The Rise and Fall of the Rapper and Rap Music!
I remember back in the day when rapping was all about the art. One expressing himself through lyrics. Nowadays, most rappers are only in it for the money, how much bling they can wrap around their wrists and necks, and most of them are young, confused puppets of corporate America. What's worse is that most of them know this and yet they continue as if nothing's awry.
Over the years, the quality of good rappers and music has declined, and the rise of mediocre rappers and music has blossomed at an alarming rate. Back in the day, rappers knew who they were, what their identity was, and were willing to make a name for themselves by their lyrical talents. It was considered taboo to use someone else's name, lyrics or their identity. Back then rappers only rapped about what they'd lived, or had seen first hand. In "the good old days" of rap, MCs would call each other out and battle with their lyrical skills. After a winner was decided by an energetic crowd, the two would shake hands and go their separate ways. But so much has changed since then.
Rappers are killing each other, going back and forth to prison, fighting and so much more to keep up the fictional images that they're portraying. These days, most of the rappers want to be gangsters, famous drug dealers, and even pimps. Tell me, why is it so hard to just be yourself? Don't these industry puppets understand that all of the real gangsters, drug dealers, and pimps are either dead or in prison serving long bids? Most of them probably wish that they were rappers instead of spending 30 years of their life (or longer) inside federal and state prison walls. It's funny how rappers want to be the gangsters and drug dealers and the other "real" gangsters want to do something positive and legitimate.
The last few years of rap music has been rough. The decline has reached an all time low. CD sales are down and steadily falling. Most rappers are happy to sell 100,000 copies of their album. I remember one time when less than 500,000 copies sold would get you kicked off a label. Now the media and corporate America control the rap game. They can make or break an artist, whether he or she is good or not. It's all about packaging and marketing. Talent is no longer a requirement. Sources like BET, MTV, MySpace, and others dictate who will make it and who will fail. They (and so many others) are the puppet masters that are now in total control of the music industry. And we're buying it: hook, line, and sinker. Now, being the most talented rapper or MC, or even the best producer is no longer important. Either you play their game, by their rules, or you don't play at all.
In order for us to fix this problem, we must first learn everything there is to know about the music business. Knowledge is the key to success! And this applies to everything in life, not just the rap game. You must be yourself and create your own name, image, and identity. No one likes or respects a fake. Most importantly, you NEED desire. Call it ambition, mix in a little self discipline, and pretty soon you will be able to succeed. But this is no simple task. This path is filled with peril, back-stabbing, debauchery, and greed. Stay focused, keep your mind clean, and fight. These are the tools that will help you to achieve your goals. If you must focus on a specific trait, let it be discipline. In the book BUILT TO LAST it says: "Discipline is the greatest thing in the world. Where is no discipline, there is no character. And without character, there is no progress."
Rappers and rap music have a chance, but not until we take control of our own destinies and go back to the original meanings and art form. We are giving the puppet masters the shovels to dig our own graves.
Sincerely,
Freeway Ricky Ross and Jimmy DaSaint
P.S. - Rap is not dead, it's just barely hanging... on life support.
Over the years, the quality of good rappers and music has declined, and the rise of mediocre rappers and music has blossomed at an alarming rate. Back in the day, rappers knew who they were, what their identity was, and were willing to make a name for themselves by their lyrical talents. It was considered taboo to use someone else's name, lyrics or their identity. Back then rappers only rapped about what they'd lived, or had seen first hand. In "the good old days" of rap, MCs would call each other out and battle with their lyrical skills. After a winner was decided by an energetic crowd, the two would shake hands and go their separate ways. But so much has changed since then.
Rappers are killing each other, going back and forth to prison, fighting and so much more to keep up the fictional images that they're portraying. These days, most of the rappers want to be gangsters, famous drug dealers, and even pimps. Tell me, why is it so hard to just be yourself? Don't these industry puppets understand that all of the real gangsters, drug dealers, and pimps are either dead or in prison serving long bids? Most of them probably wish that they were rappers instead of spending 30 years of their life (or longer) inside federal and state prison walls. It's funny how rappers want to be the gangsters and drug dealers and the other "real" gangsters want to do something positive and legitimate.
The last few years of rap music has been rough. The decline has reached an all time low. CD sales are down and steadily falling. Most rappers are happy to sell 100,000 copies of their album. I remember one time when less than 500,000 copies sold would get you kicked off a label. Now the media and corporate America control the rap game. They can make or break an artist, whether he or she is good or not. It's all about packaging and marketing. Talent is no longer a requirement. Sources like BET, MTV, MySpace, and others dictate who will make it and who will fail. They (and so many others) are the puppet masters that are now in total control of the music industry. And we're buying it: hook, line, and sinker. Now, being the most talented rapper or MC, or even the best producer is no longer important. Either you play their game, by their rules, or you don't play at all.
