Dance Lessons
Ok, two things will be discussed in this particular piece, maybe three if I don’t get too long-winded!
I, like fellow older hip-hop/music heads, feel the quality of music has sunk so low that anything with a passable beat will get radio play nowadays. But, that’s for another time (you notice I like throwing hints on future topics at you?). I am actually kinda happy but sad at the same time. Why? There is a trend of hip hop artists, excuse me, performers, recording dance songs (no, not like Donna Summer/Madonna dance songs), that describe a particular dance they are doing. You know, like “The Electric Slide,” “The Hustle” (for you younger heads, these were disco songs from the 80s, when you were guaranteed to hear good music on the radio and in the clubs), etc. Now, I am not knocking the trend at all (well, maybe a little) but there is a reason I am saddened as well.
I am with any and every thing that will show people a good time and how to have fun through music, specifically hip hop. This is why I am happy with the trend of the younger artists, um, performers, making these type of records for the masses. One small problem is the buffoonery that is sometimes involved in such dances. But you know what? That’s a small price to pay to get people off the gangsta, ignorant messages sent daily via hip hop songs, radio stations and video programming. It seems as though every song has to have a reference of selling drugs, hustling, killing, robbing, bitches, hos and everything that comes along in the ‘How To Make a Successful Hip-Hop Record’ instruction manual. So anything not used from the manual is a welcomed relief.
Now, I am saddened because it seems as if lyricism is no longer needed in hip hop unless it’s written by Nas, Jay-Z or any other head who had to actually think to formulate a verse or two to put in a song.
I purposely used the term performer instead of artist or rapper. We are in the YouTube video days where the song is not based on what can be learned (unless it’s a how-to dance song), but what visuals can be displayed for the viewing audience.
Why are we accepting this? And don’t give me that bull about this being a different generation. Why can’t intelligence or uplifting thoughts be visible in hip hop? I do know there are artists out there that fit the description, but we are not being allowed to see them and they are not being given the same chances as the gun-toting, stupid, stop snitchin’ fools that are ruling the hip hop frequency (at least to the mainstream audience).
Speaking of dancing, my second topic is our favorite hypocrite, Jesse Jackson. I’ve said it for years that this man is two-faced, conniving and couldn’t be trusted. For this man to use the very same word that he is trying to eradicate from hip hop records is simply amazing! I agree that we need to curb our enthusiasm for using the word because I am indeed guilty (except I never use that word amongst non-blacks, as opposed to rappers writing hit songs based on the word. Jigga My Nigga, anyone?) Jesse just proved that he is part of the problem. Don’t tell me to stop drinking alcohol while we are getting drunk at the bar. Does that make sense?
What do you think?
BIG CED is the founder/owner and visionary for The Industry Cosign and has been involved in the entertainment field for over two decades. His rants on music and the industry-at-large are exclusive to Urban Thought Collective.
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