Hip Hop
Some say, "hip hop is dead." Is that true? Hip Hop has a extensive and complex history compiled of various, rappers, songs, and cultural stigmas. As our culture evolved, so has hip hop. However, some are questioning whether or not it has changed in a constructive way. The style and lyrics of rap has changed. This can easily be seen when comparing The Beastie Boys and Eminem. What makes the Beastie Boys and Eminem even more unique is the fact that they broke the racial barriers of hip hop and became successful in the process. This said, there is still formidable differences between the artists.
The Beastie Boys
The Beastie Boys consists of three group members: Mike D. (Mike Diamond), MCA (Adam Yauch), and Ad-Rock (Adam Horovitz). All three boys came from wealthy, middle class, Jewish families. They began as a hardcore punk group, but slowly found themselves enveloped by rap. They believed, "hip hop and punk weren't far apart." They did, however, find it challenging to "fit in" with hip hop. At times, they were accused of cultural pirating and received harsh criticism from various hip hop musicians. However, they found a way to break the barriers of the stereotypes of hip hop and become known as the first white rap group.
Life In The 80s
Some say, "hip hop is dead." Is that true? Hip Hop has a extensive and complex history compiled of various, rappers, songs, and cultural stigmas. As our culture evolved, so has hip hop. However, some are questioning whether or not it has changed in a constructive way. The style and lyrics of rap has changed. This can easily be seen when comparing The Beastie Boys and Eminem. What makes the Beastie Boys and Eminem even more unique is the fact that they broke the racial barriers of hip hop and became successful in the process. This said, there is still formidable differences between the artists.
The Beastie Boys
The Beastie Boys consists of three group members: Mike D. (Mike Diamond), MCA (Adam Yauch), and Ad-Rock (Adam Horovitz). All three boys came from wealthy, middle class, Jewish families. They began as a hardcore punk group, but slowly found themselves enveloped by rap. They believed, "hip hop and punk weren't far apart." They did, however, find it challenging to "fit in" with hip hop. At times, they were accused of cultural pirating and received harsh criticism from various hip hop musicians. However, they found a way to break the barriers of the stereotypes of hip hop and become known as the first white rap group.
Life In The 80s
The Beastie Boys made their debut in 1981. Culture and life in the U.S. was very different from our modern world. During the introduction of the Beastie Boy's music, Ronald Reagan was president, the Cold War was still present, the cost of a superbowl ad was $275,000, and with a growing rate of teenage pregnancies, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states could require parental notification when teenage girls seek abortion. The popularity of teenage pregnancies was also accompanied with high rates Bulimia. However, out of all the events that occurred in the 1980s, the most primary concerning the Beastie Boys was the launch of MTV. On August 1,1981, MTV made its debut on cable television, changing the music world forever.
The Beastie Boys Rap
As the Beastie Boys gained popularity, their music and style of rap changed. Yes, there were a few allusions to women, but for the most part, their messages were deeper. For example:
- In Sabotage, they allude to the Watergate scandal:
"I can't stand it, I know you planned it. I'm gonna set it straight, this Watergate. Lord, I can't stand rockin' when I'm in this place because I feel disgrace because you're all in my face"
- In Sure Shot, they talk about respect for women:
"I want to say a little something that's long overdue. The disrespect to women has got to be done. To all the mothers and sisters and the wives and the friends I want to offer my love and respect to the end."
- In No Sleep Till Brooklyn, they talk about being famous rappers:
"On location, touring around the nation Beastie Boys always on vacation. Itchy trigger finger but a stable turntable. I do what I do best because I'm willing and able."The Beastie Boys rapped about themselves, their feelings, their popularity, and music in general. Almost all their songs were clean with one or two profanities, but nothing that was overtly obscene.
The Beastie Boys and Sampling
In 2003, the Beastie Boys were involved in a sampling lawsuit with James Newton. Newton accused the group of sampling his song, Choir, in their track Pass the Mic. The federal judge ultimately ruled that the group was not liable on the basis of quantity and quality. Recently, this year, the group once again found themselves in another sampling lawsuit. Tuff City Music Group accused the group of sampling passages from two songs by the group Trouble Funk. The music corporation claims that the Beastie Boys used this sampling in four of their songs, Including songs in their debut album. For the most part, the Beastie Boys own their music. They have sampled music and admitted it; they also have proof of their copyright.
The Beastie Boys Tell All: Interview
Courtesy of LA Weekly: By Danny Weizmann (1989)
"Real life is much stranger than fiction, man." Mike D speaks from the turntables in the den of King Ad-Rock's Hollywood apartment. He haphazardly scratches a reggae dub record, repeating the same section over and over. "Jamaica, Jamaica ... J-J-Jamaica, Jamaica … Jamai-ca, Ja-mai-ca …" the record blurts over the loudspeakers. "Much stranger than fiction."
MCA: It's like, we were the big ****, right, and then like Bon Jovi and U2 and those ************* got big and we rolled up to this U2 party and they wouldn't even let us in and we said: "**** this, man, we've gotta make another record, otherwise how we gonna get into all these U2 parties?!"
