Julian Robinson

Homework Response Five

9/9/14

Relevant Background Information:

Hip hop comes in many different variations and is universal in its practice. The genre
was started in the early 1980s as a way of self-expressionism. However, to many young AfricanAmericans and other minorities at the time, it was an escape from the hostile environment that
the crack-cocaine epidemic created. Hip hop has transgressed through many stages, from its
infantile state as just party music with a Disc Jockey to Gangster rap to Drill music to
Horrorcore, and literally hundreds upon hundreds of different sub-genres have been developed
throughout the decades. Despite the artists of the genre who actually supply substance in their
music such as Kid Cudi, Nas, ASAP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, etc., the genre is often
viewed as only violent and misogynistic. Although this conception is usually only held by people
who dont actively listen or only hear what plays on the radio (which even I will admit is pure,
unadulterated, 100% trash.)
Figured World:
Hip Hop is prevalent along all walks of life. From New York to LA to London to Sydney to
Munich to Brazil, the genres outreach influences those from every corner of the earth. With
every song, every album, every mixtape brings you into the artists world. With their words,
they paint a world, whether it may be in one of the various Atlanta trap houses with boarded
up windows (commonly referred to as Bandos) or the streets of Harlem or the glorious
lifestyle in Hollywood, with each song, they bring you to another world.
Actors:
Actors in the hip hop world dont have to be directly involved in the music business
itself. There are many icons in the culture who do not make music, such as Russell Simmons,
Johnny Wang, countless fashion designers, etc. There are thousands of actors one could choose
from, however there are certain actors I think of whenever I think of hip hop.
Nas- Nasir Jones is a rapper from Queens, New York, who often contends as one of the
best rappers alive. His debut album Illmatic released when he was only 21 and his single
for the album was released when he was only 15. Illmatic is arguably one of the best
albums in hip hop history, and since then every album Nas has released has received
Platinum or Multi-Platinum certification.
Kanye West- Kanye West has been my favorite rapper since his debut album College
Dropout. Never afraid of controversy, Kanye has had his fair share of time in the
limelight, for better or for worse. Many consider Kanye to be a creative genius and
leader of a new cultural revolution and others consider him to be a cynical jackass. In
any event, Kanyes work in the studio makes up for any other blunders.
Charlemagne Tha God- Charlemagne is a hip hop talk show host who often interviews
various rappers and allows them to freestyle rap on the air. Many of his interviews
have caused tons of rippling controversy due to his personality and rather skewed
opinions on certain topics
Dr. Dre- Dre was the lead producer for Hip Hop legendary group NWA. Although the
group split in the late 80s, Dre continued to produce beats and solo albums which often
featured friends of his that were rappers such as the legendary The Chronic. Dre was set

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Homework Response Five

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to release an album entitled Detox, however its been set to release since the early
2000s.
Artifacts- Tangible items that evoke certain emotions or responses
Jesus Chains- Necklaces that feature Christian-related pendants such as crosses or a
representation of Jesus. Often made out of gold, platinum, and diamonds, Jesus
chains are very symbolic of the hip hop culture.
Microphones- Unlike other genres of music, all a rapper truly needs is stage
presence and a microphone. The mic symbolizes the fixation on spoken word rather
than the instruments playing
Communities of Practice- Communities comprised of three or more individuals who work on
the same projects
GOOD Music- Kanyes music group comprised of him, Jay-Z, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, CyHi Da
Prince, Pusha T, and Teyana Taylor. Within GOOD Music is Watch The Throne, the
superduo of Jay Z and Kanye. GOOD Music as a collective have released one album,
Cruel Summer and plan on releasing another album soon called Cool Winter. Watch The
Throne has released their self-titled album and plan on releasing another soon.
A$AP Mob- One of my favorite groups, A$AP Mob is headed by ASAP Rocky and includes
ASAP Ferg, ASAP Twelvyy, ASAP Nast, ASAP Ant, ASAP Yams, ASAP Ty Beats, and many
others. The group has released a mixtape entitled Lord$ Never Worry, featuring their hit
single Bath Salt featuring Flatbush Zombies. The group has an album releasing in
stores soon entitled L.O.R.D.$, with their newly-released single Hella Hoes. The group
has stated that ASAP is an acronym with many meanings, the two most common being
Always Strive And Prosper and Assassinate Snitches And Police.
Domain- The shared devotion to achieving a set goal by the specific community of practice
Sharing their stories- Many rappers are in hip hop because they have a story to tell. They
enjoy entertaining and representing for those who are just like them.
Progression- Many rappers being making music to not only progress as a person, but to
escape the negative situations theyve been placed in throughout life, whether that be
in the ghetto or somewhere where they couldnt openly express themselves.
Practices of the Community- The common actions taken by members of the community that
bring them together in a sense
Recording their music- Recording a good album takes plenty of time and patience
(unless youre Kanye West, who produced the creatively genius album that is Yeezus in
only six months). Mixing, mastering, recording are all things rappers must go through in
order to create great projects.
Fashion Designing- Many artists decide to enter the fashion world such as ASAP Rockys
modeling of Alexander Wang and dating of Iman Chanel, Kanye Wests involvement with
A.P.C., Givenchy, Nike, Adidas, and Louis Vuitton.
Literary Practices- The verbal, written, spoken and nonverbal communication customs of a
population.

