Photo: Google Image
Antonio Jackson
Variety Editor
With Aug. 11, 2023 marking the the 50-year anniversary of the creation of hip-hop, it is important that we acknowledge the largest and ever-growing music genre and what it has done in regards of entertainment and inspiration.
Lil Yachty during a discussion at the Rolling Stone’s Musicians on Musicians event stated his own opinion on the current state of the genre, stating that there is a lack of originality within hip-hop.
According to Complex.com, Lil Yachty said, “Hip-Hop is in a terrible place right now. The state of hip-hop right now is a lot of imitation. It’s a lot of quick, low-quality music being put out.”
He continued, “It’s a lot less risk-taking, it’s a lot less originality…People are too safe now. Everyone is so safe. I rather take the risk than take the L.”
Like Yachty took a risk of his own with his latest album, “Let’s Start Here”. Instead of his usual rap music, this album surprised fans and critics alike with 14 tracks filled with psychedelic and alternative sounds. Many felt that this project was worthy of a Grammy nomination. However, Lil Yachty was unfortunately not considered by the Recording Academy.
“I just worked really hard from start to finish,” Yachty said. “I just don’t know. I handled it way better than I thought I did. Like I thought I was gonna be throwing s*** around like mad as hell, but I didn’t care.”
The rapper continued stating his approach and release of his latest album also brought back his love for his own art.
“Creating that album built such a level of confidence for me. And I’ve loved my artistry all over again on another level and I’ve become so confident in myself and knowing that was the starting point for what I can do and what I’m going to do,” he said.
Students at Jackson State University shared their own thoughts on the state of hip-hop with some sharing the same sentiment as Yachty.
Taniyah Collins, a junior journalism and media studies major from Gary, Ind., agreed with the rapper’s take, believing that hip-hop pushes the wrong message to the masses.
“I agree that hip-hop is a terrible place because everyone is promoting lust, money, and drugs. Hip Hop isn’t a safe space anymore. It’s the place where artists can’t even diss each other on a track without it getting taken to social media,” said Collins.
Courtland Groves, a senior journalism and media studies major from Jackson, Miss., however believes that the focus of the artists within the genre has changed rather than it being in a bad place.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say that hip hop/rap is in a bad place, but more so that the game has changed,” Groves said. “In a mainstream setting I believe it takes a lot less talent and skill to make it in the rap game now, but it’s still a dominating genre of music.”
He continued: “I do think that the industry of rap is more about popularity and marketing now; To reach an audience and have your name talked about seems like a bigger focus than the skills showcased in the music for newer hip hop artists. But there are plenty of talented and skillful underground hip hop artists that aren’t getting as much recognition as mainstream artists.”
Hip-hop is the largest consumed genre of music in the country. It is vital that dialogues such as this one, are had in order to create new ideas with the desire making it the largest music genre in the world.
