Tuesday 31 January 2012

Rap In Performance



Los Angeles Rapper/Producer Blu was recently confronted by a fan onstage, criticising him for not 'ripping' it right. According to onlookers, Blu seemed dazed and confused, forgetting his lines and slurring his words. Though this can probably be ascribed to alcohol/weed consumption, it is a true fact about hip hop generally that live performances can leave a lot to be desired. Having thought about the reasons for this, I have compiled a list of why rap performances in particular often suffer in comparison to other genres of music.

1. Drug consumption
Though it is true that many other genres of music are strongly intertwined with a culture of alcohol/drugs, hip hop has a particular love affair with marijuana. This has the unfortunate effect of making many rappers relax to the point of a glazed non-performance. When I saw Snoop Dogg at the O2 Academy, the man could hardly move, never mind provide a coherent performance.

2. Arrogance
Returning to the Snoop Dogg debacle, part of the reason for his debilitating drug induced state could be the fact that some rappers have too many unquestioning, adoring fans. Even if he had stood perfectly still and simply hummed some bars from Doggystyle before leaving the stage, I truly believe that 99% of the people in the room would have gone home beside themselves with joy. Adoration seems to have bred laziness in some of the genre's biggest stars.

3. Sound Quality
When a band plays live, each individual instrument contributes to the overall sound quality. A hip hop artist usually has only a DJ to provide the backing track to his rhymes. The various components making up the beat cannot be heard separately, becoming distorted when played at high volume. This means that only the best quality systems are equipped to deal with this problem, often resulting in sub standard sound quality at gigs where the best is unaffordable.

4. Performance
When a band finally reaches a stage, it will usually be the result of hours and hours spent practicing as a unit. This is not true of new MC's. Theoretically, a rapper can record a new song in a studio, have it playing on the radio and be booked to perform within a month. If this is a newcomer, they will have very little experience in terms of performance. Often the MC is onstage alone, with no instrument or prop as a recourse, meaning that even the most seasoned pros struggle to maintain the interest of an audience for the hour or so they perform. This can result in shaky, nervous early performances, leading to criticism in terms of a lack of charisma.

5. Song Length
The vast majority of hip hop tracks contain 3 verses of around 40 seconds in length, and often include a hook to link them together. The problem is that one of the three verses is often taken by a guest rapper (or sometimes more than one of the verses). This means that a rapper can have an incredibly popular record that the audience is expecting to hear, but if it features someone else the length of the song can be seriously curtailed. This was particularly notable when I watched Raekwon at the Liquid Room. Being a member of Wu-Tang, he naturally included their most popular tracks in his set. As Wu-Tang has/had 9 members, it meant the crowd was treated to what amounted to 5 minutes of Raekwon snippets.

Of course, this is not to say that every hip hop performance will be terrible or substandard. KRS One provided me with a wonderful introduction to the world of live hip hop, sustaining a ferocious intensity throughout. Similarly, Public Enemy performed for over 2 hours, the veterans showing how a love for the art can prolong a career for over 20 years. It isn't just the old timers setting the example, however. Wiz Khalifa set down the blueprint for youthful enthusiasm when I saw him in November, restoring hope that the new generation of MC's will eventually be able to perform to the maximum of their potential.

Monday 16 January 2012

New Favourite Rapper: 2 Chainz


To call 2 Chainz a newcomer would be incorrect. Formerly known as Tity Boi, a member of moderately successful Disturbing Tha Peace group Playaz Circle, 2 Chainz has begun carving out a promising solo career. Visually striking with his 6'5 frame, long braids and large glasses dominating his face, the Atlanta MC made a memorable appearance on the Uncut BET Cypher.


The dropping of his ridiculous previous alias along with a stream of popular mixtapes has worked miracles on his status in the rap industry. Chainz delivered a somewhat confusing explanation of his decision in a radio interview covered by HipHopDX:

“I’ve been doing a lot of media runs up in New York lately promoting my CD T.R.U. Realigion and every single interview I do they like, ‘What’s up with the name change?’ So this is the universal answer... I go by Tity Boi, let me run this to ya’ll, I’m one half of Playaz Circle. I did a song called ‘Duffle Bag Boyz’ in ’07 with Lil Weezy. I was signed to DTP/Def Jam and all that. And so people ask me where the 2 Chainz came from I tell them I always talk about jewelry and I always been saying 2 Chainz in a lot of my songs. But lately like the last year or so I’ve been saying it in introducing my records like ‘2 Chainz!’ and kinda making it family friendly. However you wanna say it.”


