Some Background History:
Back in the day, there were these cool rappers who called themselves MCs. They made music using Boom Bap instruments and rapped about the problems in their environment. Their main goal was to make the youth feel good and promote good vibes. This music style has its roots in black American culture. You know, those guys were struggling because the system was against them (and it still is), but they found a way to express themselves and escape reality. And that's how Hip-Hop started!
And then, there were rappers (as time went on) who brought in a fresh and creative sound to hip hop. However, many MCs refused to give them props, calling them "culture vultures" who were messing up the traditional MC style, and that created a lot of tension between the two groups. One of the greatest MCs of all time, KRS-One, even said, "Rappers spit rhymes that are mostly illegal, MCs spit rhymes to uplift their people."
Meanwhile, here in SA, kwaito was a big deal, but then Hip-Hop came through and took over. The youth were really into Hip-Hop, and kwaito artists weren't happy about it as well. They tried to fight back by using the famous line "Ase mo states yih," which basically means "This ain't America, so stop copying them." But it didn't really work, and even Zola had to switch to using rap instruments because the competition was too tough. Groups like Skwatta Kamp and Township Frequency were just too good.
Anyway, rappers got started because there were a lot of people in really tough situations. Some of them had to turn to drugs and crime just to get by and escape. Even though some rappers tried to be positive, most of them ended up rapping about the harsh realities they faced.
So, there were these guys, and they found themselves in the middle of a really bad situation with drugs, guns, and a bunch of thugs. That's how gangsta rap came to be (Rappers).
And then there were the trappers - they were like the result of mixing MCs and rappers, but kind of lost. Now rappers have issues with them for not glorifying violence, drugs, and guns the same way MCs had an issue with them not spreading love, positivity, or being activists.
I guess the situation these days is that the kids are going through a lot of mental health struggles, feeling hopeless and helpless as a byproduct of the issues we've been facing in the world. Unfortunately, we, adults, may also not understand their issues fully.
And they also put them in the music; this is why I believe rap music has lost its authenticity and won't be making a comeback.
Change Is Inevitable:
Change is going to happen, no matter what. We all have to accept that. At the end of the day, music is just music, you know? There's no need to take things too seriously. We shouldn't be all up in each other's faces like MCs used to be with rappers, or the way rappers are towards these youngins. But, you know, we do have to be responsible for our own stuff when it's not going right as a collective. All in all, I believe we should always adapt.
What Do I Mean When I Say Rap Is Dead:
Lots of peeps mix up the phrases "Rap is Dead" and "Hip-Hop is Dead". But there's actually a big difference between these two sayings. You see, rap is just one type of Hip-Hop, like trap, drill, kasi rap, and others. Meanwhile, Hip-Hop is a whole culture that includes MCing, DJing, B-boying, Graffiti, and Knowledge. Hip-Hop is a movement, and it'll never kick the bucket!
And I've been peeping some other rappers online throwing shade at me, saying I'm claiming "Hip-Hop Is Dead" through throwing shades. But the thing is, they don't even know the difference between Rap and Hip-Hop! That's messed up, man. 'Cause all I'm really talking about is Rap!
These days, it's all about Trap, Drill, and other new music genres. Even classic Rap and boom bap beats sound kinda cheesy now. And to make matters worse, the amapiano sound has come along and pushed Rap and boom bap even further into the background. However, I think that if you're already a famous MC or rapper, then it's all good to keep doing your thing. But if you're just starting out and still making traditional rap or boom bap, it might be tough to get noticed these days. That's because trap and drill are the most popular hip hop sub-genres right now, not the old-school rap.
Nobody cares about subject matter, storytelling, or gangsterism anymore; rap is dead. Even "2Pac" is long gone and forgotten.
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