Enough with artist battling each on wax! Most importantly if you are going to diss another artist, mention his name. Common’s newly released track “Sweet” has the MC going off on new school rappers forgetting the importance of educating the audience. Hip-Hop is not dead but it is being replaced. I feel Commons passion for artist to remain true to yourself and your craft. My music preference is the Hip-Hop Common is alluding to. Common should not be calling out the artist, he should address the actual record label(s). In attempts to make urban music mainstream, record labels are looking for puppets instead of genuine people. Since there weren’t any names mentioned in “Sweet,” we shall assume he was referring to a Canadian rapper, that can also sing, when he used the comparison of Frank Sinatra.
I believe Common is missing Drake’s place in the “rap game.” Drake to me is reaching out to the people who do not enjoy the way they go about being accepted in today’s society. When Drake is singing, it gets women listening first off, also it’s a great way for a fan to hear an artist admit a flaw within themselves. He (Drake) touches on how he regrets neglecting the important people in his life. Drake definitely created his own lane and is on cruise control. This is only where I disagree with Common. Once again, Drake or any other “backpacker” is not the reason why Hip-Hop is fading to black. They are just replying to what the market is calling for.
Album sales all together are declining because of technology and downloadable sites from Napster, Limewire, iTunes, etc. Record companies are at war with this new form of middle men. If all the public cares about is materialism then the label must put out materialistic music. Music artist are forced to make a transition, from educating the people to selling the audience a dream. No disrespect to Common or any other conscious rapper but it’s the nature of business. Don’t hate the player, hate the game.
