Tell the truth: Do you think Southern rappers and fans are dumber than you?

[mattee c]

I'm from the heart of the Dirty South, born and raised. And I'll represent and support the South until I'm 6 feet under. However, that being said, I can completely understand where someone who's not familiar with Southern rap, would come to the conclusion that Southern people are stupid based off of what they currently hear on the radio (Gucci, Wacka Flocka, Soulja Boy, Wayne, etc.). I don't get too mad anymore because 9 times outta 10, the person talkin shit is some kid who's never listened to UGK, Geto Boys / Scarface, Outkast, Pastor Troy, Eightball & MJG, Tela, Three 6 Mafia (original 6 member line-up), Crime Boss, Blac Monks, Haystak, Kingpin Skinny Pimp, etc., real Southern shit. And I remember what it was like to be 15-16 years old - I was way more inclined to listen to party tracks and bass music than I am now. I appreciate what 2 Live Crew did for the South, but at 32 years old, I don't find myself bumpin "Me So Horny" out the whip too often. I think there's several factors that play into what music we like and relate to, such as economic status, age, occaisionally race, sex, geographic location, etc. I guess you could even say sexual preference, but why a gay person would listen to 99.9% of rap music is beyond me, but to each his (or her) own. I don't see why it's so complicated to realize why a rap fan from the South is not gonna appreciate or relate to a NY rapper who only raps about spraypainting, ridin the subway, takin a taxi, etc. Because unless they've been to, or lived in, NYC, they haven't experienced those things. Just like folks from NY can't relate to ridin candy-painted 80's model Cadillac's on 25" rims, shooting shotguns in the woods behind your house, herding cattle, fighting for the Confederacy, j/k. But y'all get the point. I think the more intellectual and well-travelled Southern M.C.'s, like Scarface and Bun B, have a broader appeal because they tend to deal primarily with universal themes (mainly "the struggle") that effect everyone, at least in America anyway. They haven't forgot where they came from, but they understand the need to listen to other genres of music and listen to other people's opinions or you will never develop any sort of intelligence. Bun B just started teaching a college course on religion. Not exactly a job that anyone would've hired a stupid man to do. I don't care where you're from, if you never leave your block, your mind will never expand any further than the nonsense you witness in your neighborhood.

 

[Kwan Dai]

I'm from the heart of the Dirty South, born and raised. And I'll represent and support the South until I'm 6 feet under. However, that being said, I can completely understand where someone who's not familiar with Southern rap, would come to the conclusion that Southern people are stupid based off of what they currently hear on the radio (Gucci, Wacka Flocka, Soulja Boy, Wayne, etc.). I don't get too mad anymore because 9 times outta 10, the person talkin shit is some kid who's never listened to UGK, Geto Boys / Scarface, Outkast, Pastor Troy, Eightball & MJG, Tela, Three 6 Mafia (original 6 member line-up), Crime Boss, Blac Monks, Haystak, Kingpin Skinny Pimp, etc., real Southern shit. And I remember what it was like to be 15-16 years old - I was way more inclined to listen to party tracks and bass music than I am now. I appreciate what 2 Live Crew did for the South, but at 32 years old, I don't find myself bumpin "Me So Horny" out the whip too often. I think there's several factors that play into what music we like and relate to, such as economic status, age, occaisionally race, sex, geographic location, etc. I guess you could even say sexual preference, but why a gay person would listen to 99.9% of rap music is beyond me, but to each his (or her) own. I don't see why it's so complicated to realize why a rap fan from the South is not gonna appreciate or relate to a NY rapper who only raps about spraypainting, ridin the subway, takin a taxi, etc. Because unless they've been to, or lived in, NYC, they haven't experienced those things. Just like folks from NY can't relate to ridin candy-painted 80's model Cadillac's on 25" rims, shooting shotguns in the woods behind your house, herding cattle, fighting for the Confederacy, j/k. But y'all get the point. I think the more intellectual and well-travelled Southern M.C.'s, like Scarface and Bun B, have a broader appeal because they tend to deal primarily with universal themes (mainly "the struggle") that effect everyone, at least in America anyway. They haven't forgot where they came from, but they understand the need to listen to other genres of music and listen to other people's opinions or you will never develop any sort of intelligence. Bun B just started teaching a college course on religion. Not exactly a job that anyone would've hired a stupid man to do. I don't care where you're from, if you never leave your block, your mind will never expand any further than the nonsense you witness in your neighborhood.

Excellent post. However, I disagree with your description of NY MC's subject being about Spray painting and riding the subway. The early MC's had depth that included speaking on the Universal struggle of Blacks be they from NY, or Africa. I think it's much more difficult to differentiate a random MC from NY from and one from the south in today's era of Rap. Also, I think your mentioning of not being to relate to spray painting has all to do with my mentioning of Hip Hop's 3 remaining elements having minimal impact on the south.

 

[Yung_Souf_Money]

it's sad that these stans come in here hating on the south

 

[Kwan Dai]

It's even more sad that, the discussion can't be had without some one mentioning "hate".

