Back in the Day

I listen to very specific genres of music (namely urban adult contemporary and gospel) so it sometimes takes me awhile to catch on to what’s hot.  Even when I do tune in, it’s mostly to just R&B but every now and then there’s a hip hop song that I can’t get an enough of.  Right now it’s Ludacris’ My Chick Bad. 

As dope as I think this song is, I'm almost positive that in ten years from now, heck, even in five, I won’t see why it was such a great song.   I feel that way for most hip hop (and even R&B) songs out nowadays.  It could be because they are gimmicky or because the artist is not that talented – I don’t know.

I’ve basically given up on music now and if I want to hear good music I listen to “old school” tunes.  It’s a shame because those younger than me don’t have that privilege.  Yes, there are some okay artists out now, but not many. 

I look at what artists today are offering and it makes me not only sad but also realize what a great thing we had going on back in the day – even just 15 years ago...

Male rapper we rate

Then   

Notorious B.I.G.
“Black and ugly as ever, however” this BK rapper had us all rhyming along to his songs.

Now    

L’il Wayne
Lyrically, he’s dope.  I’ll leave it at that.

Female rapper we love

Then   

L’il Kim
Before the plastic surgery and jail stint, she was the voice of BK female rappers (no offense to Foxy Brown but Notorious K.I.M. had the crown).

Now
       
Nicky Minaj   
The “I'm a Barbie” thing has gone a bit far but I guess that’s what sells.

Male R&B king

Then   

R. Kelly
He wrote his own hits and hits for Ron Isley, Celine Dion, Michael Jackson...

Now

Ne-yo
Not as good looking, but just as talented.

Female R&B queen

Then   

Mariah
Before Nick and the implants, she was an R&B diva that couldn’t help but to make hit music

Now

Beyonce
I'm not a fan of her need to be provocative at times (though not as bad as some) but I respect her talent.   

   
Male R&B Group that even thugs love

Then   

Boyz II Men
My school talent shows had limit Boyz II Men songs to 3 per show - everyone and their brother thought they were the fifth member of the group.

Now

Pretty Ricky
SMH

Female R&B Group every girl wants to be a part of

Then   

TLC   
One of the most talented and success female groups of all time.

Now

Pussycat Dolls/Danity Kane
Reality shows make groups nowadays, not real talent.

Dopest Hip Hop Group   

Then   

Wu Tang
I don’t know if we knew everyone in the crew but we definitely knew they were talented.

Now   

Young Money
That Bedrock song is catchy.  Will I care who anyone one the song is in 5 years? Doubt it.

   
Conscious but mainstream rapper we love   

Then

Tupac   
Everybody has a favourite Tupac song.

Now

Young Jeezy
His talent looks so much more better because of the trash in the industry now.

Hip hop song that we can’t get enough of   

Then
Notorious B.I.G. - One More Chance   

Now
Drake - Best I Ever Had

Infectious hip hop anthems

Then   

Naughty by Nature songs

Now

T-Pain (auto)tunes

       
Album that everyone has   

Then   

The Fugees – The Score   
Notorious B.I. G. –  Ready to Die

Now

N/A

P.S.  I realize that most of the artists that we praised back in the day are still around but have fallen off drastically.

P.P.S There are SOME decent acts out there (Melanie Fiona, Lupe Fiasco etc.) but they get overshadowed by masses of junk music.