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rchecka

Good point about Stunts and Blunts I think that's definitely considered classic, but again there aren't too many underground "classics" of that caliber. Maybe I'm being too picky about what I consider classic or maybe I'm not thinking hard enough of good underground examples like that, but it seems like there are more popular via air-play (Radio and MTV etc) classics by far.

i think there are a number of releases of that calibur. I could start with Da King and I - 'Contempary Jeep Music', and end with, "the UN - 'U In Or Out'...and fill in the space in-between.

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rchecka


For example, I was at a Del show a few years back and he was giving away a hard copy printed CD for free to everyone and it was only available for free on CD to his fans at the shows and free online to anyone who wanted it. This was a full bona fide album, mind you, not a mixtape. It it's pretty good. (well, it's ok.) It has no chance of being classic in anyone's book and that type of distribution is becoming more of the norm for established or new artists. I don't think that kind of easily accessible distribution helps give the work any kind of longevity factor. I got umpteen Gigabites of that kind of music that I forgot about. For me it's the ones that get on the big labels that I personally consider Hip Hop classics. Admittedly my list of classics is frankly a short list.

now, it sounds like you're equating "classic" in terms of records/CD sales, distribution, etc. I dont equate the term with that at all. Like i said before, to me, "classic" is about the sound...as mentioned in point #1 in BM31 response - the ability for a song and/or album transcending time - still sounding dope/fresh as it did when it came out...whether it be 5-10-15-20 years.

In my ear, i can also understand and agree with the term, Jay Brown made of "instant classic"...sometimes your just hear a song/track/album and you know it s just a purely, great music, right off-bat. That right there makes a great A&R, IMO.

This dialouge proves - like mentioned before by a few headz on this thread....the term means different things to different people.




peace.

I agree with Jay's statement when he says classic is something that sounds fresh way down the line. To me it's about the concept, the content and the production. Also playability; listening to an album in it's entirety and it telling a story, or conveying a theme or an emotion. To me Mobb Deeps Infamous is still fresh today.

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Shook Ones Pt.2 is the definition of what a classic Hip Hop joint is.

Made with exclusive use of an obscure Quincy Jones movie take,a hillbilly breakbeat and
Herbie Hancock's Jessica all rolled into one.True realness.

A lot of good things already said, so I'm just gonna add my 2 cents. To me a Hip Hop classic is an album/song that first of all commands attention from both fans and other artists when it drops, like it makes the established artists go "Damn that's something else, I gotta step my game up", be it beats, rhymes or whatever. For example Kool Moe Dee once said that when he first heard "My melody", he had to stop his car and just listen to it, 'cuase it was the next level.

Second of all the record has to have a clear and lasting influence on present and future artist while at the same time it's a record that many fans go back to year after year. For example "Straight outta compton" changed the entire landscape and even kids today know that song.

Many records that people often call classics, are either personal classics, local classics, club classics, or sub-genre classics, but not what I would concider a true Hip Hop Classic.

^Well put man, I agree completely.

Good point on the Shook Ones track BM.

Interesting, I think everyone is a lot closer than you might think of on their understanding of the term classic Hip Hop. Seems like there may be some differences in what is considered the "primary prerequisites" it's just where the individual puts more emphasis of importance on popularity, game changer, under vs above ground, instant appreciation vs time to stew, etc. We all know a classic when someone mentions it, and we all seem to know it when it's used haphazardly.



I don't know why but somehow I think this thread could use a pie chart.

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