How Can Hip Hop be Dead, When Wu-Tang is Forever?

[Tui]

Alright everybody, just listen to me
Turn off the radio and the TV
I got somethin to say and I'll say it now
You'll be so amazed I'll hear you say wow
Just stop arguin' here, this ain't the place
If you don't agree, then I'll punch you in the face.

Word to your mother.

[sunnygirl]

Seriously? If RZA says hip hop ain't dead, it must be true. Cancel the memorial service!

[Missviolet]

The Ew-Tang clan!

[TiaDalmaFan]

Then let me ask you a question, why bother posting the article in the first place if you didn't expect people to come in and make comments? Positive or negative you would have to expect on a message board for people to have an opinion, regardless of the topic at hand?

Yeah, I fully expected comments, I was just hoping they'd be comments related to the specific topic, i.e., the return of the Wu-Tang Clan and/or the Rock the Bells Festival Tour. Some have been. Yours is more of a general "I don't know much about hip hop, but I'm not a fan." Yeah, okay.

If I haven't heard much quality hip hop, I sincerely ask that you give me something I could download off Itunes and then we can have a discussion regarding Hip Hop. Not that it would make me an expert but it would give us a reason to cover the topic your bringing up here no?

Most of the acts listed on the Rock the Bells lineup would be great places to start, including Talib Kweli, Mos Def, the Roots, Nas, Pharoahe Monch, MFDoom, Blackalicious, Murs 3:16, and Public Enemy. I'd also recommend Lupe Fiasco, Common, Lyrics Born, Del the Funkee Homosapien, and dead prez. I also like Jay-Z and Kanye West. Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. are still very well respected hip hop artists. KRS-One, Eric B & Rakim, LL Cool J, Run-DMC, Big Daddy Kane, The Fugees, the Jungle Brothers, MC Lyte... I could go on. The thing to remember with hip hop is that every artist and every album is different; you might like every album from one artist, none from another, some but not all from yet another. For example, I'm not particularly fond of a lot of Southern crunk-style hip hop, but I do find myself liking various tracks from Ludacris or Paul Wall every so often.

Again, I am a little confused as to why you post something and not expect people's comments on it. If you were just posting to post, I would imagine a personal blog would be a better outlet for what your going for.

Never said I didn't expect comments on it, but unrelated, arbitrary "I don't like hip hop and this is why" comments are really rather off-topic.

[SummerInFL]

Yeah, I fully expected comments, I was just hoping they'd be comments related to the specific topic, i.e., the return of the Wu-Tang Clan and/or the Rock the Bells Festival Tour. Some have been. Yours is more of a general "I don't know much about hip hop, but I'm not a fan." Yeah, okay.

Looking for nothing but good comments on a board like this is like going to Disneyland and thinking no one will say anything about the wire Tinkerbell is using.

I already explained to you the reason behind my post and that I was looking for more information, your thread gives me the ability to do that.

Most of the acts listed on the Rock the Bells lineup would be great places to start, including Talib Kweli, Mos Def, the Roots, Nas, Pharoahe Monch, MFDoom, Blackalicious, Murs 3:16, and Public Enemy. I'd also recommend Lupe Fiasco, Common, Lyrics Born, Del the Funkee Homosapien, and dead prez. I also like Jay-Z and Kanye West. Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. are still very well respected hip hop artists. The thing to remember with hip hop is that every artist and every album is different; you might like every album from one artist, none from another, some but not all from yet another. For example, I'm not particularly fond of a lot of Southern crunk-style hip hop, but I do find myself liking various tracks from Ludacris or Paul Wall every so often.

Excellent, I will start with some of those once I get home. Any particular song you prefer?

Never said I didn't expect comments on it, but unrelated, arbitrary "I don't like hip hop and this is why" comments are really rather off-topic.

Just because a person disagrees with your point of view does not mean that the person is speaking "off topic" Having read the article you listed it lead me to express my viewpoint regarding hip hop which lead to the obvious need to ask for examples of good hip hop. As you disagreed that any hip hop I may have heard in the past isn't that great, although an assumption, I did ask for some input.

Instead of pulling out the guns blazing maybe you might try and approach someone with a different point of view in hopes of showing them your side of the story and they might actually change their mind about the topic at hand.

[TinkPink]

Never said I didn't expect comments on it, but unrelated, arbitrary "I don't like hip hop and this is why" comments are really rather off-topic.

It's a thread about hip hop. She doesn't like hip hop. Just because you don't like her opinion, doesn't mean she can't post it. The TS does not have the right to decide what gets posted in their thread, as long as it's related to the topic and so far I have seen nothing that isn't.

[TiaDalmaFan]

Looking for nothing but good comments on a board like this is like going to Disneyland and thinking no one will say anything about the wire Tinkerbell is using.

Didn't say I was only looking for good comments. Was just hoping they'd be related more specifically to the article.

I already explained to you the reason behind my post and that I was looking for more information, your thread gives me the ability to do that.

Sorry, didn't realize that "I've never liked hip hop and I don't know why" was a request for information.

Excellent, I will start with some of those once I get home. Any particular song you prefer?

