rap aesthetic

[nomadologist]

yes! it's like saying that every book should have an uplifting message with good `role models': the sonic version of socialist realism ...

The best part of this attitude is that it so often comes posited with this idea of "old school" values by artists who, if you look more closely, not only did drugs and often sold them, but often had morally questionable themes (E.G. MISOGYNY) running all through their lyrics/music/videos.

 

[Gavin]

yes! it's like saying that every book should have an uplifting message with good `role models': the sonic version of socialist realism ...

What's it Kodwo said about rap? That it's read as social realism when it's supposed to be antisocial surrealism?

 

[Eric]

nice!

 

[Gavin]

Social Realism:

Socialist Realism (I really want a print of this, oh yes another whore for Soviet kitsch):

Social Surrealism:

Romantic Realism (or what I might consider Antisocial Realism):

Antisocial Surrealism:

 

[gek-opel]

What's it Kodwo said about rap? That it's read as social realism when it's supposed to be antisocial surrealism?

This is a fucking great quote... Unfortunately hip hop is all too rarely "antisocial surrealism" tho...

 

[nomadologist]

I think it very often is...

 

[Sick Boy]

What's it Kodwo said about rap? That it's read as social realism when it's supposed to be antisocial surrealism?

That is a really fantastic quote.

 

[ether]

Surely aren't people bored of middle class people endlessly whining about how mundane the "culture" of "rap" music is?

Hip-hop is a form of pop music, get over it! Stop fetishizing the non-Western American Other, and you'll realize that hip-hop, like all kinds of music, is bound to become another spectacle-driven industry stronghold.

why cant it work on several levels, I'm a strong proponent of the idea that music satisfys its audience on different levels, the extent of contemporary rap success through fashion, visual culture and record sales denotes it satifys a huge audience.

Strangely as someone who listened to Rap incessantly for about ten years currently why am I rarely if ever a satisfied consumer? If I look back too the rap I enjoyed it was rarely if ever a 'morality play' conscious hip hop always seemed to preachy and unsatisfying.

 

[ether]

What's it Kodwo said about rap? That it's read as social realism when it's supposed to be antisocial surrealism?

antisocial surrealism?

 

[Gavin]

antisocial surrealism?

Yes, that is one of his chief examples. Also the first Gravediggaz album.

I think there are many perfectly valid reasons to be bored with chart hip hop (and if you are in the U.K. you probably don't get as much of the uglier dirtier stuff on the bottom of the U.S. Top 100). I still find it interesting and even exciting at times, but at least some of my interest is anthropological ("This is what's popular in 2007"), not aesthetic.

 

[elgato]

Yes, that is one of his chief examples. Also the first Gravediggaz album.

im really interested if you could expand on this antisocial surrealism concept... if you have the time of course

 

[ether]

yeah right, sounds very intriguing, given me the idea for a mix tape, as a figure I probably own alot of these records.

not really familiar Kodwo will check out 'More Brilliant Than the Sun' though

 

[muser]

check out cyne been really liking growing e.p and running water e.p .

 

[Guilhèm de Peitieus]

Cam'ron

In terms of musical aesthetic not innovating but lyrically I think Cam's new mixtape has a lot of rewarding weirdness and warped intelligence. Still working through it. Definitely one of the most singular characters in hip-hop. As he slips out of the limelight he just gets stranger and stranger (cf. attempted 50 Cent beef in the summer, Stop Snitching tv appearance). Some typically satisfying/massively obvious sample choices too.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ah5d8q
http://www.zshare.net/download/4767095a9c641c/

I can't think of any other rappers who'd announce a mixtape to MTV by labelling his detractors "yentas" either...

 

[nomadologist]

Cam'ron's rhymes and flow patterns are really distinct and downright crazy enough to be brilliant at times. He is also gorgeous

 

[zhao]

hows bout sum memorable rap album covers 4 da posse? i go first:

 

[ether]

I think this was after dwarf rapper bushwick bill failed in an attempted
drunken suicide pact with his girlfriend, one which sticks in my mind.

 

[zhao]

nice one ether.

this has always been one a my faves amongst so many cashmoney classics. note the

1. apocalyptic feel like some 80s horror movie (where the shit REALLY hits the fan)
2. Juvie as master of puppets
3. photoshopped hos sprinkled in the background
4. the Z turned into dollar sign

 

[fokse vektaire xeven]

hows bout sum memorable rap album covers 4 da posse?

I always thought it was great a record could be big as this one with a cover like :

 

[zhao]

fa shizaaaz!