AD-ROCK: I told the doorman at the U2 party: "Why are you such an *******?!"
MCA: There were, like, all these cameras and videos and news stations and police and hundreds of people and we pull up in this limo and they won't let us in right front of everybody.
MIKE D: There's a lot of **** we wanna do right now. It's just a matter of time.
AD-ROCK: When the **** hits the fan, I'll be under the table.
MCA: When the **** hits the fan, I won't be scraping it off the walls. I'll tell you that much ... there won't be any umbrellas, man.
WEEKLY: Do you think you'll play your instruments on this tour?
MIKE D: We bust out and jam ALL THE TIME, man.
MCA: Any requests from the hardcore set?
WEEKLY: What about some Germs?
MCA: We could do Lexicon Devil. Darryl Jennifer of the Bad Brains used to always say that Mike D sounded like Darby Crash.
AD-ROCK: Darryl Jennifer of the Bad Brains must be really pissed off that his last name is Jennifer.
MCA (on the broken shards of watermelon on Ad-Rock's street): Is that a whole watermelon or a half one that you threw?
AD-ROCK: Whole.
MIKE D: I heard if you break watermelon open like that it ***** with the ozone.
MCA: What is up with the ozone?
MIKE D: We have ROCKED the ozone radically, man. They could probably fix the ozone if everybody stopped what they were doing and they put some cement up there.
MCA: We're gonna do a Bowling for Dollars-type thing, but it'll be Breakdancing on Cardboard for Yen for the ozone layer so it'll be called Breaking in Space.
MIKE D: Like, you remember positive ******* at Woodstock and all the people were like "No more rain!" and it stopped raining.
MCA: Now it'll be help John Ozone.
MIKE D: It's an underrated and forgotten pastime.
Eminem
Eminem made is debut into the rap world in 1996. Unlike the Beastie Boys, he was a soloist and stuck to the conventions of hardcore rap. He was a new character in the hip hop scene. Eminem began rapping at the early age of 4. At just 14 years old, he began performing in the basement of his high school friend. Finding it challenging to fit in with other rappers, he became a battle rapper. His success in these battles won over the underground hip hop society and led to his performance in several clubs and his songs being showcased on the radio. Through his battle skills, Eminem made his name in the hip hop world.
Life In The 90s
Eminem
Eminem made is debut into the rap world in 1996. Unlike the Beastie Boys, he was a soloist and stuck to the conventions of hardcore rap. He was a new character in the hip hop scene. Eminem began rapping at the early age of 4. At just 14 years old, he began performing in the basement of his high school friend. Finding it challenging to fit in with other rappers, he became a battle rapper. His success in these battles won over the underground hip hop society and led to his performance in several clubs and his songs being showcased on the radio. Through his battle skills, Eminem made his name in the hip hop world.
Life In The 90s
Eminem's Rap
Eminem and Sampling
Eminem has used numerous samples in his music:
- No Love samples the 1993 hit What Is Love
- Cum On Everybody samples Le Pamplemousse's "Gimme What You Got"
- Under The Influence samples a guitar loop in Michael Jackson's Give It To Me
- With Me samples Malcolm McLaren's Buffalo Girls
- Like Toy Soldiers samples the melancholic acoustic riff from Paul Simon's 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
In 2003, Eminem and Dr. Dre were sued by 70 year old Harlene Stein. Stein claimed that their song Guilty Conscience was composed of snippets from a piece her husband wrote for the score of the 1970 film Getting Straight. Eminem has rarely been involved in sampling litigations. That said, he does utilize a numerous amount and varying types of samples in his music.
Eminem Tells All: Interview
Courtesy of The New York Times: By Deborah Solomon (2010)
On your new album, “Recovery,” which comes out on Monday, you assume a confessional tone and back off from the misogyny and demented violence you pushed in your earlier work. Would you agree?
I think I’d have to go back and listen to it. Did I?
I think I’d have to go back and listen to it. Did I?
Does Slim Shady, your raping and killing alter ego, still exist? Or have you split with him?
Shady still exists. But I don’t think the subjects on this record call for, you know, bring the chainsaws and axes out and murder everyone on this record. There was so much stuff like that off the last record that I felt like I was starting to run it into the ground. I think consciously I went in a different direction with this record.
Do you regret having written so many songs that refer to women as “b******” and “h**” who exist solely for your pleasure?
Anything I’ve ever said, I certainly was feeling at the time. But I think I’ve calmed down a bit. My overall look on things is a lot more mature than it used to be.
Anything I’ve ever said, I certainly was feeling at the time. But I think I’ve calmed down a bit. My overall look on things is a lot more mature than it used to be.
Even your mother sued you for defamation. Is she still in Detroit, where she raised you as a single mom?
I’m not sure, to be honest. It’d be very hard to repair that relationship.
I’m not sure, to be honest. It’d be very hard to repair that relationship.
You’ve been accused of writing gay-bashing lyrics in the past. Would you like to see gay marriage approved in Michigan, where you live?
I think if two people love each other, then what the hell? I think that everyone should have the chance to be equally miserable, if they want.
I think if two people love each other, then what the hell? I think that everyone should have the chance to be equally miserable, if they want.
