Poll Help (controversy In Hip-hop)
I'm in the process of writing an article about Hip-Hop controversy that the
Grammy's sparked last year when Macklemore's "Thrift Shop" won all sorts of
awards while black artists didn't. The magazine I write for wrote an article
during that time spewing the same thing as other news outlets: Hip-Hop
artists must understand the history of hip-hop and do all these specific things
to honor the genre's history and make 'real' hip-hop. I'm trying to write the
antithesis of this by showing that a world where this exists would limit
creativity and experimentation within the genre (and all genres for that
matter). I'm also planning on making a poll to accompany this article where
people check 'real' hip-hop from 'fake' hip-hop using about 10-15 examples
(20 max). I'm narrowing down a list of songs and am at 23 right now. I would
appreciate it if you guys could help me narrow down my list of songs. Thanks
in advance and enjoy! |
| 1 | Eminem
Rap God
Eminem is that one white rapper who seems to have become accepted by the black hip-
hop community. "Rap God" was chosen just to show off technical chops. |
| 2 | The Beastie Boys
Intergalactic
The Beastie Boys are a pillar of hip-hop. They show diversity within the genre (jazz,
punk), and their sampling and beats are top of the class. "Intergalactic" was chosen to
put their 'white boy flow' center stage. |
| 3 | Macklemore
Thrift Shop
The kingpin of the article. Can't remove it because obviously. |
| 4 | Cypress Hill
Insane in the Brain
A hispanic hip-hop/rock group to see if being hispanic plays a part in real hip-hop.
"Insane in the Brain" was chosen because it is the group's biggest and most recognizable
hit. |
| 5 | Nicki Minaj
Stupid Hoe
ahhh...Nicki Minaj. Chosen to have a young, black, female rapper. "Stupid Hoe" was
chosen because it isn't one of her pop songs and is annoying as all get out. |
| 6 | Iggy Azalea
Fancy
ahhh...Iggy Azalea. Chosen to have a young, white, female rapper. "Fancy" chosen
because everyone knows it. Simple enough. |
| 7 | Queen Latifah
U.N.I.T.Y.
Queen Latifah was chosen to satisfy the older, black, female rapper to parallel Ms. Minaj.
I've never listened to any Queen Latifah, so this song was chosen because it has the
most views on YouTube, so I'm assuming it was popular/recognizable. |
| 8 | Fort Minor
Kenji
To have an asian representative (or half-asian). "Kenji" was chosen due to its subject
matter on Japanese internment camps. I've gone back and forth on including
"Remember the Name" instead due to its popularity and recognizability. |
| 9 | Lecrae
Jesus Musik (feat. Trip Lee)
Chosen to represent the Christian-Rap sub genre. Definitely the most popular in this
specific sub genre. Included due to its subject matter and diction differences from its
peers and predecessors. |
| 10 | The Lonely Island
I'm on a Boat (feat. T-Pain)
To include a parody artist. Song chosen due to its popularity, infectiousness, stupidity,
and yelled, white-boyness of the song. |
| 11 | Outkast
Hey Ya!
Chosen to represent an experimental hip-hop song in a different time signature that had
extreme mainstream success. |
| 12 | LMFAO
Sexy and I Know It
Closer to EDM than rap, but still has rapped verses. Questioning the definition of hip-
hop. |
| 13 | Rage Against The Machine
Bulls on Parade
Obviously Nu-Metal, not Hip-Hop. However, RATM has shown strong influence from acts
like Public Enemy (the whole album was a love letter to them after all). The rapped are
also rapped angrily. This, again, will test the public. |
| 14 | Colt Ford
Drivin' Around Song (feat. Jason Aldean)
Country bro-rap at its finest/worst. Again, stretching the genre of hip-hop using a semi-
popular example in an almost non-existent genre (thank god). |
| 15 | Camp Lo
Luchini (AKA This Is It)
Very old school hip-hop with a heavy jazz influence. Included to show part of the genre's
roots and jazz this poll up. |
| 16 | Nas
N.Y. State of Mind
One of the best hip-hop songs of all time. Included to again show the roots: inner-city,
gang-laden roots. Classic |
| 17 | Public Enemy
Bring the Noise
Seemingly the only hip-hop group people remember when it comes to Grammy
controversy (aside from Kendrick Lamar). Highly influential and infused politics within
the genre forever. Song chosen because "Fight The Power" is a bit too cliché for me, and
I prefer this song/album (even though all Public Enemy early work is masterful). |
| 18 | Run-DMC
King of Rock
The black to the Beastie Boys white; similar flow and style. Included to parallel the
Beastie Boys for the sake of hypocrisy. |
| 19 | 2 Chainz
Birthday Song (feat. Kanye West)
To include some good ole southern gangsta rap into this list. As a Georgian myself, he's
huge down here and holds a lot of influence in the Atlanta hip-hop scene. Included to
show asinine lyricism (on purpose) in comparison to the political lyricism of the genre's
roots. |
| 20 | Soulja Boy
Crank That (Soulja Boy)
...the dance. Included because of the dance. I could compare the stupidity to minstrel
songs to if I tried. |
| 21 | Will Smith
Getting Jiggy Wit It
From the pages of "Family Guy", 90s squeaky-clean hip-hop form the fresh prince.
Included for that reason alone. |
| 22 | Mix Master Mike
Bangzilla
Included to see if the general public (or whoever I end of polling) recognized hip-hop
instrumentals and dj mixing as hip-hop in itself. |
| 23 | Death Grips
No Love
Just to screw with people and surprise them with the experimental of all experimental
hip-hop. Still not sure what to make of it myself, so it's unpredictability excites me! |
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