Hip hop has long been lampooned for being homophobic, and with even venerable groups like Tribe showing off some less-than-stellar judgment on the matter, it’s understandable why the genre as a whole has a bad rap.
But this new phrase seems to be even more over the top than the ridiculous nonsense that Eminem throws out.
Basically, more and more frequently now, rappers (I should note that it’s primarily commercial rappers who are doing this) drop some ridiculous phrase then toss out a “no homo” at the end. This Current TV segment does a good job of highlighting the absurdity of the whole meme.
Personally, I can’t understand why hip hop would want to let something like this go. In mind, a genre that has long been a bastion for disaffected people, or those who feel like they are being discriminated against, would want to inflict that same thing on anyone else. Maybe it’s some whole “cycle of violence” thing the same way that abusers are affected. Who knows?
The problem is that it’s gaining so much credence that even big name rappers like Kanye are using it. It’s one thing when little raw battle dogs like Cam’Ron drop some hyperbolic ish, but when someone who actually gets radio airplay is doing it, that’s another.
Hopefully this is a just one of those fads that disappears, like dropping it like it’s hot.
Back on October 12, the BBC and others decided that it was Hip Hop’s 30th anniversary. It’s a bit of an arbitrary day, I’d say, but at least it’s drawing attention to a neglected art form.
If you , the BBC has a pretty interesting short video with a guy who was present on the day hip hop was ‘born’. An amateur photographer, he captured some of the most iconic photographs of the movement I’ve ever seen. has put his work up online as well so you can see some of these amazing images and wax a little nostalgic.
So, hip hop, happy belated birthday. You’re a spry young person, and have many years ahead of you. I still maintain that rumours of your death are greatly exaggerated.
This is shaping up to be some sort of oddly riveting film about record collectors. It really doesn’t glamorize the habit, but really gives you a good idea of the people behind this.
Not every record collector is some dope ass DJ in fly gear, digging through crates to find a decent sample. In fact, the vast majority are amateurs. But there’s also the forgotten class of perfectionists, bordering on OCD, who search forever for mint condition albums. There are also those who search for the rare albums just because they’re rare. The one-time pressings, the original album for some obscure promotion.
These Vinyl Junkies can’t help themselves. It’s a compulsion that they can’t ignore.
After a little googling, I found this. Not sure if it’s legit or not, so if it’s not please let me know and I will remove the embed.
Now I don’t want to start a vicious rumour or anything, but there’s a very real possibility that Jay-Z has officially fallen off. It’s not his fault, he is a legend and a dope emcee, but he’s also made songs so commercial that even Miley Cyrus knows who he is and drops his name in a song.
It just gives me shivers talking about this, but it’s true. Listen to the first verse of Party in the USA and you will know what I mean. She talks about how hearing “a Jay-Z song” makes her nervousness go away and makes her get all down and dancing.
If you make it that far, she later says that about Britney Spears too.
Lyrics for this verse below:
I hopped off the plane at LAX With a dream and my cardigan Welcome to the land of fame excess Am i gonna fit in Jumped in a cab Here I am for the first time Looked to my right And I see the Hollywood signs This is all so crazy everybody seems so famous My tummy’s turnin’ and I’m feeling kinda homesick Too much pressure and I’m nervous Was when the taximan turned on the radio and a Jay-Z song was on x3
[Chorus:] So I put my hands up they’re playing my song The butterflies fly away Nodding my head like yea Moving my hips like yea Got my hands up they’re playing my song They know I’m gonna be okay Yeah, it’s a party in the USA x2
Rhyme Spitters is a sick documentary series chronicling dope freestylers from all over the place. I’ve got all four of them for you listed below, so check ‘em out if you’ve got some time when you’re bored. The best part? It’s free and streamable online.
That’s a lie, the best part of Rhyme Spitters 3 has to be “You get booed worse than R. Kelly standing in front of a pre school.” Cold.
No, this is not just a creepy title for a post. I’m talking about the video that the Grouch made this past year for a sick and anti-consumer track called Mom and Pop Killer.
The premise for the video is quite simple in its purpose and is very much meant to scare you. It’s hyperbolic, talking about how rampant consumerism and the growth of the mega corporation is killing off small businesses and harming the people behind them.
I was just talking about this same idea the other day, that when you look at a small business that’s closed for good, that this was likely someone’s dream and their life savings. This was someone’s life that is now over.
It’s a lot to think about, and obviously many don’t agree with the premise. Especially those who feel like the shops that close simply weren’t making the cut, and that the market only rewards the successful stops. But enough of waxing economic on you, check out the video below.
For all you Canadian readers (and hopefully even those of you outside of Canada) CBC Radio 2 is running a contest called the “Great Canadian Song Quest.”
You for the contest. It lets you select each province and look at a few select artists (including checking out a short sample by each one). If you can’t see that, or you get annoyed by the Flash stuff, you can check out the .
For you hip hop heads out there, both Shad and Dragon Fli Empire are featured in this contest. Shad is obviously under Ontario, and Dragon Fli is out in Alberta. If you go province by province, you’ll see some pretty awesome acts no matter what you’re musical taste is.
Maura Johnston, famous from writing for , has given a little radio interview to NPR talking about some upcoming acts.
Frankly, I don’t really agree with some of her choices but she does make some good points She pumps up Jay-Z’s release, and the new Raekwon album, and has some time for a couple of smaller releases.
Stream the Best of Fall Hip Hop here.
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