In order for us to fix this problem, we must first learn everything there is to know about the music business. Knowledge is the key to success! And this applies to everything in life, not just the rap game. You must be yourself and create your own name, image, and identity. No one likes or respects a fake. Most importantly, you NEED desire. Call it ambition, mix in a little self discipline, and pretty soon you will be able to succeed. But this is no simple task. This path is filled with peril, back-stabbing, debauchery, and greed. Stay focused, keep your mind clean, and fight. These are the tools that will help you to achieve your goals. If you must focus on a specific trait, let it be discipline. In the book BUILT TO LAST it says: "Discipline is the greatest thing in the world. Where is no discipline, there is no character. And without character, there is no progress."
Rappers and rap music have a chance, but not until we take control of our own destinies and go back to the original meanings and art form. We are giving the puppet masters the shovels to dig our own graves.
Sincerely,
Freeway Ricky Ross and Jimmy DaSaint
P.S. - Rap is not dead, it's just barely hanging... on life support.
Tags: culture, future, hip-hop, music, rap
Views: 22
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sharp G on -
Real talk. When hip hop was underground was when it was the truth. The other people saw they could make money off of our work and took control. Now they run everything and rap isn't rap. Hip hop isn't hip hop. It's just exploiting a people to make money. It's nigh impossible to get into the rap game spitting the truth, because money can't be made off of you. You're not marketable to them. So me, I'm not doing it for them, and for the money, I'm doing it for me and MY people. Fuck the bullshit.
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Permalink Reply by NEKO PINEIRO on -
THIS IS A BUSINESS A VERY BIG ONE AT THAT.HAVING THE MINDSET THAT YOUR MUSIC ALONE IS GONNA CHANGE IT IS THE VERY REASON THE GAME IS THE WAY IT IS.NO MORALS OR INTEGRITY.WHAT WOULD YOU DO OR SAY FOR A MILLION DOLLARS,FAME AND THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWING WHO YOU ARE?.IF YOU CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION TRUTHFULLY.AND SAY YOU DONT HAVE A PRICE TAG AND WOULDNT SELL OUT. THEN THATS HALF THE BATTLE.DONT CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR RIGHTEOUS AND JUST WAYS FROM A MUSIC INDUSTRY THAT WAS BUILT FROM THE BEGINNING ON CORRUPT AND UNJUST PRACTICES.ITS ALMOST LIKE A BLACK PERSON SAYING THEY ARE GONNA JOIN THE KKK AND CHANGE THEM.SOME OF OUR POTENTIAL GREAT LEADERS HAVE CONFORMED TO THIS MUSIC GAME AND SOLD US OUT.BECAUSE MAKE NO MISTAKE. TO WANT TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING THAT REALLY DOESNT. HAVE YOU OR YOUR KIDS BEST INTREST AT HEART IS KIND OF INSANE TO SAY THE LEAST.THATS WHY WE SHOULD SEEK POWER,WEALTH AND INFLUENCE THROUGH OTHER AVENUES.SO WE CAN SHOW THE KIDS THAT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO BE SUCCESSFUL BESIDES RAPPING AND BEING A ATHLETE.BECAUSE BELIEVE ME THE MAN THAT SIGNS JAY Z CHECKS DIDNT START OUT AS A RAPPER.I HOLLA BECAUSE I COULD GO ON FOREVER.BUT IM A LEAVE YOU WITH THIS BE CAREFUL WHO AND WHAT YOU LOOK FOR ACCEPTANCE FROM BECAUSE YOU JUST MIGHT GET WELCOME INTO A BURNING HOUSE.THINK ABOUT THIS NAME SUPERSTAR RAPPER THATS REALLY MAKING A STAND FOR OUR PEOPLE THAT DOESNT HAVE A HIDDEN POLITICAL AGENDA!!!!!
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Permalink Reply by Neele Scar on -
You rite about that ....
but when you get out our team is gonna take over!!!
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Permalink Reply by Derrick on -
no doubt! most cats today, not speaking about anything or they're all saying the same thing. what happened to substance?
what happen to the good time? there's only so much one can say about money & sex! i understand that sex sales! but, good rap(MUSIC.) never had to result to those tactics. that happened when it got watered down. when any & everybody started getting invited to the show. i long for the day when true heads rise, again. come back & reclaim what is rightfully theirs. until then, i'll have to live off old school, cause this new school just ain't gettin' it! i appreciate a brother, such as yourself speakin' on it. Damn, i wish you still had the Theatre! you could've made your own music!