Extracting some sense out of this leads us to conclude that the rapper is still contractually obliged to DTP under his Tity Boi moniker, therefore cannot fully renounce the name until he has fulfilled his obligations. He is not contracted to Def Jam as a solo artist, however, so currently remains independent under his 2 Chainz alias.


After a series of mildly popular mixtapes established Chainz as a rejuvenated voice, the rapper found his first major success with the release of T.R.U REALigion. The tape features newcomers and old faces alike, Big Sean, Meek Mill and Kreayshawn being joined by veterans such as Raekwon, T.I. and Young Jeezy. The free project has amassed over 100,000 downloads on Datpiff.com. 


As a rapper, Chainz relies on effective bass rattling Southern beat selection, similar in mould to fellow ATLiens Jeezy and Yo Gotti. Also shared with them is a penchant for the repetitive hook and simple lyricism, focused on providing something to destroy the sound system rather than deep, meaningful material. This, however, doesn't seem important when listened to in the right context. As he explains himself:


"I'm the new kid at school... The new kid come to the school, know how to dress a little bit, know how to talk a little game... I done been around, but I transferred."


Currently promoting the T.R.U mixtape, 2 Chainz knows there is a lot of work to do before he achieves mainstream success (for example, he does not yet even have his own Wikipedia page). A continued focus, however, will almost certainly guarantee him a fruitful 2012. In an industry that is currently crying out for more substance, 2 Chainz is notable for going against the grain. When the music is this fun, however, it doesn't really seem to matter.


2 Chainz feat. Kreayshawn - Murder
2 Chainz - Undastatement
2 Chainz - Kesha

2 Chainz - Spend it:


2 Chainz - T.R.U. REALigion (mixtape)

Monday 9 January 2012

My 10 Best Hip Hop Tracks Of 2011



I know this is a bit late but it's still relevant. In no particular order, here is my list of my favourite ten tracks last year:

1. Kendrick Lamar - Ronald Reagan Era 
The standout track of a tough field on Section. 80. Compelling production from RZA is married with razor sharp socio-political rhymes from Lamar.

2. Raekwon feat. Nas - Rich & Black
A scene stealing turn from a rejuvenated Nas places this track above the others on Shaolin vs Wu Tang. The collaboration proved false the notion that the two MC's careers are in terminal decline.

3. Common feat. John Legend - The Believer
A late entry as the album was only released at the end of December. The first track from The Dreamer, The Believer contains a stirring hook from Legend, while Common reminds listeners of the uplifting power of his music.

4. Game feat. Kendrick Lamar - The City
A reminder that when Game is on form, very few can match his intensity or honesty. The R.E.D Album cut also features a memorable cameo from Lamar, subduing the beat into silence as the crown is metaphorically passed on to the West Coast newcomer.

5. J Cole - Lost Ones
Despite Cole World: The Sideline Story being generally disappointing, the project did show glimpses of what made the LP so highly anticipated. Such evidence is found on 'Lost Ones', as Cole explores the ramifications of an unplanned pregnancy from the perspective of both partners.

6. Reks - Wonder Years
Over a haunting beat from Hi-Tek, Reks explores his adolescence and alcoholism, the title of the track becoming ironic as the ferocious rhymes batter it into submission. Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme was criminally ignored upon it's March release.

7. Mellowhype feat. Tyler, the Creator - F666 The Police
Odd Future members Hodgy Beats and Left Brain re-released their side project BlackenedWhite in 2011. The track features the raucous, dark themes the collective is known for, with a memorable appearance from the characteristically schizophrenic Tyler.

8. Jay Rock - Code Red 
Underrated project Follow Me Home was introduced by the unmistakably West Coast 'Code Red'. Over mournful piano keys, Jay Rock provides rhymes heavily reminiscent of a young Game.

9. Jay Z & Kanye West feat. Frank Ocean - Made in America
Though Watch The Throne was highly disappointing, it did feature standout track 'Made in America'. The Frank Ocean hook complements the deep, introspective subject matter that should have pervaded the whole album.

10. Mobb Deep feat. Nas - Get It Forever
After Prodigy was released from prison, the Queensbridge duo released The Black Cocaine EP to satisfy impatient fans. Undeniable gutter chemistry was achieved on 'Get It Forever', Nas in particular rounding out the year in style.