Bridging The Gap

I've come to the realization that there are two ways to think of Hip-Hop, that is if you're a fan of it, if not, this doesn't apply to you. There's Jay-Z's "It's only entertainment" and then there's Supreeme's "Call him out if he's wack, my n!99@, this is rap." Either way, you're right, either way, you're wrong.

Soulja Boy is prepping his third album, The DeAndre Way. On this joint, Soulja Boy hopes to enlist some A-List emcees to make it a "classic". So far, all I've seen is Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and Jay-Z. Wayne rapped on Soulja's "Shoot Out" beat on Dedication(whatever #) and shat on whoever's song it was before. For that reason, I think Wayne is possibly the only one he'll get.

In Mr.Boy's defense, I don't think he sucks. HOWEVER, the past precedes you...Czech his 'port card, girl. From underground songs to mixtapes to mainstream albums, what kind of songs does he keep making? "Hits" or "bangers". Soulja Boy said something like, the fans don't really know my story, I kept making fun music....Blahh,blahh,blahh, whatever. As easily as a lyricist can dumb down to club music, a bubblegum rapper can become one of the greats. It's possible. Now, just because the topics may change, doesn't mean it would sound good.

For instance: Common, Universal Mind Control. Common is a conscious rapper, not a hit maker. The music was good, but didn't sound right.....I guess what I'm saying is, if the audience is used to your ONE style of music, to hear you switch it up is most certainly bewildering. Meaning, from the get-go, you need to establish your versatility.

Back to my two philosophies of Hip-Hop....Today's generation, not saying all of y'all, do not recognize real rapping. You're content with a decent beat and semi-catchy chorus. Lyricism, witty punchlines, and substance don't mean much to you. When Soulja Boy came out, we had another suspect to pin Hip-Hop's "Death" on. Others saw him as the 2000's NaS. Not for his lyrics of course, but because of the fact he was young and caught hella attention, doing his thing. I won't lie, when he hit mainstream I went with it. I like "Booty Meat", "Crank Dat Soulja Boy" is catchy as hell, "Kiss Me Thru The Phone" makes me laugh and "Turn My Swag On", not my cup of tea.

I think once people remember the Golden Rule of Entertainment, "You can't please EVERYBODY" the world will be a better place. In 2006, when I was a super-lyricist, any Rap that was built for the purpose of dancing to, I hated. Now, I understand it all. Emcees have to learn to accept Rappers. That's all there is to it. You can't stop what people like, and if guns, drugs, money, cars, bitches, jewels and clubbing remain as relevant tomorrow as they are today, so be it. You cannot stop it. Taste may change, in the 80's, what rap sold? Dance! In the 90's, what was popular, lyricism/Pop R&B. In the 00's, what's selling? Hits! What do the 10's or the 20's hold? The world has to be willing to change.

So if you do catch Weezy, Yeezy and Hov on the next Soulja Boy album, just remember, "It's only entertainment."

P.E.A.C.E

P.S~Soulja Boy, still got murdered by Bow Wow on the "Hit 'Em Up" beat, but Boy still makes better music, Fruity Loops hits and all.