Is location crucial to success in Hip Hop?
Towards the beginning of Hip Hop the answer was a resounding yes. If you were an upcoming rapper from anywhere but the main cultural hubs for Hip Hop you had a slim to zero percent chance of becoming successful.
That isn't to say there were no talented rappers in the midwest regions or even other countries, but there was no way for them to get their talents noticed if no one will listen to their music. We see Hip Hop evolve in particular areas like the East coast, West Coast, Dirty South, and the Great Lakes area could even be included.
A rapper trying to become successful in the West Coast is going to adopt a west coast style because that is what people in that area like. The only way to become successful in Hip Hop is if people like your music, and no one wants that "Dirty South" trash in the West Coast!
I'm not saying Dirty South music is trash but you get the point, to make it in a certain area you need that style. Or that was the case until the internet changed the game.
With the wide availability of the internet you could be any Joe Shmoe from anywhere and create a persona on the internet and post your music. If people like it you become successful. Now location is not as much of an issue, to prove my point I'm going to let Rick Ross take it from here.
http://www.mtvhive.com/artist/ross__rick__rap_/videos/374555/rick_ross_on_how_the_internet_has_affected_hip_hop
(the embedded link did not work, so this is just a direct link to MTV where the interview is)
With the internet someone like ASAP Rocky, who is born in New York, can have a "Dirty South" style and be heard by audiences all over the country. This shows that location is not as important as it used to be.(the embedded link did not work, so this is just a direct link to MTV where the interview is)
The internet has also helped Hip Hop spread to other countries like France for instance. Have you ever heard French rap? No you say, well let me help you out.
Yes, even the French can do it. So is location crucial to success in Hip Hop? No, not anymore.
Picture taken from: "http://www.southernspaces.org/2008/dirty-decade-rap-music-and-us-south-1997-2007"
I think you are definitely right when you say location does not factor into the style of music anymore because of the internet. However, I disagree when it comes to international music. We generally never hear any foreign raps get radio play here. I think the reason may be because of street credibility.
ReplyDeleteI still think that location plays a factor into style because you can still categorize where new artists are from just by listening to their music. Rappers of today are still representing where they are from by the style of the music regardless of the internet.
ReplyDeleteOk, Rick Ross's interview made no sense. The internet does have a lot to do with the industry today for sure. YouTube has become a main hub for talent to be discovered and brought into the game. It's also useful in finding new music and artists that have recently been discovered or created.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the internet makes location less relevant because people everywhere can hear all types of music with the click of a button. Like you said, the internet also makes it possible for anyone to become famous. For example there's a rapper from a small town Wichita, Kansas that goes by the name of XV. He has a very unique style and since Kansas is not exactly a hub for hip hop, he has used YouTube, Twitter, and other internet mediums to spread his music and actually gain a pretty solid fan base. If any of y'all haven't heard of XV I suggest you look him up, he's got a unique and lovable rap style in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how the Rick Ross article was beneficial to this article, but I did agree that the internet has played a role in hip hop music as a brand. I do still think that location matters because artist still have a sense of responsibility to represent wherever it is that they came from. Just because the marketplace has shifted to the growing online platform, the notion of "representing my hood" still comes into play.
ReplyDeleteI agree that location isn't as important as it used to be in regards to becoming "famous" or "known," however, I think that some artists still hold onto the location aspect in their own music. For example, Snoop Dogg's songs and rap style are heavily "west coast" and his style hasn't really changed even though people from all over listen to his music.
ReplyDeleteI still believe that location is relevant because you want to always stay true to your city and hometown as many rappers do today so they pay homage by keeping the same style around. Yes, the internet has made location less relevant but I still believe it plays a key factor.
ReplyDeleteYou made good points but location does play a major factor in becoming a successful rapper. Using Asap Rocky is not really a good example because either way he is from New York, not some small town no one never heard of.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the internet has completely changed the game. A good example could be Soulja Boy coming out of no where to sell albums across the country during the height of myspace.
ReplyDeleteI don't think location plays a part in being a successful rapper anymore.You don't have to sound a certain way anymore just because you are from a certain area. For example Wiz Khalifa is from Pittsburgh but gives off a West coast vibe. The same goes for French Montana. He's from New York but his music sounds like he's from down south.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a very interesting topic being discussed. I definitely agree with your main point how rap neeeded to identify with a specific stle for people in the area to find it attractive. Where as now, since most songs are released on the internet and that is where the most lisnteners would hear a new track, the style isnt directly correlated with the artist wsnce not all viewers would even know where the artist comes from. Its interesting to think about whehter or not rappers tend to make themselves distinguished as to what style their beat is and how they rap on tracks. Do they force themselves to sound a certain way to obtain an audience or do most go with what they think is the best idea for the particular track they are producing?
ReplyDeleteI like your example of the internet helping rappers get big. ASAP Rocky wouldn't have made it back then. I liked the french rap song too
ReplyDeleteThat french rap was awesome! I loved it! I was very interested in your take on A$AP rocky not being bound by the locational stereotypes because he was an internet star. I believe that technology is drastically changing the way we experience music-media entertainment's influence on us transmutable through a myriad of wireless internet gadgets at the touch of a finger.
ReplyDeleteLocation still matters. Internet definitely helps. I'd also like to say that rappers are starting to adapt a universal style. A$AP makes good Houston-influenced songs, but he also has songs that make his New York roots very clear. Drake also has a similar strategy of being universal in terms of location based rapping
ReplyDeleteI agree that the internet has changed the game and that location is no longer as important. I also like the French rap song, nice blog.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right about location not mattering anymore. The Internet is a great way to reach many different audiences. Like Psi's Gagnam Style, no one knows what he's saying because its in Korean but we all love it! Same goes for many hip hop songs
ReplyDeleteI sadly have to agree with bernard on this one. Rappers can be influenced by multiple locations and make great music from both.
ReplyDeleteHey Ben way to be original. You only agreed with me because you didnt have time to right your own post. You posted on the wrong blog and got lucky when Sean and I told you like 5 minutes before 12 that you posted on the wrong blog. Roomies <3
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