Is Hip-Hop still a strong force?

[Hamp]

Recently heard a report on my local news that for the first time in 12 years there isn't a hip-hop album in the top ten. It also said sales are sluggish and also hip-hop's core audience (15 to 25 year olds) say hip-hop is going overboard with its violent images. Is the tide FINALLY starting to turn, will programmers and record executives pay attention to this trend? Or will it be business as usual?
I wish more R&B groups and singers would come back on the scene. I am somewhat tired of almost everything have a Hip-Hop edge. It is getting really old.

 

[LeeLHeureux]

It's an interesting question... If you're talking about album sales there are in fact a few Hip Hop albums in the top 12 including Akon, Robin Thicke and if you want to count Justin Timberlake. I would argue against sound scan being a legitimate scale to use at this time of the year though. Keep in mind, there have been no major releases on the Hip Hop side to date this year (I belive the only new release is Pretty Ricky outside of some independents and smaller projets). Most major Hip Hop projects start in the second quarter or April - May - June. We'll have to see how those big releases stack up..

 

[RussAllen]

It's an interesting question... If you're talking about album sales there are in fact a few Hip Hop albums in the top 12 including Akon, Robin Thicke and if you want to count Justin Timberlake. I would argue against sound scan being a legitimate scale to use at this time of the year though. Keep in mind, there have been no major releases on the Hip Hop side to date this year (I belive the only new release is Pretty Ricky outside of some independents and smaller projets). Most major Hip Hop projects start in the second quarter or April - May - June. We'll have to see how those big releases stack up..

There haven't been any albums released by major hip-hop acts yet this year. That Justin Timberlake, Pretty Ricky and Robin Thicke were even part of the discussion gave me a giggle.

Over the horizon:

MIMS due 3/27
Timbaland due 4/3
Fabolous due 4/17
Bone Thugs and Harmony due 4/17
Chamillionaire due 4/24
Three-6-Mafia due 5/1
Mike Jones due 5/8


Dates TBD
50 Cent
Chris Brown
Kanye West
Lil Wayne
T.I.
Dr. Dre ("Detox" will have a huge debut week)

 

[LeeLHeureux]

I agree I'm grasping a little with Robin Thicke/Justin etc... We'll see in early May after some of these albums drop what the climate is for Hip Hop releases. Soundscan on a whole is kind of dissapointing right now with the top album just over 100k for the week.

 

[Big_Ben]

I think it all depends on what your definition of "Hip Hop" is...

I know this is my biased opinion, but the likes of D4L, Dem Franchize Boys, Young Joc, Young Jeezy, etc. seem to drag down the image of hip hop.

Again, just my opinion, Nas, Common, Jay-Z, Talib, 2pac, Wu Tang Clan, that's hip hop. The first set of artists are what I call "rap".

Of course, I believe that both sets of artists over-use violence, sex, and beating their chests about who's more "real" in their music. (well, minus Common and Talib) For God's sake find something useful to talk about. I am so sick of hearing a million different analogies for rims and speakers and how I should keep my girl away from you. Who gives a rat's ass!

Show me some music that relates to me or has at least some substance and I'll get involved in hip hip again.

 

[ShawtyBlack_ATL]

Man f*** what ya heard, HIP-HOP is still poppin! Many haters like to say the South ruiened Hip-Hop, but we simply took over it. Of course East Coat & West Coast all had there shine on, but when the South took over many claim Hip-Hop is dead. I look at it as different strokes for diferent folks. The West still bumpin they own isssh as well as N.O., ATL, Midwest and now it seems as if NY trying to make a come back. What happened to the days when HIP-HOP was considered URBAN ? ? ?

 

[rapking]

Man f*** what ya heard, HIP-HOP is still poppin! Many haters like to say the South ruiened Hip-Hop, but we simply took over it. Of course East Coat & West Coast all had there shine on, but when the South took over many claim Hip-Hop is dead. I look at it as different strokes for diferent folks. The West still bumpin they own isssh as well as N.O., ATL, Midwest and now it seems as if NY trying to make a come back. What happened to the days when HIP-HOP was considered URBAN ? ? ?

I wonder if Rock Bands and Solo Rock Artist care's about where they are from..Or do they care about, only making good Rock Music ?