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Writing lyrics- Many artists communicate to their fans or even to other artists or political
figures or celebrities in general through their songs, whether it be through paying
homage to someone else or bringing slander to their doorstep.
Social Media- Its quite rare to find a hip hop artist nowadays who doesnt actively
involve themselves in social media to gain publicity

Observation One- Kanye Wests My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. I found that dividing
the tracks up by threes presented a central theme for the sections. My Beautiful Dark
Twisted Fantasy (or MBDTF) was recorded on what Kanye himself called a self-imposed
exile after undergoing many stressful events (Losing his mother, constant media backlash,
legal battles, always in controversy). The album basically takes you into Wests mind and
tours every cavern of his thoughts.
Dark Fantasy, Gorgeous, Power: Dark Fantasy, being the opening track for the
album, really sets the stage for the rest of the album. He discusses the famous lifestyle
while still reflecting on social issues present in todays society. Gorgeous features hip
hop legend Raekwon from the group Wu-Tang Clan and very talented artist Kid Cudi.
This specific song highlights social injustices (Face it, Jerome get more time than
Brandon and at the airport, they check all through my bags and tell me that its
random) and the perseverance to get what you want out of life, although sometimes
the hardships may come to tough (Chorus: Aint no question if I want it, I need it, I can
feel it slowly drifting away from me. Im on the edge, so why you playing? Im saying. I
will never ever let you live this down, down, down..). Power is indicative of his huge
ego and all the tragedies hes overcome and how hes created himself to be powerful in
his true form. The central theme in these three songs is social injustice and dealing (and
defeating) adversity
All Of The Lights, Monster, So Appalled: All Of The Lights is a very famous song
off of the album that features R&B singer Rihanna and basically talks about how
stardom can hurt and help you in the strangest ways. Monster features Jay-Z and Nicki
Minaj, as they talk about basically how powerful they are in their field, how they are the
elite. Essentially, a song constructed of arrogance (My presence is a present, kiss my
ass). So Appalled is honestly one of my favorite hip hop songs of all time. It features of
barrage of artists, including Pusha T, Jay-Z, RZA from Wu-Tang Clan, and CyHi Da Prince.
They basically discuss how they control the hip hop industry. (We above the law, we
dont give a f___ bout yall). The central theme in this specific group is celebrity and
how the artists involved are a force to be reckoned with.
Devil In A New Dress, Runaway, Hell Of A Life: Devil In A New Dress is essentially
about how he has recently broken up with a girl whom he had a toxic relationship with
and how they're trying to fix through their problems for the good of them both.
Runaway is him admitting that his internal conflicts are causing the relationship to go
wrong (Chours: Yeah I always find, yeah I always find, yeah I always find something
wrong. And you been putting up with my shit just way too long. Im so gifted at finding
what I dont like the most. So I think its time for us to have a toast). Hell Of A Life is
Kanye accepting his faults and working for a better future and finding someone who fits

