In the last blog, I mentioned that KRS-One has almost broken hip hop down to a science. In The MC: Why We Do It, he even breaks down every element of performing, from wearing multiple layers to having free memorabilia to hand out, and more. When I was watching this, I thought about how it was an excellent thing that he studies his craft and wants to give the fans as much as he can offer. However, I also found it strange that he was giving this advice as almost a necessity in order to become a great performer, entertainer, artist, etc.

While really understanding the importance of what it takes to be a great artists is excellent, we also need to make sure that we don't over analyze anything and say that things must be done one way, or else we basically put ourselves in the seats of the label executives; the same people that we continue to fight against. So often, we talk about how major record labels have the tendency to want to put all artists in a little box and market all their artists the same and not allow for any creativity or originality. That is somewhat the same feeling that I got listening to KRS speak. Now, the difference between the two is that KRS was speaking from a place of enhancing an artist's skills who may not be as experienced (or exciting) on stage as people may expect them to be, while label execs just try to make a quick buck and don't really care about the culture at all. However, even though the place KRS was coming from and the intentions he had were great, we still have to make room for customization from artist to artist. If somebody wants to run on stage without a shirt and remain like that for the whole performance, they should be able to do that if they are going to maintain a high level of energy. If they don't hand out free cds or posters, they should have a good enough performance (in which ever manner they choose) that the free stuff is the last thing on people's minds.

Even on this sight, much of the focus is on the lyrical talents of artists and we have to remember that there are hip hop acts that don't necessarily have to be the most lyrical, but just creative. I try to show them love as well, but will admit that I have a bias towards lyrical artists. However, to say that somebody who is not a 100% lyricist is not a true hip hop artist is ridiculous. Hip Hop has always been the expression of feelings, emotions, community struggles, life experiences, having a good time, and more. Usually that is expressed in the complexity of lyricism and that is something we have held high in hip hop, but there are artists who are true hip hop artists and take their craft seriously, but are not really considered full-fledged lyricists. This does not make them any less part of the culture.

If we continue to say that every artist must have x, y, and z, then we will end up just creating clones and keep comparing one artist to the next, instead of saying that they are a complete original (which is what hip hop has based itself on since the beginning). All an artist truly needs to be is creative, unique, and have a sincere passion for the culture. Outside of that, we need to allow them the freedom to record, perform, and live in any manner they choose.

I will also add that even though we need to allow them this freedom, we still do need to hold them accountable if they become too repetitive or too much like the next artist. Part of the reason hip hop is in the state it is now is that nobody spoke out against all of the replicas that were being created until it was too late. Many of the major stars on the East Coast were drug dealers, so everybody followed. N.W.A. came with the gangsta persona, and now everybody is a gangsta. 50 Cent has success getting shot, and then everybody that got signed within a one year span had been shot at least once. Now, every rapper is a gangsta that slings rocks on the corner and has been shot three times before turning to music.

As fans, we have to ensure that we don't box artists into one specific category (gangsters, lyricists, backpack rappers, drug dealers, etc.), but simply take them for what we are, while still holding on and supporting those artists that embody what hip hop was founded upon. It is a new day and so we have to find a happy median between upholding the foundation of the culture and accepting that it is a new time, but to make sure that we don't turn successful artists into science projects and robots simply because of what we are accustom to.

So, what do y'all think? We know that record companies have tried to mimic the perfect artist time and time again, but what about fans? What about artists? Have we all broken this down into a science in some way and given hip hop artists some sort of definition (when in reality there really isn't one)?  Let me know what you think. Comment or hit me at straightouttahiphop@gmail.com.

Peace.