I surfed on youtube, google and many other search engines reading about what have music become now today. I mean, back in 90's we had a great deal of artists, Hip-Hop & Pop Music was the best ya know? 2 Pac, Biggie, Britney Spears, Shakira, Wu-Tang.. Good stuff. But now today, in my opinion Hip-Hop is going downhill.. Rap is dying, we got crap like Soulja Boy and 50 Cent.

I mean, what genre is now today's mainstream music? I am guessing Modern-Rock is striking, we got My Chemical Romance, Evanescence, Linkin Park, Nickelback, Paramore and many more!

Well, i love all kind of genre. But rap is mostly my favorite genre, and i am so sad to see it is going down.

What do you think is mainstream today?

Your answer is a push of a button away.

Just look on TV. If it's there it's mainstream.

i'm mainstream, the kids cant get enough of me, i mean that in an "i'm totally awesome" way, and not that i'm a very charming pedo

seriously though, i'd say its probably pop-rock bands, theres been quite the flood of them recently, arctic monkeys and that sort of stuff.

I surfed on youtube, google and many other search engines reading about what have music become now today. I mean, back in 90's we had a great deal of artists, Hip-Hop & Pop Music was the best ya know? 2 Pac, Biggie, Britney Spears, Shakira, Wu-Tang.. Good stuff. But now today, in my opinion Hip-Hop is going downhill.. Rap is dying, we got crap like Soulja Boy and 50 Cent.

I mean, what genre is now today's mainstream music? I am guessing Modern-Rock is striking, we got My Chemical Romance, Evanescence, Linkin Park, Nickelback, Paramore and many more!

Well, i love all kind of genre. But rap is mostly my favorite genre, and i am so sad to see it is going down.

What do you think is mainstream today?

rap sucks so i'm glad to see it's going down in a hellstorm of fire and death.

my chem sucks too. i hate them. the other bands you posted are good though. i especially <3 evanescence and paramore.

I surfed on youtube, google and many other search engines reading about what have music become now today. I mean, back in 90's we had a great deal of artists, Hip-Hop & Pop Music was the best ya know? 2 Pac, Biggie, Britney Spears, Shakira, Wu-Tang.. Good stuff. But now today, in my opinion Hip-Hop is going downhill.. Rap is dying, we got crap like Soulja Boy and 50 Cent.

I mean, what genre is now today's mainstream music? I am guessing Modern-Rock is striking, we got My Chemical Romance, Evanescence, Linkin Park, Nickelback, Paramore and many more!

Well, i love all kind of genre. But rap is mostly my favorite genre, and i am so sad to see it is going down.

What do you think is mainstream today?

You mean Rap isn't the one and the Only mainstream genre today!? The tweens can't really get enough of Hillary Duff or Miley Cyrus, but I don't know if that classifies as a genre. Ashlee Simpson is pop/soft-rock and had a zinger similar to Nillie-Vanillie...

J-pop

my chem sucks too. i hate them. the other bands you posted are good though. i especially <3 evanescence and paramore.

You were cool. Now you are not ;)

HAS BEEN

LMAO!

Every generation believes the next generation's music sucks, and the last generation's music was the best thing ever.

J-pop

yes, greta! Jade Valerie ftw!!! (her new cd comes out march 5th! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!)


You were cool. Now you are not ;)

NO KNEGGERS!!!!!! LOVE ME AGAIN!

LMAO!

Every generation believes the next generation's music sucks, and the last generation's music was the best thing ever.

I think you mean the "current generation's music" is the one that sucks. And yes. That is completely true. Last generation's music was way better. Now we just have hip-hop, RnB and the pop-punk bands which I REALLY despise.

Bennimo, that's true. Our current geneartions's music sucks. I also agree, we got a lot of sucky punk rock bands such as My Chemical Romance Tokio Hotel(No offense to the fans). And Rap is just, miserable.. 50 Cent Souljah Boy, give me a break!

Easy question, easy answer:


Just look on TV. If it's there it's mainstream.

going to hazard a guess here and say the stuff that's selling the most

Anything commercially successful.

NO KNEGGERS!!!!!! LOVE ME AGAIN!

You will have to fight me. First you must open the door to my chamber. It requires 3 seals. One to the North. One to the East.

And you can just guess where the other one is...:naughty:

oh my....

/me reaches for the southern seal

I think you mean the "current generation's music" is the one that sucks.
No. If the current Generation believed their music sucks, then why is it so popular!?

Anyways,


And yes. That is completely true. Last generation's music was way better. Now we just have hip-hop, RnB and the pop-punk bands which I REALLY despise. I used to say the same thing during High School,: Nothing but R&B (which isn't really true R&B), Pop-punk bands, and Nu-metal crap!

I've always believed music was going downhill (mainstream that is) I get my rap fix from some not too popular people like: Talib Kweli and Lupe Fiasco. I especially think rock has caught "the suck". I'll take Led Zeplin, Judas Priest, Megadeath, REO Speedwagon, Night Rider and .etc over modern day rock any day. With your: "loaded gun complex, cock it and pull it":rolleyes:.




EDIT: I <3 Ballads.

Yeah i agree with you there Jeff. I mean, Old-School music anyday! :) Especially rap!

"Mainstream" is an arbitrary label people can throw onto music when they can't think of a more legitimate reason to dislike it.

Not really. Mainstream pretty much just means the songs that are contemporary and prevalent.

Not really. Mainstream pretty much just means the songs that are contemporary and prevalent.

Yes, but a good deal of the time people will use "mainstream" to indicate overall shittiness, without really saying WHY.

the thing i hate is when people stop liking a band just because they become popular.

That's exactly what I'm talking about. The band gets more recognition - becomes popular and, thus, "mainstream", and all of a sudden they suck. Why? It makes no sense. If the band is that popular, they must be doing SOMETHING right.

Domingo,

well, i think someone sucks if they hit the mainstream and then become completely dishonest, ride the new trend, don't pay any dues, or simply fall off.

ya, doing something right pertaining to the business aspect. but if someone gets popular, it's mostly because they know somebody. not because they're good. and i'm definitely not saying everything on the radio and television is trash, and i'm not saying knowing the RIGHT person (honest) is a bad thing either. Most of these are hip hop artists...The Roots are still dope and gradually getting better and better with every album and they still put on amazing live shows and they still paying dues (black thought-quite underrated)...Lupe ain't so bad...Common is dope. Mos Def is still dope (always doing different shit)...Dangermouse (Gorillaz/Gnarles Barkley...he's still very dope and still works in the underground). Nas. Outkast.
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Palawelis,

Hip Hop just doesn't sound the same any more. especially the music. It's damn near impossible to clear a sample nowadays, so many mainstream "producers" revert to the digital which is cool but the melodies are god damn horrible and repetitive.

