I will never forgive crack for destroying Vanity (and likewise religion in later life). Visit Big City Philadelphia to cop that mixtape.

via missinfo

Don’t mind me, just fanning some flames.

Some shit just aint cool, so I had to speak on it. “Hi Hipster” is not intended to completely dismiss Hip Hop’s latest trend, but is rather meant to provide a perspective on how many of us who live life ahead of the curve feel with regard to it.

Co-opting whatever limited 1 dimensional aspect that you think the 80′s and early 90′s Hip Hop scene was about and dressing like a cliche’ “Hipster” douchebag is no better than parading around looking like a wannabe “Thug”. You’re both wearing unoriginal uniforms and, therefore, are both wack. On this side, it’s all about quality control my nigga. Listen to “Hi Hipster” (which flips the Jimmy Spicer classic “Dollar Bill Yall”/Maino “Hi Hater”) and love it! Holla @ ya boy in BK!

via nfadk

The author goes on to mention how musically this might be the most promising movement in a decade. Musically? Really? If he was referring to commercial viability, that would probably be correct (although the commercial viability of any music is questionable nowadays). But if he really is referring to the quality of music or the impact of its social commentary, give me a break. There have been countless records, just as good if not better, that have been released over the past decade. This article would make it seem as though Hip-Hop went away for a while and then decided to make a comeback via these commercially friendly artists, but that is far from the truth. Dirty drums have never gone out of style, they just ceased to be profitable for labels so they retreated from whence they came.

I love the fact that the homie Eskay touches on the interweb’s influence. The internet has made a lot of the raw shit more accessible and seems to have aided in catapulting it’s influence. These artists seem to, at least partially, owe some of their inspiration to that fact. They appear to be (mostly) young and very likely far removed from the original sub-culture which they emulate. If that is the case then they might end up turning to websites, books, records and magazines for their history. Nothing wrong with that but it’s a bit disconcerting because certain experiences are not easily communicable in those formats. Living in the 80′s and 90′s in NYC, the tri-state and other locales is not easily relatable solely via text, pictures, audio and some video. But the things that are easily presented and consumed – slang, dress, style, color, dance, sound – these things are less difficult to swallow and regurgitate. But what of the purpose of the music? The sense of desparation for expression? The drive, the will. These can be accidentally lost sometimes.

Ultimately though, I’m glad these kids are getting shine. Can’t say I’ve checked for all their music but I have come across a lot of joints I like. And they should definitely get their props for making noise and facilitating discussion on a lot of these topics. And even if they don’t get the commercial success they might be seeking, they should feel somewhat fulfilled with the fact that their music is having an impact, and a meaningful one at that. When Cipha Sounds states that the music is just not mass appeal and goes on to say that he wouldn’t play it on the radio or in the club, these kids should be flattered by his comments. Public Enemy and Immortal Technique might not be poppin’ in the VIP lounges nationwide but they are being added to history books and school curriculums. Link

In a sense these meta-rappers have become keepers of the flame for the genre’s old guard: neo-traditionalists in eccentrics’ clothing. “There’s always nostalgia; it’s a byproduct of capitalism,” said Jayson Musson, 30, the frontman for the Philadelphia rap satirists Plastic Little. “Especially for the kids who weren’t really there, that era becomes hypercool, like the ’50s and the Beats.”

Critical analysis is his game, much respect for that. If he took requests for topics, I would ask him if he has an opinion as to why Freestyle Fellowship and the whole Good Life / Project Blowed movement never got the shine it deserved (or did it?). Actually, maybe I should ask Noz. It’s been on the mind more than ever after watching the This Is The Life documentary this past Friday. Yeah, completely off-topic, but whatever. I can’t shake it.

Where I’m from, my peers think hipsters are well-off grungy looking white folk who live in Williamsburg ’cause rent got too high in the LES. I was on Bedford Ave two weekends ago actually, I took my mom to one of our favorite restaurants. It’s across the street from a Salvation Army, one block from the L train and on that Saturday morning Scion had some kind of exhibition happening where you could test drive their cars. As I was walking down Bedford I started to rap lyrics from one of our upcoming releases. Was I hipstering? I definitely had tight pants on that day. Hmmm.

What I find interesting about the term hipster is that it has been around way before hip-hop. With roots in early Jazz musician groupies and the beat generation, the term has been successfully employed for decades by critics to refer to young liberals and counter culture participants, whatever the counter culture happens to be at the time. In 1988 a writer for the New York Times refers to Al Sharpton’s 1950′s hipster hairstyle and dress. Fifteen years later the NYtimes oks the use of the term to describe recent graduates who intern for entertainment and media companies in artsy brooklyn neighborhoods. It seems hipsters have historically been associated with non-mainstream music and alternative lifestyles. So it’s a bit strange to see this backlash in hip-hop circles, a sub-culture renowned for its anti-corporate stance and its beginnings in anti-wholesome. Or is it?

Could it be that OG hip-hop fans are drowning in purist beliefs to the point of traditionalism? Is the fan so grown up now that he or she just can’t make sense of those young whipper snappers? Um, I would probably venture to say nah, chill. I get this funny feeling that there is a middle child that learned about hip-hop from his older brother and created these idealistic lofty notions of what it is and what it is not. While the older brother is already on to the next thing, the younger, less aware sibling is standing in defense of his interpretation against defiant experimenting youngbucks. Anyway, hipster rap vs non-hipster rap might help some people categorize their tastes but I think a more significant distinction in hip-hop and music in general is between contrivance and authenticity. The ability to distinguish between a fabricated persona and a sincere form of artistic expression, certainly a skill worth mastering. But seriously, quite a difficult task in the face of consumerist institutions and their extended channels of operation. Good luck homies.

The Cool Kids
Kanye West
Kid Sister
M.I.A.
Lil Mama
Lupe Fiasco
Kidz In The Hall
N*E*R*D*
All of the above