Radical Revisions and Adaptations

Radical Revisions and Adaptations

For an artist of any genre,  releasing a song that is appealing to the audience is harder than you think. The music industry is very competitive and artists strive to become more  popular and famous than the other. In result, more songs are created. Sometimes, multiple versions or remixes of a song are created.

For example, Jay Z has multiple versions of his song, “Encore.” Below are three different versions of “Encore.”

1) Encore by Jay Z ( Original Version )  

2) Encore by Jay Z ( A Cappella )  

The difference between the two is that this version is in A Cappella. A Cappella is a phrase that is commonly misused. It is two words, not one. The best definition I can give is,  A Cappella is singing with out the use of non-vocal instruments, or rapping in Jay Z's case.

3) Numb/Encore by Jay Z feat. Linkin Park  

In Conclusion, adaptations and radical revisions helps not only the artist, but the music industry. Although hearing multiple versions of one song can be irritating, however it helps bring in more listeners.

We all remember Lil Boosie right? Hopefully, by the end of this video you either remember him or laugh.

Give Me My Freedom Remix by Lil Boosie feat. T.I., Lil Wayne, Rick Ross and Gucci Mane

 

My Beautiful, Dark, Twisted Affair with Misogyny, Hip-Hop, and Post-Feminism

Kanye West is a well known bad boy that is rude and sees himself as above others, saying whatever he wants at anyone's expense. Chris Brown on the other hand is also known as a bad boy but he literally is violent and physically takes his anger out but is appealing in videos and on award shows. So what's the difference between these two bad boys? Kanye's behavior as being a jerk seems unforgivable to most and makes most people unattracted to him and his music. Chris physically beats his girlfriend up, Rihanna, but most have forgave him and still enjoy his music. So really, who is worst? We all saw Kanye's rude interruption of Taylor Swift during her speech that caused controversy and showed his true colors. People see Kanye as being an ass all the time and hear it through his music and his body language. Chris Brown is more appealing in his music and this makes fans forget about his violence off the stage. Here is an example of Kanye's outburst at the music awards that shows his character.

Below is Kanye interrupting Taylor Swift at the music awards:

People will always argue that people enjoy the "good girl/boy" or "bad girl/boy" persona and its what makes hip hop what it is. Some go to the extent of saying that Rihanna's music and her videos show her bad girl side and she had this violent relationship coming. In her music video "We Found Love" she shows her unhealthy relationship which seems to be Chris Brown, but fans say that she materializes the violence and makes it look sexy and appealing.

Below is Rihanna's music video "We Found Love":

When Kanye disrespected Taylor, people were so angry and seemed to hold this rude act against him until this day. But Chris's violence towards Rihanna seems to be forgiven and forgotten for the most part. Some do say it's because Taylor is the good girl who didn't deserve that and Rihanna is known to be the bad girl so its not as big as a surprise. With all the violence and attitude that comes with hip hop music its hard for women to identify themselves on were they fit in to it all. Do we want to be known as the "bad girl" like Rihanna or do we want to be the "bad bitch" like Nicki Minaj calls herself? These are all personas, and the problem with trying to identify ones self with being what type of style of music is that these attitudes start to shape our identity. Rihanna glamorizes her unhealthy relationship in her video above, and makes fans think that these actions may be fun but in reality no one wishes for a violent and horrible relationship.

Kanye's rude interruptions and attitude is what makes fans identify his music and we all cant disagree with the fact that sometimes his rude actions keep us entertained and keeps him consistent. Rihanna will always have sexual and crazy music videos but that is her way of expressing herself. People need to stop trying to identify themselves off of artists work because everyone is different and hip hop is here to be relatable not on how to live our lives.

Looking at an Album as a Whole: Nas' Illmatic by Elise Ferrera

Looking up, "Illmatic," on urban dictionary, it states that it is "The greatest 40 minutes in Hip-Hop history." Released in 1994, Nas dropped his debut album, Illmatic. Critics argue that this is the most influential, critical album in hip hop history.

 

Before this time, the rap game mostly consisted of DJ's and rappers. Nas brought something new and exciting to the table. He began the importance of production, lyrics and flow. He did not just make the album for one or two hit singles. Each song in its own is great enough to be a single, yet each song fits perfectly with one another in its context. This is the first album to paint a picture with the most eloquent of language. All of the songs feed off of each other, making the album fit together perfectly as a whole. Illmatic tells an in depth story of Nas and his struggles. It set the scene for making songs to coexist, that are not just random ideas. This album sparked the flame that hip hop albums in recent times look at for guidance. Comprising only of ten songs, each song is more well put together than the next. Just by listening to the songs, it is not hard to tell the rigorous amount of work and talent that went into making such a wonderful piece of art. This was one of the first times that lyrics mattered just as much as the beat. 

This website provides ten ways in which Nas' album changed hip hop forever:

http://www.complex.com/music/2013/04/10-ways-nas-illmatic-changed-hip-hop/

One point the article makes is that the album broke ground for new phrases. In his song, "N.Y State of Mind," Nas says that 'sleep is the cousin of death.' Recent artists have emulated that lyric in their own music. In Lil Wayne's song, "6'7," he says a line that goes like, '...sleep is the cousin…' He is not directly stealing Nas' work, but it is evident that he respects his lyrics and appreciates the truth of them. 

Beyond the Words: Production and Videos by Aldair Seac

Since the first hip-hop music video hit MTV, music videos have had huge impact on the genre. The first hip-hop music video air on MTV was "Rock Box" by Run Dmc paved the way for other artists. The music video had a funky style to it showing a party feel to it. This video started it all for a wave of artists producing videos showing flashy lifestyle.


