Hip hop recently hit the point where the last generation is almost completely over, artists whove been making music for many years are finally slowing down, and we are completely in the new era, with artists like drake holding the torch. So where is hip hop now, with these new artists running things?
First off, id say that trap has hurt hip hop a lot in many ways. First off, it has really allowed weak rappers to get popular, just because their beats bang. It has also bled into almost all hip hop now, we have artists like jay influenced by it, and its gotten to the point where tons of artists are trying to pull off the success of keef, waka, gucci, ross, etc. But only a certain type of artist really can do it well, so now we have good artists making music under what they could make, because trap is all we want to hear now. Trap does keep rap somewhat exciting though, just because we always love when a new artist comes out with a new take on it, like keef did, and makes ridiculously hot music. But ultimately it has diluted the shyt out of hip hop, and i think without it having such a strong influence, we might have artists making more original, inspired music.
The fact that trap has invaded hip hop says a lot about the artists though. A lot of new-age rappers are pretty spineless, its become pretty common for artists to bite off the current hot artist, flow biting is rapant, as is debauchery and talking about weed/lean/other drugs. Then we have artists who try to go way away from trap, maybe in part because they want to diversify hip hop, but sadly most of them suck IMO. We have about 10 artists out who are real lyrical assassins, unlike in the 90s when there were a ridiculous amount of sick rappers, although this downward trend started in the 2000s earlier on. Guys like chance the rapper, macklemore, j cole, everyone else who tries this (if they were successful id be listening to them), they all make mediocre, if not just bad music. Ive honestly really enjoyed maybe one hip hop album this year, ill give props to yeezus, but besides that and macs album, i havent heard an album that comes close to inspiring/notable. All the hip hop ive listened to this year has been mainstream bangers, because thats all i find worth listening to, atleast thats enjoyable.
This year has seen a lot of disappointing releases, i shouldnt have to explain that. We have some huge albums coming up, but im not too excited because im kinda sure already that they wont reach expecations, or atleast mine. Objectively, the bar has been lowered, but as is natural our tastes have lowered to match it, we as listeners adapt to the gradual changes in the genre over time, looking back we dont realize how we let things pass that we used to not ignore. I even thought GKMC was a very good album, but not classic, almost half the album are good songs that arent great. And kenny never truly snaps like he did multiple times on section 80. Hip hop is being supported primarily by hipster rap, the only artists making inspiring/quality music consistently are guys like TDE, lil b (hes influenced hip hop in a good way, cant deny that, besides letting in troll rappers), currensy, joey fatts, danny brown, flatbush zombies, asap rocky before he went more mainstream, and others. Cloud rap is one of the best things to happen recently, i personally only listen to cloud rap and trap, because those are the only two genres people are really succeeding in. And the lack of consistency from all artists has really handicapped hip hop, since theres no artists besides drake really who are making sure theres always good music out here.
To finish this up, it seems pretty clear that the quality of hip hop has fell since 2011/last year, its been gradual, but we're seeing worse and worse new artists popping up, and becoming the next best thing, and thats when you know things have declined. I see almost no artists popping up who i have faith in, and only a few currently hot artists who i could say i like right now. The underground is dying, with the lack of lyrical rappers and the cesspool of wanna-bes, the few really good artists out there are being overshadowed by guys who are only getting into the industry with money or through influence. And looking at the latest music released, theres really almost nothing to listen to, its all mediocre/inconsistent. I have only listened to a few albums through without skipping a track, only 2 this year i think, and whats coming up next? Who truly knows, artists like drake and sean might drop something good, idk what other releases are coming up, but tbh im starting to not care. The only thing i see that can change hip hop for the better, is indie influence. I know you guys are more into traditional hip hop, but i see a potential in borrowing the musicality and melodic, emotional, tone based aspects from indie. Producers like clams casino have started the trend, and im waiting for the first artist to really just kill it to pop up. Also, if someone can find a way to bring lyricism back without trying too hard, but can also make good captivating music, that would also be something that could bring things around. Because right now, the only artists who we can really expect to release interesting and good projects that you would listen to for months, are kendrick, maybe the rest of TDE, drake, and kanye.
The state of hip hop right now, its quickly falling, right now its definitely still save-able, id compare it to the lakers situation. Things arent looking too good, its way to early to jump the gun and say its "dead", but theres a strong potential for that to happen. Hip hop is starting to become extremely bland and repetitive, an outsider opinion would say that its gotten to the point where the genre is starting to recede and pass the torch to electronic music as the most popular genre today. Without some strong boost from a new artist or a current one, hip hop could really go to shyt.