 

[mattee c]

@Yung Souf Money - How are them boys gonna do a song about Bessemer and not mention R.O.A.? That's straight up blasphemous. lol j/k. On the real though, I liked that line about it bein "the hood that Gucci won't claim". It's about time folks started callin him out for that shit. But if you know them dudes, tell 'em next time to spend some of that cash they're flashin on a real cameraman and a director. That was the worst cinematography I've ever witnessed. And it was cool lil song, but they need to understand they really limited their audience with those lyrics. Outside of Alabama, most people have never heard of Bessemer (a city next to Birmingham with the same high crime rate, but half the population), except maybe as the birthplace of Bo Jackson. Therefore, it will never be more than a regional hit. They're not gonna have the rest of the country, or even East Birmingham for that matter, shoutin "bitch I'm from Bessemer". Despite its efforts, it's not Compton.

 

[Cutler 26 INT's LOL!]

Can't believe a nigga just said Maino=Bun B....

 

[nujerz84]

Why is this argument always about NY vs the entire South? Its not even a fair comparison. I know New Yorkers have a high opinion of themselves, but cotdamn.

There's nothing about living in NY that automatically makes you better than anybody else. Especially when NY does as much to promote garbage rappers as any other region.

Name 10 emcees from NY who are dope and I'll name 10 from down south who will lyrically rap circles around them.



So naw, I dont think Southern rappers and fans are dumber than any other region. Stupidity doesnt discriminate.

I doubt that....

 

[runningwolf1980]

@Yung Souf Money - How are them boys gonna do a song about Bessemer and not mention R.O.A.? That's straight up blasphemous. lol j/k. On the real though, I liked that line about it bein "the hood that Gucci won't claim". It's about time folks started callin him out for that shit. But if you know them dudes, tell 'em next time to spend some of that cash they're flashin on a real cameraman and a director. That was the worst cinematography I've ever witnessed. And it was cool lil song, but they need to understand they really limited their audience with those lyrics. Outside of Alabama, most people have never heard of Bessemer (a city next to Birmingham with the same high crime rate, but half the population), except maybe as the birthplace of Bo Jackson. Therefore, it will never be more than a regional hit. They're not gonna have the rest of the country, or even East Birmingham for that matter, shoutin "bitch I'm from Bessemer". Despite its efforts, it's not Compton.

for once i logged on to the i.c. and learned something...good job there buddy "thumbs up"

 

[mattee c]

Excellent post. However, I disagree with your description of NY MC's subject being about Spray painting and riding the subway. The early MC's had depth that included speaking on the Universal struggle of Blacks be they from NY, or Africa. I think it's much more difficult to differentiate a random MC from NY from and one from the south in today's era of Rap. Also, I think your mentioning of not being to relate to spray painting has all to do with my mentioning of Hip Hop's 3 remaining elements having minimal impact on the south.

I was just using the most stereotypical examples of what the rest of the country thinks of when someone mentions NYC. I know NY's a lot deeper than that and has way more to offer. I've been to NYC and two of the first things that struck me as being different were all the different cultures and nationalities, for the most part, coexisting in the same areas and how most people I came in contact with did not own cars. Most people told me it would cost them more yearly to park their car than the price of the actual vehicle. In the South, we have taxis, but you have to call them. You can't walk out your front door and flag a cab down. Where I'm from, you almost have to have a car. Everyone else does, so they expect you to. If you don't have a car, people assume you're poor or in legal trouble (d.u.i.'s). Plus our public transportation system, much like our public education system is a joke. And people do spray paint and breakdance in the South, it just doesn't always go hand and hand with hip-hop music. It's definately not as prevelant as it is up North, but it does exist.

 

[Kwan Dai]

I was just using the most stereotypical examples of what the rest of the country thinks of when someone mentions NYC. I know NY's a lot deeper than that and has way more to offer. I've been to NYC and two of the first things that struck me as being different were the all the different cultures and nationalities, for the most part, coexisting in the same areas and how most people I came in contact with did not own cars. Most people told me it would cost them more yearly to park their car than the price of the actual vehicle. In the South, we have taxis, but you have to call them. You can't walk out your front door and flag a cab down. Where I'm from, you almost have to have a car. Everyone else does, so they expect you to. If you don't have a car, people assume you're poor or in legal trouble (d.u.i.'s). Plus our public transportation system, much like our public education system is a joke. And people do spray paint and breakdance in the South, it just doesn't always go hand and hand with hip-hop music. It's definately not as prevelant as it is up North, but it does exist.

I think we are speaking on two separate things. I am talking about the subject matter of NY MC's particularly MC's from the 80's to mid 90's not being universal to all regions. I am from NY but I live in .Atl (have for 12+ years now). So, I understand the differences in culture, geography and demographics. I think the fact that these other elements don't go hand in hand with Hip Hop have hurt the growth of Hip Hop. So, from certain regions not just the south we are stuck with only bits and pieces. I think the West coast is the only other region that has embraced Hip Hop in all it's forms.

