A popular thing to do nowadays amongst “old-heads” and “hip-hop purists” alike is to bash the current state of music. The Lil Uzi Verts, Migos, and Futures of the world are constantly under scrutiny by those who claim to know real hip-hop. While the era of the 90s and even further back did have musical greats i.e. Tupac, Biggie, Wu-Tang and so on, the unwavering support of this time period whilst simultaneously bashing the current era is simply tiring.
An old-heads favorite argument today is to take away the validity of current rappers. “Their songs have no meaning” “I can’t even understand what they’re saying?” This claim in some instances has truth to it, but it shouldn’t be the end all be all of the argument. There is a tendency among people today to glamorize this time period as the undefeated era of sound. Because of this, they look at Hip-Hop today as if it is in some sort of crisis (it’s not).
Rapper Vince Staples voiced his opinion on the 90s via Twitter writing, “Whatever you were watching or listening to when you were young is always going to be your favorite thing because it made you what you are today”. There’s nothing wrong with adding sentimental attachment to the times, it just takes a little introspection to realize it. There are plenty of groundbreaking artists on the scene, people just have a knack for finding things they do not like today.
Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, Future, Migos, and so on are some of the artists that are targeted on a daily basis. While they collectively do not carry the lyrical prowess of a Nas, Redman, or and Andre 3000 they do carry the star power. Their style of music is different than the artists previously listed. There are many important sectors of Hip-Hop overall, and lyricism is only one of them.
The Migos don’t make music for those deep thoughts you have about the inner workings of society. Their make track with heavy beats and punchlines to get the club rocking. They’re the music you listen to when you want to have a good time. After all, Hip-Hop started with MCing at house parties and clubs. They shouldn’t be compared to the likes of a Tupac or Eminem just as inversely those two shouldn’t be compared. As great of a track as “Dear Mama” is or “Not Afraid”, they don’t exactly get the party jumping like it should. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just the wrong time and place for it. One should expect a 90s club to be spinning a slightly less mentally-captivating track such as “Baby Got Back” or “Back That Azz Up”.
What this era does have to offer to compete with Hip-Hop’s traditional wordsmith’s of the 90s are the likes of Chance The Rapper, ASAP Rocky, Logic, J. Cole, Vince Staples, Joey Bada$$, and most notably Kendrick Lamar who is arguably on his way to becoming the greatest MC of all time. How’s that for a golden age?
This post was submitted to us by Royal Thomas II, you can follow him on twitter @Dewsiis and check out his latest thoughts at Caught 22.
