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tinypliny’s journal

Hip Hop Love Hate

· · 🌡️ 42°F

I think I could be a massive hip hop fan (especially with southern roots, they are SO catchy!) IF ONLY they didn't insist on crooning out absolutely offensive and downright annoying lyrics with those really outstanding tunes.

Does it all have to be about crime or calling women all kind of juvenile names?! It irritates me so much because I really dig the whole rhythm and the complex multi-layered arrangements of several hip hop artists but I just don't want to listen to them singing about how they clobbered someone to death (and not in a black noir way, either) or how their guns and drugs are so cool.

Of course, I have the option of turning off the vocal frequencies, but the problem is the vocals are so much a part of the melody and rhythm in the song, the song loses a LOT if you eliminate the vocals.

Man, how I wish they all sang/rapped in French!

Hippety hop dilemma.
163 words · edited Nov 19, 2010

💬 12 comments

  1. paul ·

    I am sure there is french hip hop. I used to listed to a lot of German hiphop. It wasn't quite as degrading but it still did seem to have a lot of bravado.

  2. enknot ·

    :::link:::

  3. metalpeter ·

    Their is Asian Hip Hop! Not sure where you would find it though and how you would understand it not sure. I relative of mine who works lives in Korea got back into it over there. See Not to sterotype to much but when Asain's get into it they take the positive out of it and don't go all gangsta...

    Now Point #2 all the negative stuff is what you see and hear in Videos. There used to be a lot of positve artists who they are now I have no idea......... Sure you can look them up... Oh Yeah when bands like NWA and Ice Cube later blew up (Gangsta Rap) there where bands Like Pete Rock & CL Smooth and Boogie Down Productions that where an entirly different thing so I'm sure there is another movement (two local groups to looks up are Type Relevet and Constant Climax [not sure if they are still together I knew some one in the band]. I'm no expert seeing as I got sick of rap and hip hop or what ever you want to call it, you just have to look it up...

  4. tinypliny ·

    OH MY MY! Pigeon John ROCKS! \m/ NICE one @enknot! Please could you link more?!!!!! I especially like southern-influences hip hop (think T.I., Petey Pablo, Lil Boosie, Missy Elliot, Chamillionaire).

  5. tinypliny ·

    There is another facet to all hip hop though... It somehow evolved as a form of expression for the oppressed and in some way, the wronged. So maybe its unfair of me to say that I like the melodies and the rhythm but I am not comfortable with the content - because its almost like saying, hey I love your body, but please don't open your mouth. Very shallow in a way. :(

  6. lauren ·

    Dearest Tiny. First, check out Nappy Roots :::link:::
    ... I wouldn't say they are all positive, but that have that Southern sound that I love and hopefully you will love it too. As far as hip hop goes, there is a ton of really good hip hop that isn't so marketed and offensive. If you haven't heard of Outkast, definitely check them out. Also, I recommend Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def, The Fugees/Lauryn Hill,and K-OS.
    Also, perhaps Sara has talked about Battle @ Buffalo in class...I highly recommend going there to hear some really good music that you just can't find anywhere else, and if you feel so inclined, buy one of DJ Simple's mixed CD's at the Battle. He has amazing taste.

  7. tinypliny ·

    Thank you!! Thank you!! I will check them out!!

    I know about the battles (from your and @heidi's numerous posts!) but somehow never made it to them or to your hip hop class but I am determined that I will these coming months. Do you still take the classes or am I thinking too elementary - and you and e:Felly have gone on to the next stage and actually battle people? :-)

    How is everything?? You rarely post! e:Felly never posts! I miss you guys SO MUCH!

  8. lauren ·

    Unfortunately, Felly and I don't take classes anymore. Honestly, it was way more physically demanding than I think either of us had expected and we weren't getting anywhere because we weren't doing the work outside of class. There is, however, a girl who we used to take classes with who has gotten amazingly good over the last year and now battles with the guys, which I think is awesome. This is her: :::link:::
    Everything is good with us...Felly is a jerk and never comes on here...I always read everybody's stuff, I just don't post! So I am lurking :)

  9. tinypliny ·

    WOW - that was very impressive! Is she the one in black or the rainbow colours! Did she actually start with you - as a complete beginner? When was it again that you first went to the class - 2009 fall?

  10. tinypliny ·

    I must admit that the only motive driving me to take the hip hop classes is not all the lofty battling but maybe... just maybe a graceful way to vault over the numerous walls on my way to and fro from work (I know. Its right DOWN there in the list of über-pathetic motives that anyone can have to take hip hop lessons!)

  11. tinypliny ·

    Btw, did you ever consider hip hop yoga? :::link::: It sounds contrary - but might be balance between super-frenzied battles and getting a smidgen too calm.

  12. lauren ·

    Hmm ok first...I think we started somewhere around summer or fall of 2009, although I checked through my old journals for confirmation of that and I couldn't tell for sure. Stacy is the first girl who dances in the gray hoodie. She actually started after Felly and I did, but kept going after we left. It's funny you mention the acrobatics side of b-boying, because that is part of why I stopped going.. I was very into the hip hop movement aspects of it, but not so much into the tricks part (which of course takes more upper body strength, which I am seriously lacking.) If you are looking to get to work quicker, have you checked out parkour? If not, do!
    And, I have never heard of hip hop yoga!! I have never taken any yoga at all, although I have always thought it sounded pretty awesome...but hip hop yoga sounds super awesome. Hmm...something to consider!

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