Sunday, January 4, 2026

Once again rap is dead, who killed it his time around?

Google AI; The idea that "rap is dead" is a recurring debate, not a single event, with recent discussions pointing fingers at commercialization, social media influencers lacking lyrical skill, and even nostalgic "old heads" for stifling new talent, though artists like Nas with his "Hip Hop Is Dead" (2006) song and others argue it's evolving, not dying, with new styles emerging, as seen in discussions about the changing music landscape and streaming numbers. Who Gets Blamed? Commercialization & Mainstream: Critics argue record labels prioritize artists with viral social media appeal over lyrical depth, leading to less authentic music. Influencers & Mumble Rap: Some feel that artists gaining fame through platforms like TikTok, without traditional rap skills, dilute the genre's quality. Old School Fans: Some artists, like Rojelio Capone, suggest older fans who only appreciate classic styles are partly to blame for rejecting new artists who innovate. Internal Issues: Nas's "Hip Hop Is Dead" (featuring will.i.am) portrayed the search for hip hop's killer as a detective story, implicating a mix of societal issues and internal stagnation within the genre itself. Is It Actually Dead? No, it's Evolving: Many artists and fans believe rap is simply changing, with new sounds and styles (like trap, drill, melodic rap) dominating the mainstream, while underground scenes still thrive. Data Shows Shifts: While some data suggests a dip in rap's market share or streaming in recent years, this is often seen as a fluctuation within a massive, ever-changing genre, not a death knell. In essence, "who killed rap" is a rhetorical question highlighting ongoing debates about authenticity, commercial pressures, and the genre's constant evolution, with blame spread across industry, fans, and artists themselves, rather than one single perpetrator. #wokeism #emorap #lyricalmiraclerap #mumblerap RELATED; Is mumble rap art?

Carlos Coté; UNDERSTANDING: DJ CASH MONEY (bonus; Cash Money (USA) - DMC World Champion 1988 -- Winning Set and DJ Cash Money & Marvelous (Live Fryshuset, Stockholm 1989)

Bandcamp.com DJ Cash Money & Marvelous (Live Fryshuset, Stockholm 1989)

The Graffiti Wanderer; Harlem Hall of Fame 2025

RELATED; Some footage from Harlem Hall of Fame 1975

Thursday, January 1, 2026

The Sacred Gamer; The Sound Bite That Spawned an Entire Genre of Music > The Roland TR-808 Cowbell

The Roland TR-808 Cowbell (808 Cowbell), is one of the most appreciated sound bites in the history of music, establishing a heavy presence throughout the last few decades. The popularity of the 808 Cowbell partially stems from the admiration producers and composers have for the drum machine it came from. Starting in 1980, the 808 Cowbell has been included in thousands of songs across many genres. #memphisrap #trapmusic