The early shit we used to listen to sounded basic in comparison to the expertly produced Rap music we have these days. Things have definately changed. One thing that hasn't changed is its eclectism. Hip hop Is unique in that it draws from Soul, Jazz, Funk, Rock, Classical music, Disco...I could go on for ever! As a kid, I was amazed when, every so often, I'd catch a break or loop from a track I knew, in my mums record collection. That remains the same to this day. The major difference is the fact that Hip hop, or Rap music, is now a multi billion pound/dollar industry. SOMETHING GOT LOST IN THE MIX.Back in the days we used to say shit like 'KEEP IT REAL' alot. Many people misconstrued the phrase takin it to mean all types of shit. Such as 'Don't educate yourself' or 'Don't talk to white people' and so on. On a musical front some would have you not listen to classical music or anything else deemed as not exclusive to the black experience. But most saw it as a call for people involved in the making of Rap music not to sell out or 'prostitute' their skills by making crap music for financial gain alone. Instead of TRYING TO DEVELOP THE ART FORM.YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. Back then, not many people in the UK were into Hip hop. I used to think to myself 'If only everyone could hear what I'm listening to.' But now everybody is hearing it. Rap music has become diluted almost beyond recognition. It's lost it's meaning and has become merely a licence to print money. Most rappers these days are just saying any old bollox, safe in the knowledge that they'll still enjoy huge sales. Probably due to the dumbing down of the masses. Yeah, fair enough, alot of rappers have always chatted shit. NWA (and others) came out cursin like a motherfucker! But back then there was a sense of the struggle that black people and the working classes have historically faced. It was real expression rather than manufactured, turgid, targeted, over-marketed shite that has the barefaced cheek to call itself Hip hop! We're letting fatcats dictate to us! They portray a representation of 'Black culture' that is in reallity only a part of the black experience. So now we're caught up trying to emulate MTV!? Really our minds should be on other things.The common view of Hip hop culture DOESN'T REPRESENT ME. Things are not as bad here as in the States. Most of our native spitters have maintained their integrity. Maybe we appreciate things in their raw form or essence. Not that people like Tim Westwood have helped. For years he had the biggest platform in the country to promote Hip hop and for years he continually ignored British MCs and artists only to play saturated American shit. I'd go on but for the fear of venturing into a political debate with talk of Anglo-American agreements and so on.When a dog BARKS in a loud manner, all we humans hear is a dog barking. Automatically we may assume that the dog is aggressive or threatening, when in actuall fact, the dog is simply over excited. When you get to know the dog you will be better able to decipher the dogs 'language' and identify the animals mood through interpretation and rcognition of tones. IT IS ONLY THROUGH UNDERSTANDING AND REALLY LISTENING THAT MEANING REVEALS ITSELF. What may at first seem arbitrary or RANDOM has in itself its own syntax.THE OLD TRAFFORD STRANGLER-I see him as some sort of indictment of society. He pretty much stands for everything I don't. Constantly acts like a fool but 'THATS OK CAUSE NOWADAYS EVERYBODY'S FUCKED UP!' We celebrate stupidity, ignorance and belligerence as if they've become virtues. I know that understanding and trying to be better human beings isn't as saleworthy or headline grabbing as being a complete prick but at this rate SOMETHING WILL GIVE!I've worked with Jedi Soundsystem, Freakin English, Mr Blanc Orchestra, Collision X, D-Gang, Life, Scociopaths and S'killers, Fat City/Grand Central, Diceman, RSL and am now a part of the blendaholics, on the Kr8z label.Don't sell out. BE TRUE TO YOURSELF. Peace! RB (ET)
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