A random defense of Kanye West...Real Hip Hop

I like Kanye West*. I think he's a cool dude. He's arrogant and pompous, true, but I like him just the same. My first encounter with Kanye was sometime in middle school back when Jay-Z and Rocafella Records were the most popular affiliation there was (in my Northeastern neck of the woods). Kanye was the beat master and I loved all that he did. At the time, I knew him but didn't know him-I knew he was the man behind the beats but beyond that I had no clue who Kanye was.

Around 10th grade, Kanye came out with Through the Wire and a I was in awe. I remember I was twisting someone's hair and watching Rap City (yes, RAP CITY, lol) when this sped up Chaka Khan beat dropped...along with my bottom jaw. This man's music was incredible. You see, I was born in '86 so I was not privy to all the 'real hip hop' of the 80s/early 90s. As crazy as this may sound to some, Kanye West, attitude, ego and all, is my 'real hip hop'.

I had heard the story about the accident and thought that it was pretty neat that a guy with his mouth wired shut was able to create a whole song-a song that was a soulful radio banger. Then College Dropout came out and it was over. I mean seriously, it was OVER. I played that CD to death (literally...good thing I was just hopping onto the MP3 player bandwagon). Even my mom was hooked and she NEVER listened to hip hop. Kanye was that dude...and to me, he still is.

A local radio station was playing a Kanye medley during their rush hour mix today it took me back. Every song made me feel good and think of 'back in the day' (which for me could be just two years ago...I'm only 24). Kanye's music is truly 'good music' and in my opinion he is one hip hop's greats. While I listened to Kanye I thought about other artists from my era of music, that could make me feel the way I felt today while blasting Kanye from my car stereo. Save Puff Daddy (not Diddy- me no likey Diddy) and the old Bad Boy Family**  I can't recall any popular artist from my generation who I can truly say were 'real hip hop'. 

The music of my era sucks. I mean, when I can mention only Kanye and Puff Daddy** as real hip hip of my generation, there is seriously a problem. And what of those born after me? My goodness, what about those born in the 90s? Their only musical memories are of Nelly, Lil Wayne, and Soulja Boy. OMG! At least I had Puffy...they don't even have Puffy.

So while you listen to Kanye's music, stop throwing him shade and the opinionated side-eye. Leave him alone. He dresses weird, he's arrogant, he's rude at times, and he's conceited but he's my 'real hip-hop'. Appreciate his genius. 

*Nothing really prompted this post about Kanye except for the great musical mix that I heard today on the radio...and the sheer fact that I really do like Kanye's music :)

**Some may say that Puff is not real hip hop. At times, i am inclined to agree. But when you are born in the mid to late 80s, 'real hip hop' mainstream artists are hard to come by. So give me a break.