Hip Hop isn't dead. It's merely different and it's where you're looking too. If you're looking on TV/radio for decent/truthful artists, it's going to be difficult, but if you dig in the underground, you'll most likely find it easier (quite the run on, ha). Mainstream Hip hop is different from what it was 15 to 20 years ago. there were dope artists like Public Enemy, Eric B. & Rakim, Boogie Down Productions, Big Daddy Kane, Wu-Tang, Pharcyde, De La Soul, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, A Tribe Called Quest, Leaders of the New School, Organized Konfusion, etc. hitting up the main radios and TV spots (well besides the whole gangster rap trend occupying the mainstream for a bit there), and now you can't turn on the TV/radio and hope to hear a decent/truthful artist. you have to dig.

I don't think Hip hop is dying. There's a similar argument going around that Hip Hop is dying because "emo" rappers (Sage Francis, Sole, Atmosphere, Alias, Buck 65, Aesop Rock, El-P, etc.) are coming out in the underground and ruining the culture by perverting the sound. Ha, in many ways that's false. Sage Francis is always paying dues (even on his latest album he was paying dues). He actually made an album that was paying a lot of dues with Joey Beats entitled "Hope." Slug of Atmosphere is still paying dues and almost always has. Aesop..same thing. Yes, they do different shit than the traditional hip hop song, but they pay respect the founders/innovators/the artists they group up listening to.

If you would like some decent hip hop artists, i would suggest checking the names that i already dropped along with DJ Shadow, Reanimator, Blockhead, Nujabes, Omega One, J Dilla, Immortal Technique, RJD2, Cunninlynguists, Binary Star, Y Society, Insight, Edan, DJ Krush, Sol.illaquists of Sound, Eyedea & Abilities, oh there's plenty more but how could i name them all?

Well, part of becoming "mainstream" is gaining popularity, not just good business sense. Let's say a band DOES change its sound just for the sake of popularity (in which case I would have to agree with you, but I digress). It would seem, then, that enough people LIKE that sound to warrant them changing their style to suit that particular audience.

I'm not sure about any of those rap/hip-hop/whatever artists you mentioned - not my cup of tea. But take the band Nightwish, for example. They fired their vocalist, and when they hired on the new one, she had a different style of singing than the previous one had, and that set a lot of people off, drawing comparisons to bands like Evanescence (even though, in my opinion, the gap between them is incredible, but again - I digress). They've (the band) openly stated that their music hasn't fundamentally changed, and that their style is what they have strived (striven?) for, and that it is how they themselves want it (that is, they didn't change for more popularity, they "followed their hearts", so to speak). But a lot of people still go with the "Aw, they're mainstream now, so they suck" argument, which is totally unfounded.

When I label a band mainstream, I mean bands getting major play on radio stations, and having a fan base of people who only found out about them through the radio. Not that I'm saying they suck, 'cause I do like alot of mainstream bands.

I don't mind bands changing their sound as they progress, but what I do hate are bands who intentionally change their sound, or change their image to conform with the "in" style. IMO, That's not musical growth.
For example:
This '60s - '70s mod style that most bands developed - I'm looking at you Indie garage emos!, with the single arm raise druming, or the stiff side to side swing guitar playing. First only 2 or 3 bands were doing it, now you can't see a performance without a band doing it at least once.

Domingo,

well, i think someone sucks if they hit the mainstream and then become completely dishonest, ride the new trend, don't pay any dues, or simply fall off.

ya, doing something right pertaining to the business aspect. but if someone gets popular, it's mostly because they know somebody. not because they're good. and i'm definitely not saying everything on the radio and television is trash, and i'm not saying knowing the RIGHT person (honest) is a bad thing either. Most of these are hip hop artists...The Roots are still dope and gradually getting better and better with every album and they still put on amazing live shows and they still paying dues (black thought-quite underrated)...Lupe ain't so bad...Common is dope. Mos Def is still dope (always doing different shit)...Dangermouse (Gorillaz/Gnarles Barkley...he's still very dope and still works in the underground). Nas. Outkast.
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.
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Palawelis,

Hip Hop just doesn't sound the same any more. especially the music. It's damn near impossible to clear a sample nowadays, so many mainstream "producers" revert to the digital which is cool but the melodies are god damn horrible and repetitive.

Hip Hop isn't dead. It's merely different and it's where you're looking too. If you're looking on TV/radio for decent/truthful artists, it's going to be difficult, but if you dig in the underground, you'll most likely find it easier (quite the run on, ha). Mainstream Hip hop is different from what it was 15 to 20 years ago. there were dope artists like Public Enemy, Eric B. & Rakim, Boogie Down Productions, Big Daddy Kane, Wu-Tang, Pharcyde, De La Soul, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, A Tribe Called Quest, Leaders of the New School, Organized Konfusion, etc. hitting up the main radios and TV spots (well besides the whole gangster rap trend occupying the mainstream for a bit there), and now you can't turn on the TV/radio and hope to hear a decent/truthful artist. you have to dig.

I don't think Hip hop is dying. There's a similar argument going around that Hip Hop is dying because "emo" rappers (Sage Francis, Sole, Atmosphere, Alias, Buck 65, Aesop Rock, El-P, etc.) are coming out in the underground and ruining the culture by perverting the sound. Ha, in many ways that's false. Sage Francis is always paying dues (even on his latest album he was paying dues). He actually made an album that was paying a lot of dues with Joey Beats entitled "Hope." Slug of Atmosphere is still paying dues and almost always has. Aesop..same thing. Yes, they do different shit than the traditional hip hop song, but they pay respect the founders/innovators/the artists they group up listening to.

If you would like some decent hip hop artists, i would suggest checking the names that i already dropped along with DJ Shadow, Reanimator, Blockhead, Nujabes, Omega One, J Dilla, Immortal Technique, RJD2, Cunninlynguists, Binary Star, Y Society, Insight, Edan, DJ Krush, Sol.illaquists of Sound, Eyedea & Abilities, oh there's plenty more but how could i name them all?

i gotta say, i find it hard to take you serious when you live in illinois and say "dope," and "..the names that i already dropped"

Well, part of becoming "mainstream" is gaining popularity, not just good business sense. Let's say a band DOES change its sound just for the sake of popularity (in which case I would have to agree with you, but I digress). It would seem, then, that enough people LIKE that sound to warrant them changing their style to suit that particular audience.

I'm not sure about any of those rap/hip-hop/whatever artists you mentioned - not my cup of tea. But take the band Nightwish, for example. They fired their vocalist, and when they hired on the new one, she had a different style of singing than the previous one had, and that set a lot of people off, drawing comparisons to bands like Evanescence (even though, in my opinion, the gap between them is incredible, but again - I digress). They've (the band) openly stated that their music hasn't fundamentally changed, and that their style is what they have strived (striven?) for, and that it is how they themselves want it (that is, they didn't change for more popularity, they "followed their hearts", so to speak). But a lot of people still go with the "Aw, they're mainstream now, so they suck" argument, which is totally unfounded.

yes, and that's one major way of becoming popular and in the mainstream's eye. contacting people about shows, knowing people that can draw the right shows, promoting your albums/music, promoting shows....for the most part, you can't just release a CD and shit out a couple of shows and hope to be known. you pretty much have to know somebody. not saying it's right but that's how it is.

i agree with you that it's stupid just because someone changes their sound and they happen to become popular, people think they suck. it's a shame some people like to generalize everything like that without looking into it.