 

[MC The Rapper]

Lets everybody is in this thread keep it 100 right now. Hip Hop is in trouble and we in here trying to find somebody to blame. Instead of trying to figure out solutions. How can we make the music better , how we can put the talented artists to the forefront and get the flavor of month niggas, the wack rappers and speculators out the fucking game. The 4 major labels have turn hip hop into some techno Cirque du Soleil shit. That's whos to blame , them and all the artists that put the dollar before integrity. We need to cut the Majors out and take it back to how it was done before which is Independent Record Labels and the fans supporting their favorites and not worrying about (insert wack nigga here) is doing or putting out. We need to come together as a culture. Fuck all that divide and conquer bullshit.

 

[ustreet_monsta]

I'm just curious. How about you name 10 MC's from NY then, top that list with 10 MC's from the south?

Prodigy

Noreaga

Cam'ron

Jim Jones

French Montana

Vado

Juelz Santana

Fabolous

Maino

DMX

vs.

Phonte

Andre 3000

Jay Electronica

Curren$y

Ludacris

Big Boi

Big Krit

J. Cole

TIP

Mike Bigga

Now which list has more intelligent rappers on it??

 

[KingJamal]

Prodigy
Noreaga
Cam'ron
Jim Jones
French Montana
Vado
Juelz Santana
Fabolous
Maino
DMX

vs.

Phonte
Andre 3000
Jay Electronica
Curren$y
Ludacris
Big Boi
Big Krit
J. Cole
TIP
Mike Bigga

Now which list has more intelligent rappers on it??

Besides DMX I don't care about none of those NY dudes on that listlol

 

[ustreet_monsta]

^

Right?

Outside of Jay-Z, AZ, and Nas I'm not sure what people are talking about in this thread. Its 2011, not 1996 and this is what NY has been bringing to the table.

 

[Kwan Dai]

Prodigy
Noreaga
Cam'ron
Jim Jones
French Montana
Vado
Juelz Santana
Fabolous
Maino
DMX

vs.

Phonte
Andre 3000
Jay Electronica
Curren$y
Ludacris
Big Boi
Big Krit
J. Cole
TIP
Mike Bigga

Now which list has more intelligent rappers on it??

Well, I think your list of NY MC's is a poor one but I see your point. Aside from Nore when he was rocking with CNN I have never gotten into those artists. As for your Southern list I'd only catagorize Phonte, 3000 as High Level MC's. Big Boi maybe.

 

[7thwardslim]

I don't care where you're from, if you never leave your block, your mind will never expand any further than the nonsense you witness in your neighborhood.

This goes for the East Coast, South Coast, West and Up North......

Its something called a complex..........and most NY people have this complex, of simply believing everyone from the South is retarded....lol

 

[Kwan Dai]

^

Right?

Outside of Jay-Z, AZ, and Nas I'm not sure what people are talking about in this thread. Its 2011, not 1996 and this is what NY has been bringing to the table.

I personally don't put a time frame on skill and good music.

 

[nujerz84]

Prodigy

Noreaga

Cam'ron

Jim Jones

French Montana

Vado

Juelz Santana

Fabolous

Maino

DMX

vs.

Phonte

Andre 3000

Jay Electronica

Curren$y

Ludacris

Big Boi

Big Krit

J. Cole

TIP

Mike Bigga

Now which list has more intelligent rappers on it??

You said Lyrical outside of Prodigy and at times Fab... none of them ny niggaz are lyrical in fact the majority listed is what I would call the worst mc's of New York.

 

[ibedamned]

Lyrically? Are you serious? I don't know if y'all are just mezmorized by his 'trillness' or whatever, but I don't think Bun B is much better than Maino LYRICALLY to be honest

first off im not from the south but you just sayin shit now. I cant take that serious dog.

 

[soul rattler]

I think we are speaking on two separate things. I am talking about the subject matter of NY MC's particularly MC's from the 80's to mid 90's not being universal to all regions. I am from NY but I live in .Atl (have for 12+ years now). So, I understand the differences in culture, geography and demographics. I think the fact that these other elements don't go hand in hand with Hip Hop have hurt the growth of Hip Hop. So, from certain regions not just the south we are stuck with only bits and pieces. I think the West coast is the only other region that has embraced Hip Hop in all it's forms.

Don't say that like the Midwest doesn't embrace Hip Hop in all forms because it does. Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, St. Louis, etc.

Prodigy

Noreaga

Cam'ron

Jim Jones

French Montana

Vado

Juelz Santana

Fabolous

Maino

DMX

vs.

Phonte

Andre 3000

Jay Electronica

Curren$y

Ludacris

Big Boi

Big Krit

J. Cole

TIP

Mike Bigga

Now which list has more intelligent rappers on it??

Now scap those fools off the list and put in:

Jay-Z

Nas

Joe Budden

Joell Ortiz

Lloyd Banks

Jadakiss

Styles P

Charles Hamilton

Method Man

Redman

all NY cats still making music.