What do you think of when you hear the word “escapism”? Are you sitting on the couch enjoying your new TV show, or are you engrossed in the book you’re reading? Music, especially old fashioned hip hop.
For me, it was always more than just a throbbing bass sound from my headphones and an elevated heart feeling. I’m a writer at heart, so poetry has always appealed to me. Naturally, when listening to music, I gravitate toward old school hip-hop. And I say old school because, in my humble opinion, rappers in the world today are not up to par compared to their predecessors.
In today’s world anyone can press a button, record into a mic, rhyme a few words, add a nice beat and can be considered a rapper but a true MC only a few people are This is the case with many famous rappers today who rely more on fame and looks than the artform itself.Contemporary he finds rap motifs, but it’s a detour. I mean, they talk a lot without saying anything.
One song that comes to mind is French Montana’s “Yes I Do.” No one listens to French Montana, so I repeat the lyrics for context.
“Go go go tell my opponents I don’t want to smoke (Yes I do) Go go go tell the police I don’t have dope (Yes I do ) I just cracked up on the truck, I don’t wanna drop (yes I do)”
My interpretation of this song is that French Montana just states what he does and then reaffirms it with the words “Yes, I do”, hence the title “Yes, I do”. “is. Sure, you could argue that this song has a theme, but in my opinion it’s pretty stupid to talk about random things you’re doing without any real purpose or story. If you analyze , you might realize how meaningless most of this poem and song is.
Hip-hop today has moved away from its roots when it had a story to tell. Rap music isn’t just rhyming words, it’s poetry, and every lyric spoken has a purpose.
When I was about 16, I casually started a music station playing old-fashioned jams. After shuffling through a bunch of songs, there was one that really stuck with me. It’s called “BIBLE (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)” by Killer Priest. If you weren’t lucky enough to hear this song, here are some of the lyrics for context.
“And too much knowledge can throw the rhythm off.
I did it anyway to wake up my mind
of people kissing stones and praying on carpets
People sitting at home or selling books at the market
I need to calm down and rejuvenate
For years, religion only divided
Basic instructions before leaving Earth.”
In this song, Killer Priest shares what he knows, what he’s learned throughout his life, and how he struggles with his religious identity. Every word he speaks has meaning and purpose. Rather than using his platform to constantly brag about his materialistic earnings, he wants to draw attention to a subject many people shy away from, in this case religion. When I speak, I find myself in deep contemplation, with every word lodging in my brain and resonating with what he speaks.
For past MCs, rapping has never been just a career choice. It was an honor for them to be able to tell the world about their philosophies and struggles. They gave voice to those who had lived in misery and anguish, and gave understanding to those who had never learned what real struggle was. It was still poetry. Now we ignore lyrics and care more about which rappers have better status, better beats, and/or better women.
So for my generation and generations to come, I ask you, is there ever a good beat worth listening to that rap art form is despised?
Tori Aisnogel
Contributor
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