What's Real Hip Hop

Often times I hear people say or use the term "real hip-hop". I mean, I've caught myself saying it as well, when speaking upon artists who I believe epitamize the essence of what is believed to be hip-hop music. But before I go farther, I'd like to first define the word real because if we're not saying it's real hip hop then we are saying it's fake hip-hop. Then I will examine this term hip-hop.

I'm really big on word play and truth in definitions. So as I began to read and hear this phrase being thrown around casually like the new phrase "no homo", to be used by men after complimenting another man or saying something - that in their minds - sounds gay, I started to ponder..."What in the hell is REAL hip-hop?" "What or constitutes if it is REAL or NOT."
Using the Internet's Dictionary site, the term Real is defined as: true; not merely ostensible, nominal, or apparent, existing or occurring as fact; actual rather than imaginary, ideal, or fictitious: a story taken from real life. being an actual thing; having objective existence; not imaginarygenuine; not counterfeit, artificial, or imitation; authentic.

Now when looking at the term Hip-Hop or Rap Music (What it was called in the 80's and 90's) the term is described as a popular music style comprising elements of rap and soul, featuring a mixture of soulful vocals and raps, with a syncopated beat and often using samples from other recordings.

So in actuality the term real-hip hop really means rapping or putting stories together about events that actually have taken place. But our generation or generations before mine who categorizes "real hip-hop" as hip-hop that's gutter and raw and what it was when it originated has the game twisted. Mean what you say and say what you mean. So basically all rappers who lie in their raps should not be labeled Real Hip Hop. If we say that then we should say that all Rap music is fabricated to an extent. Sure there are rappers who are honest and transparent in their music, but even they lie about something or another from time to time. It's human nature!

So here is my stance as far as Rap Music is concerned because I don't want to call it hip hop anymore. I feel like the word "hip-hop" is a culture not a genre of music. The type of music is RAP music, people who perform RAP music are called RAPPERS...not HIP HOPPERS. Back in the day it was called Rap music, not Hip Hop music. I didn't start hearing the term hip-hop until the nineties when "the Man" realized that this form of music was profitable and glorified. Wanted his hands in it and renamed it HIP HOP because Rap Music had a bad image. Rap Music was associated with NWA and 2 Live Crew and Run DMC and LL Cool J. Hip Hop is more main stream, associated with Jay Z and Biggie and The Roots and Nas and Common...yeah, let's call it Hip Hop.

I feel like Rap Music is what you make it. There's no such thing as Real Hip Hop or Fake Hip Hop...real artists or fake artists, only genuine people and fake people...genuine material and fake material. It's music. Ever changing and evolving with the generations that come behind one another. New artists popping up leaving there mark on this music that so many of us are so passionate about. So passionate about it that we're willing to have a fall out argument over who is the hottest rapper or who is the coldest lyricist. Our tastes are different in music...who you may love, I may dislike...who I think is the hottest in the game you may think is a waste of time to listen to. It doesn't matter. It's music. It's the soundtrack to our lives. It gets us through a tough day. It helps us work out. It gets us fired up. It lifts our spirits. It gets us ready to go out. It's inspiring. It's amazing. It's ART. And everyone's painting is different. You just have to respect their artform...even if you don't like it or wouldn't buy that painting...it's still ART.

Much love to each and every rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, producer and dj. I respect your crafts - keep doing you.