I just wanted to share my experiences and strategies/methods(?) on how to really "enjoy" hiphop. This is completely what I (<- keyword) think. You may agree/disagree. It may or may not help you.
I know i'm REALLY enjoying hiphop if I can get "drunk" from it. Im sooo into it, I literally feel drunken. The music flows into my body and soul, as if im really "feeling" it. I forget everything, loose all tensions/stress, and feel 'light' headed. (NOT HIGH
;;)1. Never force the music into you. Don't try 2 'grasp' it or "feel" it right away. Just let it come to you naturally. If you force yourself to sleep, what happens? Dunno bout u folks, but when I FORCE myself to sleep, i end up staying up to like 3-4am. But if you don't think about it and just let it "come" to you, you fall asleep without knowing. Same applies to hiphop, just let it come to you naturally.
2. In relations to method one, give the song couple of listens before you go about judging it (it sucks, its soooo good, i don't get it, its not mystyle, etc). The song you absolutely hate on your first try, could end up being your all time favorite after the 10th try. There are many songs where the true beauty is hidden deep deep inside. Sure, there are definitely songs that sound flashy and addicting, but there are also many songs that are completely wack. The more you listen to the better it gets. (in my case: p-type, garion, paloalto, 4wd just to name a few).
3. It's pointless to listen to hiphop unless you can comprehend the mc's message (lyric, philosophy, statements, ryhmes, flow). Hip hop is mostly about ryhmes and the beats. It's crucial to know what message the MC is trying to get across to you. Also the method is important too, how the message is being presented. "Rap is another drum", - P-type. If you can't understand the words, all your listening to is nothing but beats- which in that case there is no way you'll ever like hiphop.
4. Read the whole lyric. Why? So you get a better sense what kind of song your listening too. Maybe im stupid, but i can never understand the song 100% just by listening to it. I need to see the words by my eyes. Trust me, it helps.
5. Try to relate to the song's message/meaning. Hiphop mainly talks about a specific life-style, and what the MC thinks/feels/sees about it. Put yourselves in their shoes and try relating to them. Doing so you'll be able to comprehend the message x10 better. Personally, the reason why i like hiphop so much is that i can relate to the lyrics. If you can relate to it, then you can feel it. If you can feel it, you end up enjoying it.
6. If you have a song that you absolutely love, its obvious: memorize the lyric
7. Buy the damn ALBUM. I can't stress this enuff. Hiphop musicans (MC's) don't realli make alot of money compared to mainstream musicans. In worst case, they go in debt (they loan money from bank to create their album, it takes grands to produce and master 1 song). Support your MC, so he can make better albums later on. Show some appreciation, it only takes 10-15$ for an album that MC's stay up all day and nights writting lyrics. Plus, the CD has A LOT BETTER sound quality than MP3's. ITS A FACT. Musics in CD's are 360k bit quality music. MP3's are RIPPED version of the tracks, and mp3's have 120k or less bit in them. THAT'S BIG DIFFERENCE...
This is all i can think of for now, i had more to say in mind..
Why i took time and effort writing this? Few reasons:
1. People talk too much crap about hiphop without knowing jack shi+. It's sad.
2. Most people i know listens to hiphop, but don't realli know what their listeniting too... They think they like it, but they only get maybe 30-40% out of it. Just because you like YG and 1tym doesn't mean u know hiphop.
3. To better understand hiphop. That hiphop is not something you can just pick up and start enjoying. (some cases)
To be completely honest, I was at work and was bored. Thank you. Bye
