The art of story telling! You could argue that anytime a rapper puts pen to pad or steps into the vocal booth, they are telling a story.Whether it be some lyrical masterpiece with creative wordplay and multi-syllabic rhyme scheme about our generation's hardships or redundant degradation of women with catchy hooks, some story is told. Hip-Hop listeners are constantly hearing stories being told because that is essentially what hip hop, or any genre of music, is. I strongly believe that it is impossible to make a hip hop song that doesn't tell a story. Artist often times make songs about instances they've experienced and been through. So right off the back they are giving you insight into their life. They are conveying to the listener a scenario and these scenarios cause the genre to be loved and welcomed by people all over. Hip Hop has such very universal appeal, in part, due to its incorporation of vivid imagery into its narrative sequence. Musicians paint a pictures and make mental movies with their lyrics. They describe things in a more elaborate manner than what is strictly realistic.Sometimes, the most simplistic concepts can be broadened and turned into beautiful works of art. For instance, “Poe Man’s Dreams” by Kendrick Lamar is a great example of amazing simplicity and storytelling blended. A line from the song reads, “And don’t call me lyrical cuz really I’m just a nigga that’s evil and spiritual, I know some rappers using big words to make their similes curve, my simple as shit be more pivotal.” In laymen's terms Kendrick basically stated that he has listened to other rappers and isn't impressed by their use of large and complex terms. He can still be great and simple at the same time. Also, you are given insight into Kendrick's life as well. You are told that he listen's to his competition, he is considered lyrical by his followers, and that he may even consider himself to be a hypocrite. It is all subjective, but you still get a story. All in all, whenever you listen to hip-hop you are always going to be told a story. So shut up and enjoy it.
A few storytelling songs, Enjoy
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ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your article very much. As sad as it sounds, It's one of the few articles that actually I wanted to read more about as the I fished a line. You do a great job at describing how transitive story telling is in hip hop. Kendrick's example painted a pictured that attested what you were saying clearly. Lastly, you weren't pretentious, but clear, I like that.
ReplyDeleteWe call rappers artist but really their authors. You think about the people who write books and short stories or poems and they paint a picture in our heads with the words that are written down in their books. This is the same thing that rappers do to us. These storytellers paint/draw pictures in our heads and hearts with their words. The only difference between actual authors and rappers is that you have to read a book for authors to get the story. With rappers you can listen to their voice and the story comes flowing.
ReplyDeleteWhen you turn on a radio or listen to your iPod and a hip-hop song comes on you getting a story out of it. Most of the stories that rappers tell now-a-days are about the struggle that they went through in life, a struggle that most of us can relate to. The greatest hip-hop album of all time is said to be Nas “Illamatic.” This album is a perfect example of story telling because every song on this album paints a picture with every word that comes out of his mouth. It tells a story of the struggles and pains that most people in the hood suffer. Similar to Nas is Notorious B.I.G.’s album “Ready to Die.” This album is what most hustlers can relate to. For more recent times in hip-hop I would say that the artist that are storytellers are J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar. The next time you listen to a hip-hop song, sit back and really listen to the words and enjoy the story.
StoryTelling Songs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GygEAcFFMVs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noGfF8T7A8Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI5bV_j8tew
I agree with both of your posts. Every artist seems to tell a story with every song he/she writes. This article was very interesting to read because it is so true. I like how you added examples from albums and songs and explain how they tell a story.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with both blog posts in that every song carries a message. However, I liked how the first post said that even if the song was about degrading women and about fashion that it was still telling a story. I never looked at it that way and it was eye opening. In the second post, I liked how you compared rappers to authors in that they both are telling a story.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading both of these blog posts. The writing says how every song has a meaning or message of some sort. Each song is different and typically the message is personal to the song's writer. The message may not always be positive but the writer is still attempting to tell a story through his or her music. I enjoy the idea of calling a rapper an author.
ReplyDeleteBoth of you had excellent posts. I especially enjoyed them because storytelling is my favorite aspect of hip hop. Its amazing how an artists music can can tell a story that puts the listener right next to them as if they were there. I also really enjoys all of your song selections. They did a great job of highlighting the points made in your posts.
ReplyDeleteArtist are authors I enjoyed both blog posts. The contrast in them is that the first one references the modern rapper kendrick lamar. While the second brings up the album ready to die by the notorious B.I.G.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed and agreed with both blogs! Both blogs came to the conclusion that hip-hop music is also a story telling genre that is very unique. When you listen to a hip-hop song, you can always relate or visualize their lyrics and that's what I like best about this genre.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading both blogs very much. I really like country music because the majority of country songs tell a story. I have never really noticed that hip hop does the same thing. This realization is going to change my hip hop listening experience. I also liked the songs that were used as examples to tie in the idea of story telling.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both of the blogs, I always find it interesting to really listen to how rappers arrange their words to tell a story. It is important that their stories are unique but hold a universal theme.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this blog very much in that hip hop artists can be thought of as authors as well as musicians because even in songs that may not seem to be telling a story, there might be some underlying plot message or it may contribute to a story being told over several of the artist's songs.
ReplyDeleteI liked both blog post and agree that there is a story of some sort in every hip hop song you hear. Whether the story is about "ballin' out" at the strip club or struggling in the hood, its still a story.
ReplyDeletei enjoyed both blog post. i am always amazed at the way that rappers use music to tell stories. its sad to me sometimes because i do not think that they get the credit that they deserve for their talents.
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't agree that all hip hop is storytelling I do like the examples you gave to support how storytelling is given in hip hop. I think rappers can convey other things besides stories from their songs but overall this was well written and supported
ReplyDeleteVery accurate blog. Many artist in the industry take advantage of becoming both an artist painting the picture through their canvas of story telling in an author like way. This is, again, very accurate.
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed both of the blogs. Rappers have the ability to tell a story like no other artist, mainly because they set themselves no boundaries. Sometimes I have to listen to songs multiple times simply to understand the message conveyed through the story. I also liked how you put a picture of Earl Sweatshirt's "Earl" on the blog post.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog topic, stories in rap are common and can be pretty moving/amazing. stories in songs have been around since the formation of rap, however, marcus posted the album cover of earl sweatshirts earl album and something to think about regarding Odd Future is to look into Tyler the Creators three albums which all tell one long story of Tylers battle with alternate identities, multiple personalities...
ReplyDeleteI really liked both of the posts. I like the examples that were used. I believe that J.Cole and Kendrick Lamar are also great rappers with a great story to tell. Rap is not just about nonsense, it is about everyday people telling their story through music.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed you blog. Through their lyrics artist convey vivid pictures that send messages to their fans in new ways. Rappers tell stories that other artist can in power ways. I really enjoyed reading this blog.
ReplyDeletegreat examples to better explain your blog, I honestly think that most artist are poetic authors that prefer to voice than write thier story.
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