January 16th, 2008

Coming of Age… and Getting In The Way: The Next Generation, Relativity, and Rap Music’s Dilemma

By Michael Partis

On January 16, 2008 a fifteen year Black male from Queensbridge Projects drops out of high school and decides to become a rapper. He makes his first appearance on a song, and spits these bars:

“Street's disciple, my raps are trifle
I shoot slugs from my brain just like a rifle
Stampede the stage, I leave the microphone split
Play Mr. Tuffy while I'm on some Pretty Tone shit
Verbal assassin, my architect pleases
When I was twelve, I went to hell for snuffin Jesus
Nasty Nas is a rebel to America
Police murderer, I'm causin hysteria”

Do you think any major record label in the music industry would sign him? Would Def Jam executives be at project apartment’s door? Would Dr. Dre sit on a park bench convincing him to sign with Aftermath? And if they did, what would parent companies Island and Interscope have to say about that? Or better yet, what would Bill O’ Reilly say…?


There is often much discussion of a “generational gap” between older Blacks from the Civil Rights generation, and Blacks between the ages eighteen to thirty-five. The debate mostly centers on a “blame game” between whose at fault for the current state of the Black American community: lack of mentorship, guidance, and sustainable structures created by the forbearers; or the misguided defiance, individualism, and loss of morals and integrity promoted by the youth.

The startlingly thing is that no matter how much media commentators talk about it, or BET sends Jeff Johnson to do a special about it, the rap community does not take it as a lesson learn. And we do not use it as a tool to see the ever growing divide between young rappers and old rappers today. The rap community has failed to see and address the generational gap between the successful rappers of the 1990’s, and the litany of twenty-something rappers waiting in the wings.

In 1996 Brooklyn rapper, and Jay-Z protégé, Memphis Bleek uttered the words, “Waitin for my day to come/ Just give me the word…” By 2005, his mentor Jay-Z tells us, “Bleek could be one hit away his whole career/ As long as I’m alive he’s a millionaire/ And even if I die he’s in my will somewhere/ So he could just kick back and chill somewhere/ Oh yeah, he don’t even hafta write rhymes/ The Dynasty like my money, last three lifetimes.” Nas told us that Cormega, Nature, and Quan were all next—none of them have rose to prominence. Fat Joe said Terror Squad was next—now he has no affiliation with many of the members. Remember the Philly movement started by groups like Major Figgas and Philly’s Most Wanted; remember how Beans help put on the whole State Property crew; and remember how everybody jumped with Hov to Def Jam because it was the “best move for their career.”

While I’m sure Bleek might not have a problem with that, the question is why hasn’t he popped off?

One of the main reason we have seen such a sharp decline in rap sales is because of the lack of development of new artist. The media, major labels, and fans all take part in this. Between trying to “make” marketable music and artist, replicating the styles and sound of other successful artists, and substituting expression for profit, the rap game is in a confused state.

We see the generational gap create this confused state. The longer rap music is around, the greater the variation in ages. We have forty-year old rappers and forty-year old fans; we have fifteen year old rappers and fifteen year old fans. More and more we see rap music and hip-hop culture not just be seen as a “young people” thing. Not only are the people who run the corporate functioning of the music older, the artist are becoming older.

With this comes the inevitable “comparison” problem: “He’s the next Nas.” “He’s the next B.I.G.” “He’s the 2nd coming of KRS-One.” Or we have the “era” problem: “They’re not as good as rappers back in the day.” “None of these dudes could fuck with (fill in the blank).” “What happen to when (fill in the blank).” The problem being we can’t get rid of the past, and we can not ignore the present. We can’t expect artist to be like the ones who came before. Rap fans have become prisoner to wanting every new artist to be like their favorite old one. An artist has to be judged on his own merit. The standards should not be lower; expectations should not be changed. But how we listen to the music and how we think of the music must be adjusted.

The battle-tested rappers who have seen and helped Rap and Hip-Hop grow into the global phenomenon it is, have readily (and rightful) tried to reap the benefits of their sweat and tears. They seek more media coverage, more financial opportunities, and stand as large, dominating figures in the genre. Anyone from a Puerto Rican seventeen year old high school student to a fifty-five year old White homemaker could make out a picture of Jay-Z, P. Diddy, or LL Cool. Hip-Hop has become a part of popular culture.

However, the next generation of rappers are paying the painful price of Rap music’s popular success. Lupe Fiasco, Saigon, Joe Buddens, Crooked I, and Joell Ortiz are as arguable as talented as any rappers to come along the last ten years. Yet they can’t get mainstream media coverage or consistent support from the industry, while rappers like Snoop Dogg and Jay-Z can dominant the main stage and put out albums yearly.

The point is not to condemn the success of Rap music, it’s superstars, or it’s forefathers. The point is to understand why no other artist can breakthrough; and why do the young, upcoming artist flounder in struggle and obscurity. Is it because the young guns are wack? Do Hip-Hop’s star help usher in the next generation? Or are they in it for self— and is anything wrong with that?

