One great example of an artist finding themselves would be the one and only Kendrick Lamar. His smooth lyrics and delivery helped him to break through the underground with the stellar album of good kid m.A.A.d city. Songs such as "Poetic Justice" is a prime example of how Kendrick found his voice and style that helped him become successful.
One of the best examples I could find is a video we saw in class called "Bath Salt" by the ASAP MOB. This song features the successful ASAP Rocky whose style and flow has made him one of the bigger artists out right now. The rest of his crew also raps throughout the song but they do not have that "it" factor that has allowed them to make it over the top and become successful. They have yet to find their voice and niche that can lead them to making it big. Listen closely and try and differentiate between the voice, delivery and style that sets apart ASAP Rocky from the rest of his crew.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-I1s50fkzk
Hopefully, these two examples give you the insight as to how artists have and have not found their voices and styles which has made them unique and relevant in the hip hop world. An artist's voice is the key component to their career and consists of delivery flow, and style. While you may or may not like every big artists voice you usually cannot take away the fact that is has a unique feature or style. This particular style or delivery the artist contains makes their voice one you can pick out of twenty different artists. For an MC to find their voice is for them to basically find their career and while it is not an easy task to be done those who do find it create a unique style that adds to hip hop as a whole. Whether it be Kendrick's savvy flow or A$AP's unique style and particular voice they both has found their style and flow that is essential in the hip hop world.
Ricky, this was a really good blog. I liked your use of Kendrick as an example because he really does have a unique voice and flow. The way that Kendrick manipulates his vocals is one of a kind.
ReplyDelete"For instance their have been rappers who have had one hit wonders with a goofy song or a cool beat but could never keep their career sustained because they did not have that sick ass voice and style that kept the audience wanting more." This is perfect. In the paper we just wrote I explained the importance of the DJ and producer. I think that this supports my point that a DJ can make a song.
ReplyDeleteEven in live performances, you can hear the difference in style and delivery between the two artists. I wish you could have analyzed what the "it" factor was, nevertheless good blog. Kendrick Lamar is coming again soon!
ReplyDeleteKendrick is so incredible, the way he fluctuates his flow and overall voice. I can definitely say that his voice is a distinguishing factor in setting himself apart from other ordinary rappers. Kendrick's style has progressed so much over these 2 short years. Listening to Section8 and GoodKidMadCity you can clearly make distinctions in his newly found flow. Not to mention Kendrick has a strong hand in the production of his music in regards to sound and the engineering productions
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on the fact that rappers with a sustained career have a distinctive voice and "it" factor, and like Benoy said, I would've also liked if you could've gone a little more in-depth on what exactly it is and how its different amongst many successful rappers.
ReplyDeleteThis blog should be called "Analyzing Kendrick Lamar." But I liked your analyzes of "Bath Salts." Great song and great example used.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your position on finding your voice can sustain and prolong one's hip hop career.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog. Having your own voice in hiphop is key to making it and your examples are on point.
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DeleteI love how much this class loves Kendrick. I thought this post was good and got the point across about how the voice is a huge factor in a rapper's career. However I feel like you could have touched on a few more artist
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your post. I've also noticed that every artist has their own little ad lib. Like Rick ross always says "Boss", big sean always says "boy" and "good gawd". I think an artist having a individual rapping style really sets them apart from the rest.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your blog. The key to being sucessful in the hip hop game is to be unique in your own way or bring something new to the table. Very rare when a rapper can actually be really sucessful when they sound like everybody else. I think this applies to all genres of music
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