What started as a semi-annoying "YouTube fight" between Soulja Boy and Ice-T has morphed into a community discussion about hip hop music. Everyone from Kanye, to Snoop Dogg, to Scarface have weighed in. The latest hip hop vets to speak up are Method Man and Ice Cube.
Method Man has rather strong feelings on the issue compared to Cube, who takes a level headed diplomatic approach to the situation. Meth says Ice-T shouldn't have attached Soulja Boy the he did in the first place, but he respects his decision to do so.
"Ice-T is an O.G. He shouldn’t even be addressing nuttin’ like that, but he felt like it was his duty to address it for the love of hip-hop and all of that and I respect that," he said. "But him being at the status that he’s at, he shouldn’t address someone like Soulja Boy, nor should Snoop Dogg."
"And don’t get me wrong, you," he said. "I’m not biggin’ up Soulja Boy, I’m just saying. I think the nigga suck, too. I think he’s garbage, but I don’t think everybody should be blaming him for the state of hip-hop right now. You can’t just put that all on his shoulders, for real. It’s not solely his fault, man."
In this interview with the Raw Report, Ice Cube echoes Method Man's opinion that all the blame shouldn't be placed on Soulja Boy.
"I don't think Soulja Boy singularly destroyed hip hop, I dont agree with that statement. There was a lot of things at work to diminish the shine of hip hop."
Cube goes on to say he thinks the internet played a larger role in the delcine of rap music more than any artist. He says the new generation were not raised in a culture of "buying music". The web has also given greater access and exposure to people who may not have the talent necessary to be a great artist.
Watch the rest below.
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He says the new generation were not raised in a culture of "buying music".
I might ruffle some feathers with this, and I'm not trynig to make a race issue, but hip hop didn't get huge financially until it began appealing to white suburban kids. Even Cube seems as out of touch as Ice T is. If anything the internet has been better for hip hop on a global level, not the American Pop versions like Soulja Boy who are in the charts.
Sure shoot the messenger, Cube.
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I have mixed feelings about that Contra. I definitely see the truth in the argument about hip hop's growth because of the internet, but ultimately it really has led to a lot of EZ Button rappers & producers. On top of that, the market is flooded, people can get the music for free, release dates don't really matter as much, and I haven't picked up a Source or XXL in forever. (okay, that last one is a personal thing)
I pretty much think the net is that proverbial double-edged blade; gotta handle it with care. I love it because I am exposed to music that I NEVER would have known about, but the market (at least hip hop) is flooded with mediocrity, and I don't know if that would be as possible without this online experience.
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There will always be lazy producers, artists, and listeners. Hip Hop's problem (IMO) is that you have very few new artists with the ability to put on a good live show. Watch some of the older acts, how they know how to perform. With some of these manufactured acts that are constructed from recycled beats, and the latest software, they are putting out albums before they've even run the gauntlet of what made peoples legends in the old days. A majority of hip hop now a days is boring to watch live. There are exceptions (Kanye, and Jay Z come to mind) because they know how to put on a show.
I lived in Atlanta for 10 years, and it seemed like there was a new act every week. I never heard of these guys performing but maybe 1 club appearance. I never heard about tours outside of TV appearances. The game has changed, and it seems some newer artists are built for the media (or medium) but have forgotten to pay their dues. I think the performance aspect is lost because artists/producers want to hit the charts, sell ring tones, get endorsements, ut that's not what sustains an artist in the long run. That's just getting paid.
Even Chuck D. at the begining of all this MP3 stuff saw it as an incredible distribution method, but warned that you couldn't be a lazy artist anymore. You were gonna have to tour to make money, but on the flip side, anyone who wanted could hear your work.
There is something to be said about how performing for a crowd developes an artist.
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these O.G.s can hate on Souljah Boy all they want, but there is a younger generation who aren't interested in gangsta rap. Souljah Boy, Lil Mama, The Pack and other young rappers don't sing about guns, sex, bitches, etc. and plenty of peeps find that refreshing. Souljah Boy is as much a part of hip hop's decline as 50 Cent. (IMO)
It would be interesting to hear what Ice T thinks 16 year old kids should rap like these days. I'm sure there are plenty with stories to tell and mad flow. But even adults with all that often remain in the underground while cheezy pop rappers climb the charts...
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preach sista molli!!!
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Contra: I have absolutely no arguments against you on that point. The live performance is not only key to Hip Hop survival, it shows respect for the culture in general.
Molli & Frost: Let me first say that I don't disagree with anything Molli said, but....
I might just be a pervert (I'll take that title when offered), but doen't Soulja Boy say "I'm bouncin on my toes, watch me supersoak that hoe / I'ma pass it to A-Rel (?), and he gon' pass it to Don Low (?)" and "Watch me Superman that hoe!"
It might just be might mature ears hearing the sexual references, but it could be that Soulja Boy is gettin' his Shakespeare on... I'm just sayin.
On another note, I really think Souja Boy is making the "music" strictly for money; not to uplift the Hip Hop community, be a great emcee, or even for the fame. I was stupid and checked out my second Souja Boy song "Yahhh". It sucks. Enjoy
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I dont know scribes. You have to consider how Soulja Boy came to be before you say he's doing it just for money.
He was just a kid making music and uploading it on the internet until music execs discovered that he was gaining a following with his song. From Soulja Boy's perspective, I'm sure he didnt do all this because he thought his little "Crank Dat" song would become #1 in America and make him millions of dollars.
I haven't seen or heard him do anything that would suggest he's focusing on money more than any other hip hop artist.
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I honestly didn't really know that. I assumed it was the product of some relationship w/ a couple dudes who hooked him up w/ Mr. Collipark, and so on, and so on.
It's pretty crazy that he ended up with such a smash hit, but you gotta think he was hoping one or two of his songs would catch on. The only reason I use the phrase "all for the money" is because he seems like a relatively intelligent kid, and he says he respects people who have made hip hop what it is: with those two ingredients, I'd imagine that he'd be trying a little harder.
That said, I'm sure that my perspective is skewed; i.e. he probably feels strongly about the music he's making, and feels like (and he's clearly right) lots of people waiting to hear the stuff he wanted to hear.
I guess that was a long ass "I see your point, though".
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Does Ice Cube go on to talk about his personal role in the decline of integrity for black actors in Hollywood?
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It's funny, the couple of songs I've heard by Soulja Boy, I wouldn't even consider rap, really.
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Soulja boy is just gettin in where he fits in. Talent is just that. The truly talented artists are around awhile. The executives of the record complanies are controlling the status of hip hop and what is being allowed to be produced. Also, our country is in a better (superficially) place than it was when we had a need for Arrested Development, NWA, A Tribe Called Quest and Leaders of the New Skool, lets throw in Pharcyde too. You could hear all of that at one party on one night. And the mood of the party would change. Now its shit like Tear Da Club Up getting banned from being played in clubs. I don't knock Artist for growing up like ICE - Cube and T. or Will Smith for that matter just be true to yourself and we the public will know and feel YA.