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Blogs Guest Blogs Let That B*tch Breathe by John Marsh | Let That B*tch Breathe by John Marsh |
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| Written by Foresight | |
| Monday, 08 September 2008 | |
Hip-hop fans use the term loosely. And I’m not talking about the three words that’ll have Rev. Al Sharpton marching outside of your door. We use it to describe albums that you can play from top to bottom without skips. Classic. I’ve heard the word ‘classic’ used to describe Jay-Z’s latest LP. While there’s no disputing American Gangster as a solid piece of work, it’s too early to brand it flawless. It’s just hard for me to call something timeless without much time actually passing. I usually give joints five years before I stamp them as classic. I know. Half a decade is a long time to wait for a fickle generation that calls songs that came out last month ‘old.’ But just work with me for a second. There are a couple reasons you should be careful about using the “c” word off top. First off, you have to let the hype die down. Remember when Get Rich or Die Tryin’ dropped? LeBron James’ play might have been the only thing more hyped than 50 Cent’s commercial debut in 2003. It’s a lot easier to dissect an album when you’re not hearing it or hearing about it every five seconds. Y’all heard “Success” off American Gangster. You have to let it breathe for a minute. Also, there’s a tendency to overplay albums based on what’s out at the time. I’m not saying American Gangster won’t hold up over time. It already sounds pretty good on its own. But it might sound even better next to a Cassidy record. “…Two songs don’t make y’all tight,” – Tash “G’s Iz G’s.” Want more proof that fans are quick to call something classic? Let’s take a look at Rick Ross. I like Rick Ross. The dude is entertaining and you can’t knock his hustle. But it took him more than 10 years to get on for a reason. He’s not that nice behind a mic. So imagine my surprise when I read an article on HipHopDX where the interviewer said a lot of people considered Ross’s debut album, Port of Miami, a classic. Are you serious? Who the hell called it a classic and why? It’s cool if you liked it. Feel free to call it good if you so choose. But please don’t call it a classic. Just because you lace up your cleats on Sunday doesn’t mean you’ll make the NFL Hall of Fame. A similar standard should apply when you’re reviewing rap records. Average or below average rapper plus catchy hook and bangin’ beat might make for a hit record. You might sell a million ringtones and rock shows across the country. Celebrate. Pop bottles. Make it rain. But this doesn’t mean you have a classic album in your catalog. Is the bar that low that whenever an album doesn’t suck it has to be included in “greatest albums of all time” debates? I would hope not. So instead of calling an album a classic enjoy it for what it is. Then pick it back up a few years later and make the call. Comments
(7)
I disagree with you "hiphop 102" a classic doesnt always hit you in the first month nor on a first listen because trust me "Get Rich" is not a classic but a "good" album. Actually a classic can hit you on the second or third listen and more than likely a couple of years down the road, its something that marinates with you over time, its like slow cooking ribs in the oven for the best results, its getting better overtime, its like watching a "classic" movie like "departed" a second or third time and saying thats a Classic...... In a "Classic" you sometimes miss the message that is hidden...... like he said its too soon to say classic or not but American gangster is solid!
GOOD WORK JOHN!! KEEP IT UP!!! I AGREE....WHOLLY!!!!
 written by jeff johnson , November 27, 2007
John,
We speak the same language. Hype is what flatlines everything in this rap shit. Honestly speaking, it's hard for me to even listen to American Gangster at this point because people decided it was a classic the day after it came out. Just like the movie. The movie wasn't bad, but I had seen trailers for it for well over a year and that film was just good, not great. I honestly don't care to ever see it again. You are also right about Get Rich or Die Trying not being a classic. It was just an album full of singles. Once I misplaced the album. I never cared to re-purchase it. 50 Cent just mastered the art of Good Timing with that album. Keep writing the facts man..I'm wit u.
Well put. But I am predicting AG will go down as one of Jay's best albums when all is said is done. I'm going on listening to that album over a month strong now. The only Jay album that ever caught my attention to this extent was the Blueprint. And Reasonable Doubt didn't appear to be a classic for most until looking back in retrospect. That's why it took years to go platinum and all those hip hop mags had to go back and rate it again after they initially gave average ratings to it. This AG album has the heads attention from the start. American Dreamin is my shit!
Port of Miami a classic? "Haw haw haw haw haw." (pompous laugh)
I think you Hip-Hop journalists are so desperate for good lyrics and non-crunk sample based beats that you'll call any solid piece of work a classic i.e. Little Brother's "Minstrel Show." American Gangster is a VERY GOOD album, but it won't go down as a great album. AG is a very cohesive body of work (excluding "Hello Brooklyn"), with no obvious weaknesses, but to be a Hip-Hop classic you must have your fair share of "Ooooh that's my shit!!" moments!! This album wasn't Jordan with the Wizards (Kingdom come), it was more like Jordan wearing the 4-5!!
 written by DevaDonna , November 28, 2007
Lovin it, J W M! There's a difference between a fan and a connoseiur (SP?)
TALK TO THE PEOPLE!!! Copyright 2007. All Rights Reserved.       |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 10 September 2008 ) |
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Are you saying that Get Rich wasn't a classic? You discount the fact that "context" matters in determining whether an album is a classic. Of course it must also stand the test of time. But in context, Get Rich is a classic album. Jay-Z, American Gangster is not a classic album and will not stand the test of time. A classic hits you on first listen and stands the test of time.