Back then there were a lot of kid rappers, which was natural - kids rebelling against the previous generation. But it seems strange now that it's mainstream to have fortysomethings rapping. Did anyone catch Jamie Foxx rapping on the Grammy Awards? Was I the only one who felt a little creeped out by that?
I think I remember being nonplussed by this video; Chi Ali was always the kid on the De La Soul B-tracks who flowed like a big boy yet was always getting treated like a stepchild, but then his first video mixes his age (a minor) with how he perceives himself (a grown-ass man). With cartoon villains chasing him, and him chasing rumpshakers, I felt he was more than a bit conflicted himself. Maybe that was the point, since he was 15 and most people that age feel that kind of conflict, but it never really came across that way; more like a mature stylist with an immature concept. Too bad, cuz he was as good as he seemed.
Two cats who did get it when they were this young were LL and Special Ed; never tried to play at their age as far as we know, just went right into being badass rhymers and were credited for it.
[2] At least I Think that was Chi-Ali on the De La Soul sets...
[1] You'd be surprised how old half of the most popular cats were in their prime; if not forty, then pushing it. I mean Jay-Z and Lil' Wayne (ugh) are no spring chickens themselves, then there's Chuck D, Ice-T, Ice Cube and KRS-ONE (well, Chucjk has moved on to spoken word and Ice-T and Ice Cube are actors)... Most have graduated into A&R or producing up-and-comers, but they still do their thing.
Now Jamie Foxx considering himself a rapper, that would be a little creepy...
{3} Yup, I hear you. the guys that were doing it twenty years ago are now forty-something, but they're grandfathered in. I find it harder to accept Jamie Foxx. I like rap but nothing gets my twenty-something kids laughing historically more than me singing along with NWA. I have more self awareness than to do it in public.
[4] It sneaks up on you..my 19-old neice came in the room once going, "Ewwww..mom thinks that old guy is hot, how gross.." It was Bruce Springsteen...
I was also advised to stick behind the turntable and continue bringing the classic jazz & funk, cause my last turn on the dancefloor met with a "Cop Rock" like reaction from the crowd...
Anyone else watching the Caribbean World Series? Greg Maddux pitched for a Ven. team in 1987-88. I thought you had to be a citizen of the country you played for. Guess not.
Oh, and it's being played on Margarita Island. That's gotta be the coolest island ever.
[6] Ha! Rock Steady Crew still schools the kids, but more like the Shaolin masters from kung fu flicks. But nothing beats a well seasoned dee jay (ask Red Alert!)
[7] I have to think Christmas, Easter and Bikini Islands are high on the list (from what I've read, Bikini Island was the bomb back in the day...)
I know, but it was too far over the plate to not swing...
Ah. But what about the Virgin Islands? I mean, from an experienced person's point of view, at least...
Back then there were a lot of kid rappers, which was natural - kids rebelling against the previous generation. But it seems strange now that it's mainstream to have fortysomethings rapping. Did anyone catch Jamie Foxx rapping on the Grammy Awards? Was I the only one who felt a little creeped out by that?
I think I remember being nonplussed by this video; Chi Ali was always the kid on the De La Soul B-tracks who flowed like a big boy yet was always getting treated like a stepchild, but then his first video mixes his age (a minor) with how he perceives himself (a grown-ass man). With cartoon villains chasing him, and him chasing rumpshakers, I felt he was more than a bit conflicted himself. Maybe that was the point, since he was 15 and most people that age feel that kind of conflict, but it never really came across that way; more like a mature stylist with an immature concept. Too bad, cuz he was as good as he seemed.
Two cats who did get it when they were this young were LL and Special Ed; never tried to play at their age as far as we know, just went right into being badass rhymers and were credited for it.
[2] At least I Think that was Chi-Ali on the De La Soul sets...
[1] You'd be surprised how old half of the most popular cats were in their prime; if not forty, then pushing it. I mean Jay-Z and Lil' Wayne (ugh) are no spring chickens themselves, then there's Chuck D, Ice-T, Ice Cube and KRS-ONE (well, Chucjk has moved on to spoken word and Ice-T and Ice Cube are actors)... Most have graduated into A&R or producing up-and-comers, but they still do their thing.
Now Jamie Foxx considering himself a rapper, that would be a little creepy...
{3} Yup, I hear you. the guys that were doing it twenty years ago are now forty-something, but they're grandfathered in. I find it harder to accept Jamie Foxx. I like rap but nothing gets my twenty-something kids laughing historically more than me singing along with NWA. I have more self awareness than to do it in public.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyrEoiwrk7Y
[4] It sneaks up on you..my 19-old neice came in the room once going, "Ewwww..mom thinks that old guy is hot, how gross.." It was Bruce Springsteen...
I was also advised to stick behind the turntable and continue bringing the classic jazz & funk, cause my last turn on the dancefloor met with a "Cop Rock" like reaction from the crowd...
Anyone else watching the Caribbean World Series? Greg Maddux pitched for a Ven. team in 1987-88. I thought you had to be a citizen of the country you played for. Guess not.
Oh, and it's being played on Margarita Island. That's gotta be the coolest island ever.
[6] Ha! Rock Steady Crew still schools the kids, but more like the Shaolin masters from kung fu flicks. But nothing beats a well seasoned dee jay (ask Red Alert!)
[7] I have to think Christmas, Easter and Bikini Islands are high on the list (from what I've read, Bikini Island was the bomb back in the day...)
I know, but it was too far over the plate to not swing...
Ah. But what about the Virgin Islands? I mean, from an experienced person's point of view, at least...