A few, sure:

Talib Kweli: Get By; I Try
Mos Def: Ms. Fat Booty; Umi Says
The Roots: You Got Me; The Seed (2.0); Break You Off
Nas: One Mic; It Ain't Hard To Tell; I Can; Hate Me Now; Thief's Theme
Public Enemy: Fight the Power; Don't Believe the Hype; 911 Is A Joke
Lupe Fiasco: Kick, Push; Daydreamin'
Common: I Used to Love H.E.R.; The Light; A Song for Assata; The Corner; Testify
Kanye West: both albums to date; All Falls Down; Jesus Walks; Never Let Me Down; Two Words; Through the Wire; Family Business; Heard 'Em Say; Touch the Sky; Drive Slow; Hey Mama; Diamonds from Sierra Leone (original or remix)

Just because a person disagrees with your point of view does not mean that the person is speaking "off topic."

Didn't realize you were disagreeing. Also didn't realize I gave a point of view, other than recommending the tour.

Having read the article you listed it lead me to express my viewpoint regarding hip hop which lead to the obvious need to ask for examples of good hip hop. As you disagreed that any hip hop I may have heard in the past isn't that great, although an assumption, I did ask for some input.

Instead of pulling out the guns blazing maybe you might try and approach someone with a different point of view in hopes of showing them your side of the story and they might actually change their mind about the topic at hand.

No guns blazin' here; your initial comment was just sort of random and not clearly related to the article topic. Sorry for ruffling your feathers.

[TiaDalmaFan]

It's a thread about hip hop. She doesn't like hip hop. Just because you don't like her opinion, doesn't mean she can't post it.

Never said she couldn't post her opinion, and whether I like or don't like her opinion is beside the point. First thing out of my mouth was "that's fine." Just questioned why she would make that opinion known, when it isn't specifically related to the topic in question. Sure, it's a thread about a hip hop artist and tour, but it's not about hip hop as a general subject. It's about a specific artist and a specific tour.

The TS does not have the right to decide what gets posted in their thread, as long as it's related to the topic and so far I have seen nothing that isn't.

Not deciding anything; just questioning why anyone would post a general opinion about something they don't like when a specific topic is what the thread is about.

It'd be like me going into a thread about, say, Club 33, and stating "I've never liked sit-down restaurants." OK, so noted, but what does that have to do with Club 33 specifically? Got an opinion about Club 33? No? Well, thanks for sharing anyway.

And here endeth the sidebar drama.

[PrincessY]

This may be off topic. If so, I apologize in advance and we can discuss this in another thread.

As a generalization: Why is it that it those who appreciate rap/hip hop music seems to be so defensive of it if someone doesn't appreciate that style of music. There are also many who dislike country, or opera, or heavy metal music, but those fans just don't seem to care if the rest of the world doesn't like their music. You won't hear a country fan lament that "you all just don't understand the social significance, or the poetry, or the history of our music" - again, I'm generalizing. And it can't be because more people hate hip hop/rap than country. Probably half the U.S. hates country and the other half loves it. I might assume that split is probably true of rap/hip hop as well.

Just curious.

[SummerInFL]

Never said she couldn't post her opinion, and whether I like or don't like her opinion is beside the point. First thing out of my mouth was "that's fine." Just questioned why she would make that opinion known, when it isn't specifically related to the topic in question. Sure, it's a thread about a hip hop artist and tour, but it's not about hip hop as a general subject. It's about a specific artist and a specific tour.

Yes, but follow my thought process here. Article about hip hop, information regarding concert, my personal opinion regarding hip hop, posting personal opinion regarding hip hop. If I started talking about what record label that this particular artist was under, by your definition that would still be off topic. However with the current subject at hand I think most people would agree that talking about his record label would be acceptable, as it still involves Wu Tang. In this particular instance I took the conversation in another direction, voicing my opinion regarding Hip Hop, while I didn't come out and say something like, "I don't like Wu Tang's music." I think we can all agree here that the topic is still related. Generalizing my comments as you are doesn't change the fact that I was absolutely on topic with what I was saying. As you have stated numerous times that you basically wanted opinions regarding the concert series it leaves very little substance to speak about when it's human nature for conversations to drift from one thing to another.

Not deciding anything; just questioning why anyone would post a general opinion about something they don't like when a specific topic is what the thread is about.

It'd be like me going into a thread about, say, Club 33, and stating "I've never liked sit-down restaurants." OK, so noted, but what does that have to do with Club 33 specifically? Got an opinion about Club 33? No? Well, thanks for sharing anyway.

And here endeth the sidebar drama.

But I didn't, I was referring to the style of music and correct me if I am wrong, Wu Tang is a Hip Hop Artist, so wouldn't that make it relevant?

Also on your comment above, using the same analogy I can say you would be correct if I had said something like, "I'm not really a fan of music." That's to broad, but specifically talking about the type of music that Wu Tang produces most definitely keeps me on topic.

On a side note, I took debate in high school, it takes a lot to get my feathers ruffled as you put it, I am far from upset at all, just doing what I think anyone else would do, try and show my side of it.

