Comments on: On Limitations, Yelawolf, and Idiosyncrasies

By: So Juelz Santana and a white rapper from Alabama walk into a bar… « You Must Learn

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:27:36 +0000

[...] So Juelz Santana and a white rapper from Alabama walk into a bar… Posted in Music by Jonathan Tanners on October 23, 2009 For a more detailed take on Yelawolf, check out my recent article “On Limitations, Yelawolf, and Idiosyncrasies.“ [...]

By: gordon gartrelle

gordon gartrelle — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:36:08 +0000

It’s not a white artist thing, genius; it’s a white privilege/critical voice thing.

I must admit that your lazy, mush-headed stereotype game is tight, but why stop at the Nation of Islam? Maybe you can accuse me of attending Reverend Wright’s sermons or say I’m a “reverse racist” persecuting white hip hoppers.

By: Dominick Brady

Dominick Brady — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:41:58 +0000

So this is a white thing, now? Ah. I see. It’s not about the content, the skill or the techniques. It’s about the fact that he’s white?

Nevermind the fact that nearly every other MC/Rap artist/performer sounds like they are aping someone?

FOH.

You’re hurt that a white boy from alabama is more skilled and has more charisma in his presentation and show? Fine. Be mad at that. You and The Nation of Islam can throw a march for all I care.

By the way, did you pick Gordon Gartrelle before the writers of the Cosby Show?

By: gordon gartrelle

gordon gartrelle — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:53:10 +0000

Nope, just perceptive.

White artist doing traditionally black music (or using references that resonate with white audiences or whatever) = evolution is a very old, tired trope and any critic who uses it probably needs to rethink writing about rap.

Started as Gordon Gartrelle in 2007– well before D.R. or Phonte.

By: Jonathan Tanners

Jonathan Tanners — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:55:17 +0000

Good looks, I will update the post accordingly.

By: DIRRT

DIRRT — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:33:37 +0000

just wanted to give credit to my homie Chris Shonting (http://www.chrisshonting.com/)
who took the pick you posted of PILL…

By: BLUNT RAPPS » New Rap Music

BLUNT RAPPS » New Rap Music — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:38:08 +0000

[...] Calls Into DJ Drama's Show w/ Young JeezyThe Unauthorized Biography Of Sean “Puffy” CombsOn Limitations, Yelawolf, and IdiosyncrasiesMy $62.47 Royalty Statement: How Major Labels Cook the Books with Digital Downloads [Digital [...]

By: Dom

Dom — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:39:19 +0000

I guess that was supposed to be funny or clever. Very original POV from a bitten pen name. *golf claps*

By: gordon gartrelle

gordon gartrelle — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:23:04 +0000

So…the best way to transcend the limitations of reverential rap is to be white and corny?

By: Jonathan Tanners

Jonathan Tanners — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:16:16 +0000

Good call Mark, but I had to save a little something for tomorrow!

Definitely agreed, “Pop the Trunk” is very very dope.

By: mark p.

mark p. — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:35:42 +0000

Yela’s mixtapes are cool, but you really should have posted a link to what is easily the best song he’s released so far:

http://www.blvdst.com/?p=4169

I’ve listened to it about 50 times since downloading it, some of the best storytelling rhymes I’ve heard in years.

By: Dom

Dom — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:20:10 +0000

I totally agree. When we talk about the most dynamic artists coming out of this ATL scene (recognizing wolf is from bama), I can’t ever put anyone ahead of Yelawolf.

There is some REAL talent here in Atlanta that not many know about, but Wolf is on another level, I feel.

His stage show reflects this as well. That Black and White photo is a pic I took of him at the A3C festival here in Atlanta in October. Even with all the acts that took the stage like J Cole, Tanya Morgan and several local favorites, Yela did TWO songs and stole the entire weekend at that venue.

By: Virtch

Virtch — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:24:57 +0000

“they are able to synthesize just about everything but the flair”.
Great job highlighting factors of musical movement.
The way you transition from the artists who are fantastic at “synthesizing” to inventors like Yella is well done and insightful.
Dope.

By: AaronM

AaronM — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:51:20 +0000

You nailed it, man. Really well-thought out and cogent analysis.

One thing to add, though this was probably implied: All those pioneers you mention (Nas, BIG, Pac) got better and evolved over the brief period of time that they were enshrined for. From “Live At The BBQ” to It Was Written, Nas became a sharper writer and refined his vocal tone. I like Illmatic better but It Was Written was better written. BIG always had an astounding flow but look at the evolution from the rough, shouty cadence of “Party And Bullshit” to the way he effortlessly glides over something like “Big Poppa”.
Pill and Gibbs might still find some way to break out of “the influence box”, if they don’t get devoured by the hype machine first. In the meantime, they’re putting out some great, if not overtly original, music, and we should appreciate that.
Yela is the first rapper to get me really excited in a while, appreciate the links.

By: Juice Mannen Hugo

Juice Mannen Hugo — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:06:55 +0000

This is a great write up, I’m more content than before to check Yelawolf out.
I’ll wait till he drops his tape with Burn One before christmas though.