I don't even think GZA is trying to educate, I think he is trying to show he is on some higher level compared to 'simple' raps. Except the size of an atom and the periodic table aren't exactly enlightening. I also feel like it lacks emotion and GZA himself comes across jaded and robotic.
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GAF-Hop |OT9/9/99| African Substitute Teachers Run NY
- Thread starter IrishNinja
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Thats how I felt about it as well. It just feels a little forced. Now, I think it would be better if he just included some more bits and pieces about it in his lyrics and metaphors that'd be fine... but a whole album themed around this shit? Nah.
Yeah, this is demonstrably false. Myself, GZA himself, and many others are a testament against that. I'm passionate about the sciences and education in large part because of artists that presented the associated values to me through hip hop. Everything I learn, I make an association to that culture, in hopes that one day, I can give back, and add even a little bit to what I've gotten from it.
It's not even "Edutainment" that GZA or "conscious rap" presents. It's "tangential learning". They're not the same. One is conscious pedagogy and the other is art/culture. The GZA piece is merely poetry regarding the qualitative aspects of the sciences of motion and the personal meaning he's attributed to them. The hopeful aspect of what he's produced is that it will inspire someone in tune with the culture to hit up a Google search - at the very least - to better understand why he finds the material inspiring. Even if that is the least a listener does - their experience in life has been objectively enriched by the product. Even if by a tiny bit.
This notion that rappers rapping about things important to them, that have rigorous associations to them, originating outside hip hop culture, are merely trying to "educate" you: is horrifyingly cynical and limiting to me. Poetry is about creating and providing an enriching experience and rap is a form of poetry. That's the difference between disposable and non-disposable art. It's not "commercial vs. underground" or "conscious vs. unconscious". What gives art staying power is how enriching it is to the consumer.
You might not personally look for enrichment in hip hop music - but I have to imagine that you look for it somewhere. You seem like a reasonably intelligent guy. I just can't help but think there's an egocentric defense mechanism involved that's just purely reactionary, here.
The first criticism comes across as a symptom of the competitive nature of the culture. No way GZA could be rapping about this stuff merely to provide a comprehensive visualization of something he finds inspiring: he's clearly just trying to impress you.
Second criticism I don't necessarily disagree with, but it seems to lack context. GZA's a musician, not a slam poet, and this doesn't seem to be his element, exactly. GZA comes across drily even in his music.
Complex Shadow
Cudi Lame
ha. good one.
@cthagod
SMH. What's my name? RT @xMinaj_iadore: @cthagod I doubt u called him kanye kardashian to his face.
It's happening. This interview will be a fucking bloodbath. I would've thought Kanye would never do this, but I guess dude['s ego] really is in a better place.
James Franco ft. Seth Rogen - Bound 3.
EDIT: A lot of other interesting nuggets in that Kanye interview posted above.
- Pusha's label shipped 1/3 of the numbers he did
- Ye linked up with 2 Chainz after hearing Codeine Cowboy
- Cruel Winter is an ongoing thing, "but we keep missing the Winter"
- Either next solo or Cruel Winter out before next summer
- Confirms Miley Remix
- WTT2 might happen, not focus ATM because Kanye's focus is the cheap clothing product line
- Kanye says Kendrick freestyles his raps, compares his process to Jay and 3000
- Kanye is executively producing the Charlie Wilson album
- Doesn't care about the Control verse, doesn't understand the emotional reactions to the verse
- Calls Kendrick a creative and visionary
- Hints at something changing when it comes to the Yeezys, seems like he's hinting at the Adidas deal
- Calls out Obama for supporting him when he spoke out on Katrina but then changing the relationship when he ran for office
Tokubetsu
Member
I haven't heard the interview yet so maybe it will sound better in context but why can't Obama do both?
Why can't he support you when you know do something good and speak out about Katrina but then call you a jackass for acting like a jackass?
hahaha
Fair enough...but you asked about how I responded to this sort of thing. As a gainfully employed scientist and researcher myself I can't say that media or art has had a large effect on my decision to pursue the field. I would attribute my interest to mentors and teachers instead.
I was under the impression that the aim of 'Dark Matter' was pedagogical. If not, fair enough.
GZA can rap about whatever he feels like, thats up to him. If you're talking about staying power, what matters there is not 'enrichment', which is wholly subjective. Whether something endures is up to the continued acclaim of the intelligentsia and historians that support and document an art form, and the assent of the consumers and public that digest the opinions of said intelligentsia.