 

[XCountry285]

Although I'm honestly really really not a fan of hip hop or rap (I'm a big fan of rock), but I really really am excited for Kanye West's next album. Jay-Z is really good too, so is Diddy & T Pain & Omarion those types of rap artists.

 

[spongebag7890]

Although I'm honestly really really not a fan of hip hop or rap (I'm a big fan of rock), but I really really am excited for Kanye West's next album. Jay-Z is really good too, so is Diddy & T Pain & Omarion those types of rap artists.

Most of Kanye's stuff is good.

T-Pain's new song absoultely sucks. Probably the worst Rhythmic record I've heard in a long time.

Jay-Z's last album didn't move me. Neither did Diddy's.

Omarion isn't much more than a watered-down Usher. BTW he has an album coming out this summer as well.

 

[spongebag7890]

It's an interesting question... If you're talking about album sales there are in fact a few Hip Hop albums in the top 12 including Akon, Robin Thicke and if you want to count Justin Timberlake. I would argue against sound scan being a legitimate scale to use at this time of the year though. Keep in mind, there have been no major releases on the Hip Hop side to date this year (I belive the only new release is Pretty Ricky outside of some independents and smaller projets). Most major Hip Hop projects start in the second quarter or April - May - June. We'll have to see how those big releases stack up..

Justin Timberlake isn't hip-hop. It just crossed over to the Urban demographics.

 

[spongebag7890]

It's an interesting question... If you're talking about album sales there are in fact a few Hip Hop albums in the top 12 including Akon, Robin Thicke and if you want to count Justin Timberlake. I would argue against sound scan being a legitimate scale to use at this time of the year though. Keep in mind, there have been no major releases on the Hip Hop side to date this year (I belive the only new release is Pretty Ricky outside of some independents and smaller projets). Most major Hip Hop projects start in the second quarter or April - May - June. We'll have to see how those big releases stack up..

There haven't been any albums released by major hip-hop acts yet this year. That Justin Timberlake, Pretty Ricky and Robin Thicke were even part of the discussion gave me a giggle.

Over the horizon:

MIMS due 3/27
Timbaland due 4/3
Fabolous due 4/17
Bone Thugs and Harmony due 4/17
Chamillionaire due 4/24
Three-6-Mafia due 5/1
Mike Jones due 5/8


Dates TBD
50 Cent
Chris Brown
Kanye West
Lil Wayne
T.I.
Dr. Dre ("Detox" will have a huge debut week)

Usher also has an album due in early June. Single will likely be out next month.

 

[rapking]

It's an interesting question... If you're talking about album sales there are in fact a few Hip Hop albums in the top 12 including Akon, Robin Thicke and if you want to count Justin Timberlake. I would argue against sound scan being a legitimate scale to use at this time of the year though. Keep in mind, there have been no major releases on the Hip Hop side to date this year (I belive the only new release is Pretty Ricky outside of some independents and smaller projets). Most major Hip Hop projects start in the second quarter or April - May - June. We'll have to see how those big releases stack up..

Justin Timberlake isn't hip-hop. It just crossed over to the Urban demographics.

With T.I. and Timberland , Justin Timberlake sound like Hip Hop to Me . He dont sound like his old Sh-tty Boyband .

 

[spongebag7890]

It's an interesting question... If you're talking about album sales there are in fact a few Hip Hop albums in the top 12 including Akon, Robin Thicke and if you want to count Justin Timberlake. I would argue against sound scan being a legitimate scale to use at this time of the year though. Keep in mind, there have been no major releases on the Hip Hop side to date this year (I belive the only new release is Pretty Ricky outside of some independents and smaller projets). Most major Hip Hop projects start in the second quarter or April - May - June. We'll have to see how those big releases stack up..

Justin Timberlake isn't hip-hop. It just crossed over to the Urban demographics.

With T.I. and Timberland , Justin Timberlake sound like Hip Hop to Me . He dont sound like his old Sh-tty Boyband .

Yes, but I think it's kinda like calling Usher hip-hop. But regardless, it's way better than Jibbs, Mims, Jim Jones, Unk, Baby Boy, etc.

