Pop-Star Rappers?
This is not an opinion piece; it is indeed a fact that the new and upcoming rappers will be (are) pop-stars. Somewhere, rappers went from featuring R&B singers on the choruses of their tracks to actually singing (or attempting to sing) the R&B choruses on their tracks. My question is who is to blame? Is it the rappers themselves? Are the manufactured personas becoming more generic? Or is it the consumers’ (us the fans) fault? Below are explanations as to why the fault may belong to both groups.
Why the rappers are at fault…
You will find very few rappers (nowadays), who do so for the love of the art form. Most fall into one of following categories: 1. they see it as an escape, a way out of their current situation, 2. They are (former) drug-dealers who need to launder some money, 3. They love the flash of the entertainment business, and this is their way to get a piece of it. I am not going to judge any of the reasons listed, if you fall into any one of those categories, you had a need and you found the solution. What I am saying is that those reasons create a problem, otherwise known as monotony. If every rapper has the same background, the same reasons, you get the same music (they turn to pop because it is a safe bet, pop is immortal!), and as of lately that music has been crap. In the past, before hip-hop became a business, it was an art form (it still is, but that only holds true on an individual basis), a way to express yourself, and the result was a variety of MCs, with different backgrounds, and endless creativity. While your reasons for loving hip-hop may be similar to someone else’s, the odds of them being identical are slim to none. Those who ‘do it for the love of it’ have taken a back seat to those who ‘do it for the needs it fulfills’, and that is partially where the fans are at fault.
Why fans are at fault…
I hear a lot of talk about how influential rappers are, and I have mixed feelings about that idea in general. Rappers only exploit the trends we accept, meaning they can try and bring new styles, but if we don’t accept it, if we don’t follow that style, then guess what happens? To explore the reasoning behind why we have become a society of followers would send me off on a tangent, so I won’t (maybe later). If you want to know why hip-hop/rap is in its current condition, you have to look no further then the mirror (you may want to check out your friends too). Rappers who ‘do it for the need it fulfills’ will bend to whatever the latest trend is, or find another avenue. So, make the new trend, good music! Then, we won’t have to scour the internet for the Rappers who ‘do it for the love of it’. I’m tired of the ‘good for the next 5 minutes’ crap, I want that ‘play it 10 years from now and it still bump’ back!
Well, that was my soap box for the day, leave a comment below and tell me what you think!
Spotlight: New Artist: Electrik Red!!!
New Artist: Electrik Red
Electrik Red is an R&B girl group made up of Kyndra Reevey, Lesley Lewis, Naomi Allen and Sarah Rosete, two sets of best friends. The group was formed in 2008 and was signed to Radio Killa/Def Jam Records in 2008. They all started their careers in the entertainment business as back-up dancers, so we should expect a lot of dance tracks…think Ciara x(times) 4. Their debut album, How to Be a Lady: Volume 4, is set to be released on May 26, and according to the group, they are “…bringing a new age woman to the world”. Three albums from the album have been released, “Drink in My Cup”, “So Good”, and “Friend Lover”. “Friend Lover” is a favorite, light hearted dance track (very reminiscent of the 80s), check it out below. They also have a website, check it out here.
Find more videos like this on The Hype Factor
Spotlight: New Artist: RichGirl!!!
New Artist: RichGirl
Rich Girl is Rich Harrison’s new all girl group and they are slated to be the next group to successfully conquer the air waves. They a
re one of the few girl groups up and coming, that have the looks and the pipes! Here is some information from their interview with Rap Up Magazine: First off, they are made up of 4 girls: Brave, a spoken-word poet, Lyndriette, a southern representer, Seven, the church girl, and Audra, the sassy one. They currently live in Atlanta, are signed to Jive Records, and are managed by Tina Davis (Chris Brown’s manager).Rap-UP also did a “10 Things you should know about RichGirl” list, check it out, along with their new single below: 2. Lyndriette is goofy. She does a mean Shakira impression and the “stankiest-looking grandma dance ever,” which we didn’t get to see in-person because she was wearing a dress. And yes, she’s heard the Beyoncé comparisons.
3. Seven is sweet-n-sour. “How do you describe someone with a split personality?” jokes Audra about her bandmate’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde persona. The Florida gal was discovered through MySpace.
4. Audra is a dork and a prankster. The Jennifer Love Hewitt look-a-like has a dry sense of humor. “She thinks of the craziest things that are so obvious and will recite it as a joke,” says Brave. Audra joined the group through an open audition.
