Extremism in Hip-Hop (Part 2)

Indie rap gets overhyped, but I also think it's a natural and totally understandable reactionary response to how overcommercialized corporate rap has become. As I said in my latest commentary on Suite101 (based on a post I wrote here), hip-hop has become so reactionary that people are either 100% thugs who diss indie or 100% indie who diss thugs. It's gotten way out of hand and there's very little attempt by either side to bridge the widening gulf between the two.

The only response we as consumers can have is to purchase what represents quality music and lyrics, no matter who puts it out. I'm sayin' - if No Limit suddenly flipped and put out an album by The Last Emperor because Dre dropped him from the label, then I'm gonna go buy The Last Emperor and not care it's on No Limit. If No Limit drops Mystikal because they have beef and he signs with Bad Boy, I'm gonna buy it and not care that it's on Bad Boy. And if Lil' Kim gets dropped by Undeas and puts out a record on Noo Trybe that features Bahamadia, Rah Digga, and L-Boogie, then you know I'm gonna cop it.

To me, it's all about talent and beats. Fuck a salary and fuck a label and fuck a music video and fuck how many spins you get. If your shit is dope, that's all that matters to me. You have to be in the minority to feel that way because it's easier for people to ride a label, a click, a trend, a famous artist, anything with a dick big enough to jump on. But you can do it. You have to be willing to evaluate every album on its own merits and not automatically assume it's dope or wack. I catch a lot of flack from my peoples for being willing to listen to No Limit and think that Mystikal and Young Bleed are kinda nice, but when it comes to the end of the day the only one I have to please is myself, not my crew. When I put the headphones on at night and sink in to the pillow, I'm the only one who has to be happy with the music. I satisfy me first. Not a click, or a label, or a trend, or a crew. Just me.

Peace, Flash

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