So Eminem's brought back Slim Shady and is resurrecting D12 with the thought, "I think this is what Proof always wanted, was for me to go crazy again."
50 Cent says he's going back to hardcore hip hop with a quote that sounds like Jay-Z talking about his own most recent projects, ""When I start writing music to my core, I'm talking about the way I came up, the way I was raised."
RZA says the Wu-Tang Clan's upcoming album Chamber Music is "paying homage to our early sound" and what I've heard sounds good.
Some artists, like Kanye West, can be part of what is happening now with the new waves of styles and trends while others just can't or won't make that transition. That's not a diss by any means and sometimes older styles can be modernized while retaining core elements, as RZA says he's doing with the production on Chamber Music, or even simply brought back and reframed by contrast.
Such moves can excite old fans and create new ones. It's a tricky thing but I have a feeling it will work out well for all these artists, as we're seeing with Eminem, because they seem to be following what matters to them and to their core fanbase rather than chasing trends. That focus puts them in a position of strength as folks seek out what feels solid during a time of great change.
well said.
however, after hearing some of 50 cent’s new war angel lp and his accompanying comments, and considering his mediocre record sales (for him) in recent years… i fear that going back to a less-trendy sound might become a trend in itself.
don’t get me wrong, keeping it real makes for better music for us all. but in 50′s case, i think he might be trying too hard which results in the effort being a fabrication at best.
i hope i’m wrong.
I hear you.
Note: I didn’t say anything about keeping it real. I’m not even sure what that means anymore!
nice posts
from a musical and lyrical perspective I’m not of the opinion that 50 Cent really holds his own against Em or the clan especially with regards to going back to the ‘raw’ style these artists are famed for.
@clyde lol i know you didn’t say that and i feel you on not knowing what ‘keeping it real’ means anymore…what i was referring to was…”they seem to be following what matters to them and to their core fanbase rather than chasing trends”…that’s what i consider keeping it real..
@lexicon i don’t think anyone is comparing 50/em/wu to each other. they are all very different artists and i think clyde was saying that these artists are going back to formulas that worked for them, individually.
DJ Lexicon, like Des said.