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him better (One day, Im gon marry a pornstar Nothing to hide, we both screwed the
bridesmaids). Someone who can match him in his mindset and rather twisted ways.
The central theme for this cluster is Kanyes tragic and complicated love life.
Blame Game, Lost In The World, Who Will Survive In America?: Kanye
summoned two of the worlds greatest singers for two of these tracks (John Legend for
Blame Game and Bon Iver for Lost In The World. Blame Game picks up from where
the last cluster left off, the two in the relationship arguing about who should be at fault
when in reality, its both. (Chorus: Lets play the blame game, I love you more, lets play
the blame game for sure. Lets call out names, names, I hate you more, lets play the
blame game for sure). Lost In The World is pretty self-explanatory: Hes describing how
he feels now that his love and celebrity are gone. Hes stuck in a foreign land he knows
nothing about, trying to make his way. Who Will Survive In America is a great closer for
the album- it fits with the rest of the clusters central theme of uncertainty about the
future.

Observation Two: Childish Gambinos Because The Internet. The album itself is already
divide and labeled using Roman numerals with an interlude between each section. Childish
Gambino (Also known as Donald Glover from NBC TV shows 30 Rock and Community) has
stated that this project was inspired by his realization of just how technology has changed
the way social interactions occur (and not specifically in a good way). The album essentially
displays how technological advances have hindered the average persons ability to function
properly and cognitively in society. The album is actually a guide for a screenplay he wrote,
with certain songs corresponding with certain events in the screen play.

I. The Crawl, I. The Worst Guys, I. The Party, I. Pink Toes: This group of
songs is composed of generally upbeat songs. The Crawl discusses his new lifestyle,
partying every night, lusting after various famous women (Elle Varner, gotta crush
on her: gotta wait in life for that. Aint nobody got time for that!). The Worst Guys
features Chance The Rapper (whos going to be here for homecoming!) Both rappers
are relatively new, and are far from the stereotypical rapper. The Worst Guys is
about their status in hip hop, and how they stand out from everyone else. During
the screenplay, Gambino (named as The Boy) and Chance (his friend in the
production) are enjoying the beach and celebrating as celebrities would. The Party
follows the form of an actual party. It starts out slow and smooth, explodes into fast,
rapid action, and then ends abruptly. Pink Toes is mainly made for the screenplay, in
which The Boy begins selling drugs once he learns that his dad is dead and doesnt
know how long his fortune will last. His girlfriend Naomi doesnt think its a good
idea because hed make a terrible dealer, but she becomes accustomed to the
lifestyle.
II. Worldstar, II. Shadows, II. No Exit, II. Zealots of Stockholm (Free
Information), II. Earth: The Oldest Computer (The Last Night): The second cohort
of songs all vary greatly. Worldstar is based off of the hip-hop-based video website

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WorldStarHipHop.com. He discusses the various actions rappers commit that

would garnish much attention on Worldstar. He references many popular videos and
stories on Worldstar (Put shrooms in my roommates coffee and got more likes
than a white girl talkin.) Shadows is about him admitting to Naomi his true feelings,
although he cant quite get it together. He knows he loves her but knows his flaws
are plentiful. No Exit features R&B singer Miguel and offers a rather dark view into
Gambinos mind. With a smooth, ominous beat and rather deep and dark voice, the
song is a clear contrast to the feel he tends to give off in other songs. Zealots of
Stockholm really highlights most of his points about newer technology and its effect
on society (And anybody can walk into any Dennys and wait til Im walkin in it with
a gun that they 3D printed and finish it) and the song was meant to offer a contrast
between life and death. The song has a feature by singer Kilo Kish. Earth: The Oldest
Computer (The Last Night) features Azalea Banks and the song compares Earth to
technology, as a way of affecting human behavior.
III. Telegraph Ave. (Oakland by Lloyd), III. Urn, III. Life: The Biggest Troll
(Andrew Auerheimer): Telegraph Ave is meant to seem like Gambino turned on the
radio and a new song entitled Oakland by singer Lloyd, who sings the chorus on
the actual song. The songs content is essentially Gambino expressing his, at first,
reluctance to be in a committed relationship with Naomi, then finally trying to give it
a shot. Urn is a very short song, in which Gambino sings over a slow melody, and the
song basically highlights how hes kind of just watching life pass him by. Life: The
Biggest Troll discusses how he views life as one big troll (joke). He reflects back on
his life (as himself, and as The Boy from the screenplay) as if life is some kind of
rouse.
IV. Sweatpants: Sweatpants is a flashy, celebratory song full of cockiness to give the
feel of how he hides behind his false life to protect himself. Hes stated that its
entitled Sweatpants because rich people wear whatever they want. The entire
song, as far as the screenplay, is a cover up for how he truly feels. (Dont be mad
cuz Im doin me better then you doin you Rich kid asshole, paint me as a villain
And Im born rich, life aint fair..silver spoon coon hoe!)
V. 3005: 3005 was one of the singles from the album that was extremely up-tempo
yet if you pay attention to the lyrics, is actually very sad. Gambino talks about how
lonely he is and how most of his friends and girlfriends are only around because
of his mass fortune. This is, of course, before he meets Naomi in the screenplay.