No. If the current Generation believed their music sucks, then why is it so popular!?
In my opinion, its because the current generation don't know any better. (Someone's not going to like that)


I used to say the same thing during High School,: Nothing but R&B (which isn't really true R&B), Pop-punk bands, and Nu-metal crap!
Not to dodge the statement, but I'm not quite clear on what you're saying here.

To throw in a new view, maybe the hating of "mainstream" music comes about because, musically, and often vocally, it's really simple and easy. Maybe its just because I'm a musician, but when I see someone string 3 chords together for a verse, change the order for the chorus, and throw in one more for the bridge, I don't think that it deserves the attention it gets.
And many guitar solos are very uninspiring, seriously, most kids in highschool who can pick up a guitar can play plenty of guitar riffs and solos going into songs. When I was in highschool, people were trying to learn the solos in Sweet Home Alabama, Sweet Child 'o mine, you know, something actually difficult to accomplish.
But yeah, in summary, musically, there's not much on offer (not that I'm saying its easy to write and produce a song)
Well, as I said, that's just my opinion anyway.

In my opinion, its because the current generation don't know any better. (Someone's not going to like that)
It's not that they don't know any better. It's because record companies market towards the latest trends. Look at this whole Indie/Garage/Emo trend.
It started with one band gaining popularity, and suddenly like all trends, companies began signing other similar sounding bands.


Not to dodge the statement, but I'm not quite clear on what you're saying here. I was refering to this comment:

Now we just have hip-hop, RnB and the pop-punk bands which I REALLY despise.
I used to be the same way when I was in High School. I absolutlely hated trendy ass music that was played out everywhere 24/7.


To throw in a new view, maybe the hating of "mainstream" music comes about because, musically, and often vocally, it's really simple and easy. Maybe its just because I'm a musician, but when I see someone string 3 chords together for a verse, change the order for the chorus, and throw in one more for the bridge, I don't think that it deserves the attention it gets.
And many guitar solos are very uninspiring, seriously, most kids in highschool who can pick up a guitar can play plenty of guitar riffs and solos going into songs.True, it's called a "Hook". It's been done through out the ages, and is the big reason for every genres popular songs.
This is the big reason why I hated Nu-metal. All it did was suck you in with the simplistic heavy riffed chorus. I probably would've been into it from the start, if people didn't act as though it was the first time a band ever mixed Rap and Rock together.


When I was in highschool, people were trying to learn the solos in Sweet Home Alabama, Sweet Child 'o mine, you know, something actually difficult to accomplish.
But yeah, in summary, musically, there's not much on offer (not that I'm saying its easy to write and produce a song)
Well, as I said, that's just my opinion anyway.Me and my classmates were the same way in Guitar class. One of my friends learned Metalica's One, And Justice For All..., and Unforgiven, while I learned the opening riff to La Bamba, and attempted to learn Ska "walking" Basslines.
As for producing pop songs, although most have easy chords and choruses, they're actually quite hard to create. For one, the lyrics may appeal to the trendy group, but if the music that accompanies it doesn't go with it, then the masses won't like it. It also goes vice-versa.
Also, an underground band may have a huge following, but if their image doesn't appeal to the greater masses, then they won't break out.
It's a weird formula.

Of course music sucks today! Why would my music collection be almost 100% game music?

The only genre that has anything going for them right now is rock, and mainly hard rock.

Anything I listen to other than game music is instrumental and/or produced by independent artists.

Crimsonlotus.org
come.to/quasian

While I do like older music and even some newer music, I don't collect it. Quasian and his band Crimson Lotus are of the only people I listen to music wise outside of game music except for Demoscene artists like Quasian himself.

yes, and that's one major way of becoming popular and in the mainstream's eye. contacting people about shows, knowing people that can draw the right shows, promoting your albums/music, promoting shows....for the most part, you can't just release a CD and shit out a couple of shows and hope to be known. you pretty much have to know somebody. not saying it's right but that's how it is.

i agree with you that it's stupid just because someone changes their sound and they happen to become popular, people think they suck. it's a shame some people like to generalize everything like that without looking into it.

Withope, i couldn't say it any better. Thanks so much! I am gonna look for the underground hip hop now, the name you gave me actually. ;)

I'm just happy that i've found a thread where people don't get personal and just flame each other non-stop :)


It's a weird formula.
First of all, I agree/understand what you said. In regards to your statement, yeah, it is very weird, complicated too, which is why its a multi-billion dollar industry. Its just unfortunate that listeners get locked into a constant flow of very 'samey' music (I know its just giving what the public want; if one of my albums went to number one, I'd be sure as hell to release something similar next time), but because there is such a broad gap between indy music and the mainstream market, a lot of very good songs and artists go un-noticed by the general population, because its just as much an art producing and advertising a song as it is writing and making one. I guess that's just how it goes, hey.

There's a similar argument going around that Hip Hop is dying because "emo" rappers (Sage Francis, Sole, Atmosphere, Alias, Buck 65, Aesop Rock, El-P, etc.)

What's emo about these artists ?_??

Also, I checked out your band btw, it's pretty nice. :*


True, it's called a "Hook". It's been done through out the ages, and is the big reason for every genres popular songs.

Yeah, every song's like Television's Marquee Moon now. :p


I probably would've been into it from the start, if people didn't act as though it was the first time a band ever mixed Rap and Rock together.

Crossover isn't the same thing as Nu Metal, though, if you're looking at it that way (only looking at the mix of rap and rock). I like Nu Metal now and then, 'cause nostalgic sound. ^^

What's emo about these artists ?_??


nothing really. people just throw them in the emo category because they have emotional songs (what decent song doesn't contain emotion..?) and happen to push the envelope.



Also, I checked out your band btw, it's pretty nice. :*


thank you! i'm glad you enjoyed.


Withope, i couldn't say it any better. Thanks so much! I am gonna look for the underground hip hop now, the name you gave me actually. ;)

well thank you. your welcome! and awesome...let me know what you think.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that there is a lot more diversity in music today than people realize. You surf through all of the radio stations and you're going to hear a variety of stuff. The local rock stations in Omaha play a variety of things from emo, punk, hard rock, to thrash and death metal. You can find yourself RnB, Rap, Rock, Pop-Punk, Pop, Hard Rock, and sometimes Metal on a top 40 station. When you really stop to think about it, a lot more types of music are getting mainstream attention.

