Rap/Hip Hop sales declining

jabrax

I've pondered you question again....Here is a quirky theory...

Its not the 20ish generation letting it fall, but the buying power of the midteen generation just after them. Many adults like myself from the early hiphop era don't care much for the mainstream as it has gotten too edgy for children. I have been to 3 sweet sixteens recently, one being my stepdaugthers. They jammed their asses off but not to hardcore rap. They seem to have swung to a faster version more on the line of house when it comes to partying. Don't get me wrong, they had their hiphop in there is it had strong dance rythem for their era, but not much because adults would have no parts of the lyrics. That age groups seems to care more about being able to shake their **** to it versus what they are saying. Why buy it, if you cant play it?

My dumbass was shocked when my kid told me the original version of "I want to love you" is "I want to f*ck you".

I think adults are finding better ways to communicate with their children by not flat out banning the music, but explaining and allowing the generation to make their decision (squash the rebellion affect).

It is that generation that is pulling back, because the industry (record and radio execs) pushed the envelope to a limit that is forcing adults to shield their youth.

True - they are going to find ways to listen, but maybe its just not worth it to them. Search the hiphop section of cd racks for adult content labels, kids cant buy the stuff

Just my 2 cents - the 40 something old man that I am

punk-roc

Would you also be shocked to know the actual title to that Black Eyed Peas "Lets get it started" is "Lets get retarded"? Its actually kind of funny to listen to. I assume its a result of cycles. Everything cycles, perhaps parents are paying attention to what their kids are listening to now because its got so much press, i would argue that no adults knew what the hell we were listening to 10 years ago in school (when "gansta rap" was most popular).

According to the record companies, all sales are down. I would find it more odd if rap/hip hop sales weren't down. Less people buy music now, and those idiots 20 year olds that buy that stupid pop-rap that is available from MTV download it now and dont buy it.

Quality hip hop artists like the ones mentioned previously probably havent seen any hit to their sales, because they didnt have signifcant sales to begin with =P One could argue the same point for indie bands, they have **** record sales until they finally sign big deals and get tremendous amouts of promotion (Death Cab for Cute, The Decembertists, etc)

Not sure if this made sense, i've been out drinking, but i wanted to try to contribute to Shelby's post...

"We bring it straight to your face from the start. Rage against the machine, break it apart. Might be over your head, but its straight from the heart. I show my love in the light, while ya'll hate in the dark."

Jason

F1nut

Shelby, I read the entire article before I posted. I still don't consider it music, sorry. However, whatever is popular only lasts for so long and therefore this one has probably run it's course. Long live the King.








I show my love at night and hate in the light.
If you take that as slight, I say up yours with all my might.

Masta F1 and Da Bad **** Polk Boyz

Shizelbs

Do you not consider it music because its unappealing to you, or you believe rap and hip hop as a genre does not fit the definition of music?

I mean, I'll meet you half way. The overwhelming majority of rap is total crap. Some of it is just plain terrible. Honestly, I started listening to rap purely for the charade that it was and I found it comical. It was sexist, racist, derogatory, often times nonsensical, and at that time I found that amusing. Nonetheless, its still music.

F1nut

Well, both. I believe that if there are vocals present, for it to be music, they must be sung and not spoken.

There is alot of "music" out there that is crap, IMO. Rap/Hip-Hop certainly doesn't have the market cornered in that aspect.

Shizelbs

F1nut wrote:

Well, both. I believe that if there are vocals present, for it to be music, they must be sung and not spoken.

There is alot of "music" out there that is crap, IMO. Rap/Hip-Hop certainly doesn't have the market cornered in that aspect.

Well, in that sense, I can respect your opinion and see what you mean. In that regard it can be considered closer to poetry than music. Some hip hop is sung, regrettably, its usually done very poorly.

And as far as a lot of music being crap, I agree with you 100% on that one. I'm not sure what I despise more; current rock or current rap. I'll put it this way. When I purchase a new CD, there is a 90% chance it was released over 10 years ago.