C.R.E.A.M and Consumer Vs. Creativity Article by: Matt Clark Some say Hip-Hop is at an all time low. Others argue that it’s at the top of its game. As far as the mainstream goes Hip-Hop is involved in areas where at one time there weren’t areas. This is great for the culture and is providing many jobs in many different fields for people who may not have the artistic ability to compete in the actual making of the music, but have this ever dominating culture in there minds and in there hearts. Now that urban fashion (G-Unit, LRG, Ecko, Rocawear, Sean John, etc) is big business, as well as urban films, ring tones, cell phone adds, what about the actual music? What is common knowledge to anyone who knows the first thing about the rap game is that these side businesses are producing more of a profit for the artists than the actual music. Are they forgetting what got them these other ventures in the first place? And what about the audience? Today’s youth doesn’t know the first thing about where this culture came from as well as why it was created in the first place. The majority of the rap audience doesn’t know Kool Herc, or Grandmaster Flash, or Affrika Bambatta. This is a shame, because if they knew the history they would have a greater demand for real authentic rap. There was passion; there was just pure love of the craft. It wasn’t about making millions, but actually enjoying the process of finishing a beat, or finding that hidden gem deep in the crates that would give your grandma goose bumps. It was about being clever and boasting how nice you were on the mic and not how tough you were. It was about getting off the corner and heading to the park to feed off the energy of something so pure and genuine. Whenever there’s a problem with anything in life there’s never one area to pinpoint. So combining the lack of knowledge the majority of the Hip-Hop audience has, as well as the money hungry, C.R.E.AM driven rap stars is what’s bringing the urban creativity to a standstill. The artists are producing what sells. What we buy. And what sells right now is garbage. You’re always going to have a few sellouts sacrificing themselves for a couple bucks. That’s expected. But when it’s the majority of what we’re hearing in our stereos, that is when you got to stop and ask yourself, what has happened to millions of people, that they want to here Lil Jon yell about nothing for 90 minutes instead of Rakim making magic out of the alphabet. I’m sorry but I’m disgusted over the lack of demand for quality music. I blame the artist, I blame the consumer, and I blame the greediness of society. I blame the lack of thought and the short attention span of the listeners. No one wants to think anymore. No one wants to sit in the car and dissect the message that Public Enemy was trying to get across, or what Immortal Technique is trying to teach. They want to go to the club and get “Crunk” and continue on being as ignorant as the music they buy. I love going back to hear old rap and hearing what they were saying in there rhymes. I love going to the library and studying Hip-Hop literature and the history of what I love. The problem is that I can only keep “Paid N’ Full” on repeat for so long. Eventually I want to here something new, and when nothing new of any substance is being put out there is a problem. Lets take a stand and not feed into the trash that’s out now. Lets collectively get together and show them that we want something more than a club anthem. They’re giving to us what we buy. Lets push these cats back to the lab to reevaluate what they’re doing. Rakim- The Eighteenth letter- Mystery (who is God) In eternal blackness, in the midst of the darkest night Proteins and minerals, exist within specks of light Solids liquids and gases, and sparks of light within infinite lengths and widths and depths and heights No beginning or ending, the seven dimensions than a million words and inventions Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz- PUT YO HOOD UP- BIA BIA Well get 'em up (Get 'em up) Put 'em up (Put 'em up) Stop actin' like a bitch and get yo hands up Well get 'em up (Get 'em up) Put 'em up (Put 'em up) Stop actin' like a bitch and get yo hands up Well where you from nigga (Where you from) Where you from nigga (Where you from) God dammit motherfucker where you from (Where you from) Which do you prefer? Matthew P. Clark (5) Comments | Post a comment »

The editorial was well written. I liked what was said because it is the truth for real.

Posted by curtis75black

Makes me want to get into old skool hip hop can anyone recomend some albums.

Posted by England lad

England lad: go get nas - illmatic and it was written raekwon- only built for cuban linx u wont be sorry u got them

Posted by wuhead101

Ok, i would have to agree with the writer. Hip hop in its present form lacks the creativity it once had. Like erick sermon said in his song relentless. Where he quotes missy saying: " there's no creativity in the game anymore its same old bore ". It looks like the rappers of today would rather have catchy one liner hooks rapping about drugs, sex, and money. And don't forget the cars and jewlery they have because they sold out. I recently watched an interveiw that took place with krs-one he said that a sell out has an agenda. In my opinion now adays rappers have made it there point to only get as much money as they can get. Reguardless, weather they really put something out thats really creative. The labels and the rappers have forgotten about their roots. These rappers grew up in the golden days of rap ,however, todays market has no clue that things have changed. I used to joke with my friends and i would say i can tell you how you can make a quick million. Just create an image to tailor to the market. Come up with a silly hook thats catchy rap about something pointless and go to the bank. Simple, now i have millions!

Posted by jjennings

The article is on point. Unfortunately, the hip-hop culture has come to this. Because the masses are generally uninformed, and because it's the masses who pay the bills, we get what we get. I think the solution is to educate the masses in a way that they can digest the education. In a way that isn't preachy. That's why i'll be starting a non-profit over the next few years to do just that. Wish me luck!

Posted by jdeezyweezy

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