All forms of extreme metal is getting attention on Adult Swim with Metalacalypse. Rap, Hip-Hop, and RnB gets attention on MTV, BET, VH1, name it, it's on there. Think about Headbangers Ball on MTV2 and Uranium on Fuse. And the internet has made it possible to access just about any type of music in existence. So to say that there is truly underground music is asinine, because the most infamous underground artist winding up getting notoriety on the internet. Basically what I'm trying to say is that everything is mainstream in some way shape or form.

Basically what I'm trying to say is that everything is mainstream in some way shape or form.
Sorry, but I'm going to have to disagree with you there. If you just think of 'mainstream' as something that gets public attention, then thats not really much in the way of a definition. No offence, but I don't count the "Local rock stations in Omaha" as a massive mainstream medium (alliteration not intended).
I will admit that there is so much more diversity in music nowadays, and there is almost always an audience for it, and yes, it is extremely accessible thanks to the net, but just because a select group of people love it, doesn't quite make it mainstream. If you look at the top 50 charts across english speaking countries, you'll defenitely notice a trend. That type of music, is what I consider mainstream- and, unfortunately, I hate most of it.
But, hey, this is a discussion, so, whatever.

Crossover isn't the same thing as Nu Metal, though, if you're looking at it that way (only looking at the mix of rap and rock).I know it's not the same. I was referring to the fact that every where at the time was referring to Nu Metal as innovative for blending rock and rap. I was like no, what about Anthrax's version of "Bring Da Noise", or what about Faith No More, RATM or even RHCP? (I don't count Beastie Boys, Run DMC/Aerosmith, Cypress Hill and House of Pain 'cause they were more Hip Hop than Rock).

I like Nu Metal now and then, 'cause nostalgic sound. ^^I'm the same way. I gave it a second chance only 'cause it takes me back to my High School days. I like alot of stuff except Limp Dipshit.


I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that there is a lot more diversity in music today than people realize. You surf through all of the radio stations and you're going to hear a variety of stuff. The local rock stations in Omaha play a variety of things from emo, punk, hard rock, to thrash and death metal. You can find yourself RnB, Rap, Rock, Pop-Punk, Pop, Hard Rock, and sometimes Metal on a top 40 station. When you really stop to think about it, a lot more types of music are getting mainstream attention.

All forms of extreme metal is getting attention on Adult Swim with Metalacalypse. Rap, Hip-Hop, and RnB gets attention on MTV, BET, VH1, name it, it's on there. Think about Headbangers Ball on MTV2 and Uranium on

Yeah, every song's like TeleFuse. And the internet has made it possible to access just about any type of music in existence. So to say that there is truly underground music is asinine, because the most infamous underground artist winding up getting notoriety on the internet. Basically what I'm trying to say is that everything is mainstream in some way shape or form.
Yeah, bands do get more exposure then they would going to local "Battle of the Bands" events. or playing local gigs. But just 'cause they get a huge following doesn't mean they're mainstream. I'm a fan of several bands who have a huge worldwide fanbases within their respective scenes, but outside their scenes, they're unknown - except for Tiger Army who's been played on KROQ and other radio stations around the US, and have been on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

I will say this though. Not all bands turn mainstream the same way. Some bands end up making a song that transcends past their own scene. they usually they become a one-hit wonder, but on a few occasions they progress - for the better or worse - with each new album.

I know it's not the same. I was referring to the fact that every where at the time was referring to Nu Metal as innovative for blending rock and rap. I was like no, what about Anthrax's version of "Bring Da Noise", or what about Faith No More, RATM or even RHCP? (I don't count Beastie Boys, Run DMC/Aerosmith, Cypress Hill and House of Pain 'cause they were more Hip Hop than Rock).

Ah kk. You're correct about that, the first nu metal bands that weren't being called nu metal yet weren't the first innovators of mixing rap and rock in the first place, true true~

Come to think of it, Frank Zappa's the first rap&rock artist, really!

Also on actual topic, does it matter to anyone here if music's mainstream or not? ?_? If you like it, and they're growing popularity, shouldn't you be glad for the artist to grow? (inb4 sellout reply)

But just 'cause they get a huge following doesn't mean they're mainstream. I'm a fan of several bands who have a huge worldwide fanbases within their respective scenes, but outside their scenes, they're unknown
My point exactly.
Also, yeah, that one-hit wonder happens quite a lot, but I'm still not sure why. Does anyone have any ideas why this actually happens? It can't just be that the hit was just 'different' from their usual style of music...can it?

Also, yeah, that one-hit wonder happens quite a lot, but I'm still not sure why. Does anyone have any ideas why this actually happens? It can't just be that the hit was just 'different' from their usual style of music...can it?

Usually it's 'cause their one biggest hit is the catchiest, no?

Also on actual topic, does it matter to anyone here if music's mainstream or not? ?_? If you like it, and they're growing popularity, shouldn't you be glad for the artist to grow? (inb4 sellout reply)

My point exactly.
Also, yeah, that one-hit wonder happens quite a lot, but I'm still not sure why. Does anyone have any ideas why this actually happens? It can't just be that the hit was just 'different' from their usual style of music...can it?

Usually it's 'cause their one biggest hit is the catchiest, no?

I don't mind bands breaking into the mainstream. In fact, the first time I heard Tiger Army on the radio,I was like WTF! No fuckin' WAY! I was glad for them. I actually expect my favorite bands to refine their sound. If they didn't, then why keep listening to them!? I do however hate bands that change their style just to stay with whats "in".

In some ways, I don't like music subcultures, because most fans tend to want bands to remain the same. I hate the fact that most of the core fanbase turns their backs when a band changes their sound - when the band learns more than 3 chords and how to rearrange them - and makes it big. On the other hand, I also hate the fact that some bands tend to forget their core fans WHEN making it big.


The reason why some bands get that one-hit is 'cause they make a song that transcends all music scenes, or like Trentington said, they make a song with a good catchy hook. Look at most of the popular songs out there. Then hear earlier songs from that same band and compare them. Either they sound totally different, or they have something that's catchy like a memorable hook, riff, or melody.

I do however hate bands that change their style just to stay with whats "in".
Kind of like Good Carlotte?


In some ways, I don't like music subcultures, because most fans tend to want bands to remain the same. I hate the fact that most of the core fanbase turns their backs when a band changes their sound - when the band learns more than 3 chords and how to rearrange them - and makes it big. On the other hand, I also hate the fact that some bands tend to forget their core fans WHEN making it big.
Very well said, and I completely agree. I think its all about a balance of giving the fans what they want, but also taking them along as your style of music evolves.

Exactly!
What's good about Good Charlotte!
It's not "Good", but rather Bad Chalotte!

I think this topic can be closed now. And yes, Good Charlotte suck.

This answer is pretty easy if you think about it.

Mainstream is basically selling a sound that many can groove to. It doesn't really have to do with intellectual thought, but more of a vibe that can be easily produced for years to come. That's why you have many songs about the same thing and the same song, the businesses are catering to the lowest common denominator. It's kinda like fast food, you may have few diners and things making authentic foods and hand-made cuisines, but you have thousands of fast food restaurants. Why? Because they made making the food idiot-proof and so easy that all you have to do is read a manual. Mainstream music in general is like this, no matter what genre you like, there is always music that sounds alike for a reason.

