I'm proud of the hard work many of you put into your project and papers and assessments for our unit on The Covenant. It was indeed a difficult book to get through. If you would like to offer feedback on how I could be a better teacher with the unit of study, I encourage your feedback. I will probably ask many of you individually about this.
On to the next one: So, I'm all about breaking down stereotypes, misconceptions, incorrect histories, and false media. And one genre (as this is a genre studies class) that is certainly challenged in many ways is Hip Hop. For this unit we are going to be studying this cultural movement in 3 parts - one part musical, one part poetry, one part movies and screenplays. We will spend about one week on each part.
Up first is Hip Hop music. In class on Friday we will first analyze what is a genre and how do we (and our minds) categorize, judge, consider genres. Then we will break down the origins of Hip Hop (or rap) music and characteristics of this genre.
Tonight, I want you to view at least the first part of Lil Wayne's documentary entitled "The Carter". (Viewer discretion advised - there is some cursing and overall "bad swagger" - stop watching, please, whenever you want)
I want you to post a few comments, thoughts on the following questions:
Is this Hip Hop? If it is, what are some characteristics of Hip Hop that you recognize in viewing this clip? If it is, how might this genre, then, be considered by fans/musicians in other musical genres? If it is not, why not? What is disturbing/surprising/inspiring/disheartening/unique/moving about this? Does this clip show Hip Hop as a revolution? Is Hip Hop a revolution?
(I realize I have posted quite a few questions in a kind of stream of conscious manner - choose one or two to post a comment on)
I decided to show a clip of Lil Wayne first, as you all - I am certain - know who he is. His music has reached youth in several genres, cultures, language zones. I am not declaring that he is or is not Hip Hop, rather I want us to share some of our thoughts with what is familiar with us first.
Next, I want you to check out this music video:
This is a music video of Eric B. & Rakim's "I ain't no Joke". This song came out in 1986. What are your thoughts about Hip Hop music in watching this video.
In class on Friday and next Tuesday we have a lot of Hip Hop to listen to, so loosen your sneakers and pull your hats backwards. See you Friday!
Is it Hip Hop? I don't know anymore. Some people say it is, others say it isn't. Maybe when we compare it to the original Hip Hop songs it isn't, but music genres change with time. Music is time-bound. Some people like Hip Hop, but don't like Lil wayne, but that's perfectly normal. It's impossible to like everyone within the genre you like. I think that even though Lil Wayne might not be the best rapper alive, he is still a part of today's hip hop culture. He might not have the best messages in his songs, and his songs might not be so clever, but he is still a rapper and so for me, he is a part of Hip Hop today. I'm definitely not his biggest fan, but Hip Hop these days is so much about money and girls, that he is just one of the many rappers in Hip Hop that sing about that. Compared to Eminem and Jay-Z for example Lil Wayne is nothing, but he is still a rapper.
ReplyDeleteAbout the Hip Hop song by Eric B. : Again, I have to say music is time-bound, meaning that it is hard to compare music of today with music that is this old, because it is completely different. You can't compare an apple with a pear. Even though so different, both of them are still Hip Hop. Which one is better? That's an opinion question more than anything else. I like both of them for different reasons. You don't like Hip Hop today? Maybe you'll like it better in 10 years, Inchallah.
Renaud
I believe that old school hip-hop is the most genuine hip-hop to relate to. I believe that old school hip-hop is the real deal because it was the first to come out as original music. However, hip-hop nows days, is hard to determine wether it's really still hip-hop. In a sense, it may still be hip-hop but, i think it has changed it to fit our lifetime and style. If rapping about drugs and alcohol will get buyers, thats what he'll do to get it. Is really about the music anymore though, i feel every rapper things about fame and money. I don't have much knowledge of the history of hip-hop, nor whether it's ligit or not. I can't really determine myself.
ReplyDeleteJean-luc
lil waynes made a name of himself but i get the sense that some of the people around him are just around him to be famous by association and that they don't really care about him , they do but only about what they can get i guess. in the old school or when hip hop first came out it wasn't really about money like , it was but not really about braggin about it , it seemed to be more about personal dedication to better themselves but a part of me thinks that the personal dedication to better themselves was more of a fad , that since someone started it , everyone was like yeah....but only did it as a fad and wanted to seem like they were truely doing something but i don't know. but hiphop has changed and i don't really know the difference between hiphop and rap today ? i have preconcieved ideas i'll say that .
ReplyDeleteChristopher B.
Today’s hip hop culture has lost nearly all the values and ideologies of this genre. That was the first thought I got after watching Lil’ Wayne’s documentary. I deeply respect Lil’ Wayne as an artist, but I can hardly support his way of living. The documentary stereotypes the Hip Hop culture as a culture made of violence and sex, and sadly, our society has the same stereotype about this genre. Hip hop music was created to serve as a mean to express the hatred of the minorities, not hatred directed against society but directed toward their condition of living. Unfortunately, today’s hip-hop is all about violence, sex, chicks and money. Hip-hop is not hip-hop anymore. Hip-hop is about bragging about how big my car is or how hot my many girlfriends are.
ReplyDeleteHowever, “I ain’t no joke” gave me the feeling that old-school hip-hop was a revolution among the youth culture. It was a way for minorities to express their opinion and to be proud of their differences, which turned out to be advantages. At that time hip-hop was a voice for the black community and they used this genre to be at the same level as the other cultures. Hip-hop is a revolution, a mean to unify cultures. Not a way to make easy money and to be known.
Ismael
Is this hip hop? maybe. If I pick up a notebook and write words that make no sense, is it literature? maybe. Hip hop is about sharing a story, showing what is wrong with society and making a change. When artists like lil wayne or lil jon write songs about sweat drippin' from their balls, they are disrespecting the people who started hip hop. In my opinion, lil wayne is pop to a hip beat, "hip-pop" is what i call it. Hip hop is not being revolutionized by lil wayne. Tupac and biggie revolutionized hip hop, lil wayne is just making cool beats and muttering irrecognizable words into an autotune software.
ReplyDelete"I ain't no joke" is undoubtedly hip hop, he uses the song to promote himself, but it makes sense, hes trying to make it big in a tough world and he is showing off. It's a story, it has a purpose. He isn't singing about his bentley or about his hoes. He is self promoting and conveying a message
Gonçalo
Yes I do believe that this is the hip hop of TODAY, which shows some strong emphasis on drugs, girls, cars, etc. But to say that the clip was of hip hop as a whole then I would have to disagree. The thing is that Lil’ Wayne appeals to topics that our generation has familiarized ourselves with; hip hop was not the first thing to display women in a condescending way, but because the music videos show everything tenfold just for the show of it, hip hop is hammered as a genre of misfits. I think that the clip does show hip hop as a revolution and it is a revolution because it allows people to express themselves musically and gives the freedom for people to talk about life and its ups and downs.
ReplyDeleteTerry