Brand New Muzik

"The seas of time flow endlessly. Each life no matter how majestic or important is a mere pebble. Shining briefly in the sun before being carried away by its waves." 

I often think of the passage of time when listening to music lately. Hip-Hop has evolved so much since the days of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five "The Message". It was once a medium to breakdown social barriers, raise awareness, and ignite social change.

Now mainstream Hip-Hop is a means for artists to promote their newest venture. Media hype to sell a phone, liquor, clothing or accessory. I miss the variety that 90's Hip-Hop had. There was hardcore, conscious, gangsta and even horror Hip-Hop courtesy of the Gravediggaz. What the 90's had that is almost non-existent today is variety. There was a diversity of elements that made Hip-Hop a musical genre like no other.

Now I can listen to hours of music and have 80% cover the same subject matter Cars, Money, Drugs, Guns and Girls. Don't get it twisted, that is part of the foundation of Hip-Hop but back in the day, the people rappin that lifestyle were actually living it. Most of the catz rappin about that lifestyle now have only seen it on their television. I'm not hatin... I just miss the diversity. 

After searching through numerous artists and videos I posted some brand new muzik by up and coming as well as established artists. What I like is the return of the cypher. Tracks with 7 or 8 MC's so the listener gets a feel of how different styles can compliment each other over a beat. Check out how DJ Diamond Kuts puts it down for Philly.

Conscious Rap

I consider Conscious Rap, music made to illicit change in ones social situation, city, state or surrounding environment. Its considered a underground, sub-genre of hip hop that focuses on social issues. It is not necessarily political, but it does discuss social issues and conflicts. Themes of conscious hip hop include religion, economy,stopping violence, Black, Latino, and Asian American cultural advancement.

Grandmaster Flash's "The Message" was one of the first successful political and conscious hip hop tracks, describing the poverty, violence, and dead-end lives of the black youth of the time. Hip-Hop was once full of groups that delivered a strong message without sounding preachy. 

Groups like A Tribe Called Quest, and Blackstar (Mos Def and Talib Kweli) had mainstream success while promoting a positive message about education and change received less media attention as Hip-Hop became mainstream. 

This post is a tribute to artists and groups who have used their freedom of expression to educate and enlighten others. Below are Immortal Technique, Visionaries, The Roots, Sage Francis, and Paris check 'em out.