Comm Thread: In Honor RiotSweetie, Humpty Dumpty!

[Wavy Q]

The Beatles are a pretty good example of something being over romanticized.

[Doormatt]

i think old school gets romanticized to a certain degree. i love old school stuff, but a lot of it is overrated just because its old, much like any genre. look at rock, how many old school rock groups are as good as Radiohead or Muse? not many. and many people think rock is just as "dead" as hip hop.

I'm not overrating it, old school being flat out better is just fact. Stories were actually told back then now it's about bitches and weed.

underground hip hop is not about bitches and weed.

[Doormatt]

The Beatles are a pretty good example of something being over romanticized.

i agree, and i love the beatles.

[Jetset]

Don't get me wrong I love underground hip hop/rap where it is right now, I listen to Curren$y, TiRon & Ayomari, Chuuwee, Blu, Earl Sweatshirt, etc. everyday. But I don't see how you can make the argument about today's music being better than old school. And that goes for all genres.

[TyCobb]

Technology really saturated the game with mediocrity.

What modern rap is on par with the quality of rap when it first started?

I'd say none really, the storytelling these days fails in comparison to the songs of about 20 years ago. Only people I can think of are old heads like Nas that fit that description. As far as new school with a true hip hop feel, even though he was overrated I'd say Cole before he signed with Roc Nation.

Okay, we appear to have similar opinions on what rap is and what it was.

That is part of the reason why I chose One Mic by Nas, as sort of a transcendent/founding moment for modern rap.

Before it was about equality, political agendas, and being heard. Then Nas comes out with Stillmatic, and in particular 'One Mic', and establishes a platform and foothold for African-Americans. Now we hear in rap today about wealth, women, and many other triumphs.

[Gek]

The Beatles are a pretty good example of something being over romanticized.

Their variety was pretty amazing. Drugs are a hell of a drug.

[TyCobb]

I'm not overrating it, old school being flat out better is just fact. Stories were actually told back then now it's about bitches and weed.

This is why I love Cole.

[Jetset]

old music was **** quality, production wise. doesn't sound as crisp. If I'm going "oldschool" i'd rather listen to 70s/80s on vinyl.

Technology back then wasn't like it is today to maximize the full sound.

[Gek]

I'm not overrating it, old school being flat out better is just fact. Stories were actually told back then now it's about bitches and weed.

I agree. I like that music too.

[Doormatt]

Don't get me wrong I love underground hip hop/rap where it is right now, I listen to Curren$y, TiRon & Ayomari, Chuuwee, Blu, Earl Sweatshirt, etc. everyday. But I don't see how you can make the argument about today's music being better than old school. And that goes for all genres.

at no point did i say it was better, i said it was comparable. might not be as consistent because you dont have guys like tribe, old school jay-z, tupac etc. putting out stuff regularly, but theres a lot of stuff now that i prefer to listen to over old school stuff.

[Jetset]

i think old school gets romanticized to a certain degree. i love old school stuff, but a lot of it is overrated just because its old, much like any genre. look at rock, how many old school rock groups are as good as Radiohead or Muse? not many. and many people think rock is just as "dead" as hip hop.

I'm not overrating it, old school being flat out better is just fact. Stories were actually told back then now it's about bitches and weed.

underground hip hop is not about bitches and weed.

I beg to differ, for the most part it is. Of course you have some that do their own thing, but more times than not it's about those things.

[Wavy Q]

Redman and Big L are probably my favorites, if you consider them Old School.

[Doormatt]

what are we labeling underground then?

[Doormatt]

btw a lot of old school stuff is about weed and bitches. a lot.

[Doormatt]

also, id rather listen to stupid **** like that then have KRS1 yell at me how terrible every MC is and how hip hop is dead.

[hermes]

Yo Jetset, I need one rap song that transcended the genre into it's current state. I can't think of anything better than One Mic by Nas. What do you think?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SBN_ikibtg[/youtube]

[Wavy Q]

btw a lot of old school stuff is about weed and bitches. a lot.

This is true, but Old School's flow and delivery is vastly superior.

[Jetset]

Technology really saturated the game with mediocrity.

What modern rap is on par with the quality of rap when it first started?

I'd say none really, the storytelling these days fails in comparison to the songs of about 20 years ago. Only people I can think of are old heads like Nas that fit that description. As far as new school with a true hip hop feel, even though he was overrated I'd say Cole before he signed with Roc Nation.

Okay, we appear to have similar opinions on what rap is and what it was.

That is part of the reason why I chose One Mic by Nas, as sort of a transcendent/founding moment for modern rap.

Before it was about equality, political agendas, and being heard. Then Nas comes out with Stillmatic, and in particular 'One Mic', and establishes a platform and foothold for African-Americans. Now we hear in rap today about wealth, women, and many other triumphs.

I guess that could work, but partly because I can't think of a better example. If I think of one I'll let you know but what you have now is fine.

[hermes]

that just makes me lose even more faith in humanity.

you mean you had some?

[TyCobb]

Thanks Jetset, appreciate it.