From the Quaternions Sent Wed, Apr 21st 1999, 03:29
From the Quaternions Sent Wed, Apr 21st 1999, 03:29
> definetly, for example according to the interviews i've read, DJ Primier
> ALWAYS suits his beats to the MC, on the other hand, often you'll see one
> say 'yeah me and <insert producers name> were digging through his tapes and
> we picked this one out'. But afterwards I'd assume the track would have to
> be retooled a bit to fit the rhymes (drop outs, etc.)
But don't you think that if a Timbaland emerges on the scene, with a
prodigious talent and new sound, new, unknown MCs will adjust their
rhyming style? Maybe the rappers who rap to Timbaland aren't really
rapping to his beats now, but I bet the next generation will be more
comfortable.
Also, do you really think Magoo's, Timbaland's, Missy's rhyming
style would exist if it weren't for Timbaland's beats? This is an example
of beat determining rhyming, because it seems pretty clear that his genius
as producer outweighs any of their talents as rappers (even if Missy does
have her moments).
> In terms of style, the whole thing switched up with Rakim. He was the first
> to do that sort of multisylable thing that has been standard through most
> of the 90's.
He did pioneer a certain brand of rhyming, yes, and I'm not denying that
lyricists influence each other. But there are other styles
which have acquired enormous popularity, which gets into the whole
East/West (among other examples and classifications) thing. Would Snoop
exist without
G-Funk and Dr. Dre? Probably, but his style would be different.
Lyricists influence other lyricists, but one would think the
influence tends to be in terms of imitation. New beats are what
necessitate new rhyming styles. I'd love to hear some opposite examples,
of rappers who are so out there that some kooky producer had to innovate
to give him/her a new sound to rhyme over, a new sound that fit their
style. I doubt many exist, just because hip-hop seems far more open to
beat innovations than to rhyming innovations, except those which fit in
with a popular production sound.
With the exception of the whole Freestyle Fellowship/Project
> Blowed style (which never really caught on, except when Bone Thugs bit it),
> I really don't think there has been very many advances in terms of delivery
> since the Ra. Listen to any early 90's stuff then pull out something
> released recently, in terms of lyrical arrangements nothing has changed
> much. HOWEVER, the production is noticably different.
You have a bit of a point, but I think new production influences delivery,
not content. Rakim does loom over most New York (and elsewhere)
rappers, but there are lots of different delivery styles which aren't
Rakim's. DMX and hardcore production, Q-Tip and the Native Tongues jazzy
production, etc.
>
> importantly, same anger. Sure, it would have sounded corny over Timbaland
> beats, but he would still be just as pissed off.
Obviously there are arguments that can be made against this point
having to do with age, mellowing, etc., but he sure isn't the same rhymer
on that He Got Game single, which is not a Bomb Squad sound by any means.
He wouldn't have been able to rhyme like he did back in the day without
the Bomb Squad.
Again, by rhyming I'm referring to delivery, not to content.
Also, i don't think it's
> really apropriate to mention PE in the progression of hip hop, since them
> seem to exist outside of it, as no one has ever really touched what they
> were doing, in terms of production or pure emotion.
I'm not talking about a lengthy hip-hop historical progression. rather,
I'm talking about innovations in production styles leading to innovations
in rhyming styles, which has nothing to do with whether anyone cared to
bite PE or not.
Mostly, I'd just like to hear a focus on the music behind the rappers, as
well as the rappers themselves. No doubt, some geniuses create their own
delivery style, but just as (or more) often, producers create a new sound
and rappers race to catch up.
Sam