Rapper Reminiscing « One Mic

It has become a cycle in the hip-hop game over the past 5 years. An artist puts out unique, timeless tracks on their first and second mixtapes, and then they start to get recognized. Things always go south from there. Record labels take over, the radio takes precedent over the lyrics, and the music just starts to suck. I can't hate, after all, it is a money making industry, I just wish that bad music didn't have to be put out to make money.

At this time I would like to talk about an artist who has unfortunately fallen victim to the hip-hop industry and talk about one who thankfully won't.

Drake: Room for Improvement and Comeback Season could be two of my favorite mixtapes ever. Back in 2009 I remember downloading them, and thinking to myself, "wow, this kid just does everything." From metaphors, to stories to catchy hooks that he sung himself, I found myself listening to him everyday.

*Old Drake*

Now, I can't even listen to him. His entire album was on the radio last year and every song has some feature with Lil Wayne or Nicki Minaj. Yes he is now a millionaire now living a completely different lifestyle, but I just miss when it wasn't all about the money with him. His lines are still there, but there is no meaning behind them and that is what a lot of hip hop fans want. The change is clear, and it really is a shame. Drake had the potential to be the hip-hop voice of our generation but it had to be taken over by the industry that seems to be ruining every good rapper out there.

*New Drake*

Freddie Gibbs: Relatively unknown, but to those who do, he is the closest thing to Tupac in the last ten years. Why you've never heard of him? Because he refuses to sacrifice his musical integrity for radio play. Just on this premise alone, he became one of my favorite rappers.

Add on the fact that he is an actual lyrical genius, he is a recipe for underground fame. His material is raw. "The Ghetto", "National Anthem" and "How We Do" are all about growing up in Gary, Indiana and the rough projects that shaped his ways. But the way he is able to paint a picture of the hood and connect his struggle with the listener is one of a kind. He has put out 5 mixtapes and has yet to have a single radio play. Not because his music sucks, but because he doesnt make it for the radio, he makes it for the listener.

I can't sum it up any better than him in "Never Ending Cycle" so i'll let him take you away. I recommend listening to the entire song, but pay attention to verse 3 at the 2:30 mark. (3rd verse lyrics below video)

Yeah, blame the system, they blame it on hip hop. The contents of my lyrics got you young niggas brainwashed, but I got out the system to do this shit for a living, as rappers we should pay attention to the message we sending. I ain't tripping, go get your money cos I'm tryna get mine. But I know niggas that would sell their fucking sole to shine, I swear the buissiness ain't appealing to me, these niggas dying over petty ass industry beats. Sometimes I say some things my label don't really know what to do with me, and I be broke before I let them crackers make a fool of me, before I be a puppet they be reading my ovulary, my music or profession or my community, so nigga wake up. Lead us away from the devil, lord show us a sign, put up your medal your ghetto is no harder than mine. And it's a muthafucking shame, everyday I'm loosing homies in this muthafucking game.

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