My Mic Sounds Nice: A Truth About Women in Hip Hop

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Phrozen1ne

I watched it and thoroughly enjoyed it. I wish they could have had more old school female mcs but it was good to see Roxanne Shante, Salt N Pepa, Nikki D,etc. I grew up on MC Lyte, Monie Love, and Queen Latifah and listen to Foxy, Kim, and Eve. So I have experienced the beginning to now.

They did pretty well with the old school emcees and underground emcees. My favorite emcee has always been and always will be Rakim. I always loved Nikki D because she had a flow like Rakim.

Originally Posted by Phrozen1ne

I thought it was interesting when they stated that nowadays a female MC has to have a strong male rapper in the game to give her the boost that she needs. For example, Lil Kim was a product of Biggie and had no plans of being as explicit as she was when she came out until he convinced her to switch up her style. She was the first to get notoriety for XXX lyrics and it helped her become big. Nikki Minaj got a boost from lil Wayne. I think Nikki is talented, but I can't stand that patty cake rap that is prevalent in a lot of her music. People in the industry have only been hyping her so much because her looks, her stamp of approval (lil Wayne), and because there aren't many female MCs out there that are willing to put it all out there sexually like she does, which is what the industry wants. People like Irv Gotti had compared her to Lauryn Hill! WTF Trina stated exactly what was going on with the rap industry now: You can be talented, but people want something to look at visually. I wish Foxy could get off the ignorant wagon because she really could be doing big things again in the industry. The mixtapes that she has pumped out are CRAZY!

Originally Posted by Phrozen1ne

I also think Missy Elliot needs to get credit for keeping fun rap alive.

Biggie was the frontman for Lil Kim and Charli Baltimore. It's interesting how Kim made it big but Baltimore never did.

Nikki Minaj has a flow that makes people say "who is this" even if her flow is garbage. The same goes for Lil Wayne. You may hate his flow but wonder who is the guy with the strange voice and funny phrases. As for Minaj's looks, she's plastic surgery from head to toe.

Elliott kept fun rap alive and reminded us of how hip hop started. It was part activism and the rest fun.

Originally Posted by Phrozen1ne

When they spoke about the Lauryn Hill factor not being present in the industry I thought that sad. I like that Lauryn played the game by her rules and that along with speaking her mind on wax, she never compromised herself to sell records. It did come back to bite her in the ass though. Although she is slowly getting back into the swing of things, her man and the industry took her through alot and I feel her heart isn't in it. You can tell by viewing recent performances on youtube. She has mouths to feed and I think that is the only reason she is coming back, so she might be Lauryn Hill, but not the one we were use to.

Originally Posted by Phrozen1ne

I do think independent labels are the way to go and I was happy to see Jean Grae representing. I tend to listen to more independent artists of all genres nowadays more than the mainstream stuff.

It's a shame that Hill's single isn't taking off like I thought it would. But, it's great to see her back.

Originally Posted by Phrozen1ne

Also there is a difference between MC and rapper. For example, Trina is a rapper. And on that note... Monie in The Middle

Indeed. I doubt Trina would ever say she's an emcee and keep a straight face.

Monie tolls the line between rapper and emcee. She seemed more emcee in "Ladies First" and more rapper in "Buddy" and "Monie in the Middle." She has a great flow but I wouldn't call her a "lyricist."**

**I also wouldn't call people like Jay-Z lyricists. He's definitely a rapper as far as I'm concerned. A decent rapper and an excellent business man. He should not be confused with being an emcee. I hate Jay-Z less now than I did 5-10 years ago. But I still don't like him beyond being an excellent business man with an awesome sense of self and style.

[rhoyaltempest]

I still haven't caught the re-run yet but I look forward to seeing it. I was a serious hip-hop head in the late 80's, early 90's

My faves:

Fave old skool MC (male): Rakim (doesn't get enough credit/recognition)
Fave old skool MC (female): MC Lyte (greatest voice of a female MC/rapper ever!)

Fave new (or newer) skool MC (male): NAS
Fave new skool MC (female): None

Fave current MC/rapper (male): None
Fave current MC/rapper (female): None

[rhoyaltempest]

Airs again 10:00pm EST on Sunday 9/5.

[Phrozen1ne]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Monie tolls the line between rapper and emcee. She seemed more emcee in "Ladies First" and more rapper in "Buddy" and "Monie in the Middle." She has a great flow but I wouldn't call her a "lyricist."**

**I also wouldn't call people like Jay-Z lyricists. He's definitely a rapper as far as I'm concerned. A decent rapper and an excellent business man. He should not be confused with being an emcee. I hate Jay-Z less now than I did 5-10 years ago. But I still don't like him beyond being an excellent business man with an awesome sense of self and style.

MOnie definitely has definitely bounced between rapper and emcee compared to Roxanne Shante who is all mc. I agree with the Jay-Z comment. From that era, Nas would be the MC.

[christiangirl]

Someone help me out with the diff between an MC, a rapper, and a lyricist. I know, generally, the differences but they're being used in unfamiliar contexts here.

[Phrozen1ne]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

Someone help me out with the diff between an MC, a rapper, and a lyricist. I know, generally, the differences but they're being used in unfamiliar contexts here.

My definition of an MC is someone who can freestyle well, battle and usually stays true to their art form without trying to conform to sell a record. Good with word play. Usually they incorporate DJs into the mix and can move the crowd with their performances. They can cover a myriad of topics in their music. Their music is usually for a select few.

Lyricist and MC can be one in the same. Lyricist write their own material and it tends to be slightly poetic. Good with word play, metaphors, punch lines, and usually has something thought provoking to say. They also can talk about a myriad of topics in their music.