Now as for the state of rap:

I'm an avid fan of rap music and I have to disagree about how it is moving "downhill". When I was 15, I thought the same, I was bored with the genre, but I did what most of the worry warts adn haters aren't doing, I had to look for the music that was creatively sound and thought provoking. Rap is the genre that is everyone's whipping boy. No matter the age, it can be an old bunch of parents, or some hormone-potent teenagers, they will always refer to the stereotypes and use that as a decisive factor of the talent needed for it.

Rap is a multi-faceted genre that provokes the mind if you have the right amount of tracks. Of course there is the standard crap that eveyone knows, but under the surface there is a community that is keeping the genre alive. The only thing that fans have to look for is the music, it's not that hard.

I've always believed music was going downhill (mainstream that is) I get my rap fix from some not too popular people like: Talib Kweli and Lupe Fiasco. I especially think rock has caught "the suck". I'll take Led Zeplin, Judas Priest, Megadeath, REO Speedwagon, Night Rider and .etc over modern day rock any day. With your: "loaded gun complex, cock it and pull it":rolleyes:.




EDIT: I <3 Ballads.

Lupe Fiasco is very mainstream

This answer is pretty easy if you think about it.

I strongly disagree with this statement. How music gets popular and how trends are brought about is quite baffling.


Mainstream is basically selling a sound that many can groove to. It doesn't really have to do with intellectual thought, but more of a vibe that can be easily produced for years to come.

Creating a sound that people will "groove to" is not quite so simple. Soulja boy is popular, but face it, there's no substance whatsoever to
"Crank That." I'm quite sure that song will fade away in just a year or so because of that. So what about it makes people like it? I'm of the opinion that this factor is totally unpredictable and arbitrary. There are so many songs that a lot of people like that cease to be popular after a relatively short amount of time.


That's why you have many songs about the same thing and the same song, the businesses are catering to the lowest common denominator.

Businesses always cater to whoever will give them the most money. Period.


It's kinda like fast food, you may have few diners and things making authentic foods and hand-made cuisines, but you have thousands of fast food restaurants. Why? Because they made making the food idiot-proof and so easy that all you have to do is read a manual.

Fast food sells well because it's cheap and, appropriately, fast. Fast food is really garbage from a standpoint of nutrition, but people maintain the illusion that eating it on a regular basis does not have a detrimental effect on their bodies.


Mainstream music in general is like this, no matter what genre you like, there is always music that sounds alike for a reason.

Not sure exactly what point you're making, but the "reason" that music sounds like any music you like is that good musical ideas (or alternatively, profitable ones) will always be mimicked.


Now as for the state of rap:

I'm an avid fan of rap music and I have to disagree about how it is moving "downhill". When I was 15, I thought the same, I was bored with the genre, but I did what most of the worry warts adn haters aren't doing, I had to look for the music that was creatively sound and thought provoking.

If there are only a few diamonds in the rough as opposed to dominating majority of good artists, then the genre can still be considered going downhill. I can't deny my bias as a classical musician, (a Music Theory major, in particular) but I believe that rap is beginning to be predominated by artists that have little or no substance to their words, and don't get me started about the music. Of course, yes, it's important to note that every age has it's ultra-shitty-temporarily-popular artists (i.e. Chingey).


Rap is the genre that is everyone's whipping boy. No matter the age, it can be an old bunch of parents, or some hormone-potent teenagers, they will always refer to the stereotypes and use that as a decisive factor of the talent needed for it.

I do not disrespect the artform itself, but the practice of manufacturing songs with entirely computer-generated tracks and nothing in the lyrics other than silly catchphrases, as is the case with Crunk Rap, is extremely distasteful to me.


Rap is a multi-faceted genre that provokes the mind if you have the right amount of tracks. Of course there is the standard crap that eveyone knows, but under the surface there is a community that is keeping the genre alive. The only thing that fans have to look for is the music, it's not that hard.

In a lot of rap, though, there isn't music to look for. And you have to remember that one or two good artists aren't enough to characterize the movement of the genre.


Now, as for current day mainstream music, I find a lot of what is popular, including, admittedly, what many of you probably enjoy, to be a load of horse feces. I won't start that discussion because you'll dismiss me as elitist and I'll dismiss all of you as uninformed, and that won't get us anywhere. In general, I find that people tend to enjoy more complex music the more they know about music in general, but I don't suppose that detracts from the value of more "mainstream" music.

And anyway, groups like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and more recently Radiohead can give us common ground, as these groups are all immensely popular and very good from the perspective of one trained in the analysis of classical music.

Well, that's my two cents. Of course, these days two cents aren't as much as they used to be, so this can't be too bad.

You know, we already discussed most of this. And that was BlackWind's first post in this thread. I think we've already covered most of the issues, but, well said anyways.

If there are only a few diamonds in the rough as opposed to dominating majority of good artists, then the genre can still be considered going downhill. I can't deny my bias as a classical musician, (a Music Theory major, in particular) but I believe that rap is beginning to be predominated by artists that have little or no substance to their words, and don't get me started about the music. Of course, yes, it's important to note that every age has it's ultra-shitty-temporarily-popular artists (i.e. Chingey).


I'm going to have to disagree with you there. Just because mainstream artists portray the genre as shit and have no respect for the culture does not mean the genre is going downhill. Are the majority of artists being played on MTV/BET/whatever corporate sponsored radio station? No. Almost the same artists are being played on all those stations. The same trash that people want to hear is played on these outlets. Soulja Boy, Young Jeezy, Shop Boyz, or whatever lazy artist that emerges. Again, just because you hear a lot of shitty hip hop/rap artists on a major media outlet does not mean the genre is going downhill or even dead.

I could name a countless amount of artists of this era that substance in their words. In fact, I have in a previous post..in this thread.

This thread seemed to be uprooted - but I'd still like to reply!


well, i think someone sucks if they hit the mainstream and then become completely dishonest, ride the new trend, don't pay any dues, or simply fall off.

This just reminds me of Metallica. I'm an avid Metallica fan, but I'd be the first to admit that they appeared to change their sound to fit the 'mainstream' crowd. No long guitar solos, no only instrumental tracks. You get a short, like what 30 second? solo and your done (Like Nu-Metal!). What happened to Metal now? Megadeth seemed to cater to the same "sell-out" process with adding Cristina Scabbia to their song 'A Tout Le Monde'. Don't get me wrong, I looove Cristina Scabbia, but it seemed to me that since she's a big female artist, they would attract more attention. Gets me kinda sad sometimes. It seems there are few bands now-a-days that stick to their own music, for the sake of music, and not for record sales. The Smashing Pumpkins did the same in the '90s, I believe. They changed their sound quite often to fit whatever was actually popular at the moment. Either way, The Smashing Pumpkins are another band I truly love.