It’s time to “Talk 2 Em”….

Related Posts:

  1. The Shop Boyz Are The Latest Victim Of Today’s Music Trend
  2. Jay-Z Gives Advice To The New Generation Of Rappers
  3. Nas Greatest Hits Album Coming Out November
  4. Free ft. Faith Evans – Dilemma
  5. Ice Cube Comments On Gangsta Rap

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 16th, 2008 at 11:31 am and is filed under News.



28 Responses to “Coming of Age… and Getting In The Way: The Next Generation, Relativity, and Rap Music’s Dilemma”

  1. Corpseeater Says:
    January 16th, 2008 at 10:34 am

    I’ll solve that….just look for my video coming soon on youtube—-Dialect is my name. That’s if you want a breath of fresh air.

  2. aleks Says:
    January 16th, 2008 at 10:34 am

    Hip-Hop news must be slow today…

    Talent is not enough. Mass appeal plays a factor, as well as Marketability. You have to have a blueprint on how you’re going to portray yourself as a rapper. It should be the record companies that take this raw talent and craft into a superstar.

    Young Talent also has to bring something new the table. Rehashing old ideas and/or gimmicks won’t cut it.

    Although some new Talent out there is great, it should be light years ahead of where it really is. Production is moving at a faster rate than rapping, making the rapper rely more on the production. This is where the innovation is lacking in the rapper. There is no need to really re-invent the wheel or push themselves forward when they could just rely on the producer.

  3. About Rhymes Says:
    January 16th, 2008 at 10:38 am

    In my opinion the new rap artists of today like the current crop you mentioned (lupe fiasco,Joell ortiz, crooked I, joe budden, etc)their okay rappers. The main problems with these rappers is that they don’t have anything new to bring to the table,things they rap about consumers have heard over and over.And to make things worse 95% percent of these rappers sound like each other.What Rap needs right now is innovation
    somebody has to come with creative lyrical skills and flow that attempts to surpass those of such greats as biggie and pac.

  4. luva of the vanilla Says:
    January 16th, 2008 at 10:50 am

    Solutions my man, where are the solutions? You really gotta break it down for people. And you have to include the main reason why no one respects today’s rapper….becaue it’s no longer considered a talent. It’s something that attention limelight chasers use as a substitute to working a “regular job”. Everyday a new “rap artist” registers to myspace and thinks he’s the next big thing. As a result, people who used to be fans feel they are now artists. “Why support Lupe, Joe Budden, Joel Ortiz when I’m hotter?”. The fans that are left don’t know who is just another immitator chasing a buck and who is legit. So they go the safe route and rock with the cats who were established pre-myspace..ie. Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, T.I.

  5. highfour07 Says:
    January 16th, 2008 at 11:02 am

    I totally agree with post 2. In tha article it asks why is it so hard for artist like Lupe Fiasco to break through (Which his knew album the Cool has to be the slept on album of the year). It seems like only artists who have a criminal record and talk about sex,drugs, and money break through, make it mainstream. That’s crazy but when artists like Lupe, Nas, and etc. spit real sh*t. Everyone seems to downplay their album. So I raise a question what will future rap artist rap about?

  6. everybody wana be a n*gga, but nobody wana be a n*gga! Says:
    January 16th, 2008 at 11:04 am

    I dont know how many times we have this debate. But yes, new artist lack substance b/c corporate america lust cream! The few artist who hold originality are a blessing. But most of the youth aren’t check’n for that b/c they want what’s marketed the strongest. So yes, Hip hop had it’s great days…But now i’m disgusted and i dont think it holds much signifigance, value, or genuine creativity for that matter.
    **How about letting hip hop die, like diso, in the next couple of years, and starting a new genre that we can rock to? Do i have to wait unil i’m 60 to hear a new sound??? Or will i be in my rocking chair still holding up a dynasty sign???
    Think about it????

  7. Latin King Says:
    January 16th, 2008 at 11:07 am

    Them 8 bars that you put up there from NAS would still get him signed today…….

    BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I emphasize on the BUT)

    Today, He would need to be BEEFING with, 50 Cent, JA, JAYZ, LUPE, RICK ROSS, and just for fun, he would also have to go at SOULJA BOY on diss track………………

    Then he would get signed!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAAHAHAHA

  8. everybody wana be a n*gga, but nobody wana be a n*gga! Says:
    January 16th, 2008 at 11:11 am

    With this topic being so argumentive, will hip hop truly live forever, or will it be a distant memory circa 2060 (God willing)? Or will we ever get a breath of fresh air from a new type of music, or will that sound so dumb to us when we get old, that we will be 2-stepping in our retirement homes until the day we die? Life is a trip!

