Monday, November 14, 2011

A Whole New Appreciation for Hip-Hop

Last week, boyfriend and I rented a movie from Redbox. Unfortunately, I got really, REALLY drunk off of Christmas Ale and blacked out and don't remember watching it. Shit, I don't even remember getting it. I was that bad. I made chili (no blog yet, it's not perfected), and was so drunk I chopped up way too many peppers and it was crazy hot. John was afraid to try it, but says it was really good.

Anyway, that was a few days ago. I was just going to return it, but I asked John was it worth watching, and he answered yes without any hesitation. Spencer (roommate) didn't think I would appreciate it, but boy, was he wrong.

Beats, Rhymes and Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest was by far, the best documentary I've ever seen and in the top 5 for best movies I've ever seen. I feel like my eyes were just opened for the first time.

My exposure to hip-hop in my life has been very limited. My mother only listened to R&B and my father was into rock and pop. Plus my parents seem to be older than most my friends so I didn't really grow up listening to Tupac and NWA. Lots of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. The only time I ever heard rap regularly was when I was around my older cousin. He use to babysit us as a kid. My sister's got into hip-hop and rap when they were older, but things like Jay-Z and Lil Wayne, both of which I like (Except new Wayne. He's a douche, see here, that makes albums full of singles that can also be club mixed). I didn't get my first REAL taste of hip-hop until I moved in with John and Martell. And not to toot their own horns, but they were great teachers.

One of the things that attracted me so much to John is he's passionate about things that are important to him. His family, his friends, his dream, me and hip-hop (Yes, I added myself in there. No one has ever loved me as hard as this man does. Woo!) So when we started dating, he showed me his world. He exposed my ears to beats and rhythms that I other have wouldn't have ever heard. He played music that touched my soul. I've changed so much in the past year, and part of that has to do with my new found love.

Martell showed me a different side of music, the creative process. Martell is an aspiring rapper/producer and out of all the people out here aspiring to be a rapper/producer, he IS the most talented. If you know him, you know that anything he's interested in, he obsesses over (Not a bad thing). Listening to him make beats was an experience. You would hear him in his room picking out his samples, selecting the right type of drum and where it should be placed. and over the next few weeks, you'll hear it develop and grow. John referred to it as a pregnancy once. This thing that you love and create is inside of you and it grows, and changes. And finally when it's ready, it's absolutely perfect. I secretly envy him and that he's able to create such beautiful music.

With this tag team of mentors, I found myself appreciating and enjoying a whole new culture. Figuring out my favorite artist and forming opinions of my own. It's been exhilarating experience. But watching this movie today made me realize I don't know where it started. I don't know the roots from which it all began. I've been inspired. I feel like it's a whole new world for me to explore. My brain has been missing out on so much amazing music.

If you like things that are awesome, you should most definitely check out this movie.

1 comment:

  1. i am a new fashion blogger from indonesia living in singapore :) i really like your blog. i will really appreciate & it will be an honor to have u as my blog member (blog follower)

    and of course i will folback!:D also, u can mention me anytime on twitter @tiodang if you want me to check out your latest post & leave a comment ^^ ,please list me on twitter, so i will know u're my follower!! ;)

    i've just recommend your post to google!u can check it! that's what u got if you keep in touch with my blog too!! hope u will do the same ^^
    (u can add me on facebook and contact me at : cheeringwinda@yahoo.com)

    ReplyDelete