I'm not sure about any of those rap/hip-hop/whatever artists you mentioned - not my cup of tea. But take the band Nightwish, for example. They fired their vocalist, and when they hired on the new one, she had a different style of singing than the previous one had, and that set a lot of people off, drawing comparisons to bands like Evanescence (even though, in my opinion, the gap between them is incredible, but again - I digress). They've (the band) openly stated that their music hasn't fundamentally changed, and that their style is what they have strived (striven?) for, and that it is how they themselves want it (that is, they didn't change for more popularity, they "followed their hearts", so to speak). But a lot of people still go with the "Aw, they're mainstream now, so they suck" argument, which is totally unfounded.


I do believe Nightwish seemed to do an about face. I may be a bit biased on it all, considering I'm a fan of Tarja, but I didn't completely abandoned Nightwish, there are still some decent tracks on their new album. However, Anette seems to have a more fitting voice for a rock band or pop-rock (which I do believe she was in a pop-rock band before joining Nightwish). It just seems to me that Nightwish is loosing it's Metal tone and softening their music a bit. Not saying it's a terrible change, but it's hard to get used too, when you've listend to Nightwish for so many years and all of a sudden your band seems to go bland on you.

But what has to be considered is that every band was mainstream once! And some bands that were mainstream at a time where not appreciated because of that status and then afterwards were then praised. I guess cause retro fall back? Or just nostalgia on a crowds part? I don't have a problem listening to mainstream music. I don't care how popular they are or how much they sell. All I pay attention to is their quality. Either that or they become guilty pleasures of mine and I just like a catchy tune.

I have some really really bad rap songs in my library that I sometimes listen too for laughs. But rap.hip-hop is complete shit to me (at least, the majority of it). The lyrics have absolutely no depth (I mean, what a way to make an easy million!) and the beats are usually recycled. I've noticed their are plenty of rap/hip-hop songs now-a-days that use background music from rock bands! I listen to old '90's hip-hop/rap like Notorious B.I.G or Tupac and occasionally Mos Def or Talib Kweli. Just because the majority of rap/hip-hop artists have no substance doesn't mean we should give up all hope for everyone! (Also, my point of view on rap/hip-hop genre as a whole is biased too because I don't really enjoy that particular genre of music all too much.)

Funny, I was reading Kurt Cobain's journal and he had a small part written on how popular rap was becoming (early '90s or so) and he was saying how the change is welcomed but that the genre would die down after a few years. It hasn't died down - it just turned bad (and has become steadily worse) :(
I'll post the quote when I get home. For good credentials.

P.S. What should be eliminated completely is reggaeton. (Even though I listen to Calle 13, cause I just think he's funny.)

I think that mainstream is relative to type or types of music involved; throughout the different genres of music that exist, there are bands that are both the most well-known and commercially successful and these are the bands I'd call mainstream.

For example, you wouldn't say that Dream Theater are a mainstream band in terms of the entire music industry, but in terms of the "progressive-metal" genre, it would be hard to find a fan of said genre who hadn't heard of Dream Theater, whether they like them or not.

I would like to note that I'm not really including radio-frequenters in this, as the majority of this is mainstream. Bands like Scouting for Girls, the Enemy, the Hoosiers, the Pidgeon Detectives are mainstream radio-frequenters because they reflect the current popular british rock: Strong accented vocals with simplistic and catchy riffs, beats and lyrics.


So...yeah, I'd say there are two main definitions of maimstream:

i) relative to the genre[s]/type[s] of music -- those bands which are most popular/commercially successful in each. For examples: Dream Theater, Boards of Canada or Flaming Lips

ii) radio-frequenters -- those who majorly reflect the musical "trends" for each genre, the most "accessible" music. For examples: Kanye West, Scouting for Girls, Kate Nash.


I probably don't make sense but fuck it! ~

I have some really really bad rap songs in my library that I sometimes listen too for laughs. But rap.hip-hop is complete shit to me (at least, the majority of it). The lyrics have absolutely no depth (I mean, what a way to make an easy million!) and the beats are usually recycled. I've noticed their are plenty of rap/hip-hop songs now-a-days that use background music from rock bands! I listen to old '90's hip-hop/rap like Notorious B.I.G or Tupac and occasionally Mos Def or Talib Kweli. Just because the majority of rap/hip-hop artists have no substance doesn't mean we should give up all hope for everyone! (Also, my point of view on rap/hip-hop genre as a whole is biased too because I don't really enjoy that particular genre of music all too much.)


not all of hip hop is shit. there is a strong underground culture in hip hop that breathes integrity. Again, to say the whole genre or most of the genre is shit without looking into is just absurd. And i know a lot of people get pissed when a hip hop artist samples someone or simply state that sampling music is NOT music. I disagree though. Artists such as DJ Shadow, Blockhead, Reanimator, DJ Krush, DJ Premier, Rza, and Pete Rock have fused multiple samples from multiple songs to create their own song. Blockhead will take roughly 10 samples at least from different songs for each instrumental he creates, find out what key each sample is in, then morph the sample's pitch to match the appropriate key, and make harmony out of it. Although it wasn't as extensive as it is today, hip hop producers/instrumentalists have been doing this for years. Pete Rock probably had the best year for music as he would match various samples together flawlessly. Rza and DJ Premier took about 5 samples just for a one or two bar loop. No disrespect to either because i find it hard not to nod along to their beats, but that's about as far as their beats would go. DJ Shadow evolved the sampling sub-genre of hip hop (if you will) into extensive, epic, emotional masterpieces with "Entroducing..." The album was 100% sample-based and encompassed some definite feeling. the album also had a rather unconventional time signature as well especially for hip hop. anyways, going off on a tangent...but ya Biggie and Tupac have some decent stuff. Along with Mos Def and Talib Kweli. What albums or songs do you like? The album, "Reflection Eternal: Train of Thought," by Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek and "Black on Both Sides" by Mos Def are classics. I know you said you don't like hip hop, but whatever. if you're interested you should check out some artists from previous posts of mine in this thread.

Quite frankly, I wouldn't, since it's just not a genre I'm sincerely the least bit interested in. It's not that I'm not open-minded enough to try out 'new' things, it's just that I have, and it's never worked out each time. Maybe it might be a bit extreme to say this but I find that Rap/Hip-Hop isn't very...musical...sometimes and it's just really poetry with a beat to it. No instruments, no vocal training required.

Now I feel I sound pretentious.

