At what point does the experience of a person who picked up rap late get considered credible enough for them to weigh in on their experience?
But for so many of these fans it turns into this contest of “I’m more rap than you.” Ok, congratulations here’s your merit badge. Now can we consider the topic at hand? Or write a substantive rebuttal about the legacy of nerds in rap to provide even more exegesis for those newbies who will inevitably be attracted to dive in thanks to an article like this?
Reflecting on acceptance, geekdom & a love of hip-hop (via artisntreal)
My humble attempt at trying to unpack people’s criticisms of a not-so-bad article (except badly misconstrued) about geeks taking mainstream takeover of hip-hop. The thing that drives me nuts — and part of why I don’t even touch it — about rap criticism is these people who feel this reflexive need to overcorrect the rap narrative, as if hip-hop remains this hallowed cultural burial ground that’s nearly above reproach.
It’s fine to disagree, I just think their criticism completely missed the point.
Brandy - I Wanna Be Down (Remix) (feat. Mc Lyte, YoYo & Queen Latifah) [1994]
Hello 1994. Dana Owens really went all the way in. Damn.
Be the materials, know your limits only to break your limits.
Are you listening? God dammit boy, pay attention!
Try it again. Little bit more juice this time.
Try it again. Yeah a little bit more elbow grease this time.
Try it again. Concentrate, a little more focus this time.
You can kick and scream and yell but damn I’m only tryin’ to help.
Yeah, this fit the mood too.
Blu - ’Til We Die
This just seemed to fit the mood this morning. Plus, this track is criminally underrated.
Heard it. Loved it.
Notorious B.I.G. - Going Back To Cali
Goodbye hinterland.
ta ku - 50 days for dilla
i meant to post this up on day 1, but somehow it’s day 3 already!
i’ve got a lot of love for ta ku’s productions and his work rate is phenomenal releasing so many great beat tapes this year, but this new endevour reaches new levels of dedication. he will be uploading a new beat every day to his soundcloud for a full 50 days, in celebration of that man j dilla.
check his progress below
I can’t say it’s often you’ll ever catch me listening to a beat tape, because I tend to like lyrics too much. But this damn thing is so good and a fitting tribute.
Mofeta & Jerre - Briljanter och smaragder (Live)
It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand it. It’s hot.
