Part One of "Is Hip-Hop Dead?": An Introduction

Possibly one of the greatest inventions in the last ten years has been Pandora Radio. There really isn't anything like it still. A free service that provides you with your own personal stations of music you want to listen to. It plays music from the artist you request and then tracks that are similar to that artist's style, allowing you to always discover new music.

I'm one of the avid users of Pandora. If I'm on my computer, I usually have it on. It's been the sole reason for me discovering artists I would never have heard of without it.

Monday was one of those days. With it being finals week here at OU, it stayed on all day as I tried to cram for my Econ 103 final that I had no preparation for. Naturally, I chose A Tribe Called Quest as a station because I knew that it would be low-key and one I could jam to without becoming too distracted from my notes about short-run costs for firms that I don't give a damn about.

With two hours already in hitting the books, something catches my attention. A new song pops up on Pandora, "Don't Sweat the Technique" by Eric B & Rakim. The lyricism in this track is so good, that I actually take a break from studying to listen more closely. Once the song is over, I'm just about to return to studying, when another gem comes on, "Ring Ring Ring" by De La Soul. "'93 Til' Infinity" comes on next by Souls of Mischief, a largely underground west coast hip-hop group of the early 1990's.

Then it hits me, "wow, why can't half the hip-hop/rap we listen to today be anything close to as intelligent and talented as this?"

So with spring break approaching, I'm starting my own personal investigation to why hip-hop has gone from a respected and creative form of music, to one that causes protests and talks only about women, money, and drugs. Is hip-hop dead? Who's responsible for its demise? What has changed in it? Will it ever be resurrected?

These are questions I want to find answers to. Look for future articles coming from me soon. . .

News from the hip-hop world

DMX Arrested: Battling addiction

Unfortunately for an MC that used to be at the top of the rap world, DMX has fallen, and fallen hard. Already on probation, DMX was arrested on March 9th for using illegal drugs that violated his terms of probation. Reportedly, the MC was found to be using cocaine and is now in the Maricopa County Jail until he can be released on March 16th by bond. Things don't look good for DMX as the sheriff who arrested the MC hailing from Yonkers, said "I think it's about time to give hard time."

It's a shame to hear that DMX, real name Earl Simmons, continues to struggle with drug problems. Back in 2004, Simmons was arrested for cocaine possession and attempting to hijack a vehicle, claiming that he was a federal agent. He violated his parole in 2007 for using drugs and had another incident in 2009 when he was arrested for giving a false name and social security number to a hospital to help pay for medical expenses.

A career comeback looks bleak for Simmons, as he already is 39 years old and could be facing some serious jail time.

T-Pain & Jay-Z lay feud to rest

Apparently T-Pain was a little offended when Jay-Z released his hit single "D.O.A. (Death of the Autotune). So T-Pain decided to insult Jigga at a show in Las Vegas saying "Fuck Jay-Z, he's old" according to Fabulous. Recently however, the two were able to resolve the feud at the Grammy's when T-Pain apologized for taking "D.O.A." the wrong way.

It's a good thing too that T-Pain apologized because he's an idiot for starting this in the first place. Let me remind you T-Pain that:

- Jay-Z has 11 #1 albums, you have 1.

- Jay-Z is worth $150 million, you aren't.

- Jay-Z released "Reasonable Doubt" which is considered one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, you released "Epiphany" which was last found in all dumpsters across the country.

- Jay-Z actually raps, you don't.

That list could get much longer, but you always have idiots in the world, and it's not worth spending too much time ridiculing them.

T.I. speaks on post-sentence plans

With the MC who's been crowned King of the ATL approaching the end of his prison sentence, the MC recently spoke about what he plans to do.

"Middle of April, beginning of May. Y'all gonna start seeing me. Y'all already know, once again it's on. Like we always do this time,” in a conference call with MTV.

T.I. has already released a new single, "I'm Back", from his upcoming album, and it's got a good feel to it. T.I., real name Clifford Harris, sounds hungry and the production end of the track doesn't sound like a typical T.I. track. Hopefully he can follow up his successful "Paper Trail", which was possibly his best album to date, with another gem. After all, it's hard not to like an MC like T.I. when he reportedly said this:

"As long as there is air in my esophagus, champ, I'mma keep going," said T.I. towards the end of his conference call. "Nothing is gonna stop that. Nothing short of a 12 gauge is gonna stop me from doing what I do, champ. I just wanna say thank y'all and we gonna keep movin' on."

As long as I have headphones, I know I will be listening Mr. Harris.

The Immortals

It's often that there are albums that you can't stop listening to for a week. Sometimes, you pop in an album, and it keeps you even listening for that month or year. But rarely are there albums that will want you to keep pressing play after over five, 10, or even 20 years.

These albums are the immortal ones, the sounds that haven't died and never will. So each week, I'm going to select one of these classics and explain just why it's one of hip-hop's greatest.

Since this is the first of the series, I'll start with one of the most focused hip-hop albums of all time.


ILLADELPH HALFLIFE

Artist: The Roots

Release date: September 24th, 1996

Label: DGC Records

Styles: Jazz rap, alternative rap, east coast rap

Maybe not the first album you had in mind as a classic huh?
It may not be as publicized as 2pac's "All Eyez on Me" or Nas' "Illmatic" but "Illadelph" fits every trait of being a legendary album.
Starting with the second track, "Respond-React", you get the feeling that The Roots have created something very special. Black Thought gives a clear understanding of what to expect in just the first two lines:

The attractive assassin, blastin the devil trespassin
Master gettin cash in an orderly fashion

Thought (real name Tariq Trotter) is at the peak of his career lyrically on this album. His delivery sounds confident and focused on "Respond-React" and every track following it. But Trotter isn't the only lyricist that shines on Illadelph. Malik B. contributes his own style to the album and is featured heavily on songs such as "It Just Don't Stop" and "No Great Pretender". The combination of Trotter and Malik B is a lethal one and they blend well together on each track they appear on.

