Seems like hip-hop or "urban" music has reached it's commercial peak these last couple of years.

I'm not to sure it has much further to go in terms of pop music domination.

If the history of pop music has taught us anything it's that genres and artists have a finite time at the top, and in order to keep sales and interest afloat, it must evolve, thus leaving behind what once was at the the top.

I think it's gonna be a hybrid of Gangster rap, R n'B, Smooth Jazz, Neo Soul, & Polka.

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[This message was edited Fri Oct 31 8:45:15 PST 2003 by Chico319]

Chico319 said:

have we talked about our mutual interest in this band? did you get their last album? Funktafied?

sosgemini said:

No. Don't think we have. And of course I did. Love it!!




Oooooh and of course Craig David
[This message was edited Thu Oct 30 18:41:45 PST 2003 by Chico319]

Someone needs to bring the SOUL back into music. I'm talking live bands on every track with lyrics that are actually talking about something other than sex. Some Doo-Wop shit, even. Just imagine what Donny Hathaway and Marvin Gaye would think if they heard this recycled and sampled bullshit on the radio today? It's really a damn shame. Until then, I'll just wait for Stevie to come on back.

I've been a big Five Star fan since their debut, but I consider them a pop act, not a soul act

I saw them live last year, and Denise still got that voice on her!!

UK acts - I cannot recommend Incognito enough - their last album is fantastic, and they show no signs of slowing down. Maybe being outside the pop charts has helped them stay fresh.

I also love the Brand New Heavies, but their last album released last year, was a bit of a dissappointment, they definately benefit from more exposure and a focused front person - the last album had several vocalists, I don't think it helped.

Brand New Heavies and Incognito...

okaypimpn said:

xactly

before the soul in the music returns,

the soul in the people must awaken

from slumber and reclaim the fame

from those who fake the funk


u dig?

sumtymes said:

shhhiiit, I gots my funk card!

sinisterpentatonic said:

sinisterpentatonic said:

people get ready

a change is comin

i hear the imposters runnin

i hear my brothers drummin

okaypimpn said:

Exactly! These days,R&B and hip-hop are basically the same thing.You got R&B singers using samples the same way the rappers do.It's all about heavy bass,samples,lyrics that mainly deal with sex,and most of it all sounds alike.In the 70s,artists like Roberta Flack,Stevie Wonder,Earth Wind and Fire and others were taking music to a higher level,experimenting and exploring.These days,it's just "My ass is like...whoa!" and "let me stick my key in your ignition"

What Soul music needs is some of that good ol' intensity. Groups like the Isleys, Temptations, and Smokey & the Miracles brought the house down with their whippin' flippin', rompin' stompin' SOUL MUSIC!!!

And lest we forget the Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown!!!

See, you think about those guys and you'll tend to think about their energy factor. These "neo-Soul" guys today are so laid back and shit. Where's the "umph", yo? But you know, I'm keepin' my eye on this new cat, Robert Randolph & his Family Band. They could probably be the Sly & the Family Stone for the millenium.

When that well runs dry (if they even try) its all about taking whats been already done and samples remakes etc...Where will it lead next? U would think there would B cats out there really trying 2 push things much more creatively in 2003, as well as defining who they R truly as artist...And the facts say some R just the image without the substance.

2 much safty first lets make the money keep my followers happy, kiss ass 2 the record company BS running wild. Please yourself first B 4 most, (If your true 2 the music)...express the need 2 the people that music today ain't very solid. And that its important 2 embrace new ideas not being afraid cuz your living up 2 what a artist is really about. Discovering the way 2 create new music etc..Challanging ones self~

Look theres one James, Marvin, Donny, Al, Barry, Miles etc...Hey paying respect is one thing but trying 2 base all that U are today as what already happened in the past is a artist looking 2 walk down a easy street that was already paved. Theres not enough people in Black music as a whole thats taking custom build steps "being there own" toward's greatness. The new schoolers can only learn so much from the old school. Its there job 2 "try" transcend...but we got people wanting 2 repeat history as if they wanna please there moms and aunts etc...making something that sounds familer 2 them...