  9. Mic Sorc of Tri-Boro Says:
    January 16th, 2008 at 11:11 am

    Damn, this was a great article. Standards arent lower for us older fan. We’ve kept em high this whole time, which is why we hate on Soulja Boy and Hurricane Chris like we do. I’m only 24 but I’ve listened to hiphop from EPMD, Big Daddy Kane, Nas, The Roots, Kweli, Mos Def, Common, Little Brother, Joe Buddens, Joell, Lupe, Kool G Rap. thats my era of rap and these are my titans. There are many factors that can take the blame, but I guess over time we got conditioned to listen different to music. Nobody really goes on Hot 97 or the Wake Up show to sit and freestyle for hours like they use to. now rapper go on the radio and they talk about beef, club incidents, groupies and what not. its entertaining but i’m not interested in all that. I wanna hear a “rapper” “rap” pretty much. but over time we got conditioned to look out for that since that was our only option. the industry conditioned us as well. its kinda like we were cool with listening to Wu Tang, then the industry took them out the equation and gave us Cash Money and G-Unit. we might not like either one, but we have no option but to pick the lesser evil. that whats happened over time, we got flooded with bull$Hit that we hate and since we have no other options of what to listen to, we have to choose the one thats not as horrible as the other.

  10. 80's kid Says:
    January 16th, 2008 at 11:16 am

    Good read…Theres more than one reason why the new rappers of today are struggling. Maybe most important, record sales for EVERYBODY are down. The industry got spoiled in the 90’s and early years of the new millenium when even average dudes was going platinum. The industry needs to understand that CD’s are a thing of the past, like cassettes and 8 tracks. Its all about digital now.

  11. Bry Says:
    January 16th, 2008 at 11:47 am

    Producers are the ones that are hot now, they need to give a young nice MC one of there million dollar beats so they could get the rock on and maybe make a classic song.
    truth be told, Loopie fisco always been a weirdo. and on top of it how you gonna dis Tribe Called Quest. He looks soft. Lopie looks suspect, he looks like that punk kid who never comes out the house. and that kickpush shit was trash.
    can compare nas to loopie
    if out favorite rappers are still scoring 25 a game and are still getting voted on into the allstar game, lets embrace them. make these young snotnose rappers work harder to get put on.
    its just to easy nowadays, thats why 95% can cut it.

  12. Ahijah Says:
    January 16th, 2008 at 11:48 am

    However, the next generation of rappers are paying the painful price of Rap music’s popular success. Lupe Fiasco, Joe Budden, Crooked I, and Joell Ortiz are as arguable as talented as any rappers to come along the last ten years. I agree but to be a rapper in toadays Generation you need to marketable have a catchy single which gets loads of spins on the radio. Joe Budden went Gold I believe in 2003 it didn’t stop Def Jam from shelving him. I disagree with the person who said Lupe Fiasco, Joe Budden, Crooked I, and Joell Ortiz don’t bring nothing new to rap. Especially Joell who was a breath of fresh air last year when a certian somebody was on most of the mixtapes last year & a day wouldn’t go by without a new song by him. I think records labels play a big part aswell they rather promote ringtones rappers than rappers who rap about substance.

  13. Doc Carter Says:
    January 16th, 2008 at 11:59 am

    The consumer controls the marketplace at all times, so its easy to see why they cant break onto the sceen like they need to. People are out here buying the bullshit that soulja boy, hurricane chris and the other lames put out. I know people in here dont necessarilty listen to them, but somebody is cause that sdhit is still dropping. In any industry if the product aint moving then it aint being sold. Look at drugs, cars, cllothes, real estate, restaurants, etc… all of these can go out of businress quick if their product don’t move. How abbout some of these sites on the web that talk about hiphop only post real hiphop. Why is it that I every site I go to got an ad for any weak ass rapper out. The other day RTNY did an interview wit Soulja Boy, if people wouldnt give them any attention wit interviews or whatever, the record companies would just fold up those acts. At the end of the day its about the $$$ cause the peeps that run all of rap music dont listen to it so they dont care. And those with outlets to calm down the surge of bullshit continue to promote it. Bottomline your favorite up and comers are battling a lot of people at once and its going to be hard, but if u personally support them by buying a cd and not bootlegging it then u have done ur part and thats all u can do.

  14. Young Jedi Says:
    January 16th, 2008 at 12:03 pm

    I dont think any rapper out there now or coming up could conjure up a hard hitting rhyme like that..the problem also has to do with rappers always trying to emulate somebody elses persona. no one is really original..the rappers mentioned who have been coming up in the game are not getting any love is because they are real rappers..not a candy coated dude with a one hit wonder under his belt trying to be the next Pac..Saigon, Lupe, and Joell have went against the grain and put music out that represent themselves.they dont make music to make money they make music to help the culture grow and evolve. if record companies keeping going this route hip hops gonna be out of style in a year or two..why is’nt there artist development anymore? because it takes too much time and effort to do it..since rap has become pop culture the higher ups have capitalized off the culture thats why we have these one hit wonders coming and going because the only concern to them is the bottomline.