Let's talk about hip hop...

Before I tell you how I define hip hop music, let's dig into what hip hop music is.

Hip hop music is a form of music that derived from street culture in the Bronx in the late 1970s. It has, since then, became a major force in music. Infiltrating speech, clothes and lifestyles hip hop is definitely a strong unmoving force. 

Three key elements make up hip hop music: Rap (MCing), DJing and Beats.  Even beatboxing can be considered an element (although in today's hip hop music, that is hard to come by)

But I specifically want to talk about two elements of hip hop: Rap and Beats. These two elements are the major cause for a lot of hip hop debates. Is one element more important than the other? Can they coexist?

How do you define hip hop?

Of course I had to reach out to my peers on Facebook and Twitter. I received several responses:

"The Culture, The Lifestyle. Look at your closet and all the clothes and shoes, it explains it all..."

 "a true hip hop head is an MC(master of cermonies) so in order to become a master u would have 2 perfect all crafts lyrical, delivery, flow, beat,all those matter..u can be mad lyrical with no deliyvery or beats and it would jus make u an artist"

"The hip hop artists that I listen to are storytellers. they don't need to spend a ton of time talking about how incredible they are and how crunk they get, cause the proof is in their lyrics and (often heavily jazz influenced) beats. NOTE: I'm talking about hip hop, not rap. there is an enormous difference."

"It's all a matter of personal choice..."

With the release of "Pink Friday", apparently, I define it a lot different than a lot of people. This isn't an anti- Nicki article. I cannot say that I am thrilled with the album as a whole though. In fact, I'm a little disappointed. And then I hear comments like "best female MC of our time". If you want me to believe that Nicki Minaj is THE BEST female MC of MY time, then you have misconstrued a genre of music. I believe she has potential to become something epic, but not necessarily the best female mc of our generation. 

Nicki Minaj has successfully mastered the art of flow. The way she says what she says is captivating. Similar to artists like Busta Rhymes, ODB, Cam'ron their is a distinction in the delivery of what is being said. But... what is being said? 

And that is how I define hip hop!... Lyrics!

A good beat in the club, while I have my drink and my two- step going is always appreciated. I can't deny that that type of music sells. But what I believe a lot of people confuse is ACTUAL TALENT and ACTUAL NUMBERS. For instance, Soulja Boy Tell Em is a continuous platinum selling artist, with consecutive number one hits, but are you gonna tell me he's one of the best hip hop artist? 

A good beat does not a hip hop song make!

The initial aspects of hip hop were solely based on the lyrics (of course accompanied by a good beat). Whether or not it was "real" (the listener can relate) , clever, educational or just entertaining, the lyrics were what drew you to the music. But within the past couple of years, hip hop music hasn't been about the lyrics. It has seemingly solely become something that survives off of a good beat. 

When you look at some the top selling "hip hop" artist, the majority of their songs are hidden behind club banging beats. But when you take a moment from your two- step to listen to what that artist is saying, you're left wondering "wtf is this?"

Those same hip hop artist who make a great living off of making club bangers, if you give them an indie beat to spit over, I guarantee they won't know what to do with it. They are seemingly used to letting the beat and the hook (chorus) do all the work for them.

Real hip hop artists can spit over any genre of music. Do you know why? Because the lyrical content sets them apart. In fact, a true hip hop artist has the power to open the minds of the listeners by using eclectic routes as opposed to the status quo (what's hot in the streets). (i.e. unconventional artists like arrested development)

When I think about my favorite MCs, they all are lyrically equipped to get on any beat and turn a song into THEIR song.  Mastering the art of flow with a lyrics of substance (not solely metaphors).

Anyone can be a rapper, but only few can be lyricists... 

pic provided by: http://tinyurl.com/389wbkx