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Permalink Reply by NEKO PINEIRO on
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THIS IS A BUSINESS A VERY BIG ONE AT THAT.HAVING THE MINDSET THAT YOUR MUSIC ALONE IS GONNA CHANGE IT IS THE VERY REASON THE GAME IS THE WAY IT IS.NO MORALS OR INTEGRITY.WHAT WOULD YOU DO OR SAY FOR A MILLION DOLLARS,FAME AND THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWING WHO YOU ARE?.IF YOU CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION TRUTHFULLY.AND SAY YOU DONT HAVE A PRICE TAG AND WOULDNT SELL OUT. THEN THATS HALF THE BATTLE.DONT CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR RIGHTEOUS AND JUST WAYS FROM A MUSIC INDUSTRY THAT WAS BUILT FROM THE BEGINNING ON CORRUPT AND UNJUST PRACTICES.ITS ALMOST LIKE A BLACK PERSON SAYING THEY ARE GONNA JOIN THE KKK AND CHANGE THEM.SOME OF OUR POTENTIAL GREAT LEADERS HAVE CONFORMED TO THIS MUSIC GAME AND SOLD US OUT.BECAUSE MAKE NO MISTAKE. TO WANT TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING THAT REALLY DOESNT. HAVE YOU OR YOUR KIDS BEST INTREST AT HEART IS KIND OF INSANE TO SAY THE LEAST.THATS WHY WE SHOULD SEEK POWER,WEALTH AND INFLUENCE THROUGH OTHER AVENUES.SO WE CAN SHOW THE KIDS THAT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO BE SUCCESSFUL BESIDES RAPPING AND BEING A ATHLETE.BECAUSE BELIEVE ME THE MAN THAT SIGNS JAY Z CHECKS DIDNT START OUT AS A RAPPER.I HOLLA BECAUSE I COULD GO ON FOREVER.BUT IM A LEAVE YOU WITH THIS BE CAREFUL WHO AND WHAT YOU LOOK FOR ACCEPTANCE FROM BECAUSE YOU JUST MIGHT GET WELCOME INTO A BURNING HOUSE.THINK ABOUT THIS NAME SUPERSTAR RAPPER THATS REALLY MAKING A STAND FOR OUR PEOPLE THAT DOESNT HAVE A HIDDEN POLITICAL AGENDA!!!!!
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Permalink Reply by A.S.A.P Music Group Inc. on -
I am young black female learning the game, but at a steady pace. I analyze everything about the music game, and what lies beneath it. I never thought that music would change to this point. I am a 80's baby. I do remember rap music being about expressing yourself as who you are, not what you are. Rap music back then had foundation, and meaning to it. Rap music has switched to a whole different demeanor. It is all about who can have the most girls, the most money, the most bling, and so one. Its really pathetic to me how rap doesn't make sense to me anymore. Its always about shooting your own in the face with a gun, killing your family off, or something out of the norm. Now with record labels its either you got it or you don't. I miss the real rap music, not this rap music that speaks of violence, sex, money, and drugs. Its getting really old.
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Permalink Reply by NEKO PINEIRO on
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THIS IS A BUSINESS A VERY BIG ONE AT THAT.HAVING THE MINDSET THAT YOUR MUSIC ALONE IS GONNA CHANGE IT IS THE VERY REASON THE GAME IS THE WAY IT IS.NO MORALS OR INTEGRITY.WHAT WOULD YOU DO OR SAY FOR A MILLION DOLLARS,FAME AND THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWING WHO YOU ARE?.IF YOU CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION TRUTHFULLY.AND SAY YOU DONT HAVE A PRICE TAG AND WOULDNT SELL OUT. THEN THATS HALF THE BATTLE.DONT CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR RIGHTEOUS AND JUST WAYS FROM A MUSIC INDUSTRY THAT WAS BUILT FROM THE BEGINNING ON CORRUPT AND UNJUST PRACTICES.ITS ALMOST LIKE A BLACK PERSON SAYING THEY ARE GONNA JOIN THE KKK AND CHANGE THEM.SOME OF OUR POTENTIAL GREAT LEADERS HAVE CONFORMED TO THIS MUSIC GAME AND SOLD US OUT.BECAUSE MAKE NO MISTAKE. TO WANT TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING THAT REALLY DOESNT. HAVE YOU OR YOUR KIDS BEST INTREST AT HEART IS KIND OF INSANE TO SAY THE LEAST.THATS WHY WE SHOULD SEEK POWER,WEALTH AND INFLUENCE THROUGH OTHER AVENUES.SO WE CAN SHOW THE KIDS THAT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO BE SUCCESSFUL BESIDES RAPPING AND BEING A ATHLETE.BECAUSE BELIEVE ME THE MAN THAT SIGNS JAY Z CHECKS DIDNT START OUT AS A RAPPER.I HOLLA BECAUSE I COULD GO ON FOREVER.BUT IM A LEAVE YOU WITH THIS BE CAREFUL WHO AND WHAT YOU LOOK FOR ACCEPTANCE FROM BECAUSE YOU JUST MIGHT GET WELCOME INTO A BURNING HOUSE.THINK ABOUT THIS NAME SUPERSTAR RAPPER THATS REALLY MAKING A STAND FOR OUR PEOPLE THAT DOESNT HAVE A HIDDEN POLITICAL AGENDA!!!!!
