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Maybe its because hip hop is just a part of me. So many memories like rushing to the local HMV (yes we actually had to leave our house to buy our music back then) to get the latest Wu-Tang Clan album. Beyond the memories, I have always appreciated the honesty and gritty aspect of hip hop. At the same time I couldn’t relate. Many of the popular artists of that time wrote about what they experienced. As a result my albums contained lyrics based on life in the projects and a different approach to love and relationships (Thats a creative way of putting it). I didn’t grow up in that type of environment and I didn’t desire to. Maybe for some this lifestyle was intriguing but I kept listening and justified it by simply separating the music from the message. I know that even back then hip hop was more diverse but the impact of the ‘thug lifestyle’(Couldn’t find a better term) on the mainstream in particular was obvious. The era I grew up in saw the deaths of the genres biggest stars Tupac and Biggie.
For a long time a made the choice to move away hip hop, at least those artists whose message I didn’t agree with. I turned to other types of music including but not limited to rock, alternative and even dance. What I always admired about these genres of music was their incredible diversity. Even within these categories there were all sort of sub genres and it felt that combinations of music were incredible. It bothered me that the same options were not available in hip hop. Often artists that did not live a certain lifestyle were considered ‘weak’ or ‘soft’. Those who tried to break out of the mold were pushed to the margins and became irrelevant (The Roots being one exception).
There is something about hip hop that keeps me coming back for more. When I think about hip hop now there seems to be movement that is taking place. There definitely is still a lot of emphasis on a lot of the same themes that existed when I grew up (Let’s face it those things sell) but the image that a lot of artists portray seems to be different. Artists like Drake, Lupe, and Kayne are being seen alongside artists like Lil Wayne and Rick Ross. Could it be? Are these artists no longer considered ‘soft’? Does this mean that hip hop is actually developing sub-genres? I think so. What makes me happy is that not only are these artists mainstream but they didn’t have to change themselves to achieve. These artists have also made me appreciate even more genre as a whole. I think there is more than enough room for a variety of artists with a variety of messages.
Much like my that friend that is so different from you, I can’t seem to leave this music. After some thought one has to consider that maybe its because you actually appreciate their honest, abrasive personality. Maybe its because you’re slightly envious of their ability to be so raw with what they say, or maybe its simply because they are so damn cool. Whatever the reason you cant let them go and maybe its for the better.
