THE CURRENT STATE OF RAP

While I’m all for pushing boundaries and pushing the genre forward, some artists just need to stick to what they do best. And that’s not to say it isn’t ok for artists to experiment with their sound but we’ve seen artist try to branch into other genres and it didn’t go over too well. We, as consumers, also need to understand that not every artist is meant for conscious/lyrical rap just like not every artist is meant for mainstream popularity or “swag rap”. While mainstream, is just that, mainstream and in your face 24/7, sometimes you have to dig deep to find those special talents and I would say most consumers are just too lazy to do the work. Everything is readily available at the tips of their fingers so I don’t blame them. I’m 24 so I believe I’m somewhere in the middle of the generational gap.

Some might say “rap is dead” and “this generation killed hip hop”, I would respond by saying that rap/hip hop is the #1 genre of music right now so clearly they’re doing something right. “Kids these days are glorifying drug use”, “they’re proud junkies”, I agree with both of those statements but the culture of drug use is starting to change for the better. More artists are coming out and stating that they’re quitting their drug of choice. Not only that, we can’t act like artists, and producers alike, haven’t been snorting coke or smoking crack since the 70’s. Stop acting like all of this is brand new or it’s this new concept. Some of the new generation, without the prior generations help, uses their craft as a reflection of what’s going on in their community and as a way to escape that community.

Now while there is this surge of mainstream rap, that doesn’t mean lyrical/conscious rappers stopped existing. There’s even lyrical rappers in the upcoming generation. Joey Bada$$, Joyner Lucas, Vince Staples, J.I.D., Reason, Cozz, YBN Cordae, Mick Jenkins, Saba, Dave East, and Tierra Whack all exist and they are fairly young in the game. Rappers like Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, Wale, Lupe Fiasco, Pusha T, Meek Mill have still been making great music. Lyrical/conscious rap didn’t go anywhere. I think the biggest problem we have in hip up culture is that most people aren’t open minded and willing to give the newer generations music a real chance.

The pendulum will eventually swing from “swag rap” and back to lyrical rap. The newer and older generation could come together, the younger generation would be able to teach the older generations new techniques and skilled while the older generation would be able to help the younger avoid the mistakes and hurdles they faced. While some think it’s over for rap and that the younger generation doesn’t care about the culture, I believe the genre will be in good hands soon enough.