On many occasions I've heard rappers interviewed on various programs over the years like BET, MTV, etc. I've heard them talk about taking their music, productions, and act to "another level"; or "the next level".
They even remix and take it to "another level". They try to sound intelligent but come off to me as ignorant and really saying nothing.
I don't even know what level most of them are on to begin with, so I have no idea what they mean by "another level" or "the next level".
Now with Prince's body of work over the years I can say that he definitely is a musician who has taken music to "another level". All kinds of levels.

Most times it's a bit insulting, considering many of them just play the music of an existing record and rap inane lyrics over it. Karaoke/Puffy/MC Hammer-style. That's not an indictment of hip hop in general, but most just don't do anything interesting with the music they sample. Some folks may not think so, but there is a creative way to sample music.

What they mean is that they're taking it to another level of stupidity...

Either that, or their amps all go to 11... 8)

I think those rappers are talking about taking it to a higher point where their voices will be heard on a larger scale, where they will be more in control of the music, as they do more for those who listen to it, especially since the music had its humble beginnings in the inner cities ghettos. I think they're talking about uplifting the music and the people who are into hip-hop culture, in someway or somehow, despite whatever point it's gotten up to.

Supernova said:

Yeah! What he/she said.

as Frustrating as Miles Davis could Be I can't think of another Artist that truly took His Work to another level more than Him? it's funny because it's something you don't talk about doing it just happens ya Know?Sly Stone,Jimi hendrix,James Brown,George Clinton&Parliament didn't have to say it they just did it.Marvin Gaye,Stevie Wonder,Earth,Wind&Fire,Duke Ellington,Herbie Hancock,Bob Marleyetc.. just did it.

Starmist7 said:

Uh...right.

when it comes to Rappers I think Run DMC for there time took the Game to a different level.Public Enemy as well.Rakim,Ll Cool J,EPMD(they Pre-dated the Whole West Coast Sound before Eric Sermon got wack IMHO)Ice Cube for a while.Dr.Dre no matter what you think of Him from His Days with World Class Wrecking Crew,NWA,on Death Row,to Now in the Rap Game that speaks Volumes to Last as Long as He has&still be on top of the Game.but He is so Lucky as well with a Snoop Dogg&then a Eminem.time&importance in Rap especially answers if it's gone to a Another Level.very Few have IMHO in any style of Music Rap is the Hardest one to thrive in for a longer period of time IMHO.

Aaah, u forgot KRS. Lately he's gone religious like P, but judging from the "Khia" thread, I'm judging he's trying to stay as far away from controversy as possible. Not sayin' that's bad ... just sayin' that in this day and age, it seems EVERYbody's afraid 2 take "HARDCORE issues" 2 "another level" like they once did.
Also, on the rap tip, Nas was poetic in his 1st couple of albums, then he hopped on that "Ooochie Wallie" - sex, liquor, and (although he associated "gun" references to being "strictly lyrical") violence bandwagon. I'm now counting the dayz before this Jay-Z/Nas beef turns into another Biggie/Tupac situation.
There's still some positive hip hop artists out here tho'. A co-worker gave me a tape of these cats, Dilated Peoples, a while back. They're decent. Didn't and won't get promoted, but good music rarely does these dayz.
And, damn, ain't it true about Dr. Dre? I constantly hear people DOGGIN' him. That brotha, along with Ice Cube, had some tight trax back in the day. It wasn't ALL just sex, drugs, and cars. They had political songs and original videos once upon a time.
I guess today, what people fail 2 realize is that artists will tell u in a heartbeat about the more (+) singles they prefer 2 release. RECORD COMPANIES WON'T ALLOW IT. They dictate what the public hears. The excuse is SEX SELLS, but ANYthing can be marketed.
Remember the "red, black & green" craze in hip-hop in the 90's. A (+)positive movement that swept across the hip hop nation. So, don't believe the hype! Positivity CAN be promoted. ANYthing can be promoted. Ask Billy Blanks!
ONE LOVE

aspera773 said:

Right!!!

aspera773 said:

Interesting. I didn't know that. Personally, I never liked his style as a rapper, but I respected what he had to say.