As a lover of music I feel like I have neglected displaying my love for hip-hop in my blog. Don't get it twisted your girl loves and is pretty knowledgable regarding the origin of hip-hop, "South Bronx, South, South Bronx!" and its historical context and how hip-hop affects people of today, yesturday, and years to come. While I watched the Grammy's two weeks ago like everyone else I was a little thrown off by the whole knockout between Chris Brown and Rihanna which is dying down since CB's publicist released a statement this week. Anywho, I finally tuned in on the actual performances and grammy nominees and my homegurl Shandha was a little pissed off by Mr. Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. also known as Lil Wayne's big win at the Grammy's. Weezy sure don't look like a Dwayne. Although Lil Wayne has sold record breaking numbers of his latest album "Tha Carter III", Shandha was still offended by the Grammy's placing Weezy in the same category as Jay-Z, Nas, and Lupe Fiasco. She asked, "Who the hell puts the categories together and furthermore who decides who is the best?" As Lil Wayne exited the stage at the Grammy's with the Best Rap Album of the year award I began to ask myself,"Was his album better than Jay, Nas, and Lupe?" Personally, I loved Hov's "American Gangster" album because although the lyrical content was not Jay's best it was relatable to what was going on within our government, the parallel between the album and the movie American Gangter was genius. Nas, "Nigga" album, well I cannot honestly give my opinion on that because I did not listen to it in its entirety and I can say the same for Lupe's album too, but their singles were convincing enough.
In the music industry and in life there are always going to be great leaders, founding fathers, or whatever you want to call them who pave the way for future leaders. Look at Barack. I think that Lil Wayne winning the Grammy's symbolizes not the passing of the torch, but a borrowing of the torch. Feel the heat Weezy. Right now, its his time to reap the benefits of selling over a Milli albums, which is major in this day and time when records rarely sell thanks to online downloading. Overall, I am proud of him, but I felt a little sick seeing my boy Jay [like I know him on a first name basis lol] just sitting there when he paved the way for him. Do I think Weezy is the best rapper alive? I don't think so... Do I think he is one of the most successful rappers out? Yes, next to Jay, Snoop, T.I. and Will Smith. Let's not forget Will Smith was one of the first hip-hop artists to win a Grammy, so he actually paved the way for Weezy, Mr.Shawn Carter, and everyone else who claims they're rappers. I say all of this because I love hip-hop and I don't want this blog to be boxed into a Neo-Soul/R&B category because I am a lover of all genres of music. As long as I can groove to the sound of it, recite its substantial lyrics, and its easy on my ears...
Speaking of Hip-Hop I am giving crazy props and respect to T.I. for his show "Road to Redemption", which is raw and emotionally too heavy for a sistah. I cry every time I watch each episode, its like a mini series of Antwan Fisher. I pray young kids or the hood is watching and taking heed to the reality of violence, poverty, and ignorance that T.I. is putting on blast that so many of our youth are facing this second. I think its time that hip-hop gets it overdue props for making a change in its lyrical content and society.
Although we have a long way to go there are so many artists who are definitely slept on in hip-hop and I am currently speaking of the Somalian Emcee Knaan. You might have noticed him recently in Facebook ads or MTV commercials talking about Black History and its significance. Not only can this brotha spit, but he's sick on the spoken word tip. Take a sniff! You smell that? Fresh talent. Introducing Knaan.Knaan's album TROUBADOUR will be in Stores and Online on Feb 24. I can't wait! Check out his site because he is currently on tour and coming to a city near you.
Knaan w/my boo Mos Def
Tracks by Knaan that I love!
If Rap Gets Jealous - Knaan
In The Beginning - Knaan
Detroit native Black Milk is another artist whose talent is effortless and he's sick on the beat machine. I interviewed this dude last year and he was one of the realist emcees that gave me no other option, but to love and believe in what he was spitting. His album "Tronic" was one of the highest rated hip-hop albums that I have ever rated on Yo!Raps and is deserving of street credibility. Try - Black Milk
