With the release of Kanye West’s
“Yeezus”, J. Cole’s “Born Sinner”, and Mac Miller’s “Watching Movies with the
Sound off”, there is a changing in the guard in the Hip-Hop community. I am sure my parents remember when Hip-hop
first emerged with Curtis Blow’s “Breaks” and The Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s
Delight” but who knew that what started in The Bronx as an outlet for inner
city youth, would become such a vital part not only in American culture but
worldwide. These three albums represent
on a larger scale were Hip Hop is headed.
Being that Kanye West is closer to
40 than he is to 30, Kanye shows that you can still top charts and be relatable
to different generations and be…”old”.
To this extent, we now have Nas with his Grammy nominated “Life is Good”
and Jay-z’s “Magna Carta” which is rumored to have already gone platinum. These lyricists are proving that they can still
change the game even at their ages.
There are plenty of rappers who are the same age as them or even younger
who we never heard getting past their sophomore album. Kanye, Nas, and Jay all embody the true
essence of hip hop at it’s purest form growing up with the Tupacs, Biggies,
Public Enemy, Run DMC’s and many more but still add a piece of capability to be
able to resonate with a younger audience.
J. Cole’s album was utterly amazing
from start to finish. I have personally
listened to it about 5 times song for song.
I think this album is a frontrunner for the 2014 Grammys for Best
Hip-Hop Album. J. Cole as well as
Kendrick Lamar and others exude 90’s Hip-Hop with their storytelling and
construction of their songs. This
90’s/21st century hybrid gets you hype but makes you think analytically and
critically and since the American Education system cannot seem to speak to our
children especially our African-American males this type of Hip-Hop causes one
to broaden their horizons, use one’s brain and be flexible in mind and
body.
Mac Miller is also opening up a
lane for himself with his sophomore album. At first I did not know how to
receive Mac Miller. Was he another Riff
Raff? Another Asher Roth? Another
Eminem? However Mac Miller sets the
stage for himself. I personally like the
fact he is young and fun but still can spit and has BARS. Furthermore, Mac Miller releasing his album
on the same day as J. Cole and Kanye shows that he has some confidence.
Hip-Hop is reinventing itself….and
I’m proud to witness it.
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