Hip Pop
I’ve been noticing an interesting trend in music lately. A lot of artists, especially hip hop, are starting to make music that encompasses more than one genre. Many new rap songs have electronic beats that sound more Euro club than city streets. It’s got me wondering, What is up with this change?
Courtesy MTV News
Don’t get me wrong. I like the catchy appeal of songs such as Jay Sean‘s “Down” or New Boyz‘s “You’re a Jerk.” And some artists succeed at mixing genres, like Nujabes (hip hop and jazz) and Theophilus London (hip hop and electronic). But sometimes, I think artists stray away from their original genres just to achieve mainstream appeal.
I miss the days when I could turn on the radio and expect a certain hard-hitting style from hip hop, which displayed an artist’s struggles and triumphs. As a young child, I remember hearing Tupac. Although I could not relate to his struggle, his music was still enlightening. These days I feel like many artists are playing more to the audience and popularity.
What do you think?
— By Ayanna Heaven | VOX Staff
Thank you! You often write very interesting articles. You improved my mood.
Over the years, it’s like music in different genres were its own seasonings, but for some of today, some of the music has dissolved into one big alike melody. Music is beautiful in every way, form or fashion, but in order to get a full understanding of how music is made, created, or loved then you may have to have a love of music.
Maybe someone who makes music from time to time would understand how and why artists play with their music they way they do.
I agree. I think it’s good in a way because an artist wants more than one audience to listen to their music but i kinda miss the old days too, like tupac or common, who speaks about their stuggles. Lil Wayne for instance, needs to stop with the rock and stay with hip hop. it’s just kinda weird to me that all of a sudden he’s trying to do rock?….As if!
I agree with you.
I personally don’t like the trend to be honest.
Black people began to steal other’s images and beats
and became a poser-decade.
I don’t care what anyone says.
That’s not original.
Its sick, its twisted.
I missed when Black people had that one genre, and one trend.
Other races of people kept that alive, and stuck to their music as if it is tradition.
Hip hop and rap is dead thanks to those In-Reality-Skinny-Jeans-Hurt-Like-A-MF NewBoys.
They don’t deserve to keep music alive,
neither does Lil Wayne.
He killed everybody’s chances in trying something new.
And deafened Rock listeners with that Prom Queen BS.
I am glad you pointed this out Ayanna.
ha! i agree with aja! :)
Very interesting and amusing subject. I read with great pleasure.
I feel like they’re just doing some songs for popularity. But, I mostly listen to the ones with meaning in them
To a degree, I do agree with your point. It seems like in all mainstream genres of music have electronic or dance music sounds. A lot of them even echo the sound of the ’80s. It does get old to hear a similar sound from so many artists on the radio. I too miss the days when more artists had their own unique and original sounds. But it’s difficult to stand out musically these days.
i completely agree…
rap has to find a way to grow gracefully without straying too far from its roots… clearly it hasn’t been so succesful doing that
*sigh*
I just want it to stop. honestly, this mixing of the stylse is pissing me off! Now black folks are running around with those stupid mohawks…..
i mean, I’m not against blending styles or experiencing different things, in fact, i encourage it! But this is jsut a stupid trend, nobody is getting anything out of it.
Shame on you rap! Go back and leave me alone! :(
Today, when you listen to rap music, all they rap about is sex, money, drugs, sex, money, drugs. You get my drift? Even though I’m a freshmen in high school, i miss those good songs that had meaning.