I also don't have albums downloaded, since I never gain that much interest. Also, I'm replenishing my library ~ so I don't necessarily remember song names. Talib Kweli's - Manifesto, Definition, Guerilla Monsoon Rap. DJ Shadow - Six Days Remix. (I can list more once I start downloading those artists again...) =/

not all of hip hop is shit. there is a strong underground culture in hip hop that breathes integrity. Again, to say the whole genre or most of the genre is shit without looking into is just absurd. And i know a lot of people get pissed when a hip hop artist samples someone or simply state that sampling music is NOT music. I disagree though. Artists such as DJ Shadow, Blockhead, Reanimator, DJ Krush, DJ Premier, Rza, and Pete Rock have fused multiple samples from multiple songs to create their own song. Blockhead will take roughly 10 samples at least from different songs for each instrumental he creates, find out what key each sample is in, then morph the sample's pitch to match the appropriate key, and make harmony out of it. Although it wasn't as extensive as it is today, hip hop producers/instrumentalists have been doing this for years. Pete Rock probably had the best year for music as he would match various samples together flawlessly. Rza and DJ Premier took about 5 samples just for a one or two bar loop. No disrespect to either because i find it hard not to nod along to their beats, but that's about as far as their beats would go. DJ Shadow evolved the sampling sub-genre of hip hop (if you will) into extensive, epic, emotional masterpieces with "Entroducing..." The album was 100% sample-based and encompassed some definite feeling. the album also had a rather unconventional time signature as well especially for hip hop. anyways, going off on a tangent...but ya Biggie and Tupac have some decent stuff. Along with Mos Def and Talib Kweli. What albums or songs do you like? The album, "Reflection Eternal: Train of Thought," by Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek and "Black on Both Sides" by Mos Def are classics. I know you said you don't like hip hop, but whatever. if you're interested you should check out some artists from previous posts of mine in this thread.

I couldn't say it any better! *Thumbs Up*

Quite frankly, I wouldn't, since it's just not a genre I'm sincerely the least bit interested in. It's not that I'm not open-minded enough to try out 'new' things, it's just that I have, and it's never worked out each time. Maybe it might be a bit extreme to say this but I find that Rap/Hip-Hop isn't very...musical...sometimes and it's just really poetry with a beat to it. No instruments, no vocal training required.


Understood. Obviously everyone has different tastes. There is one group that you might be interested in though. They combine traditional composition along with sampling. Solillaquists of Sound is their name, and As If We Existed is the album to check out. They have an MC, MPCist, singer, and poet (?) in the group. here's a link of one of their performances:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpGigfReNic

Well, that's just not true. There are MC's such as Busdriver who don't just grab a beat and start blabbing over it. There is an extensive amount of rhythm he uses. double-time, triple-time, quadruple time? Almost like a melody when he raps also. Tonedeff usually raps in 6/8...so ya know MC's don't just grab some beat and blab some poetry over it. and i already spoke about the sampling aspect of hip hop. DiViNCi can traditionally compose and sample flawlessly. And he's not just slopping together some beat with a two bar loop throughout it. and the turntable aspect of hip hop. Artists like Q-Bert and Kid Koala definitely push forth the genre..video by Kid Koala:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbFIGFv4GLQ



Now I feel I sound pretentious.


I'm afraid you did sound that way as well. =/ but it's all good!


I couldn't say it any better! *Thumbs Up*
Thanks!

Understood. Obviously everyone has different tastes. There is one group that you might be interested in though. They combine traditional composition along with sampling. Solillaquists of Sound is their name, and As If We Existed is the album to check out. They have an MC, MPCist, singer, and poet (?) in the group. here's a link of one of their performances:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpGigfReNic

Well, that's just not true. There are MC's such as Busdriver who don't just grab a beat and start blabbing over it. There is an extensive amount of rhythm he uses. double-time, triple-time, quadruple time? Almost like a melody when he raps also. Tonedeff usually raps in 6/8...so ya know MC's don't just grab some beat and blab some poetry over it. and i already spoke about the sampling aspect of hip hop. DiViNCi can traditionally compose and sample flawlessly. And he's not just slopping together some beat with a two bar loop throughout it. and the turntable aspect of hip hop. Artists like Q-Bert and Kid Koala definitely push forth the genre..video by Kid Koala:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbFIGFv4GLQ





Rhetorical statement!


Anyways, I did not find the Solillaquists of Sound all the impressive. But what Kid Koala can do with the turntable was pretty cool! Only I guess I fail to see how that helps hip/hop rap. The turntable beats can be amazing but if the lyrics don't match up too it then the song fails either way! It's like if you have a rock/metal group that plays some pretty sick riffs but vocals and stuff are terrible. Better the instrumentals than the entire song.

=/

fair enough. of course, but are you implying that most hip hop has bad lyrics then? I disagree.

I think I said that today, the majority of hip-hop/rap that makes it to the mainstream has terrible lyrics, yes. I'm not saying the same for anything that is (or remains) underground.

mainstream is what is popular. jeezzz.

I associate Mainstream music (atleast most of it) with major suckage. But I am an alternative fag, so I listen to alot of bands that I think are mainstream, but since nobody in my town knows them, or listens to them, I am happy. Like Muse, Radiohead, and Streetlight Manifesto. Oddly, I know atleast two people who fucking love Streetlight in real life, which is cool. But mainstream music is anything that's overplayed, and extremely popular. Like fucking Nickelback; also known as the most technical and shitty band ever to exist. Rockstar is the worst song of all damn time, and I curse everyone who enjoys the song even a little.

Muse are one of the biggest bands on the planet. If they're not "mainstream" I don't know what is. Not to even mention Radiohead.

Eh you do know Radio stations get paid my record companies to play their songs, how do you think they get their money?

This is why I abanned radio long ago, I got fed up with never hearing the groups I liked.

Its no surprise the radio stations play the same songs over and over again and plug peoples albums to death.

popular TV stations also follow this method.

I think people drop bands etc when they get popular aka mainstream is because they feel like they have been betrayed since they were around at the start and now its not cool they cant say a band name that nobody would know about, which makes you feel special some how.(eh if that makes sense)

I admit i general like the music I grew up with better, which would be mostly 90s stuff, Im into all kinds of music, it just makes me laugh with other scene kids mock others.

Rap sucks, Rock sucks blah blah, I tell you I hear some funny things of some friends of mine, never mind comments on the net.

With things like myspace, its easier than ever to find new music and find something you like.

Oh and the worst sold out group in the history of music has to be black eye peas, lol it disgust me to see what they have become, the fact they used to make fun of the music they make now, just makes it worse.

Just check their old music compared to now and you will what I mean.

I wouldnt go so far as to call Radiohead or Muse mainstream, even though new tracks from Radiohead's, "In Rainbows", are played in my store on our Muzak, where u can purchase a 5pc set of fine china at $500. I think its up to the bands themselves to fit themselves in that mainstream/pop music category when they record an album. Is the music they want to make watered down for public consumption? Or is it a genuine artistic gesture that defines the band.

Bands end up on tv & radio for a few reasons. Either thier record label spent a grip of money promoting said album, or the album is just good to begin with. What is concidered "good" is always up for debate.

That said i freakin hate Mtv and Mtv2, i'd rather watch fuse or Mtv International. Screw videos actually, i just listen to my XMradio and net stations.

