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."