Guest Appearances on Debut Albums & R.I.P. Biggie
What's up everybody? I know that I haven't been posting as often as usual. I'm on Spring Break so I'm posting when I can, but sometimes it gets a little difficult, but keep tuning in and there will be posts every few days. I'll be back to the regular schedule by Monday, though.
Now that we covered that, down to business. I was thinking some more about a past blog about classic albums. For those that didn't see it, I was saying that it would be a while before we would have another classic album and reasons for that. So that got me to thinking; most classic albums (at least in hip hop) are people's debut albums; Reasonable Doubt, Illmatic, Amerikkka's Most Wanted, Ready to Die, Paid In Full, etc. Of course there are others who's second or third albums are considered classics, but for the most part, we hold the first album to be the best and most pure album. Obviously, since the first album is the one that still has them in their element and straight out of their original environment (mainly the realest affects of the "street" life), we get the truest perception of them. As they put out more albums, get further away from the environment they speak of and gain wealth, our perception of their reality begins to fade.
Anyway, what I was really thinking about is the limited number of guests appearances on debut albums (and really most classic albums in general) in the past, which could have played a role in the number of classic albums that were being put out. I think that the more we hear only the main artist on the album, the the better perception we get of that artist and the more the listener feels that they have connected to them. We all know that Illmatic had only one guest (AZ) and many argue that it is the best hip hop album of all time (I would actually have to agree). Of course Paid in Full and Follow the Leader (both considered classics) don't have guest appearances. Ready to Die's only guest was Method Man, and we all know how critically acclaimed that album is. With all of these albums, we didn't get just great songs, but an understanding of the artists putting out the cds and their views and thoughts on life.
Not only is it about a limited number of guests, but it is also about keeping it in house. Even those albums with more than a couple Death Certificate (Ice Cube's second album, but still rated a classic) only had a limited number of guest appearances and they were only those that were part of the Lench Mob. Reasonable Doubt actually had a few guests appearances, but all those other than Biggie did not have a huge national recognition and B.I.G. was one of Jay's best friends. That was more of friends doing a track together than it was Jay-Z trying to sell more albums. Even Tupac's Me Against the World (once again not a debut album, but still a classic) only had appearances by Richie Rich and the Outlwas.
Today, artists have become so fixated over sells that they saturate not only their debut albums, but all of their albums with guest appearances. Before, people were able to sell based on their skills alone and listeners really got to connect with the artists. Now, people will pay thousands upon thousands of dollars for a guest appearances just to boost their sales numbers. If artists would start putting more of themselves into their music and leave the features to a minimum, then we just might be able to get back to the essence that we are all looking for.
That's it for now. Go back through your collections and see how many classic albums you can find that did have many guest appearances that weren't "in house" (meaning they weren't close friends, part of the same click, etc.). I'm willing to bet that it's not many. Post some examples that you can find and let's discuss it. A few other albums I could have mentioned were Criminal Minded and By All Means Necessary, Aquemini, Long Live the Kane, and more. Other than that, just let me know what you think about most artist after their first albums. Are there many that ever get better (really only two that jump in my head right away are Tupac and T.I.)? Either leave comment on the page or hit me at straightouttahiphop@gmail.com.
And for all of those that miss Biggie, here is a video from both him and Puffy's tribute to him. R.I.P. B.I.G.
Now that we covered that, down to business. I was thinking some more about a past blog about classic albums. For those that didn't see it, I was saying that it would be a while before we would have another classic album and reasons for that. So that got me to thinking; most classic albums (at least in hip hop) are people's debut albums; Reasonable Doubt, Illmatic, Amerikkka's Most Wanted, Ready to Die, Paid In Full, etc. Of course there are others who's second or third albums are considered classics, but for the most part, we hold the first album to be the best and most pure album. Obviously, since the first album is the one that still has them in their element and straight out of their original environment (mainly the realest affects of the "street" life), we get the truest perception of them. As they put out more albums, get further away from the environment they speak of and gain wealth, our perception of their reality begins to fade.
Anyway, what I was really thinking about is the limited number of guests appearances on debut albums (and really most classic albums in general) in the past, which could have played a role in the number of classic albums that were being put out. I think that the more we hear only the main artist on the album, the the better perception we get of that artist and the more the listener feels that they have connected to them. We all know that Illmatic had only one guest (AZ) and many argue that it is the best hip hop album of all time (I would actually have to agree). Of course Paid in Full and Follow the Leader (both considered classics) don't have guest appearances. Ready to Die's only guest was Method Man, and we all know how critically acclaimed that album is. With all of these albums, we didn't get just great songs, but an understanding of the artists putting out the cds and their views and thoughts on life.
Not only is it about a limited number of guests, but it is also about keeping it in house. Even those albums with more than a couple Death Certificate (Ice Cube's second album, but still rated a classic) only had a limited number of guest appearances and they were only those that were part of the Lench Mob. Reasonable Doubt actually had a few guests appearances, but all those other than Biggie did not have a huge national recognition and B.I.G. was one of Jay's best friends. That was more of friends doing a track together than it was Jay-Z trying to sell more albums. Even Tupac's Me Against the World (once again not a debut album, but still a classic) only had appearances by Richie Rich and the Outlwas.
Today, artists have become so fixated over sells that they saturate not only their debut albums, but all of their albums with guest appearances. Before, people were able to sell based on their skills alone and listeners really got to connect with the artists. Now, people will pay thousands upon thousands of dollars for a guest appearances just to boost their sales numbers. If artists would start putting more of themselves into their music and leave the features to a minimum, then we just might be able to get back to the essence that we are all looking for.
That's it for now. Go back through your collections and see how many classic albums you can find that did have many guest appearances that weren't "in house" (meaning they weren't close friends, part of the same click, etc.). I'm willing to bet that it's not many. Post some examples that you can find and let's discuss it. A few other albums I could have mentioned were Criminal Minded and By All Means Necessary, Aquemini, Long Live the Kane, and more. Other than that, just let me know what you think about most artist after their first albums. Are there many that ever get better (really only two that jump in my head right away are Tupac and T.I.)? Either leave comment on the page or hit me at straightouttahiphop@gmail.com.
And for all of those that miss Biggie, here is a video from both him and Puffy's tribute to him. R.I.P. B.I.G.
Peace.
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