u/EnvironmentalLink868

not really

didn’t see it in a while but we do have to pray to our lord and savior

The "big three" is a polarizing concept to me, it's quite literally based on absolutely nothing but certain public opinions(which would have Kanye or Travis most likely over Cole) to decide a non-objective decent rap trio. Forget opinion on the music for a second- the actual concept of three artists making completely different music being lumped together as a trio when two out of three are big hitters(not that numbers even matter in a hip-hop discussion) is pretty ridiculous. I understand it was popularized by the "Control" track, and it was an underhanded move by Kendrick to establish some sort of rap hierarchy. It "elevates" certain artists and lowers them on HIS opinion, which creates little opportunity for newer fans to make their own by making them adhere to the hierarchy.(not saying all people did, but I did at first)

It's then built on by this old beef(commercially motivated or not) to cement that this "trio" did exist and now is spoiled. It's adding nothing- ICEMAN(trio) and GNX tried to use it effectively but failed -and actively damages hip-hop as a genre. Why do we need this? It feels overtly commercial, especially with all the Raptok/NFR dumbasses continuing to use it a their main talking point on hip-hop, and not trying to find their own thing. It's understandable to like them, as most of their music(maybe not the older, more political Kendrick to an entry point) is overtly safe to many and easily accessible and have mass appeal; only having them all means you play safe, you don't really want to delve into the constant evolution of the genre. You want to conform. It creates this "model" for artists and fans, and certain artists are impacted negatively(style-wise, recognition-wise).

Even the older "big three's", they are a weird mix. Yes, you could argue from a stylistic point that B.I.G. and Nas are similar, or that Pac and B.I.G. are also related do to their beef. But this feels instated after we instated this hierarchy, before it was just stars in the community. We lowered and raised places in it, it wasn't an equal playing field of inspiration any more. Classic artists were redefined: this "big three" system changed how we view older hip-hop negatively too.

And then we come to a bigger issue. Some people want a new big three, another trio to rise and fall, to be even more pop-centric then the last. Come on, the monoculture is dead. We have our own opinions, our unique thoughts, our own perception. Tyler ain't appeal to everyone, and these past two albums certainly not me. Slayr probably isn't either, even if he keeps playing it safe with poppier tracks(nothing wrong with those, but they are to reach a more commercial audience) like Brand New.

I haven't given my opinion on these artists, I haven't asked you to change your view of these artists, but I am asking you; reconsider the thoughts on this broken concept, this "myth" of sorts.

I’m not a mod but someone can prob make a mindless scrolling sub for music for teens, this one isn’t it tho

anyone excited? the single is fire, and Dark Times was my favorite from him

Self explanatory

I've been kinda bored so gimme a good UG artist I might not know about, don't give me the obvious artists like Che or Slayr. I am not looking for lyrical rap rn(despite it being my preference).

Pretentious:

1. Acting smarter then they actually are

2. Pretending like they are on a higher level

3. Extravagance.

When people use "BIG" words, it's not being pretentious. When people use actual English writing skills, it's not being pretentious. When people criticize your favorite rapper/producer, it's not being pretentious. When people say blatantly state that "your taste is wrong" or "I'm smarter then you", that's being pretentious.

On top of that, y'all be hating. People are allowed to like Mike Shinoda or Polo G or J Cole or NBA Youngboy or NF or whomever, I might not agree but you should be allowed to have your own opinion. Yet most of the people on this sub just want to disrespect others and leave memes and shit behind, ignoring the love someone might have for a topic. That's disrespect not just to the person, but to hip-hop as a whole. I mean hate. I don't really tell the difference between a meme or an essay, if there's no substance or any real criticism at all then it's hate. I fell victim recently; I responded irrationally to someone and it clearly upset them. No matter how rude that person was in response, I ignored my own morals and sidestepped. That shit might be funny to you, but like... it can actually hurt people. Like someone just wanting to see if anybody agreed with them about LUCKI a few weeks/months back or anyone trying to share and find others to conform and share with, your hate probably leaves an impact.

Fuck Hate.

literally ask away for two hours. no asking dumb questions(address, full legal name, etc), or asking for any photos

UGet down sloppy(Che, lil o, zen, Slayr, etc) vs ”Pretentious Rap” Dihriders(J Cole, Tyler, Kendrick, Kanye)

deadass its mad annoying anyway neither side can see the artistic merit in either side and can’t admit they just don’t like it personally(except J Cole, J Cole sucks)