Is this the new, 37-year-old tolerant you?
It’s the new tolerant me!
It’s the new tolerant me!
Compared with other rappers, you are often praised for your complex rhyme schemes. Do you read poetry?
I don’t think I’ve ever read poetry, ever. I’m not really book-smart.
I don’t think I’ve ever read poetry, ever. I’m not really book-smart.
What does the title of your album refer to? What exactly are you recovering from?
Vicodin, Valium and Ambien, and toward the end, which caused my overdose, methadone. I didn’t know it was methadone. I used to get pills wherever I could. I was just taking anything that anybody was giving to me.
Vicodin, Valium and Ambien, and toward the end, which caused my overdose, methadone. I didn’t know it was methadone. I used to get pills wherever I could. I was just taking anything that anybody was giving to me.
Where did you go to rehab?
The first time I went it was in Brighton, Mich. The second time I didn’t go to rehab. I just went to a regular hospital. I detoxed in the hospital, and then I came home. I couldn’t go back to rehab. I felt like I was Bugs Bunny in rehab.
The first time I went it was in Brighton, Mich. The second time I didn’t go to rehab. I just went to a regular hospital. I detoxed in the hospital, and then I came home. I couldn’t go back to rehab. I felt like I was Bugs Bunny in rehab.
What does that mean?
When Bugs Bunny walks into rehab, people are going to turn and look. People at rehab were stealing my hats and pens and notebooks and asking for autographs. I couldn’t concentrate on my problem.
When Bugs Bunny walks into rehab, people are going to turn and look. People at rehab were stealing my hats and pens and notebooks and asking for autographs. I couldn’t concentrate on my problem.
Billboard magazine has ranked you as the best-selling artist of the past decade.What do you do with all your money?
Save it. I save a lot of money by not buying drugs anymore. I invest. I always try to be smart. I try to treat all the money I’m making like it’s the last time I’m going to make it.
Save it. I save a lot of money by not buying drugs anymore. I invest. I always try to be smart. I try to treat all the money I’m making like it’s the last time I’m going to make it.
Do you think rap has peaked creatively?
No. Hip-hop right now — there are certain artists who put hip-hop in a good state. There are a lot of talented people, and there’s a lot of young talent coming up, like B.o.B, Jay Electronica, Lupe Fiasco and Drake.
No. Hip-hop right now — there are certain artists who put hip-hop in a good state. There are a lot of talented people, and there’s a lot of young talent coming up, like B.o.B, Jay Electronica, Lupe Fiasco and Drake.
Why haven’t you planned any kind of big tour for your new album,other than two concerts with Jay-Z in September?
Touring is hard on the body. It used to be a big trigger for me with drinking and drugging.
Touring is hard on the body. It used to be a big trigger for me with drinking and drugging.
How do you stay sober?
My kids, and also I see a rehab counselor once a week. I’ve been clean for two years.
My kids, and also I see a rehab counselor once a week. I’ve been clean for two years.
Happy Father’s Day, by the way. As a divorced father of three daughters, are you a good dad?
Yes. My kids — I love them so much, and they’ve helped me through so many things.
Yes. My kids — I love them so much, and they’ve helped me through so many things.
I wonder what they’ll think of your rousing new song,“W.T.P.,” which stands for a white-trash party. You tell the listener, “Hop in my minivan/let’s get rowdy.”
Just going back to my white-trash roots
.
Just going back to my white-trash roots
.
Comparing The Past To The Present
There is no doubt that hip hop and rap has changed. Evidence can be seen with the Beastie Boys and Eminem. Both broke the stereotypes of hip hop, but brought forward different music. The Beastie Boys remixed hip hop while Eminem stuck to the conventions but inspired emotion in rap. The Beastie Boys were not as controversial as Eminem. Eminem's music gives him permission to speak his mind and expression his rage and passions. Hip hop has become just that: freedom of speech. Rappers simply say whatever they want in their music.
No Sleep Till Brooklyn Lyrics
Love The Way You Lie (Feat. Rihanna) Lyrics
No Sleep Till Brooklyn tallks about partying and what its like to go around the world touring coming from Brooklyn and the experiences the Beastie Boys developed on the way. There are comments objectifying women, but for the most part, the song is clean and ordinary; it speaks about partying, girls, and the crazy things they did. Love The Way You Lie talks about domestic violence and Eminem's struugle to control himself with violence in his relationships. The Beastie Boys didn't rap about controversial topics; they rapped about ordinary things and their rap was poetic with rhymes, introductions, and repetitions. Eminem's rap is much more controverial with topics that most people would prefer not to talk about about. His rap is more a narrative than a poem.
Comparing The Past To The Present
There is no doubt that hip hop and rap has changed. Evidence can be seen with the Beastie Boys and Eminem. Both broke the stereotypes of hip hop, but brought forward different music. The Beastie Boys remixed hip hop while Eminem stuck to the conventions but inspired emotion in rap. The Beastie Boys were not as controversial as Eminem. Eminem's music gives him permission to speak his mind and expression his rage and passions. Hip hop has become just that: freedom of speech. Rappers simply say whatever they want in their music.