Your answer is a push of a button away.

Just look on TV. If it's there it's mainstream.
Couldn't have said it better myself.

What is happening to music?

I miss those days where shouting along to some Bon Jovi tune was considered cool. :(

Now people just throw objects at me.

Muse are one of the biggest bands on the planet. If they're not "mainstream" I don't know what is. Not to even mention Radiohead.

Did you not read? I said that I KNOW they're mainstream, just nobody in my town has heard a single song from them.

I know this is an old thread, but yeah, hip hop took a turn for the worst.

People say rap went downhill around 1997, when Puff Daddy and Mase came around, but eh, no, '97 had some good albums: Wu-Tang Forever, The Art of War by Bone Thugs, and KRS-One had a good album, too. Onyx was good, too, then. I've never heard Puff Daddy or Mase, so I don't know.

I think hip hop REALLY took a turn for the worst around 2001-2004, when Lil Jon, 50 Cent, Chingy, Ying Yang Twins, OutKast, G-Unit, Gorilla Zoe, and Rick Ross came around the building.
Lil Jon's the one who did it! He's the one who REALLY killed hip hop. Years later, it gets worse, because Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, Gucci Mane, Hurricane Chris came out with their crap.

Meh, then don't listen to it. In 2011, there are so many sub-genres of hip hop and so many types of hip hop...

I should agree. There are interesting derivative forms of it, such as abstract hip-hop, glitch-hop etc. Good underground hip-hop is still here. And hey, even Beastie Boys released an album this year - if it had been hip-hop's dark times, they probably wouldn't!

I know this is an old thread, but yeah, hip hop took a turn for the worst.

People say rap went downhill around 1997, when Puff Daddy and Mase came around, but eh, no, '97 had some good albums: Wu-Tang Forever, The Art of War by Bone Thugs, and KRS-One had a good album, too. Onyx was good, too, then. I've never heard Puff Daddy or Mase, so I don't know.

I think hip hop REALLY took a turn for the worst around 2001-2004, when Lil Jon, 50 Cent, Chingy, Ying Yang Twins, OutKast, G-Unit, Gorilla Zoe, and Rick Ross came around the building.
Lil Jon's the one who did it! He's the one who REALLY killed hip hop. Years later, it gets worse, because Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, Gucci Mane, Hurricane Chris came out with their crap.

OutKast helped ruin Hip Hop? I'm interested in hearing the explanation behind this...

Well, I'm not sure. But "Hey, Ya!" was very commercialized around 2003-04.

Well, I'm not sure. But "Hey, Ya!" was very commercialized around 2003-04.

...and what have OutKast come out with since then? if anything, the "love below" half of that album was totally experimental. and most of the songs didn't sound like "hey ya!" when OutKast came out with that album they already had 4 albums under their belts, and every feature big boi and 3 stacks have been on since speakerboxx/love below wasn't on some mainstream madness. and despite that they are one of the many respected artists in hip hop.

judging by your screen name, you probably weren't even born when outkast released southerplayalisticcadillacmusic, so i guess i should let it slide...

I may have been born in '96, 2 weeks before Pac died, but I also do know the hip hop's golden age. It was basically from Run DMC to when Biggie died or so. Most people born in the mid-late 90s don't know what in the world they're talking about, saying "And the people from the 80's think that was the golden era, and the kids now think this is, !! for thinking your opinion is important getting mad because i didn't answer how you like"... and it's people like that, that just frustrate me.

man, here, just watch this:

YouTube - &#x202a;Outkast - Psychedelic Funk Soul Brothers [Full DVD]&#x202c;&rlm; (http://youtu.be/gGbdK0MWLBo)

i'm not saying you don't know what you're talking about....well, yeah, that's exactly what i'm saying. there's no way that outkast ruined hip hop with "hey ya!". are there any other songs that came out in rap that sounded like that song? hell, no. that song is unique ONLY to andre 3000.

I guess the song's okay, since on that video, someone said OutKast's music has a positive message, so at least that.

Is Lupe Fiasco any good? He's pretty mainstream, but do you think he's an okay rapper?

Is Lupe Fiasco any good? He's pretty mainstream, but do you think he's an okay rapper?

yeah, he has a couple of songs i can get down with (http://youtu.be/77QsbRuslKw; &#x202a;Lupe Fiasco - I&#39;m Beamin&#x202c;&rlm; - YouTube (http://youtu.be/Ge4BEdyZ8bM)), but i'm not really a fan of some of the reckless things he's been saying lately.

yeah, he has a couple of songs i can get down with (http://youtu.be/77QsbRuslKw; &#x202a;Lupe Fiasco - I&#39;m Beamin&#x202c;&rlm; - YouTube (http://youtu.be/Ge4BEdyZ8bM)), but i'm not really a fan of some of the reckless things he's been saying lately.

Well, I know Eminem sucks now, same thing with Jay-Z. DarkStill, do you think Soulja Boy sucks? I really can't stand him.

jay z and em are far from where they started off. i should be happy for them, but honestly they can't keep making the same type of music they used to.


do you think Soulja Boy sucks? I really can't stand him.

i'd really hate to sound hipster, but i liked him better when he was just some kid who made songs from his basement. at this point his career clinging on for its life. hopefully he can take this time to perfect his craft if it is really what he's about. altho admittedly i do kinda enjoy "turn my swag on".

most of the kids that started off liking him have moved on to tyler the creator (http://youtu.be/XSbZidsgMfw) and odd future.

i cant stand odd future....

odd future ain't that bad. tyler's a genius tho. i mean, if you look at some of his interviews he's very articulate. they're just a bunch of youngsters wilding out, that's all. but for the most part, these are the artists i'm currently listening to:

Big Krit- Time Machine (http://youtu.be/lqvvWl6tYBw)

Dom Kennedy- Locals Only (http://youtu.be/L5raeZQOOH4)

Blu & Exile- Dancing in the Rain (http://youtu.be/Ml5RhkyKXyc)

Drake- Sooner Than Later (yes, he does make good music occasionally) (http://youtu.be/Dbs4XK-dk2U)

N*E*R*D- Run To the Sun (http://youtu.be/GM6jkEoQx1g)

there's more, but that's the only ones i can think of off the top of my head.

here's another song that i heard recently on radio that actually sounds good (altho they never said who it was by, so i just happened upon this video by chance):

Don Trip- "Letter to My Son" (http://youtu.be/szd1qi3ymQs)

odd future ain't that bad. tyler's a genius tho. i mean, if you look at some of his interviews he's very articulate. they're just a bunch of youngsters wilding out, that's all.

i didn't doubt his intelligence. i just don't understand the whole odd future frenzy. but maybe i'm just getting old...

i didn't doubt his intelligence. i just don't understand the whole odd future frenzy. but maybe i'm just getting old...

there are many factors to the OF movement. i'm nowhere in his intended demographic, but i'm just glad that someone that isn't on the same shit as everyone else in the mainstream is getting some shine.