This post is about two months late (write me up a late pass please), but will continue to be a relevant conversation as ringtone rap still gets top billing across the nation and the world.
“To be lyrical, or not to be lyrical?”
That’s the question that blogger Jay Smooth kicked out to the web world in this recent video, made in response to Georgia rapper Waka Flocka Flame’s comment that he doesn’t care about lyrics, because lyrics won’t bring in the money.
“I don’t got no lyrics. The n—as who they say is lyrical, they ain’t got no shows … that ain’t finnin’ to get you no money.”
Sigh.
Is it true that lyricism will leave you broke? Watch Jay Smooth’s commentary. It might surprise you…
Sadly, Waka Flocka Flame’s music is generally the only kind that gets the most love on local radio stations. It’s easy for fans to say, “Well, if you don’t like this music, just change the station!” That’s valid point, but what’s important is that with nearly 14,000 registered AM and FM stations in the U.S., that’s a lot of free programming, and a lot of targeted messages being sent across the airwaves to billions of people. Each of us memorizes through repetition, and if the same song gets played three times in an hour, imagine what we’re learning–or not learning–as a culture? The radio is a powerful medium, and according to this video, it certainly doesn’t play what listeners actually spend their money on.
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2 Comments
Let’s see, Common, Kanye, Em, Mos Def, Nas, Talib… all dope lyrisist all not brok… well maybe Mos but thats only because he has like 30 kids… but I digress. The point is this MUSIC, MCing & RAPPING… all forms of ART! Art is produced out of love, it’s purpose is to tell a story, to relate to the masses,to teach and to be a form of self expression for the artist. For a real artist… it is not primarily about the money… it can’t be. Just because hot beats and crys of “BURR” and “YEAAAAAA” sell does not make it good. CRACK SELLS, DOES IT MAKE IT GOOD?
Personally, I support(buy albums, concert tickets, paraphernalia and such) those lyricists who are both eloquent, witty, and well produced. If done right, it can be a club banger too! I feel that Waka Flocka’s only “toot’n it and boot’n it.” He knows he has no longevity and that he can’t compete. Let him get his piece of pie, I just hope savvy listeners don’t buy his music or go to his shows.