Observation Three: Kid Cudis Indicud: Indicud is a play on words, the title stemming from the
species of Cannabis, Indica. Cudi is known as an avid marijuana smoker, so the title is pretty
genius. This project is like no other, with him including tracks with him not even on them, pure
instrumentals and regular songs. The project was intended to be a testament to his producing
ability. Ive chosen my favorite songs 11 from the project to do observe.
Unfuckwittable, Just What I Am, Young Lady, King Wizard: Unfuckwittable is
truly a very inspirational song, backed by words of encouragement and empowerment.
(Intro: You can flynobody can touch youyou can fly..) This song offers a great
contrast to Cudis previous albums, where he mostly talked about his severe depression.

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Just What I Am features lifelong friend King Chip. The song is basically Cudi accepting his
faults and working toward a better future, however hes pleading with god to just
understand that he has his faults yet he is pure at heart (Im just what you made me
god, fuck yes Im so odd). The latter half of his songs lists his struggles hes overcome
and how hes kept his head above the water and pushed through it (I diagnose my damn
self, these damn pills aint working fam. In my spare time, punching walls, fucking up my
hand, I know that shit sound super cray but if you had my life youd understandBut, I
cant fold, some poor soul got it way worse. Were all troubled, in a world of trouble.)
Young Lady features Father John Misty and discusses how he met a beautiful intelligent
girl who he cant seem to get out of his head, shes a cut above the rest but hes having
a hard time relaying that to her. (That's what turns a nigga on, strong feelings that I
have. You'll probably never, find out ever; I'll admire from afar, star. Keep doing all the
great things you're doing, you got it going on, young lady). Cudi refers to her as a star,
relating back to his previous space-themed projects (Man On The Moon series, WZRD,
etc., Satellite Flight). King Wizard is another testament of Cudders pushing through life
and keeping a clear head and being strong. Stating that hes going to essentially blow
past the competition and everyone will realize his greatness very soon.
Immortal, Solo Dolo Pt. II, Girls, Beez: Indicud was released after a small hiatus
by Cudi and many thought the album would be disappointing and Immortal is basically
about the restoration in his own confidence not only as a musician but as a person.
(Spent the last month feeling bad 'bout myself, I couldn't speak anything of real hope.
And the day came when it hit me like lightning through my veins, a sudden change in my
groove, in my walk). Solo Dolo Pt. II features one of my favorite musicians Kendrick
Lamar and highlights how he only needs himself and how you must watch the people
you trust. Girls features Too $hort and is basically just a rant about the life he lives, how
hes enchanted by all of these different types of women. Beez features legendary WuTang Clan member RZA, while Cudi only does the chours of the song, the RZA raps on
the chorus about his elitist lifestyle.
Brothers, Burn Baby Burn, Lord of the Sad and Lonely: Brothers features King
Chip and A$AP Rocky. The central theme around the track is brotherhood and sticking
together, the indestructible bond between the best of friends. Burn Baby Burn is
extremely self-empowering, with Cudi taking his angst out against those who doubted
him. Lord of the Sad and Lonely is actually one of my favorites and discusses his position
as leader of his audience. (Lord of the Sad and Lonely and the ones who feel like shit on
the daily).