The album is lyrically deep throughout, but there are certain tracks that shine even brighter. "It Just Don't Stop" contains a chilling hook, describing a dark view of how the world's streets operate.

Dig it, this world is filled with homicides and rape
All the crimes of hate just ain't the size and shape
You can walk don't the block and get slumped or knocked
It don't stop y'all and it just don't stop


"Episodes" follows "It Just Don't Stop" and is just as powerful. Black Thought talks about Philly in this particular cut by describing how much crime occurs around the streets. Although stories from the streets can be a common theme of hip-hop songs today, The Roots are able to make it sound and feel just right. Not only are the lyrics on "Episodes" strong, but so are the sounds that accompany them. Leonard "Hub" Hubbard's bass is very prevalent on this track and it's probably his best effort on the whole album.


The Roots have only one pop sounding cut on Illadelph with "What They Do". Surprisingly, the song fits into the puzzle of sounds that they have created in Illadelph. It has a catchy chorus as well as a good message. Tariq talks about the rewards of being an MC and for kids not to do what they do on the streets. This was also The Roots first single to chart in the Billboard Hot 100, reaching #24.


Here however, is where Illadelph earns its title as an immortal album. After a great first nine tracks to lead the album, Illadelph doesn't lose momentum. In contrast, it gains even more. Starting with "Concerto of Desperado", The Roots deliver on another nine more tracks until the final two tracks of the album with "The Adventures in Wonderland" and the self-titled "outro". Some highlights of the second half of the album are "Clones" (which is an incredible show of lyricism from Thought and Malik B.), "UNIverse at War" (containing a strong verse from Common), "Hypnotic", and "Ital (The Universal Side)".


Illadelph may not be a household name when it comes to naming classic hip-hop albums, but that fact alone makes it fresh. The Roots make sure that you get your money's worth with almost 79 minutes of musical content and, except for the final two tracks, there isn't one weak song here. With Black Thought's strongest display of lyricism on any Roots album and great bass from Hub and drums from ?uestlove, "Illadelph Halflife" is one album that will still be playing on stereos for years to come.


Track List (* indicates a top track):
1. Intro
2. *Respond-React
3. Section
4. Panic!!!!!!!!
5. *It Just Don't Stop
6. Episodes
7. Push Up Ya Lighter
8. What They Do
9. ? vs. Scratch
10. Concerto of a Desperado
11. *Clones
12. UNIverse at War
13. No Alibi
14. Dave vs. Us
15. No Great Pretender
16. *The Hypnotic
17. Ital (The Universal Side)
18. One Shine
19. The Adventures in Wonderland
20. Outro

Lupe Fiasco returns

Chi-town's great MC is back, and he seems more hungry than ever.

Lupe Fiasco released his second single, "I'm Beaming", off his upcoming album "Lasers" on January 26th and it's starting to make noise. Here are my thoughts on Lupe's latest:

- First off, the Neptunes have just proven once again why they were named producers of the decade. The production for "I'm Beaming" is fresh and blends well with Lupe's message. It's typical Neptunes sound, spacey with a catchy beat, and sounds like something Kid CuDi would have on his album.

- Lupe said he was not happy with MTV after not being named on its annual "Hottest MCs" list last October. He clearly sounds like he has something to prove on the single. His delivery isn't as fast-paced as some of his older sounds, but he sounds very confident. The lyrics clearly show that, just look at these particular lines:

- Do you remember me, the guy from verse one?

Failure’s my last name, Never’s my first one

- I’m out in left field, I’m speaking mentally

But that’s a better places than where the benches be

- The world’s fast lane is what I’m drivin’ on

What am I driving at? I’m tryna drive it home

I’m in the driver’s seat, but you can ride along

- Now if they lookin’ for me, tell ‘em I’ve gone

Out in the bright lights, right where I belong

- Lupe has always been great with his lyrics and "I'm Beaming" is not short of more great poetry from the talented MC. In one particular line, Lupe describes just how he's different from other rappers in the game right now:

- You see I hood a lot, and yeah I nerd some

Hood’s where the heart is, nerd’s where the words from

Don’t represent either, because I merged them

People have looked at Lupe differently from the start because he doesn't represent the stereotypical MC today. He made a song about skateboarding, that's enough said. But just because he may not be as hardened from the streets as many other rappers are, Lupe is as or more talented than them because he dares to try lyrics and themes that would hurt the street credibility of other MCs such as Nas or 50 Cent.

My only criticism of "I'm Beaming" is that it's another single that may not be made for radio. "Shining Down" was also a great single from Lupe, but it never got enough airplay, and Fiasco decided to drop it off "Lasers" because of that fact alone. "I'm Beaming" could pick up some club play however, so it's unfair to rule out that it won't be successful at all yet. Still, singles like "I'm Beaming" will only build more hype in the hip-hop community for "Lasers". It is certainly one of the most anticipated hip-hop albums of 2010.

*"Lasers" has not set a release date at this point, but Lupe has confirmed the album is finished after he submitted it to his label, Atlantic Records, a month ago.