After listening to
Black Star’s album, the first thought that came across my mind was, the lyrical
dexterity, the seamless flow, and the poetic charm of Mos Def and Talib
Kweli. This album seemed to define what
the classic/true hip-hop genre is, the lyrical underground rap, which stands
out from today’s mainstream hip-hop and rap. The songs consist of the
combination of a rhythmic backbone through beats along with strong poetic
lyricism. Another strong identifier of the classic hip-hop genre in this album
is the large role that the DJ plays in the production of each song. The DJ, as
we learned in class, is a main component of hip-hop.
Other than the
beats and the musical aspect of the songs, another main difference between
Black Star’s album compared to rap and hip-hop today is the point it is trying
to make. Mainstream rap today mainly focuses on sex, violence, and fame, while
this album’s lyrics actually discusses the struggles of living in Brooklyn, the
situations people face in that area, such as poverty, misogyny, etc.
Black Star’s album
emphasizes the social and economic history in the U.S. through its focus on
personal experiences in Brooklyn, where Mos Def and Talib grew up. Main themes
such as crime, fame, and money, are all evident in the album. For example, the
song "Respiration," a rather dark track that embodies
the heart and soul of true East Coast rap. It mentions personal experiences,
crime, and death. The last rap of the song focuses on the death of a friend,
and advises listeners to avoid the trap of the "gangsta"
lifestyle.
All of the songs on
this album give the listener a more realistic message than the famous rap songs
of today. Black Star’s lyrics are concrete, allowing it to directly impact its
audience by laying down the law. It does not glorify the “gangsta” lifestyle
nor does it describe one rolling around in money and women, as if anyone could
so easily.
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