21st Century Literature
It may be difficult for most to understand the scope of this song. It is the essence of hip hop, today's defining media, and Kanye is the truest artist of our time. "Stronger" achieves so many unthinkable goals simultaneously, that any skeptic of hip hop must accept this work as a significant piece of 21st century American art. My statements are bold, but so is the nature of this song, and so is your preconceived notions of hip hop, an art form plagued with copy cat artists that often give the industry a bad image.
HipHop is the literary style of our time, and music has replaced the book. As many novels have in the past, hip hop serves as a representation of todays alternative culture and the problems associated with society today. Not only can hip hop be considered structurally more complex than most music today, but it's cultural relevance cannot be rivaled. These are the characteristics that make it so defining to todays society. Kanye West defines true hip hop and it has never been clearer than in "Stronger."
The original track for this song comes from the French electronic music artist Daft Punk's track "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" which is an Ayn Rand like song focused on the industrialization and hardships placed on the people of our global economy. Now using this track as a beat isn't exactly revolutionary, or particularly significant if in it's translation, the true meaning and essence of the song is lost. This is what separates the true artist. Kanye not only maintains the integrity and meaning of the song, he adds to it his own perspective, and a reflection of America's situation today within the global economy. This in itself is a feat, to take such a strong piece and insert values that reflect upon todays society while maintaining the integrity of the original work. That isn't the last layer on the cake though. Kanye uses his popular hip hop style and context to cloak the meaning using the club scene and the female male relationship as an analogy for America's global relationships. This is significant as it ties his cultural identity into the song as well, therefore allowing it to relate to his fan base who might otherwise criticize the song. Through this, Kanye is also setting an example, saying that all music is fair game, and holds equal value. His continuous love for all different ranges of music allows the walls of devision to be broken down in a sense, much like one would aim to do within the social context of race.
Sure, you probably heard it as just another hip hop hit, but stop and listen once in a while. It's not all just bitches, 40s and blunts. It's the music of our time, and it's farther ahead than you know. Don't be so quick to judge because you don't understand, or relate.
Awesome, the Christian in Christian Dior
Damn they don't make 'em like this anymore
I ask, cause I'm not sure
Do anybody make real shit anymore?
3 comments:
Marc-e-marc... quite a bold statement you are making. I dont completely disagree, but I do a little. I dont think Kanye is as intelligent as you make hims sound. I think hes observant... but observations are just that, observations. That doesnt mean its correct/incorrect in any way...its just an opion. I wont deny that he is a great musician and very talented... as well as one of the best rappers around today. I still feel like he is too influenced by the black community that thinks the world (i.e. the united states) owes them something...
Anyway, if you look at rap music as a whole, the majority is full of bitches, 40's, and blunts... making it difficult to claim that its an intelligent brand of music. Although many other styles talk about the same things, rap/hip-hop get the worst of the criticisms...
Of course he is still influenced by the black culture, and you have to understand where and why they have the world outlook that they (inner city kids) do, as a generalization. But that just makes this piece so much more potent because he succeeds in conveying the message of globalization yet by keeping the song in line with the traditions of the hiphop industry, he is making it attractive to the mainstream media and the hiphop culture. And lets face it, if it didn't use the references you speak of as "black influences" it wouldn't get played.
"Well let this take away from my spins
Which will probably take away from my ends
Then I hope this take away from my sins"
I completely and utterly disagree with every argument you have made here.
No, I'm kidding. There is some good stuff here Marc. Although, I think you and I see Kanye a bit differently.
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