 

[rapking]

C.D's(This Week )( 1) M.Soulchild ,(2)Loyd ,(3) Rich Boy ..Not bad for Hip Hop/R&B

 

[spongebag7890]

C.D's(This Week )( 1) M.Soulchild ,(2)Loyd ,(3) Rich Boy ..Not bad for Hip Hop/R&B

Lloyd's was average but Rich Boy's was actually not that bad. What IS bad is the Baby Boy and Mims albums.

 

[RussAllen]

Man f*** what ya heard, HIP-HOP is still poppin! Many haters like to say the South ruiened Hip-Hop, but we simply took over it.

I can't help but think that if Pac and B.I.G. hadn't died alot of today's so called rappers would be selling dope, in jail or dead. I don't think the south in general has ruined hip hop. You've got cats from the south making great albums like Luda, Jeezy and T.I. I'm real interested in hearing what direction Yung Joc goes with his 2nd album. Factor in some of the boundary stretching stuff Outkast has done and you've got some amazing stuff. That's by no means a definitive list, just what was top-of-mind at the moment.

It's when you add in garbage like D4L, Crime Mob, and Dem Franchize Boyz that people think "oh Lawdy the South is screwing things up what is weez gon' do".

 

[rapking]

Man f*** what ya heard, HIP-HOP is still poppin! Many haters like to say the South ruiened Hip-Hop, but we simply took over it.

I can't help but think that if Pac and B.I.G. hadn't died alot of today's so called rappers would be selling dope, in jail or dead. I don't think the south in general has ruined hip hop. You've got cats from the south making great albums like Luda, Jeezy and T.I. I'm real interested in hearing what direction Yung Joc goes with his 2nd album. Factor in some of the boundary stretching stuff Outkast has done and you've got some amazing stuff. That's by no means a definitive list, just what was top-of-mind at the moment.

It's when you add in garbage like D4L, Crime Mob, and Dem Franchize Boyz that people think "oh Lawdy the South is screwing things up what is weez gon' do".

Im with you on that. T.I. Luda, and Jezzy are Good . Eastside, Chichen Noodle Soup song is garbage..but I give them pass, because they are little kids .

 

[htowler]

C.D's(This Week )( 1) M.Soulchild ,(2)Loyd ,(3) Rich Boy ..Not bad for Hip Hop/R&B

Lloyd's was average but Rich Boy's was actually not that bad. What IS bad is the Baby Boy and Mims albums.

Haven't Gotten it yet but the 2 tracks I heard from RichBoy are HOT. Throw Some D's is the Top Spun track this week on Biggest Hip Hop Station in the World HOT97! Until I heard the 2nd Single I was honestly thinking 1 hit Wonder.

 

[spongebag7890]

Man f*** what ya heard, HIP-HOP is still poppin! Many haters like to say the South ruiened Hip-Hop, but we simply took over it.

I can't help but think that if Pac and B.I.G. hadn't died alot of today's so called rappers would be selling dope, in jail or dead. I don't think the south in general has ruined hip hop. You've got cats from the south making great albums like Luda, Jeezy and T.I. I'm real interested in hearing what direction Yung Joc goes with his 2nd album. Factor in some of the boundary stretching stuff Outkast has done and you've got some amazing stuff. That's by no means a definitive list, just what was top-of-mind at the moment.

It's when you add in garbage like D4L, Crime Mob, and Dem Franchize Boyz that people think "oh Lawdy the South is screwing things up what is weez gon' do".

Ludacris's latest album didn't do a whole lot for me--he has put out good earlier material, though. (Like, before 2003.)

T.I.'s The King was decent.

Young Jeezy has a good flow but nothing else of him interests me, especially his subject matter.

Yung Joc is lame.

OutKast is decent, they just screwed up releasing Idlewild. No wonder why that project kept getting shoved back and back.

D4L sucks.

I haven't heard Crime Mob's album, but "Rock Yo Hips" is terrible.

DFB sucks but I liked "I Think They Like Me (Remix)". And "Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It" was at least catchy.

 

[Littlema09]

Me personally I feel Hip-Hop has lost it's force because most of the music is garbage with exception of a few artists. Hip-Hop artist need to get more creative with their music to appeal to a wider audience. The bar needs to raised.