EminemBase wrote:Mr.DGAF wrote:I don't agree with everything he said, but for around here at least, you don't here like actual rap outside of the rap station. The stations that play the "hits" or the "pop" songs play mostly everything except rap. However, Macklemore's songs have been huge there, where as I haven't heard it on the rap station. I can't recall a black rap song being played on my pop stations honestly. So I guess it goes both ways, but again, that's just what I hear.
Do you think perhaps that may be due to the MUSICAL elements of Macklemore? the fact the production sounds more pop-jazz influenced, it's louder, broader, catchier...
Compared to J. Cole who is far more refined and basic rap, it's much more RAP FOR RAP FANS, not rap for the rest of the world, which is more what Macklemore's singles are... hence therefore appealing to more of the rest of the world. Because the music is bigger, broader and catchier.
Don't you recall hearing Lil Wayne on any 'hits' stations... ? "Lollipop"... remember that, or... ? Don't you think again, that's probably because the song is really broad and catchy... ?
What about 50 Cent? And his gigantic dominance of every radio station in existence back in the day?... I remember 50's hits also being really fucking catchy... hmmm, I'm seeing a theme...
? Or do you think that's because he's white? Oh wait. 50 isn't white. Uh-oh, theory untangling.
I have heard plenty of black rappers on pop stations, all the time, all throughout my life... I mean jesus, I heard fucking Dr. Dre 'STILL DRE' back on pop stations growing up...
Seems to me catchiness is what gets music played on music stations, not race. Hence why a plethora of black rappers (Chingy, Dre, Wayne, 50, Ludacris) have been on all kinds of mainstream stations throughout their career. J. Cole isn't as big, because he's not as catchy.
J. Cole sold nearly as much as Eminem with his debut album, in an era where albums have a much harder time selling. He just hasn't elevated to a new level because there's not enough compelling elements to his music, or him as an artist; and I've seen interviews with the guy and what he has to say and why he says it, and he's not an interesting guy.
Even Lil Wayne - I've seen interviews with him and as much as I hate his music, I can clearly see why he's big, he's got charisma and interesting things to say... sometimes. J. Cole is a boring guy, he exudes boring, nobody fucking cares about race: they care about interesting though.
"Power Trip" also got to #19 on the chart... "Crooked Smile" got in the top 50 too... considering those songs AIN'T catchy or musically memorable, I'd say that's pretty fucking good. Macklemore's songs are WAY, WAY more catchier. I've heard "Thrift Shop" like twice and could hum the melody right now. But rather than face reality - he'd rather go for the easy way out, blame it on race. Idiot.
It's such nonsense. Everybody stop the race talk, it's boring. And just plainly incorrect.
I don't think race is the only reason. I don't even think it's a big one. But I do believe that it's a small reason. This is one area I'm not fully backing Cole, but I can't knock how he sees shit. Some people have a complex about them. I dunno.
