the smell of birthdays

Let me introduce you, friend,
to the true face of hip hop music.



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what slips many people's minds is that 'hip hop' does not only refer to a music genre. like all good researchers do, I shall now refer to Wikipedia and quote faithfully: "Hip hop's four main elements are rapping, DJing, graffiti writing and breakdancing." Hip hop is a cultural movement; hip hop music is what you hear on the radio.

Or at least, that's what you think it is.

If you had read my fluff entry, you'd know my thoughts on (and embarrassing vices of) mainstream music. 50 cent and Snoop Dogg aren't 'fluff', but they subscribe to the same ideals fluff does. For example, marketing strategies to generate the most sales are prioritised over the music itself. This results in the same freaking songs produced every same freaking time.
For example (to be rapped to a steady beat): "All mah homies in da club/we gone bring this shit down/I like it when you do that shorty/lemme XXXXX you shorty" and other embarrassing shit like that.


You'd be surprised how many hip-hop artists are ashamed of their 'colleagues'. The only one I can think of who went mainstream was Nas. Rapped his heart out to a genius organ-bass sampling of In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly. Haha. I feel stupid typing this and you feel stupid reading this, so why not listen to it instead.

In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly. Listen to the first twenty seconds to hear the sampling.



Hip Hop is Dead - Nas. Lyrics illustrate his disapproval of the current hip hop scene.




So that was Nas. Went mainstream with his disgust which ironically turns his argument upon himself. While he condemns modern-day commercialised hip hop and their constant allusions to sex, violence and drugs, he's not exactly a Gandhi himself. Seems very violent to me.



That's why I reserve the main point of this post (YES I am a long-winder) for a man and DJ/producer i respect to the ends of the earth, name of Nujabes.

I think I'm correct to say the origins of hip hop came from soul music? Jazz or some sort? Yes, Wikipedia just confirmed it. None of that club rubbish. You certainly hear the jazz/blues influence in Nujabes' music.

Here is one of the more impressive songs in his collection. At first listen, you'll go: "...HUH?" Or: "...ok...." It's not a BANG-impressive song. But man, this song is perfection on all levels. The flowing melody of the guitar - the crazy beat - rapper Cise Starr OUTDOES himself here. His rhythmic timing is...jaw dropping, to me. His choice of lyrics are...mind blowing. The song is wrapped up in this perfect bow and everything fits. You get that real rare nowadays.

In this line you can see a hint of his opposition to mainstream hip hop:
"while you're fucking a bitch, i'm making love to my miss"
And instead of your gyrating-hips act, we have lyricism!
"She's a compilation of my minds representation
Of a representative
Representing an excellent revelation of time and dedication
Never impatient"
...WHO THINKS OF THIS KIND OF THING?
Lyrics will do you good


Lady Brown - Nujabes (Feat. Cise Starr)
"She smell like a happy birthday on a thursday."
This piece is like liquid summer.


And so, in closing, i hope I have opened your eyes, if just a little. While we continue to listen to mainstream hip hop, let's be aware of this little underground movement. I leave you momentarily with words of wisdom from our very own Snoop Dogg:

"I smack up the world if they rude to you (Ehh...)
'Cause baby girl you so beautiful..."

Best lyric-writer, ever. I say this without a hint of sarcasm. Without the slightest hint.