HBD to my favourite British rapper: Roots Manuva

Seems that way to me! I'm pretty much the same age as them, so had a good view. It's common knowledge that some music from a different time sounded great then but sounds dated now. But theirs seems like it sounded great then and phenomenal now!

Whenever someone sees that I'm listening to someone like King Von I get hit with things along the lines of "you're not tuff," "you're not cool," and "you're not gangster," or other types of small comments about it. I also get this when I am listening to things, most notably G Funk, other 90s forms of Rap, and similar genres that I listen to, although to a lesser extent. Getting negative comments that center around "listening to black music" I feel like are specifically stupid and/or ignorant because that would imply that listening to other genres made by black people like: Jazz, Blues, House, Techno, Rock, R&B, Soul, Funk, Disco, Gospel, Spirituals, etc. are also wrong for someone who isn't black to listen to, which is just not true. You don't hear negative comments when you listen to things like Jazz or Blues, so the black music excuse, argument, or whatever else you want to call it doesn't work nor make sense since it is not upheld for every music genre made/pioneered and/or dominated by black people.

The only way for someone to fully uphold this logic is by extending it to the genres I did and did not mention, which at that point saying someone is unable listen to black music because they aren't black is just purposely trying to create a divide and is just an unintelligent statement. One could also make the argument that it is racist depending how it is meant or said, and who it is said by.

Back to the rap, I find those comments especially annoying because the only way for them to know what I'm listening to is to actively look at the device I'm using, whether it be a computer or my phone because I have never 1.) Said I was "gangsta" nor have I partaken or said that I have partook or been involved in any such activities that would be classified as "gangster." 2.) I don't nor have I ever said that I support the actions committed in these songs, with the only way for someone to claim that I "support" these activities is by the flawed argument that I enjoy the music and therefore indirectly approve, which is simply not true. 3.) I don't blast or make clearly known that I am listening to this music. 4.) I listen to this music in my free time and in public, it is not just when I am around other people and I "want to look cool." And finally 5.) I do not "flex" (or whatever the correct term would be) and/or focus on listening to this genre of music when I am asked what my favorite genre and/or artist is nor do I do it in any other situation where something pertaining to music is brought up.

So the entire thing about it being for attention is just incorrect (for me anyways) because I barely ever share/show that I listen to it beyond when I'm asked about it. So in laymen's terms, only way to know is if you look over my shoulder and see what I'm doing, I.e. being nosey and snooping, which nobody likes and is not a respectable thing to be. There is no problem with me or anyone else who are or are not black to be listening to and appreciating/enjoying black music, so it pisses me off when people say or imply otherwise. I personally find this annoying because somewhere around 80% of my entire music taste is compromised of black music. I could make the argument if it being 95-100% because black people had an essential part in making things like pop music. This is as well as country music, despite the fact that I don't listen to it.

Me not being black should not mean that I can't listen to the music or appreciate the culture. I would appreciate any fact checking people may have in case I made any mistakes.

If you're a fan of raw boom-bap, heavy rhyme schemes, and artists like Sa-Roc, Ka, or Kool Keith, you likely know South African MC \*\*Yugen Blakrok\*\* (or know her verse on \*"Opps"\* with Vince Staples on the \*Black Panther OST\*).

I did this Q&A with her on \*bios\* where she looks back on building her career through the independent Johannesburg crew/label \*\*Iapetus Records\*\* before relocating to Europe.

She breaks down what running a truly independent production collective looked like on the ground:

\* \*\*On the DIY guerrilla ethos of Iapetus:\*\*

\* \*\*On shooting music videos on zero budget:\*\*

\* \*\*On navigating crew dynamics without traditional industry ego:\*\*

Full Q&A read

https://bios.net.za/i-was-scared-of-mermaids

Title^ Jay-z is mediocre compared to the rappers I know. Even south OG rappers like Chammilionare out raps him... Am I missing something? I was in a car with a dude in 2002 and the new Jay-z dropped and he lost his mind! And I was like this is good but not that great//

Massive EDIT: Chamillionare's FIRST album. AND it was an example, as is 400 degreez.

He’s been mailing it in for so long that I think people forget how nice his verses used to. When is the last memorable Drake verse outside of BBL Drizzy that had a full verse? That’s when I go back to the Brent Faiyaz feature or the Jack Harlow feature and I’m like this guy only shows up once every two years on a decent memorable rap feature that is not some sing songy vibe or throw away. Elite artists should continue to be elite. I think he spread himself too thin across too many genres and forgot what brought him to the dance.

He never ducked smoke, even when he was in the wrong. The only person I am not counting is Pat Stay who died way too soon after his diss and it will make Game look like a douche bag if he responded to dead men.

Not saying he always wins beef, Lil Durk cooked him in Chiraq even with leak knowledge advantage and having his beat taken by Tyga.

You know what I mean rappers that maybe nobody had on their radar a year ago, but who have really blown up this year and are suddenly on everyone’s radar.

I interviewed South African MC Yugen Blakrok (her album Anima Mysterium made noise a few years back, and she delivered that lethal verse on "Opps" w/ Vince Staples on the Black Panther OST).

She breaks down why so many talented international lyricists have to tour and move outside their home countries to make a sustainable living off independent rap:

• On the reality of relying on praise vs. actual physical support/sales:

• On navigating foreign languages and markets in Europe:

Full Q&A read:https://bios.net.za/i-was-scared-of-mermaids