Rap Video = Soft Porn

I have come to realize that there is not much difference between rap videos and soft porn. Both feature bad acting, scantly clad females and less than attractive men that seem to be overly attractive to the females. Either way, much like soft porn, rap videos make me H to the O to the R to the N to the Y!

The Life and Death of Rap

I have had the opportunity over the past couple of months to watch an ass load of music videos. This includes a wide variety of rap videos dating from the early 80s to present day. I believe we are witnessing the death of rap music.

It seems that hip-hop performers are basically running out of stuff to rap about. Everything has been done. Rappers have always been successful by rapping about what they know, i.e. their surroundings, their neighborhoods, the people they know in these surroundings and neighborhoods. But now, everyone has heard everything about this. There is nothing new to report and they are running out of things to rap about.

I have noticed that the life cycle of rap music is very similar to that of the human life cycle. In the early 80s, rap was in its infancy. It stumbled around and was clumsy as it learned and tried to find its way in the world. As it grew and became more knowledgeable, the work became more artistic, fresh and worthwhile. Now, it is in its later stages of life. It has slowed down, the thought processes are more generic and it doesn’t have that pizzazz that it once did.

Seriously, how many songs can their be about rims? It is getting very dumb. Let me quote one lyric I heard recently, “She made us drinks to drink, we drank them and got drunk.” What the hell does this even mean?

Of course, there are exceptions to the rule. There are still some very good rap artists out there, but just a few. The elderly are similar to this as their time approaches. Some are still vibrant, outgoing and contribute to something to world around them, but most of them really don’t do a whole lot.

One more note about rap music…how insecure are these people? No one ever performs by themselves anymore. It is always someone featuring someone else. Nut up…stand on your own like your rapping forefathers.

Political Hip-Hop Lingo

I recently saw an interview with Barack Obama on BET. The portion I saw started off asking Obama what hip-hop artists he listened to. He mentioned Jay-Z and some other notable musicians, but noted he was more of an “old school” guy that mostly had Marvin Gaye and Earth, Wind and Fire style songs on his iPod. What got me so interested in this interview was the conversation that followed.

Obama, being the politician that he is, turned the conversation to social issues as all politicians do, rarely answering a question directly. He made valid points about some hip-hop music being derogatory towards women and speaking to negative aspects of society. He continued by saying he would like the artists to focus their songs more on the positive aspects of community in an effort to inspire their listeners.

What got me was the lingo he kept “dropping” during his answers. Anytime a politician tries to keep it real, they always come off sounding so lame. I know most of the country truly believes Obama is a black guy, but I am not so sure. Even dorky black dudes can use words like “real” and “down” when talking about cultural influences like hip-hop and not sound like your father trying to be a bigger part of your life. You could tell Obama was not comfortable talking like this and that only comes from not ever being a part of that lifestyle. I am sure he never listened to any hip-hop until he began his campaign and had to get in touch with his black roots.

But then I got to thinking…how would Hillary Clinton or John McCain answer the same questions? “Mrs. Clinton, which hip-hop artist has influenced your life the most?” I imagine she squirms a little bit before answering, “Well, I think they are all great, but I think Fitty’s trials and tribulations have shined the most light on me, showing me what it takes to persevere in today’s society.” Okay, maybe she could sound worse than Obama.

How about McCain? I think this line of questioning could catch him so off guard, his mind may collapse in on itself trapping his consciousness in his POW hell camp memories, forcing him to run the country with a solid focus of revenge against all asian countries. Little bit scary.

Clinton and McCain are two pretty damn white people and I do not see how they are going to be able to reach out to their non-white constituents. I don’t think I would be very good at it either, but I am not trying to run the country.

Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CORIE! I love you!