Wheres that thirst 2 drive 4 something high? Much of the music today and the people making it and behind it etc...R failing 2 see that theres been a drop in overall quality in every aspect of music. But if they can make as much $$$ off of a semi-good act that has this over the top image...Bingo!! (pays the same bills 4 them) Alot of these act don't like touring or performing much live...Its safer staying in controled surroundings...The lack of great musicianship is suffering as well, seeing some feel no need 2 go with live instruments. (Urr R.Kelleys last Bay Area show proved that) What a loss, but 4 those who R putting in the work and extending themselfs in abstract wayz 2 strive 4 there own slice of greatness, maybe even genius...I got nothing but respect & love~ Where is it going next? maybe not 2 far or anywhere~

At the end of the day..."I'll buy/support that product, of real fruit from some real creative labor".

I appreciated everyone's reply and much of them were on point.
Appreciate this fact that most black artist in the pass were given a musical gift first. Their goals were not to become rich. Yes, many relied on their talent to pay the bills, but that was to the extent of their goals.
The black artist of the past wrote about topic that were common to all blacks, poverty, racism, social change, civil rights and of course love and sex. The young generation in the past were more conscience of social conditions, and a need for change (What's Going On-Marvin Gaye, Ball of Confusion-Temptations, why even Cosmic Slop-Funkadelic expressed the dilemma of a single mom doing what seems necessary).
The young generation today(not all but for the most part) are solely concerned with social status in life (bling-bling). They do not see and do not wish to see the social blight of our people(thanks to BET and MTV). They can not see the forest because of the trees. There is no self respect, or for anyone else anymore, and this fact is reflected in today's music.
Where are we heading musically? That answer lies in the answer, where are we heading socially as a people. The start would be in the home, fathers, mothers uncles, and aunts. Parents,are you allowing your child to sit in front of the tv for hours digesting mental poison? Young black men, are you handling your responsiblity as fathers? Uncles and aunts, are you setting the example for your neices and nephews as role models?
If our answers to these thought provoking questions is not positive, well sadly we can not expect our music to touch our soul.

alongside Elvis



'dre

Chico319 said:

Good 2 see my fave org animaniac around again.

Are BNH's back together???

DavidEye said:

Thank you.

well,
"tha rappers, will start create ah new fad called humming" because theyll be nothing left to "SAMPLE"...

funk needs to return!

psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop

jw1914 said:

very much on point!


we need 2 do some soul searching within ourselves

let the drum of insight and uplift beat on

I'm sure Missy and Outkast will be there to lead the way.

TRON said:

See this is what I was talking about.

Yeah, really. I can see Outkast being the future of Hip-Hop and possibly Funk, but Missy? Come on now . Jamiroquai's the last great funk band, IMO, and they're not even black (most of 'em anyway). But we're talking about all forms of Black music, right? Rock, Pop, Soul, Funk, Blues, Jazz, Reggae, Calypso, Worldbeat, Electronica, etc.

I can't really say where we as Blacks can go from here musically. It all comes down to where we're coming from, really. It looks like the young generation is keeping the Hip-Hop alive, so that's gonna be here to stay. But I'd like to see more Black Rock in the future. I play Rock & Roll, so maybe I'll be one of the future revivalists. Who knows?

sinisterpentatonic said:

Y'all laugh.

But that's gonna f'real happen.

I'm fed up of all these pop bands/singers using vocoders/talkboxs & thinkin' the r Roger Troutman. He was a true originator and was/is remains my fave artist ever alongside Prince, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson.I hope Roger's nephew Rufus Troutman III and Zapp bring back funk 2 b #1 again!.

I would like 2 hear some real music. I'm fed up of all these wannabes who think they r R&B singers. Espically all those pop bands who think its cool 2 cover R&B trax. Leave R&B music alone!, cover some crappy old pop songs instead!

Most of 2day's R&B sounds like its from the 70's. Imitation is cool but there is no real originality 2day. Every1 is copying every1 else. However, if u don't like 2day's music then listen 2 Donny, Marvin, Stevie, Earth Wind & Fire, Zapp,Roger etc. and of course Prince. These r real artists!

Just my opinion y'all!
[This message was edited Sun Nov 2 18:18:11 PST 2003 by thetimefan]

it's about time 'artists' start making music with real instruments instead of computers.