Rappers usually make music for the masses, stuff that sells. Most of time they are stuck on one topic (drugs, murder, whoring for money, goofy catchy themes, etc.) Seldom is it thought provoking. They can move a crowd as well...sometimes. Trying to be trendy becomes their aim.

I feel like I'm missing something, but those are my definitions.

Also rap and hip hop are not the same and the meanings become more jumbled as the years progress

[Animate]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

Someone help me out with the diff between an MC, a rapper, and a lyricist. I know, generally, the differences but they're being used in unfamiliar contexts here.

Honestly, I'm one of the people that will tell you that they are all the same somewhat, technically. All MCs and lyricists are rappers...all rappers aren't MCs and/or lyricists.

I actually don't like when people try to split hip hop into different elitist groups. I don't get how some people consider *barf* Soulja Boy the greatest out but if that entertains them then who am I to tell them what to enjoy? Besides, there is so much variety in rap that there is something for literally everyone.

[Phrozen1ne]

Originally Posted by Animate

Honestly, I'm one of the people that will tell you that they are all the same somewhat, technically. All MCs and lyricists are rappers...all rappers aren't MCs and/or lyricists.

I actually don't like when people try to split hip hop into different elitist groups. I don't get how some people consider *barf* Soulja Boy the greatest out but if that entertains them then who am I to tell them what to enjoy? Besides, there is so much variety in rap that there is something for literally everyone.

I don't think its splitting anything up due to the fact that we have categories for a reason. "Artists" such as Soulja Boy would never fall into the category of being a hip hop artist, IMO. The media tends to throw the word hiphop around nowadays and pretty much label everything they see as such, therefore the meaning becomes distorted and watered down.

"All MCs and lyricists are rappers...all rappers aren't MCs and/or lyricists."<-----Thats the difference.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Phrozen1ne

Also rap and hip hop are not the same and the meanings become more jumbled as the years progress

It doesn't become more jumbled for Hip Hop Heads.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Phrozen1ne

I don't think its splitting anything up due to the fact that we have categories for a reason. "Artists" such as Soulja Boy would never fall into the category of being a hip hop artist, IMO. The media tends to throw the word hiphop around nowadays and pretty much label everything they see as such, therefore the meaning becomes distorted and watered down.

"All MCs and lyricists are rappers...all rappers aren't MCs and/or lyricists."<-----Thats the difference.

LOL. Exactly. Go away Animate.

Since Animate used Soulja Boy: The opinion of children (Soulja Boy's fans are children--adults may dance to him but they usually aren't the ones buying the music) doesn't matter. No one who knows about hip hop and even rap will ever call Soulja Boy anything more than a rapping artist who is an opportunist who makes catchy tunes. No one would call Soulja Boy an emcee or a lyricist. He probably wouldn't consider himself an emcee or a lyricist.

I remember the LL Cool J and Kid N Play songs that I used to listen to as I got ready to catch the bus as a kid. If you actually listen to their lyrics and flows, LL and Kid N Play had tight lyrics (especially on the tracks that weren't released as singles) and they were also able to move the crowd. There are levels of lyricism with the lowest level being someone who is just a rapper. Biz Markie, as awesome of a DJ as he is, is just a rapper. Snoop Dogg is just a rapper. LOL. In fact, all of NWA were just rappers with exception for Ice Cube when he went solo. I don't think NWA would deny that they were just rappers with a message...of Ns With Attitutudes. LOL.

Notice that I tend to only talk about older emcees because I don't keep up with the nonsense the kids listen to today. Drake who? LOL. I sound like my parents when they hated what we used to listen to.

[Phrozen1ne]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

It doesn't become more jumbled for Hip Hop Heads.

[BluPhire]

Oh uh. The Hip hop elitist are running to the defense. LOL

My opinion rap is just one form of how hip hop is expressed. That's if you truly believe Hip Hop is a culture.

In its simplest form putting a gun in my hand doesn't make me a soldier. Its what I do with the gun that defines if I'm a soldier, police officer, hunter, or criminal. We are right in separating, but when we separate we need to separate based on the content coming out of the mouth, not the way they expresses himself.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by BluPhire

...we need to separate based on the content coming out of the mouth, not the way they express themselves.

Both the content coming out of their mouths and the way they express themselves. They are related.

[BluPhire]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Both the content coming out of their mouths and the way they express themselves. They are related.

I understand, I just disagree.

And maybe it is the term I used that causes the disagreement.

Most music is song, but there is a clear significant difference between what is considered Pop, Country, R&B, Gospel.

I sometimes think that when somebody raps, we automatically need to either associate or disassociate them with hip hop, mainly because hip hop was the first to use that art form for expression. I believe for Hip hop to grow it needs to recognize that rapping has gone beyond just being hip hop, and has just become a form of expression. When we get to that, we don't have to get caught up in trying to caught up in arguments about Soulja Boy being the greatest rapper or what not and mixing them with what hip hop is.

[Phrozen1ne]

Originally Posted by BluPhire

I understand, I just disagree.

And maybe it is the term I used that causes the disagreement.

Most music is song, but there is a clear significant difference between what is considered Pop, Country, R&B, Gospel.

I sometimes think that when somebody raps, we automatically need to either associate or disassociate them with hip hop, mainly because hip hop was the first to use that art form for expression. I believe for Hip hop to grow it needs to recognize that rapping has gone beyond just being hip hop, and has just become a form of expression. When we get to that, we don't have to get caught up in trying to caught up in arguments about Soulja Boy being the greatest rapper or what not and mixing them with what hip hop is.

I think we all realize that. Everyone falls into categories (gangsta rap, mc, etc.) and they are in those categories for a reason. Only a select few can really be called true hip hop artists. How much creativity did it take to create Pretty Boy Swag? If thats being a hip hop ELitist... I'll be that. Lupe Fiasco's "Dumb It Down" said it best...