A couple years ago when producers were the biggest names in hiphop (Kanye, Lil Jon, etc) I said that hiphop had gone full circle and had actually gotten back to to what it started as party music where the emcee was merely a side kick to the dj (zulu nation, etc). Obviously sex and degredation have infilitraded 2008 party music more than 1987.
Now in 2008 I see a new phase of "retro" rappers. The Cool Kids, Wale, Lupe, Kanye, Etc. These guys are a mirrior image of the 1987 wave of Run DMC's, MC Shan, LL, Beastie Boys, ETC.
IMHO, 1989-1999 was the golden era of rap. After the 87 crop, Slick Rick, Rakim, MC Lyte, Big Daddy Kane etc emerged. This group of heads were really the innovators. After them came the Nas, Wu-Tang, Poor Riteous Teachers, etc etc etc. All the down to the Rawkus Movement, to Project Blowed, Ras Kass, Camp Lo, ETC.
I don't think hiphop died in 1999, but it peaked. Where else could lyricism go after "Patriotism", Internal Affairs, Blackalicious?
So like clock work, it steadily regressed to beats and party music. With the emphasis on lyricism and charismatic rappers again (ie the word SWAGGER), 2008 can be likened to 1987.
I can't wait to be part era that starts pushing things forward like Wu-Tang, NWA, Nas, etc. I was there for the first golden age, and I'm waiting on the second one.
I'm not saying we should COPY what those eras did, but we can create with the same goals.
Whats even more interesting is this:
See how the history of jazz paralells hiphop history. After Miles Davis death, Jazz really didn't go any where until hiphop picked it up, dusted it off and made it our own. The begining of hiphop was like the begining of blues, and then swing, and then bebop, and then bluenote, and then fusion. I wonder who will push the envelope like blackalicious, coflo, canibus, ras kass, blackstar. I wonder who will spark the next backpacker era in the coming year or two. I'm glad to see it happening. At the end of 1999, begining of 2000 I was convinced hiphop would become a novelty like jazz and classical. What i've seen on mtv lately with groups like UNI, Chin LO, Kidz in the Hall, etc. I see hope. I think that very soon we will see people take the reigns like Nas and push the envelope. I can't wait.
Sorry for how poorly written this thread is. I am doing a few things at once at work.
