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Fredric is a web developer based in Chicago who hopes to one day start a foundation to support young, Black males in programming and computer science.

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Hip Hop’s Turning Point

May 23rd, 2008 • Related • Filed Under

Have you seen it? Have you heard it? Have you been paying attention?

Believe it or not, within the cloud of political history, transparent racial discussion, and facebook, Hip Hop is beginning to swing the pendulum from the hardcore, misogynistic, mindless image to an almost college-educated, backpack, 80’s flavored nerdiness one.

Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco Creative Commons License credit: Neil Dorgan,

The mainstream will continue to pump out garbage to the teenie boppers, but the inevitable fate to embrace a more conscious and ‘fun’ tone will come…just like drm-free mp3s. This wave of artists tend to be second-generation kids whose parents are probably white collar. They attended some college, and some even finished. They are well-versed in many different things, like Japanese culture, fedoras, and The Stylistics. They rap about being awkward in high school, college parties, being broke during summer vacation, listening to Green Day, and Black ski weekends.

Dare I say, this new wave of artists could be described as shaping a YBP-type Hip-Hop.

“Ok, now you’re just being vain” I hear you all saying…but hear me out.

Let’s start with a list, shall we? First, the obvious pioneers that laid the foundation for the style:

Tribe Called Quest
De La Soul
The Root
Common Sense
Talib Kweli

Next we have those that are carrying the baton:

Little Brother
Consequence
N.E.R.D.
Kanye West
Lupe Fiasco

And finally, we have the future:

Danny Swain
Kidz in the Hall
Gym Class Heroes
Cook Kids
Pacific Division

Gym Class Heroes live at Decaydance Fest l'Olympia, Paris
Travis from Gym Class Heroes Creative Commons License credit: Ignoto

Now, I’m obviously excluding the artists who have pulled this style into R&B, but am I’m not crazy, am I?

I’m finding that I enjoy listening to these new flavors. I’m hearing flat, pumping, powerful bass lines with cut-and-dry lyricism, reminiscent of the late 80’s, early 90’s. The colors in the outfits are starting to get brighter, the parts on the haircut are coming back, cats are customizing EVERYTHING, and street cred is starting to lean on knowing about the hot new thing, not hemming up cats in the street. I won’t be surprised when beat-boxing and break-dancing come back in full force.

What say you?

Am I just getting old, or are we starting to embrace suburban lyricists?

Viewing 4 Comments

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    I haven't kept up with the trends in hip hop lately, but it seems like the underground may come out from under soon. I'd like to see that. I came up in the 80s and early 90s with some of the people you mention in this post. Nice blog.
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    Nice try. They called that movement Neo Soul. I feel you on the artists but to call them the movement for the YBP? I love your blog and all but you're definately being vain and your list is awefully short. Substantial? Tonedeff? Pumpkinhead? Immortal Technique? I think you've gotta it a little twisted. YBP aren't finding a niche within Hip Hop they're expanding it.
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    S Stylus

    Thanks for the comment. I'm definitely not a hop head like most, but I have found it interesting that a lot of the acts that are rising above the mixtapes and 'what I found on okp' seem to tell their story in similar colors.

    When I think Neo Soul, I think Bahamadia, Anthony Hamilton, Angie Stone, etc. When I hear cats spitting about being in college, trying to make the rap game work after getting a degree, and grappling with suburban pressures, I think YBP.

    Just a thought.
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    Its unlikely the soft nerdy, neo suburban, "new " rap will overtake the standard.

    Three6Mafia just won an Oscar, Jay-Z and the old hip hop scene are still on top record sales wise.

    Plus you have plenty of acts that straddle the line between hardcore and positive--the big money is still in hardcore.

    People said the same thing years ago when Pharcyde and Native Tongue (De La Soul, Tribe, Queen Latifa, The Jungle Brothers, etc) blew up--15 years ago.
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