Today the coloration between song and video is a tactic used by advertisers and producers in the  entertainment industry. Listening to a song is one and listen with its music is another, take Ciara featuring Ludacris - Ride it for example. I would not listen to the song alone but after seeing how intriguing the video was I was an instant fan. Take an look and for yourself and see.

 

Furthermore, artists sometimes formulate their songs in ways for music videos to benefit their songs. For instance, Ludacris featuring Mary J. Bilge - Runaway; do not get me wrong this song is deep alone but when watch the music video for this song, do not be surprise if you want to shed a tear or want to fund an foundation for young abuse children.

To sum up, hip hop is well known for its ability to be diverse, music videos and other productions such as live performances play an major role in the  exposure of an artist song. The way hip hop music is written at times is specifically made by artist to be perform at shows or either made as catcy dance songs.  

MC Stylists: Finding Your Voice

MCs are Master of ceremonies, they are the official host of a staged event or similar performance. In other genres such as hip hop they are considered as a rapper, someone who creates a voice for the product or the material in the work of art they produce. MCs are also known as people who keep the event going. Many of rappers in the Hip Hop genre take time to find, or even transition their voices throughout out the course of their career.

Below is an in-depth Eminem and checka checka Slim Shady interview video that described his performance as an MC. From Slim Shady preforming at the rap battling shelter and keeping the function live with punchlines, to preforming his persona of his conscious Marshall Mathers voice at the Ford Field in his hometown Detroit. The type of voices he delivers are embodied by forty year old men to Seven year old Children.

Below Is a Meme written on Drake's Album Nothing Was The Same

" When an MC finds their voice, it becomes a prominent extension how people see them, for example, the exaggeration of Drake's image..."

MCs in the Hip Hop genre discover a niche in their voice which brands them into the stage name artist the mass media knows them to be. For example, Hip Hop Heads can easily easily distinguish a theme an artist is portraying simply because of the gravity of their voice. Artist such as Waka Flocka, Lil' Jon and Juicy J find their voice to be party themed. Slim Shady brings a controversial voice that is themed on immature, reckless jokes to the Hip Hop table, while Marshall Matthers' voice brings conscious rap to the table, as if he was trying to give fatherly advice to his listeners. When an MC finds their voice, it becomes a prominent extension how people see them, for example, the exaggeration of Drake's image...

Below is a video of a teenager mimicking different voices of mainstream Hip Hop Artists

"Hip Hop Heads can easily easily distinguish a theme an artist is portraying simply because of the gravity of their voice."

"Analyzing What We Say & Why We Say It"

Hip Hop artists  use their music as a form of poetry as an way to express an social issue or to bring a certain topic to light. If you know poetry, you would know that every word was carefully made to scripted to have a certain behind what was said in the sentence. Rick Ross says it the best when he includes in his songs the  phrase "Its Deeper Than Rap". Although hip hop can be viewed as a way to educated listeners,Hip-Hop can also get such a bad rep sometimes. Go ask any group of random people what they think about the constantly-evolving genre and you’ll undoubtedly hear half the answers harping on how endangering such reckless noise can be for our youth. But, the truth is most of those crusty old blame-shifters probably haven’t heard anything more than a few Slim Shady singles and are just as ignorant as the songs they speak of.

There are many songs in the hip hop industry that has a concrete meaning that well explained in there lyrics instead of in a form of a hidden message. Such a song as Lupe Fiasco- Bitch Bad take a listen

However Lupe believe that his song is insignificant to the problematic issue that was brought up in the song. Having this song made just aroused and magnify the issues that girls face in the society. seeing his three little sisters listening and following to nicki manaj explicitly actions angers him.  

 Another song that I would like to bring to light in regards to song with explicit meanings is J. Cole "Lost Ones"

 J. Cole brings the topic of every sexual active person, particular teens in the world. the song is title lost ones because he is trying to show that abortions in killing a future family member of yours.

Backpack Rap: Writing For The Subculture

Backpack rappers are artist that are not on the mainstream scene and typically do not have a large following. The term "backpack rapper" was given to these artist because the first backpack artists were mostly seen wearing a backpack. The artist would normally keep there CD's and notebook in there backpack and write whenever and wherever they could. More commonly referred to as indie rappers or underground rappers now, these artist are not on the mainstream scene because they don't what to be. The style of these rappers is more lyrically focused than mainstream rappers, and the lyrical content is usually about real life things that they have experienced or have witnessed. These artist stay away from the mainstream scene mostly because they have a different and unique style and want to be able to stay true to that style while making their music.

 

My first example of a backpack rapper is Chance The Rapper. He is from Chicago and has recently gained a following since the release of his first mixtape, #10Day, which came out in spring 2011. He has a very unique and interesting style of rap in terms of his flow and ad-libs. In terms of lyric content, he doesn't really rap about many topics that mainstream artist rap about. The topics he reference mostly is his 10 day suspension from high school during his senior year which lead to his first mixtape, #10Day. He is currently self-produced, so he has the freedom to make his music however he likes. 

Another example is Ab-Soul. He is from Carson, California and is with the independent label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). He has been recording music since '04 and was slowly acquiring a following, but due to the success of his label mate, Kendrick Lamar, he has been gaining more fans over the past few years. His style can be described by the two videos above for the most part. Although he does rap about some things that mainstream artist rap about, like smoking weed and women, majority of his music is about his life and his opinions on events around him. Ab-Soul can be described as a political rapper because many of his songs contains references to his views on topics ranging from double standards in society to the government. Although he now has close ties to Dr. Dre, due to Kendrick Lamar's relationship with him, he continues to release his music through TDE.