#gXd 1

#1 ThatGuy on 08.02.12 at 6:26 pm: The problem with today’s hip hop isn’t just lousy lyrics. It’s also the bullshit production that is compressed to the point of no flavor, with no dynamic range, all designed for iPod earbuds not stereo speakers. There’s some good hip hop out there like Brother Ali and MF Doom but radio/MTV/BET only play that pop shit. Back in the day they played Biggie, Tupac, Tribe, DMX, Nas…cats who probably wouldnt see the light of day in this mindless auto-tuned world.
#2 HvNC on 08.03.12 at 10:13 am: I disagree that lyrics “back in the day” mattered more than lyrics do now.
1. Sounds like he’s referring to the 1990s. This was a time when there was definitely a better balance between music and lyrics. Can-i-bus, Souls of Mischief, Heiro, GangStarr, Return of The Boom Bap album (please!), Common Sense, Wu Tang, (For goodness sakes!), etc. All these were know for both.
2. Look deeper than what’s on the charts, or on TV, or YouTube. That’s where the lyricists are. Black Thought, Phonte, Pooh, RZA, Wiz Kalifa, oops, I won’t drone on by naming names here but…
3. There’s always a dynamism and ebb/flow between beats and lyrics in hiphop. You dope on BAI and, when I can find them, I listen to the podcasts, and I’m interested in your gxd initiative but please keep the “things ain’t what they used to be” handwringing to a mimimum. Peace!

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