now. it's a chicken and egg thing imo — they made their little buzz and carved out what they have now by making music that is diametrically opposed to commercial viability. so when they try to switch up and make something you can tell they're going for mass appeal, it always sounds a little off brand and that they're outside their lane.
it's a duality that black music has always had — even louis armstrong had his box back coat and his stetson cap and a twenty dollar gold piece on his watch chain. the culture has always been about being fly AND about being on top of what's happening in the neighborhood good and bad. i personally don't think there's a problem with this. and there were/are people who are familiar with the other side of the jazz game that think louis was a bitch compared to the bebop dudes.
as far as the bay, and its extended regions (i consider sac, seattle and KC) — the dopest shit coming out of these regions is some gangster rap that will never blow in any appreciable commercial way. if HD or mozzy had what it took to blow on a commercial level their music wouldn't be as good as it is now. it's a chicken and egg thing imo — they made their little buzz and carved out what they have now by making music that is diametrically opposed to commercial viability. so when they try to switch up and make something you can tell they're going for mass appeal, it always sounds a little off brand and that they're outside their lane.
Props:
GTS and GTS