5. They were inspired by En Vogue “as far as the look, the sophistication, and the classiness,” as well as Destiny’s Child, TLC, SWV, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Stevie Wonder. “Pretty much anyone that’s been able to really sing.”
6. They describe themselves as a cross between En Vogue and the Spice Girls. “If there was a cross between En Vogue and certain elements of the Spice Girls, that’s what we’d like to bring,” reveals Audra. “The individuality, but yet a whole.”
7. When they’re not working, you can find them in an ATL bowling alley or swimming pool.
8. In addition to Harrison, they’ve recorded with The Underdogs (“Back 2 Da Club”), Bryan-Michael Cox, Dre & Vidal, and KP & Malay for their debut album.
9. As far as style goes, Brave is a Sarah Jessica Parker/Rihanna fashionista, Lyndriette likes a tailored look, Seven prefers anything boho or short, tight, and sexy, and Audra rocks mod fashions.
10. They’ve heard the Electrik Red comparisons, so save them!
That New New: The Song Edition (Rap)
This particular TNN (That New New) Rap post is dedicated to the hip-hop we miss and the current songs that are trying to bring it back.
Method Man and Redman. The rap duo is coming back with the long awaited Blackout 2, and so far I haven't heard anything but heat! The main two tracks blowing up the internet are "City Lights" featuring UGK and "A Yo". "
City Lights" has Meth & Red rapping over a synth "southern-style" beat, complete with a chopped chorus, and the occasional use of the vocoder. While the production lacks something (originality), their verses ride it perfectly, UGK per the usual also comes correct.
"A Yo" is pure hip-hop hotness. Saukrates (Canadian hip-hop artist) supplies the chorus and Meth & Red, do a great job at reminding us why they are one of the top 5 rap duos. For a more laid back feel, check out "Mrs. International". I wish they were't releasing their album the same day as Eminem! I get the feeling they won’t get their due shine.
Click here to listen to all three songs.
The Clipse (also a Top 5 rap duo). They have an upcoming album entitled Till the Casket Drops, and if it is even a fraction of what their past albums have been, then we are in for a treat. The first single, "Kinda Like a Big Deal" grabs you from the first 10 seconds, blessed with DJ Khalil production, it is an instant hit!! To quote all of the hot lines in this track, we would have to basically give you the whole song's lyrics! Pusha's swag comes raw, uncut, and by the pound. Kayne is in rare form (rare-considering his recent work), and hopefully this is a preview of what’s to come. I have to include one of his lines "...I'm like the black Marshall meets Jay"....try and hate on it! Last is Malice and while he is not on the same level as his brother, he comes correct on this track. If you haven't heard it, cancel any plans you had that involved the next 10 minutes and give it listen here. I said 10 because you're going to play it at least 3 times!
Eminem. In case you haven’t heard, Marshall Mathers has an upcoming album entitled Relapse. So far, three songs have been officially released (the others leaked), and they each offer something different. "We Made You" is the MTV-ready track that fans have come to expect. Hip-hop fans may not like it, but the rap game is a business, and while BET will get you respect (to an extent), MTV will get you sales! It follows along the same lines as "The Real Slim Shady", "Without Me", and "Just Lose It" taking stabs at celebrities such as Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears, and Amy Winehouse. If his past record sales are any proof, this formula (MTV-ready track, then the song that shows he is a lyrical beast) works. The track is catchy and if you watch the video you will get a laugh. "3 AM" is a tale about Eminem (the Slim Shady persona) being a serial killer, who begins to doubt his sanity (do you see the irony), while recounting some of his crimes. Just sit back and admire the flow, this is the Eminem we love! It's not as chilling as the other psycho-killer inspired tracks he has given us before, nor is it really unique when you think about it, but its 99% better than any of the other options you have in rap right now. Hopefully, the accent he picked up during the hiatus isn’t permanent, but if you loved him solely for the way he spit, never including what he spit, you only thought you were a fan. Our review of "Old Time's Sake" featuring Dr. Dre is forthcoming, check back! The videos for "We Made You" and "3 A.M." are below.
We Made You Video
3 AM Video
Blog Info/Submission Rules
Eardrum Krushez is a blog that focuses on all things music! We have reviews, opinion pieces, and articles for just about everyone. The weekly pieces will range from Taylor Swift to UGK. To say we love music would be a gross understatement. We are currently reloading a few pieces we did in the past, so please bear with us. More individualized bloggers' bios coming!
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