Sunday, November 24, 2013

Why local Hip Hop is failing

Since I have moved to Tucson I have noticed the same thing I have noticed in any city I have lived in for the past ten years, Local Hip Hop artists refuse to support other artists in their cities.  There seems to be this accepted understanding that if you or your friends do not like another group of people you have to do everything you can to stop them from making moves.  I understand that the complex mix of envy, jealousy, fear, anger, and loyalty drives this idea.  The local hip hop scene is dying a slow death because of this philosophy. 

  The solution to this problem is quite simple, whether you like the music they make or not you should have respect for the fact they are trying to make it just like you.  The other day on Facebook the guy who runs the Tucson Rap page posted a cypher which had 4 white guys on it as part of his Southwest Cypher Series.  Almost immediately another rapper posted this:

 "Y'all need to stop showing these whack white boy rappers and focus on artists. The only true artists in tucson are EMG, EZ Goin, the Kennedy's and efresh. Stop showing this stupid typical tucson rap because that's why no one gives tucson love."

This is exactly what I am talking about.  This guy has a few people he supports and because of race has decided the guy on that cypher are whack.  It is a fact one of the best rappers in the world is Eminem and he is white.  I think it is time we move beyond the idea that a persons skin color makes or breaks their ability in Rap and Hip Hop.  Why does it matter if the guys on the cypher are white?  It doesn't.  Stacc Styles is one of the best chopping rappers in this city.  Crookyd is hands down one of the best battle rappers here.  They have been asked to perform at shows and have been the only Tucson rappers on the bill.  This isn't by chance it is because they work constantly on their craft.  They don't make cheap ass music or music videos.  The hustle hard, make quality music, and always have their eyes on what is important, their career and what they want to accomplish.  That is how you succeed.  They also show love to anyone trying to make it and actually doing the work needed to make it.  Rap isn't a hobby, I have said it before, it is a business.  In order to succeed you need to do anything and everything to make it.  Deprive yourself of sleep and other things to make your dreams happen.

There have been times I have heard people say "I would love to see the headliner but I don't support the locals on the show so I am not going."  How does this make any sense?  You should be buying tickets to shows for the headliner not the locals.  Who knows if people gave someone they heard was whack a chance they might actually dig what the guy(s) do.  If local scenes continue to get shows of 25-30 people and by the time the headliner is out you can count the fans on your hands because the fans only came to support their friends then rappers and other artists who can give you exposure will not come to town.  Then nobody wins.  Small or big a national tour can get you exposure and fans nationwide.  If any artists refuses to see that then it is time to quit and get a 9-5 job.

There is a movement by some on social media to "support locals" and that in words is great.  But the same people who post such things do not back up that idea with actions.  What they in turn are saying is "Come support my friends because I think they deserve it, but I will not return the favor."  As local shows refuse to support one another the entire movement fails.  Not until we can all band together and support people because of their hustle, abilities, and drive and stop hate because of envy, jealousy, fear, anger, and blind loyalty will the hip hop movement in any city begin to see success and love from anyone outside of that city. 

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus