http://blog.fixyourmix.com/2009/the-sociological-implications-of-swagger-trendwatch/ Recording Tips | Production Trends | Songwriting Analysis of Pop, Rap, & Indie Rock. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:51:26 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://blog.fixyourmix.com/2009/the-sociological-implications-of-swagger-trendwatch/comment-page-1/#comment-1467 FixYourMix Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:34:33 +0000 http://blog.fixyourmix.com/?p=907#comment-1467 @Brian: While the flashiness and superficiality of rap music has not gone away with this "swagg movement," I don't think the two concepts are linked. TI, for example, doesn't use swagger to indicate how much money he has, but rather a level of maturity and wisdom. It's only the younger, up-and-coming rappers that are interpreting swag as something to do with money. And I hear you on the 80s rock comparison, but the difference is that rap is created by people who (allegedly) came from nothing. While it is certainly possible to achieve fame and wealth without becoming arrogant, I generally allow for some level of pride for rappers who have achieved success. My problem is only when an artist's lyrical content is limited to bragging–that's called boring. And of course it's always suspicious when an artist is rapping about diamonds and Gucci bags but has a budget-looking music video. @Brian: While the flashiness and superficiality of rap music has not gone away with this “swagg movement,” I don’t think the two concepts are linked. TI, for example, doesn’t use swagger to indicate how much money he has, but rather a level of maturity and wisdom. It’s only the younger, up-and-coming rappers that are interpreting swag as something to do with money. And I hear you on the 80s rock comparison, but the difference is that rap is created by people who (allegedly) came from nothing. While it is certainly possible to achieve fame and wealth without becoming arrogant, I generally allow for some level of pride for rappers who have achieved success. My problem is only when an artist’s lyrical content is limited to bragging–that’s called boring. And of course it’s always suspicious when an artist is rapping about diamonds and Gucci bags but has a budget-looking music video.

]]> http://blog.fixyourmix.com/2009/the-sociological-implications-of-swagger-trendwatch/comment-page-1/#comment-1385 Brian Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:57:40 +0000 http://blog.fixyourmix.com/?p=907#comment-1385 Maybe its just me, but it would seem that this new buz word could mean that rap is coming to a phase of flash and swagger, kind of like rock music and its morphing into 1980's "corporate cock rock". I think some of this Kayne West and JZ over the top blinging and flashness will be looked back upon with similar embarrassment in decades to come, whatever about the music itself... Maybe its just me, but it would seem that this new buz word could mean that rap is coming to a phase of flash and swagger, kind of like rock music and its morphing into 1980’s “corporate cock rock”. I think some of this Kayne West and JZ over the top blinging and flashness will be looked back upon with similar embarrassment in decades to come, whatever about the music itself…

]]>