Fair enough, whats you is you and whats me is me. I much prefer to keep work and fun distinctly separated though.Next time ill have the argument without the two bit psychoanalyses and condescension, thanks.
yo did y'all see when Busta grabbed the screen and balled it up?
this is some next level shit right hurr
EDIT: Has there been a bigger waste of a beat ever in the history of hip-hop than this Future joint?
Well he sorta was talking about it at the relationship level rather than the just incident level, even though what you say is legitimate for incidences.
The Return of
Banned
Who is the king? Remind me please
It's definitely Esch. Esch hates just to cause commotion and/or uses that as an easy out when the hate is that strong.
Toku isn't really a hater, he's just misguided. It's like trying to explain to your son why he shouldn't put his finger in the electrical socket, but he never listens and keeps doing it anyways. It might not be the electrical socket that gets him, but we know the path he's going down isn't the right one.
If that's jizz gargling, are you doing the spitta slurping marathon or something?
Spitta probably has the largest stannery:critique ratio in GAF-Hop. Kanye probably gets 5x the critique from stans than Spitta.
A guy who knows his strengths and stays in his lane doesn't get a ton of haters? You don't say.
Who's hating now? I feel like emperor palpatine converting yall to the dark side.
Anyway the nice thing about being a spitta stan is you can just be like meh whatever this project sucks and KIM. Stanning Spitta is like being a baseball fan. Really boring 70% of the time and dope as fuck 30% of the time. Except baseball sucks.
Edit: and no. Kanye stans are the biggest dick suckers in hip hop history.
DJ Green Lantern - Bhangra Bounce. Brown-GAF-Hop I see you.
Also one that doesn't know his weaknesses and takes sticking to his lane to monotony.
DJ Green Lantern - Bhangra Bounce. Brown-GAF-Hop I see you.
Also one that doesn't know his weaknesses and takes sticking to his lane to monotony.
I don't expect anything more from him so there's no problem!
It's okay friend. Just come out of that hater cupboard. Dont even try to act like you dont enjoy it. Just accept that it's a part of you and move on.
Tokubetsu
Member
Purge ego and hater self daily.
I love posting Gambino links on GAF-Hop. So here is the new track.
Immaculate
Banned
wheeeeeww
Immaculate
Banned
Who is the guy on the left. I swear he looks just like my brother
Well then. I never knew he had any relation with Obama other than being the dude who hops along whenever Jay Z met Obama.
But you talking about a dude who drone attacks a region on the daily. You think he gives a fuck about sensitive ass Kanye?
DJ Green Lantern - Bhangra Bounce. Brown-GAF-Hop I see you.
Also one that doesn't know his weaknesses and takes sticking to his lane to monotony.
For the life of me I don't understand why more producers don't mine through Indian movie in general. Maybe cause I am brown and my ears love the shit, but I just think it can translate really well to rap music.
Like a tabla beat instead of 808s. Fuck someone pass this idea along to Kanye. He can do it justice. Timbaland set the possibility back a decade + with this atrocity:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUL7OsH7v5s
Bob Dobalina
Member
one of these days i'll meet someone who bought it
This is all great news. Honestly, I don't need WTT2. He should give it until 2015 for the solo, maybe drop Cruel Winter at some point in 2014. That before summer date sounds perfect.
CountBlack
Member
A single from the album went platinum. Close enough for Wale tho
Ah, you're right. My bad.
dat liberal upper-middle class black and white demographic; also known as the people who purchase J. Cole albums.
D PRYDE BOUND 2 REMIX
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C42XxUTkIU&feature=youtu.be
not enough scust faces
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C42XxUTkIU&feature=youtu.be
not enough scust faces
CountBlack
Member
D PRIZZZZZY
I saw him when he opened for J cole a couple years ago. Not a fuck was given.
He would open for J Cole
CountBlack
Member
It was before Cole World dropped and everyone thought Cole would be the next Kendrick
Tokubetsu
Member
I only know three people who have bought Wale albums and have expressed love/enjoyment of his music. One is Kamspy and the other two were (white) lesbians.
Hahaha. I can't remember the last time I listened to a Wale track.
psychologist's field day right here.
Get out while you still can Enzo.Guess I'm the only one on GAF left waving the Cole flag
cole world, no GAF-Hop love
nah the Bad single went platinum.
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