Which is greater: yesterday's or today's hip-hop music?
Why am I asking? I am asking because I've never had the chance to discuss the subject with anyone, really. Of course, there's going to be talks about B.I.G. and Tupac essentially being the foundation of what today's hip-hop is. Then there's going to be the rebuttal about how they just don't know how to evolve and how music started with this style or that cadence which was more of an influence than 90s hip-hop. The back and forth goes on and on and ultimately neither side concedes. It's a topic that looms in living rooms, on campus quads, at lunch tables and in barber shops alike. So, I'm going to lay out a case for both, and I want to talk to you all directly about what you think.
When most discussions occur, "old school" does not refer to the true beginning of hip hop; it's mostly representing the mid-80s to late 90s. So in the spirit of following said principle, hip-hop of this era is the cornerstone for the rights and observation of hip-hop as a platform, and thus will have very few contestable things about it. It helped to create and more completely define different sub-genres from the platform in general.
Conversely, today's hip-hop has broken more barriers than previously thought possible in terms of sonic acceptability. Great examples are rappers like Lil Yachty, who we really doubt would have made it onto the scene in old school hip-hop. A release in the wrong generation would have likely voided us of what we now know today as bubble gum trap. Now... is this sub-sector of hip-hop an enjoyable one? That's left for you to decide, but nonetheless take note of the fact that another facet of musicians were allowed to emerge and contribute something to the bigger picture. This means that hip-hop is continuously evolving, which leaves me eager to see what the next era will bring to the spectrum, and will I like it or not? Right now, we are in the Trap period of hip-hop. It's different from gangsta rap or any other relatable style. It's rapid, it's slow, it's drug induced, but it's what evolved with the generation that loves it so much.
The fact still stands, however, that the level upon which this genre stands, began with a steadily grounded foundation that the bricks of the structure were then able to soar infinitely. It may seem like I haven't said as much about the roots, but that's because there's little to be said about the core since without it, you would not have extensions. What do you all think? Let me know in the comments!
