Like it or not, hip-hop or rap music has become extremely mainstream. Aside from Lil’ Wayne being featured on every song on the radio, a large portion of popular music could be considered rap.
So we’re seeing a convergence. Pop stars featuring rappers in songs. Producers sampling indie songs for beats. Hell, even Justin Beiber thinks he’s street. But when did hip-hop become so soft? How has an entire music genre swayed so far from N.W.A. and 2pac?
Blame Kanye West. I’m not even kidding, it’s seriously Kanye’s fault.
When Kanye first hit the hip-hop scene in the late 90’s, much to his disappointment, he was only really respected as a producer. No one took West as an emcee seriously, because his lyrics and his image were too soft. He had success as a producer, working with Jay-Z on his breakout album “The Blueprint” in 2001. Keep in mind at this time Kanye was dressing rather preppy, with an affinity for pink Polo’s.
Fast forward to 2002, West nearly dies in a car accident. This inspires “Through the Wire” a song West raps while his jaw is literally wired shut, which ends up being Kanye’s first hit. Next comes, “Jesus Walks” and so on and so forth. West changed hip-hop drastically, proving that you can seem “soft” and “emotional” and still get radio plays.
Now, fast forward to 2008. Kanye’s fourth studio album “808’s and Heartbreaks” is released. This is drastically different than anything West had ever put out before, heavily auto-tuned, lots of singing and darker content. The album kind of flopped, it lacked the same financial success as any of its predecessors, but it did not go unnoticed. Other artists were watching, and after hundreds of auto-tuned songs by other rappers, we were bound to find a legitimate singing rapper.
Like Aubrey Drake Graham, now known world-wide as Drake, and is the next piece in the softening of rap. Drake starred in the Canadian TV show “Degrassi” before becoming a hip-hop artist. This created a ridiculous cult following for him, which got the attention of Young Money record execs, who passed him onto Lil’ Wayne, who eventually signed him.
Somewhere along this journey some producer decided that it wasn’t enough for Drake to be a good emcee, and that he should try to sing. Now Drake is known for singing his own hooks, and sings on countless other rappers singles.
I could go on to explain B.O.B, Kid Cudi, and the countless others that have followed in Kanye’s footsteps, but it would probably take me all week. The point is, without Kanye West, rap could have possibly evolved into something else. What else was popular then? Lil’ Jon, the Ying Yang Twins. We could have a bunch of southern crunk rap instead of the lyrically savvy style of Drake and Kid Cudi.
But somehow Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka are still around.
CHRISTIAN GRIMALDO
Entertainment Writer
first your music should have a relevant massage. this ensures whoever is listening the music has an interest till the end. Somewhere along this journey some producer decided that it isn’t enough for Drake to be a good emcee, and that he should try to sing. Now Drake is known for singing his own hooks, and sings on countless other rappers singles.
Bad key of aswmoe. Bad. nO! Do u see that!? Thats bad! Dont do it ever again! Now get outta here!
Sounds like pikachu wants a massage from kanye
Hip Hop and rap have come a long way. In the 80′s some bands even tried to mix rap with rock like Aerosmith and Anthrax. Then came Cypress Hill. I like how some bands can be creative like that. Why not cross over and experiment with different styles? Life would be boring if no one thought outside the box. I love and respect all genres of music.