Apr 5, 2015 I've seen lots of people compare modern music (music from the last 5 years) compared to music from 2000-2009-ish. Many saying that music in general (sonically and lyrically) has been on a major decline, while some arguing that music is coming full circle or getting better. How do you feel about this? Do you think that sonically and lyrically, music is improving and better than it was in the early 2000s, or is it getting worse? Honest opinions. I'm curious to see what people think. Also, I know people would argue that the 90s/maybe 80s >>>>>>> 2000s but I just want to keep the discussion within the last 15 years or so.
Apr 5, 2015 Early 2000's were so amazing.. TES/GROTD/Nellyville/ etc. Hoping albums as good as those come about soon. TPAB/ MBDTF/Piñata have been pretty close though
Apr 5, 2015 music evolves. there's always going to be s--- music, along with the good music we sometimes hold older music on a higher pedestal due to the sentimental value that current music doesn't yet have
Apr 5, 2015 Personally I think modern music, at least rap-wise, consistently topples down previous achievements. Albums considered flawless back in their day now only are remembered for a few top songs because modern music so consistently outshines it.
Apr 5, 2015 this is what people are doing with Encore. disregarding the s--- songs and praising the good ones EDIT: Totally misread what @Skippy had said. Thought he said albums considered flawed, not flawless.
Apr 5, 2015 The Massacre and GRODT. The Chronic 2001 has only about half the album remembered, same with All Eyez On Me.
Apr 5, 2015 I really like how you put it. You're definitely right on the music having "sentimental value". Especially if certain music is connected to events, milestones, or eras of your own life. For example, I heard "Hot In Herre" by Nelly on the radio the other day and it immediately brought memories from that period that I would love to live through again. A modern-day song can't do that because it's not old enough yet
Apr 5, 2015 I always thought hip-hop was in a good place even during the supposed "dark times" that people made as an excuse to paint the newest music as being garbage. You just gotta make the effort to look for the dope stuff. But yeah nostalgia definitely plays a heavy part in how you enjoy it. Good times man...
Apr 5, 2015 That's just your opinion though. You enjoy more modern music because it's still fairly fresh to you. But who says the same thing won't happen with modern albums as time passes. Personally I find a lot of modern hip-hop to be very disposable and always find myself going back to a lot of mid-90s - mid 2000's hip-hop, whether it be full albums or just specific songs.
Apr 5, 2015 In regards to your first paragraph, that's the point. I fully expect that in the next 10 years even albums like MBDTF and TPAB are gonna be a bit rough around the edges, that's the beauty of it. When I'm 40 my generation is gonna be whining about how Runaway is clearly the greatest song OAT and how Take Care is a classic, but future generations, barring the people who actively go out of their way to appreciate and understand past records, will dismiss most of that. I don't think it's a bad thing as long as we acknowledge the impact of past artists and respect them, but I'm not gonna pay lip service to artists whose music is clearly outshined Edit: that last sentence seems a bit harsh and ignorant of classic records, but I feel that you can't deny, at least in the production department, modern rap is light years ahead. And then as far as disposable lyricism, I'd direct you to Will Smith and MC Hammer. That's always been a thing, but nostalgia blinds us. So basically lyricism is pretty much the same and production is far ahead, and I feel like in the future it's just gonna grow even more.
Apr 5, 2015 It's a pointless argument since everyone has their preferences but I'll always prefer 90s and early to mid 2000s rap over any other time period, I have trouble getting into new rap music.
Apr 5, 2015 Music peaked in the early 2000s in my opinion. 2000-03 >* It's not just music though. Other forms of entertainment have really declined too. ESPECIALLY movies. Seems like nearly every new movie now is either a remake of something from the past, an adaption of a book, or a lame new idea. It's only common sense you can't come out with new movies every Friday forever without running out of ideas. Just imagine how much worse movies will be 50 years from now.
Apr 5, 2015 I honestly can't image adult / mature listeners considering Encore flawless even back then lol I don't really agree with this, there are several albums that were innovative for their time, they were great and have aged well; in the end they earn our respect because of their music, and not because they paved the way for new artists. Ofc if they were influential and made an impact on the new generation of musicians more props to them, that's something to consider for another discussion. I really don't see how The good stuff of today outshine the good stuff of yesterday. My opinion on the topic is that most of the time, we discover and appreciate the music of our time and this happens during our -teen years, along with many other first-time experiences and good times. Some people don't care enough to explore more music and stick with that (and usually they glorify it, for example everybody remembers Pac but nobody brings up Vanilla Ice), others move on to different music and never come back, and others try to mix it up. It's a personality trait I guess, how open minded you are etc. I agree with @Fazers that music has its sentimental value, but I think that eventually it fades, or as he said, new music gains value points. Personally I think that there's always a balance. Great music from the past, s--- music from the past, same thing now; some artists make it happen by pushing the boundaries that are set by previous artists, and some make it happen by adding their own flair on already used formulas. Can we dismiss Action Bronson because he reminds us of Ghostface? Can we dismiss Ghostface because he's from a previous decade? Why not appreciate both of them? I just look for good stuff, so far I have found great music from different eras.
Apr 5, 2015 My bad. I misread what @Skippy had said. Thought he said flawed albums, not flawless albums.
Apr 5, 2015 Yeah I totally get that, what I'm saying is that, for instance, Doggystyle isn't quite as amazing as it once was if you've heard Curren$y first. It's not worse technically, but it's a bit less unique and slightly more dated than it was upon release. And that goes for all records, and will happen to modern music as well.
Apr 5, 2015 My favorite era is the 90's, so I do agree that older music is better. That doesn't stop me from listening to the latest generations though.
