Motivation

In an earlier blog about Talib Kweli, I said that I don't find myself listening to Lil Wayne's music. I respect his lyricism and wit on the mic. He is one of the greatest rappers to ever to do it. I listen to the tracks that get radio play. I even watch the videos when they come on. But I have never bought one of his albums, not even The Carter 3. So it really perplexes me because, given all the evidence I have listed, the contrary should be true. Here are two reasons why:

1. Over-Saturation

Prior to his incarceration, you couldn't find a track that Wayne didn't put out himself, collaborated on, or was associated with. He is the hardest working rapper in the business. He constantly puts out mixtapes at a pace that deserves nothing but respect. But putting out so much music can have the reverse effect. For me, I just can't keep up with it all. Because his music is so ready available I just dismiss it as another Lil Wayne track and it loses its luster. I am not as excited. Having time lapses in between releases gives your fans a chance to miss you and replay the music already out. It keeps them coming back. Which is why going to jail works. Here's why.


2. Has The Zenith Been Reached?

The most interesting thing about Wayne's career has been his learning curve as far as lyricism. To witness the evolution of his music is an amazing thing. Look at the difference between The Block Is Hot and The Carter or The Carter and The Carter 3. It's an exaggerated example of what artists' growth looks like over their career. But one must ask, where is there left to go creatively? He is at the top of his game lyrically and he has done the rock thing already. Aside from being a 'Conscious Rapper' I am not sure creatively what he will do next.


I think a rapper's motivation is a huge part of what drives their career. Being angry won't get you too far after a while. When 50 cent came out in '05, he was so hungry and angry. He was anxious to prove to everyone that he belonged in hip hop. He wanted to share his story. A very unique story that seemed like something out of a comic book. But after selling records and endorsement deals, what is there to be angry about? And no one is we are still waiting for another album.

Eminem is another rapper who had a lot of success venting frustration and anger about his situation. Another unique story that a lot of people liked and could relate to. But now being sober for a while has dulled his edge a little. He seems a little more, normal I think. And he's a lot closer to retirement.

To survive in this industry you can't just rap from emotion. If you are fortunate to be around long enough, advancing the art form should be just as important. That's what separates being hot right now from being remembered years from now.

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The Perfect Song

I listen to a lot of music especially while driving because I'm trying to find the right song to match how I'm feeling. It's a very tedious process without a cd changer but I have it down to a science at lights.

Moving on....

While listening to 'Assassin' by John Mayer for the millionth time, I realized something. The real important tracks on a cd are ones that you don't skip months after the album has lost its luster. Its' the track you can put on repeat for months straight.

For instance, 'Allure' by Jay-Z is a great song not necessarily because he's saying anything super-lyrical, but the feel is very nostalgic. I really feel I'm there in that Blueberry 5- I don't wanna blink twice to get there though-while the haunting hum from Pharrell lingers in the background. Transporting a listener into your mind through a song is a talent.

Though N.E.R.D's 'Seeing Sounds' cd was great as a whole, 'Laugh About It' really stood out to me. The way the drums hit (808's?) with the guitar melodies always gets me hype. Very catchy refrain and easy topic to follow.

And who could forget Nas' Second Childhood? Nas and Premo are classic. People are still doing that same stuff in that song over a decade later. SN- Lost Tapes is the greatest album Nas has ever made next to Illmatic. 

But that's what great music is supposed to be, timeless. That's when I feel I get my money's worth. Maybe the reason people don't buy cds anymore is not just because of music's availability on the internet, but rather people don't see much music out there worth spending $15-$20 on. I was watching this video of Lupe Fiasco at a University discussing how record sales don't define success. He goes on to say that Soundscan was a tool that was originally used exclusively by record labels to track where their money was going.

I wonder what would happen if numbers didn't effect who we listen to? Are we listening to artists purely because they sold a lot of records? Is Rick Ross a better rapper than Mos Def because he sells more? Are we afraid to listen to an artist that no one knows because someone didn't cosign them first?

I wonder who would have won the beef between Nas and Jay-Z if Nas had more commercial success.........

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