“Syllables” by Eminem ft. Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Cashis, Stat Quo

Some of the all-time greats get together and offer a commentary on the state of modern hip-hop. I don’t want to say much because I want to let the track do the talking, but everyone should give this track a listen.

Actually, more than a listen. Digest it. Mull it over. Then scroll down and listen to that Akon track. It really is a sad day when “musicians” can have successful careers because of a robotic production formula that jettisons artistry in favor of marketability. With all of the gimmicky rubbish that comes out these days, legitimate artists are having a harder time getting their music noticed.

A lot of producers and artists that I’ve talked to lament the fact that they begrudgingly have to “sell out” to get their music listened to. When we, as listeners, take a passive role in our music discovery process (you know that friend who says their favorite music is “whatever is on the radio”) we’re only sabotaging the art of music even further. It’s an uncomfortable truth, but a truth nonetheless.

I know I’m guilty of perpetuating the process somewhat, because I have a responsibility to you all to post music that I think would be embraced by “mainstream” music listeners at parties. But I think its safe to say that if I only posted up-and-coming musicians, this site wouldn’t be nearly as successful as it is, and thus it wouldn’t be as great of a platform to showcase the up-and-coming talent that we do. Thus, the “sell-out” tendency is self-reinforcing.

Its a vicious cycle and I hate the fact that I’m a part of it. But I know that you’re coming to this site because you want to take an active role in what you listen to. So when you see a post that features an artist you’ve never heard of, check it out. Appreciate the talent and artistry that went into the track. I promise I’m not wasting your time. You might even end up liking it more than the last Ke$ha song you downloaded.

Shout out to Tim G, Robbie Z-s, DJ Trademark and all of the rest of the undiscovered, up-and-coming talent. I guess I said more than I meant to…

Syllables by Fresh On Campus

+57 rating, 69 votes

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• Posted by The Professor
 ·
• Sunday, Jan 2, 2011 @ 7:02 pm

• 7 Comments
• · Artists: 50 Cent, Cashis, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Jay-Z, Stat Quo

1. frontin link to this
   Jan 2, 2011 at 11:01 pm

   good post prof

2. CK link to this
   Jan 3, 2011 at 12:50 am

   Yes, yes, and yes. Prof, I know you call me a hipster and it’s funny and all that good stuff and I honestly don’t mind it, but the reason (I think) you even consider me one jokingly is because I reject a lot of mainstream songs that aren’t about lyrics, aren’t about musicality and artistry, they’re just about catchy beats. And even I get suckered into some catchy, meaningless songs, but it’s good to be aware that there are very talented artists out there who don’t get enough attention because they don’t pander to the majority of the public. I agree with your post 100% and I don’t think you post too many Top 40 hits or w/e you wanna call them. Seriously, thought, loved the post and it is spot on. Loved the song too, of course, we need more music like this that calls us out on our bullshit, passive listening.

3. Yoch link to this
   Jan 3, 2011 at 11:50 am

   well wrote prof

4. ne0 link to this
   Jan 3, 2011 at 3:28 pm

   welcum, nice post

5. tm link to this
   Jan 5, 2011 at 10:53 pm

   i dont see how a musician’s whose lyrics include

   “So crack a bottle, let your body waddle
   Don’t act like a snobby model you just hit the lotto
   O-oh o-oh, bitches hopping in my Tahoe
   Got one riding shotgun and no not one of em got clothes
   Now where’s the rubbers? Whose got the rubbers?
   I notice there’s so many of em
   And there’s really not that many of us”

   can complain about dumbing down his style.

6. Stephen link to this
   Jan 6, 2011 at 12:56 am

   Eminem has bashed himself for that entire album on Recovery.

   “So lets be honest, that last Relapse CD was ehhh”–Not Afraid

   After stepping back and listening to the mainstreamed Relapse, he was like “wow, that sucked” and proceeded to produce Recovery.

7. tm link to this
   Jan 9, 2011 at 1:57 pm

   That doesn’t change the fact that persona that based his career, Slim Shady, possesed one of the most obscene and by all means “dumb” styles known to music.