First off, id say that trap has hurt hip hop a lot in many ways. First off, it has really allowed weak rappers to get popular, just because their beats bang. It has also bled into almost all hip hop now, we have artists like jay influenced by it, and its gotten to the point where tons of artists are trying to pull off the success of keef, waka, gucci, ross, etc. But only a certain type of artist really can do it well, so now we have good artists making music under what they could make, because trap is all we want to hear now. Trap does keep rap somewhat exciting though, just because we always love when a new artist comes out with a new take on it, like keef did, and makes ridiculously hot music. But ultimately it has diluted the shyt out of hip hop, and i think without it having such a strong influence, we might have artists making more original, inspired music.
The fact that trap has invaded hip hop says a lot about the artists though. A lot of new-age rappers are pretty spineless, its become pretty common for artists to bite off the current hot artist, flow biting is rapant, as is debauchery and talking about weed/lean/other drugs. Then we have artists who try to go way away from trap, maybe in part because they want to diversify hip hop, but sadly most of them suck IMO. We have about 10 artists out who are real lyrical assassins, unlike in the 90s when there were a ridiculous amount of sick rappers, although this downward trend started in the 2000s earlier on. Guys like chance the rapper, macklemore, j cole, everyone else who tries this (if they were successful id be listening to them), they all make mediocre, if not just bad music. Ive honestly really enjoyed maybe one hip hop album this year, ill give props to yeezus, but besides that and macs album, i havent heard an album that comes close to inspiring/notable. All the hip hop ive listened to this year has been mainstream bangers, because thats all i find worth listening to, atleast thats enjoyable.
This year has seen a lot of disappointing releases, i shouldnt have to explain that. We have some huge albums coming up, but im not too excited because im kinda sure already that they wont reach expecations, or atleast mine. Objectively, the bar has been lowered, but as is natural our tastes have lowered to match it, we as listeners adapt to the gradual changes in the genre over time, looking back we dont realize how we let things pass that we used to not ignore. I even thought GKMC was a very good album, but not classic, almost half the album are good songs that arent great. And kenny never truly snaps like he did multiple times on section 80. Hip hop is being supported primarily by hipster rap, the only artists making inspiring/quality music consistently are guys like TDE, lil b (hes influenced hip hop in a good way, cant deny that, besides letting in troll rappers), currensy, joey fatts, danny brown, flatbush zombies, asap rocky before he went more mainstream, and others. Cloud rap is one of the best things to happen recently, i personally only listen to cloud rap and trap, because those are the only two genres people are really succeeding in. And the lack of consistency from all artists has really handicapped hip hop, since theres no artists besides drake really who are making sure theres always good music out here.
To finish this up, it seems pretty clear that the quality of hip hop has fell since 2011/last year, its been gradual, but we're seeing worse and worse new artists popping up, and becoming the next best thing, and thats when you know things have declined. I see almost no artists popping up who i have faith in, and only a few currently hot artists who i could say i like right now. The underground is dying, with the lack of lyrical rappers and the cesspool of wanna-bes, the few really good artists out there are being overshadowed by guys who are only getting into the industry with money or through influence. And looking at the latest music released, theres really almost nothing to listen to, its all mediocre/inconsistent. I have only listened to a few albums through without skipping a track, only 2 this year i think, and whats coming up next? Who truly knows, artists like drake and sean might drop something good, idk what other releases are coming up, but tbh im starting to not care. The only thing i see that can change hip hop for the better, is indie influence. I know you guys are more into traditional hip hop, but i see a potential in borrowing the musicality and melodic, emotional, tone based aspects from indie. Producers like clams casino have started the trend, and im waiting for the first artist to really just kill it to pop up. Also, if someone can find a way to bring lyricism back without trying too hard, but can also make good captivating music, that would also be something that could bring things around. Because right now, the only artists who we can really expect to release interesting and good projects that you would listen to for months, are kendrick, maybe the rest of TDE, drake, and kanye.
The state of hip hop right now, its quickly falling, right now its definitely still save-able, id compare it to the lakers situation. Things arent looking too good, its way to early to jump the gun and say its "dead", but theres a strong potential for that to happen. Hip hop is starting to become extremely bland and repetitive, an outsider opinion would say that its gotten to the point where the genre is starting to recede and pass the torch to electronic music as the most popular genre today. Without some strong boost from a new artist or a current one, hip hop could really go to shyt.
And that's only albums, there's prolly been twice as many dope mixtapes.