[Disneykat]

<sigh> Someone likes to debate/argue/create drama. Sorry but just looking at the lyrics to the songs recommended, makes me not want to listen to any of them. That is my opinion, which has nothing to do with the topic at hand.

[TiaDalmaFan]

Yes, but follow my thought process here. Article about hip hop, information regarding concert, my personal opinion regarding hip hop, posting personal opinion regarding hip hop. If I started talking about what record label that this particular artist was under, by your definition that would still be off topic. However with the current subject at hand I think most people would agree that talking about his record label would be acceptable, as it still involves Wu Tang. In this particular instance I took the conversation in another direction, voicing my opinion regarding Hip Hop, while I didn't come out and say something like, "I don't like Wu Tang's music." I think we can all agree here that the topic is still related. Generalizing my comments as you are doesn't change the fact that I was absolutely on topic with what I was saying. As you have stated numerous times that you basically wanted opinions regarding the concert series it leaves very little substance to speak about when it's human nature for conversations to drift from one thing to another.

OK.

But I didn't, I was referring to the style of music and correct me if I am wrong, Wu Tang is a Hip Hop Artist, so wouldn't that make it relevant?

Yes, the Wu Tang Clan is a hip hop group, so yes, in a very broad, general sense, your brief comments were related to the topic. But only in a very broad, general sense.

Also on your comment above, using the same analogy I can say you would be correct if I had said something like, "I'm not really a fan of music." That's to broad, but specifically talking about the type of music that Wu Tang produces most definitely keeps me on topic.

I disagree, but OK.

On a side note, I took debate in high school, it takes a lot to get my feathers ruffled as you put it, I am far from upset at all, just doing what I think anyone else would do, try and show my side of it.

OK. Thanks for your input.

[sir clinksalot]

Hip Hop is indeed dead ...

Why???

Look at the state of "Current" Hip-Hop. In MY opinion, it just sucks. No great groups like back in the day. Run-DMC, Eric B. and Rakim, Public Enemy, and the list can go on and on. After about '98 Hip-Hop is dead to me.

Wu-Tang ... never got into them.

[sir clinksalot]

Actually, I do have to add something ... There is one good current hip-hop group.

The Roots.

[TiaDalmaFan]

Sorry but just looking at the lyrics to the songs recommended, makes me not want to listen to any of them.

Which ones in particular do you have problems with?

This is one of my favorites:

Artist: The Roots feat. Erykah Badu & Eve
Album: Things Fall Apart
Song: You Got Me

Chorus: Erykah Badu (repeat 2X)

If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
what club I went to with my homies
baby don't worry you know that you got me

(Black Thought)
Somebody told me that this planet was small
we use to live in the same building on the same floor
and never met before
until I'm overseas on tour
and peep this Ethiopian queen from Philly
taking classes abroad
she studyin' film and photo/flash/focus/record
said she workin' on a flick and
could my click do the score?
she said she loved my show in Paris
at Elysee Montmartre
and that I stepped off the stage
and took a piece of her heart
we knew from the start that
things fall apart, intentions shatter
she like "that sh*t don't matter"
when I get home - get at her
through letter, phone, whatever
let's link, let's get together
sh*t, you think not? think the Thought went home and forgot?
time passed, we back in Philly now she up in my spot
tellin' me the things I'm tellin' her is makin' her hot
startin' buildin' with her constantly round the clock
now she in my world like hip-hop
and keep tellin' me

(Chorus)

[Black Thought]
Yo, I'm the type that's always catchin' a flight
and sometimes I gotta be out at the height of the night
and that's when she flip and get on some ol'

[Eve]
Another lonely night?
seem like I'm on the side; you only loving your mic...
I know you gotta get that paper, daddy; keep that sh*t tight
but yo - I need some sort of love in my life, you dig me?
while politickin' with my sister from New York City
she said she know this ballplayer, and he think I'm pretty...
Psych!!
I'm playin' boo; you know it's just wit' you I'm stayin', boo
and when cats be poppin' game, I don't hear what they sayin', boo
when you out there in the world, I'm still your girl
with all my classes I don't have the time for life's thrills
so when you sweatin' on stage think of me when you rhyme
and don't be listenin' to your homies; they be leavin' you blind

[Black] Yeah, so what you sayin'; I can trust you?
[Eve] Is you crazy? you my king fa real!
[Both] But sometimes relationships get ill
[Eve] No doubt

(Chorus)

[Black Thought]
Thet snake could be that chick
and that rat could be that cool cat
that's whisperin' "she tryin' to play you for the fool, Black"
if something's on your chest then let it be known
see I'm not your every-five-minutes-all-on-the-phone
and on the topic of trust, it's just a matter of fact
that people bite back and fracture what's intact
and they'll forever be; I ain't on some "oh I'm a celebrity" -
I deal with the real, so if it's artificial, let it be
I've seen people caught in love like whirlwinds
listenin' to they squads and listenin' to girlfriends
that's exactly the point where they whole world ends
lies come in, that's where that drama begins, she like -

(Chorus: repeat until fade)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<obje...mbed></object>