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The Hip-Hop Nerd Speaks!

Reviews In Review: Hate a Hater

Over the past couple of years, I’ve written many reviews for the site. Some loved. Some hated. But all with one thing in common: Honest criticism, holding artists to a high standard. Some people seem to have a problem with that.

I don’t base my ratings on whether I like the artist or the album. That would make for some unfair shit. I base my reviews on very technical aspects of the music. Sure, preference is something we all have, but I don't let it seep into my reviews like that.  

How fresh are the lyrics? Originality, complexity, purpose and power or significance serve to show some of the components of great lyricism throughout music in general. This goes for all genres. I ain’t treating Hip-Hop any differently. So, when I review an LP, best believe that shit will be held accountable for all of these things.

However, I have found this to be a huge roadblock with many readers. “This fool’s a hater.” I hear it. I don’t feel it. That’s because I know I am not “hating” on an album by giving it a low rating. I am simply giving it an honest review, based on what the artist chose to put out.

So, when the MC isn’t lyrical, he/she will not get a good rating. Period. What I despise is the notion that it’s “alright” not to be lyrical. When did Hip-Hop become so passé on ill lyrics? Why is it that when there are reviews critiquing wack rhymes or unoriginality, it receives comments like:

“We know this artist ain’t known for dope lyrics. He’s known for that gangsta/club shit. This album is fiyah!! You a hater. DX needs new writers!!”    

If the artist consistently puts out wack shit, then I will consistently give it low ratings (and so will my brethren). If an artist is dumb, we'll let you know. We may even throw in a joke for good measure, but only with good reason. Why? I won’t hold any MC to higher standards than the next. It could be The Ying Yang Twins or Nas. They’ll receive the same treatment, for the most part. Was it dope? Was it original? Was it thought provoking? Did it have an artistic purpose?

That last one is key.

“We know this MC is a hustla!! He ain’t trying to out-rhyme nobody. He’s just tryin’ to sell. Why you hatin’ a balla on the come up?”

I’m not hating a balla at all. I don’t rate “balla” status. I rate rappers and their albums. The man can be as prosperous as D. Trump and B. Gates, but if his rhymes are wack, he’ll be getting a low rating. Plain and simple.

“But you know, Hip-Hop was started as a fun thing. Kids was dancing in the parks. They ain’t need all this lyrical shit. It's got dope beats!”

Word. But this is 2007. Let's do it B.I.G. Things done changed. We heard The Message, progressed through the Golden Era, learned from Rakim and got powerful words from KRS, Chuck, Nas, and Pac. While Hip-Hop can, and should be fun, it should never lose focus. Take a look at the past: Broken glass every where. It ain’t like they cleaned that broken glass off our streets and it ain’t like things are better. Rap is an incredible vehicle and we’ve proven that it could be a powerful tool as well. We can’t waste it. A good beat will make you dance, but if the words are dumb, then you are simply enjoying the foolishness with a two-step.

We can’t act like rap is a second rate genre. We can’t allow rappers to make a mockery of the art form. Last year, we let MCs make zero sense and a lot of money. (By the way, what happened to D4L?) This year, we saw cats capitalize on some nursery rhymes. (Thank Jibbs and Joc for that.) But, if we remain so passive about the weak content of rhymes, we, as a culture, lose credibility.

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