Don't Talk About It, Be About It.
Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 1:53PM Now I realize that hip hop is all about having a healthy ego. You'll never be the best unless you think that you're the best. However, there are a variety of ways to go about letting the world know about your massive set of skills. In listening to various recent gay hip hop mixtapes, I've discovered a disturbing new trend: The Talk.
Yes, The Talk. It's not enough that people will spit verse after verse telling you how awesome they are. Then, they will also include large portions where the beat grows dim and they begin a monologue about their greatness. To me, it's a big turn-off.
I pop cassettes into my walkman (or whatever the kids do these days to listen to music) because I want to be happy. I've had a stressful day, and I just want to kick back and listen to some nice hip hop music. Some rapping set to hot beats. I generally prefer MCs with multiple syllable rhymes and creative metaphors, but I'll certainly take pop rappers if they can make their verses dance properly.
If I wanted to hear someone talk, I'd go out to a theater show. Now, I love some good drama. But it can be tough to relax when I'm trying to keep track of all the characters and lines, set changes and so forth.
Similarly, it's hard to turn my mind off and enjoy a music album when there's no music. I don't always want to keep track of the words you're saying.. I often just want to hear the rhythm of your voice. Just keep things nice and soothing, and I'll be happy.
It's the same when I tune into classical radio.. I don't need to hear long stretches of explanation about the song we just heard; I simply want to hear the orchestra play. In fact, I think that's why classical music station announcers often speak slowly and drowsily; They don't want to disturb the calm sensation created by the music.
When I go to a live hip hop show, there's nothing worse than when the MC spends 10 to 20 minutes hyping up the crowd, making us throw our hands in the air and say "Whoa!" and telling us what hip hop is really about, without breaking into actual song. If I wanted a lecture, I would sign up to take classes, not pay for cover and drink tickets. If you are going to talk, wait until you've done a few songs and earned a break, but even so, please keep it snappy, and make it count.
There are numerous paths you can use to impress people with your hot flow. My favorite method is when artists spit with a hot flow. My least favorite way is when you tell people that you have a hot flow. If you want me to listen to your songs more than once, then make them good songs, complete with verses and choruses. If you only want to do a little rapping and mostly just soliloquize, then odds are high that I'll check out your mixtape once and then throw it in the trash.
Reader Comments (3)
Kudos... I agree.
Stay safe and have fun bro... Much love... Mitch
truth in words most cats cant comprehend soce.....kudos.
Well said!!!!!