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Permalink Reply by love on -
Rappers should sing their own lifes story's, Music with LOVE is music with feeling regardless to wether you hum it or rap it. were is the LOVE. I agree always sex, killing, robbing and stiling. not me not mine well speak healing into our children, declare truce with the loud and unruley and calm this thing down a knotch or to. Bring it on home Rick hear in L.A we salute you brother,keep it real always remain THE REAL RICK ROSS
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Permalink Reply by Notown Dez on -
Rap music has evolved and gave birth to hip hop. Hip hop is a more commercially and politically acceptable term for rap music. Now hip hop has evolved into pop music. My favorite period in rap music is the late 80's and early to mid 90's. Artists with pop content such as Kanye West and Nelly wouldn't have had careers amongst the greats like 2pac, Biggie, the old Snoop. I'm 26 and I listen to 'old school' rap from the 90's.
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Permalink Reply by J. Locc Redd Bone on -
I can dig that. Rappers these days, they see the form of jewelry and things that shine and feel that is what makes them shine. Instead of giving faith in themselves and the Lord, they would rather give faith in greed and this democracy they call Hip Hop. Which was infiltrated by white society. They figure they couldn't take it away, but they figured out a way to influence it. I know people get mad about people talking about Soulja Boy, but that's a prime example of white society, pop culture, putting their mark on what we generated. Then you got artists like Lil Wayne "the best rapper alive", who when he raps he spits alot of words, but don't touch the heart of souls. Artists like 2Pac, Biggie, Pimp C, Bun B, Scarface, Outkast, who use music not just to get rich but in a form to educate and elevate. That's what Rap music is supposed to be about. Something that comes from your heart, your home. We all didn't start off with money and we quickly forget where we come from and our roots.
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Permalink Reply by NEKO PINEIRO on
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THIS IS A BUSINESS A VERY BIG ONE AT THAT.HAVING THE MINDSET THAT YOUR MUSIC ALONE IS GONNA CHANGE IT IS THE VERY REASON THE GAME IS THE WAY IT IS.NO MORALS OR INTEGRITY.WHAT WOULD YOU DO OR SAY FOR A MILLION DOLLARS,FAME AND THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWING WHO YOU ARE?.IF YOU CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION TRUTHFULLY.AND SAY YOU DONT HAVE A PRICE TAG AND WOULDNT SELL OUT. THEN THATS HALF THE BATTLE.DONT CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR RIGHTEOUS AND JUST WAYS FROM A MUSIC INDUSTRY THAT WAS BUILT FROM THE BEGINNING ON CORRUPT AND UNJUST PRACTICES.ITS ALMOST LIKE A BLACK PERSON SAYING THEY ARE GONNA JOIN THE KKK AND CHANGE THEM.SOME OF OUR POTENTIAL GREAT LEADERS HAVE CONFORMED TO THIS MUSIC GAME AND SOLD US OUT.BECAUSE MAKE NO MISTAKE. TO WANT TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING THAT REALLY DOESNT. HAVE YOU OR YOUR KIDS BEST INTREST AT HEART IS KIND OF INSANE TO SAY THE LEAST.THATS WHY WE SHOULD SEEK POWER,WEALTH AND INFLUENCE THROUGH OTHER AVENUES.SO WE CAN SHOW THE KIDS THAT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO BE SUCCESSFUL BESIDES RAPPING AND BEING A ATHLETE.BECAUSE BELIEVE ME THE MAN THAT SIGNS JAY Z CHECKS DIDNT START OUT AS A RAPPER.I HOLLA BECAUSE I COULD GO ON FOREVER.BUT IM A LEAVE YOU WITH THIS BE CAREFUL WHO AND WHAT YOU LOOK FOR ACCEPTANCE FROM BECAUSE YOU JUST MIGHT GET WELCOME INTO A BURNING HOUSE.THINK ABOUT THIS NAME SUPERSTAR RAPPER THATS REALLY MAKING A STAND FOR OUR PEOPLE THAT DOESNT HAVE A HIDDEN POLITICAL AGENDA!!!!!
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Permalink Reply by Marcia Pineda on -
Excellent commentary on the current status of rap and hip hop. I agree completely. To add to your thoughts...the concept of discipline needs to be brought back into our communities if we are to progress. Music is an excellent avenue to bring the concept of discipline and HOPE to the lives of those struggling to find their place in the world. I'm not waiting to be a part of the next movement...step 1 taken and counting (thanks to LOVE for that!).
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