Hip-Hop: Where Do We Go from Here?

With this ever-changing music industry, it is relatively hard to predict what the next big thing will be or what genre will dominate the airwaves next. I am an avid listener of both R&B and Hip-Hop and I have noticed a few changes over the past few years. My main concern is about the state of hip-hop and if it can be revived.

In the world of Hip-Hop, there has to be a healthy balance of “conscious rap” and “club rap” (however you would like to categorize them is up to you). A lot of the music dominating the airwaves are the sounds of the YMCMB clique (Lil’ Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Drake) and other rappers, Future, Rocko, 2 Chainz, and Trinidad James just to name a few. I like to listen to all of these artists, but I am also concerned about the content the songs speak about—or the lack of.

Rap originated in the early 1970s in South Bronx and this was during a time where artists like Grandmaster Flash, Kurtis Blow, Afrikka Bambaataa, The Sugarhill Gang, and Run DMC spoke about simpler subjects and the lyrics actually told a story. Throughout the remainder of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, lyricists and rap groups such as Salt-n-Pepa, NWA, LL Cool J, UGK, Outkast, Jay-Z, and Snoop emerged and changed the more simple subjects of rap to more complex and controversial issues including drugs, crime, and sex. During the golden age of rap, artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, Gang Starr, Brand Nubians, and De La Soul, used jazz influences as the backdrop for their Afrocentric and innovative rhyming styles.

Not to discredit their talents, I just believe there are things that rappers can rap about besides having money, women, cars, jewelry, and drugs. Newer artists like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Wale, Drake, B.o.B., and Lupe Fiasco give you accounts of their life through the lost art of storytelling.

How could hip-hop evolve from a time where we were respected as kings and queens and now every other word is B**** this and B**** that? Overall, I would really like to hear music that tells stories, not just random words put together over a nice beat. I am hopeful that the new wave of rappers will influence the others and serve as mentors to upcoming MCs to give a breath of fresh air to a stagnant and monotonous genre called hip-hop.

Justin Timerlake's 'The 20/20 Experience'

If you thought Justin Timberlake's career in music was a little blurry, he reassures you that his vision in the music industry is clear with his new album, The 20/20 Experience. A few days ago, Timberlake allowed listeners to preview the 10-tracked album on iTunes before it's to be released on March 19. Timberlake exercised the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" and decided to work with a surefire team. The 20/20 Experience is an album produced by Timberlake himself, Timbaland, and J-Roc.

While appearing on "On Air with Ryan Seacrest," Timberlake explained how he came up with the name of the album. When asking friends what they thought about the album, his best friend answered, "This is music you can see." This in turn is what Justin interpreted as perfect vision. After listening to the album I am proud to say that..HE'S BAAACCCKK!!! All 10 tracks are excellent and I am going to provide you with my experience with each track:

1. Pusher Love Girl- This track has an excellent theatrical introduction and sets the tone for the rest of the album. With the soothing sounds of strings and blaring notes from the horns, JT's falsetto is the cherry on top of a wonderful opening act. The song speaks about the the "high" he gets when loving this particular woman (we can assume he's speaking about his new wife, Jessica Biel). The high he gets has him infatuated and wanting more, which is the same feeling I got when I heard this song!
2. Suit and Tie (f. Jay-Z)- The best comeback single! JT chose this track as the first single and it doesn't disappoint. This is an excellent track and makes me want to dress up and go dancing! I love this track so much that if Jay-Z wasn't on the song, I wouldn't care. Don't get me wrong, Jay-Z sounds nice on the song, but JT could have held this one on his own.
3. Don't Hold the Wall- One of my favorite tracks! In a weird way, the music reminds me of an updated and meshed version of Michael Jackson's "Liberian Girl" and Midnight Starr's "No Parking on the Dance floor." This song is a mid-tempo, sensual track and JT is basically telling this woman he sees from across the club that he is interested in having a good time and they would be good for each other. Instead of being strangers, they should dance.
4. Strawberry Bubblegum- Pure R&B and pop! JT talks about being intoxicated by a girl who caught his eye. Her original style and flavor was intriguing along with how she said, "hey, while smacking strawberry bubblegum.". This track is a nice track to ride to and it could definitely be released as another single.
5. Tunnel Vision- The first song whose title goes with the title of the album. The title of the song is self explanatory--"a crowded room anywhere a million people around all I see is you there, everything just disappears..." Despite being around other people, JT only has eyes for one. Another up-tempo track  with Timbaland's beat boxing serves up another great hit!
6. Spaceship Coupe- Outer space love! Imagine Justin mixed with Bilal and D'Angelo...and this is what this song sounds like. This song makes me realize how much I miss old R&B. JT delivers sultry and soulful bars of music over more horns and strings. Justin leaves enough room for you to travel with him to outer space on his ride of love in his Spaceship Coupe. If you listen closely, in the background you can hear a trembling voice, heavy breathing, and what sounds like a woman screaming. This song is guaranteed to take you on an out of this world journey!
7. That Girl (f. The Tennessee Kids)- JT partners with The Tennessee Kids orchestra and tells the story of falling in love with a girl that is from another walk of life. People think they are crazy and weird for being together because they are not a perfect match, but JT and his lover are perfect for each other. Perfect song, with an excellent message!
8. Let the Groove Get In- An up-tempo Latin inspired track. Justin asks, "are you comfortable, let the groove get in,"--at this point of the album, he has given us everything we could have asked for and more for a comeback album. I am definitely comfortable and grooving.
   
9. Mirrors- JT's second single. This song speaks about Justin being in love and being with someone who completes him and is a spitting image--his mirror. JT's raspy voice and falsetto caresses the beat of the song and takes you back seven years ago to FutureSex/LoveSounds.
10. Blue Ocean Floor- A beautifully written and sang ballad! I haven't heard a track this beautifully constructed in a very long time. This song reminds me of the Titanic where Jack and Rose were in the ocean after the ship sank. The execution of this song is flawless and has an alluring message as well. The love that JT has found goes deeper than the ocean floor. With lyrics like, "Under the water you scream so loud/ but the silence surrounds you/ but I hear it loud/ and you fall in the deep and I'll always find you...just send your heartbeat I'll go/ to the blue ocean floor," reminds us that there is a love that extends beyond the depth of the ocean where you can't hear anything--the heartbeat from a heart full of love will always resound even in the quietest and tumultuous places.

The live stream of The 20/20 Experience is available on iTunes now.

Bonus Tracks (Target Edition)

1. Dress On- Seductively pleasing song! JT sings about wanting to have an impromptu wedding in a restaurant while his lover has on a dress that showcases her body. This song could be looked at as a mental proposal of what he would like to do to her with a certain "dress"--it could be a sundress, wedding dress...or both! Hmmm, nevertheless, it's a great song!
2. Body Count- This track has the same vibe and sound of "Like I Love You" from Timberlake's debut solo album, Justified. In this song, JT boasts about his body count, or the amount of women he has. I am not a huge fan of this song and I'm glad it's just a bonus track.

Out of the bonus tracks, Dress On is my favorite and this song alone is reason enough to get the deluxe edition. Listen to the album and tell me what you think!