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MANILA GREY: Vancouver's Rising R&B Duo

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How did Miley Cyrus’ Heartbreak Song “Flowers” Break the Spotify Record?

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The singer, songwriter, and actress Miley Cyrus has recently released a record-breaking song called “Flowers” in January 2023. This song recites her 10-year long relationship with her ex-husband....

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Men I Trust: Canada’s DIY Indie Band That Could Be Your New Favourite

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Men I Trust is a Canadian indie pop band known for their dreamy and mellow sound. Their music is laid back, incorporating elements of funk, disco, and R&B to create a smooth and groovy vibe that is

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Basics For Building an At-Home Recording Studio

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Artists like Kaytranada have proved that you don’t need access to a professional recording studio to create well-produced music. As technology and social media have advanced, it is now easier than eve

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Facing the Music: Legal Challenges With AI and Copyright Laws

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People draw inspiration from others when forming their ideas, it’s a fact of life. Sampling in music is no exception - and artists do it for a variety of reasons. Traditionally, copyright laws and

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Tobias Jesso Jr.: GRAMMY-Winning Canadian Sells His Song Rights

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Tobias Jesso Jr. You may know his name from his 2015 solo album Goon. Or maybe from his work on various popular songs, such as “When We Were Young” by Adele and “Alive” by Sia. Or even from his rece

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How Popular TV Shows and Movies Resurrect Classic Songs

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HBO’s The Last of Us is arguably the hottest show out right now, receiving near universal acclaim from viewers and critics alike. This holds especially true for episode three: “Long, Long Time”.

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Ginalina: Bringing Her Taiwan Roots Into Her Latest Album

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Folk singer. Songwriter. Canadian. Polyglot. All of these titles belong to Gina Lam, also known by her stage name Ginalina. In November 2022, she released her latest album titled Going Back: Remembe

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Rihanna’s Super Bowl Performance

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Rihanna is an illustrious artist. She is among the best selling female artists of all time, and was one of the greatest hitmakers of the 2000s and 2010s. She has since grown to become the richest...

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How do Streaming Platforms Pay Artists - Is It Fair?

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Streaming is now the driving force of the music industry, making up 84% of the industry revenue in the U.S. While streaming is much more convenient for listeners, many artists argue that it is near im

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Why Jay-Z Was Named The #1 Rapper Of All Time

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Who is the greatest rapper of all time? Is it even possible to crown just one person? Well, Billboard and Vibe did exactly that. And, according to them, that person is Jay-Z. In honor of Hip-Hop’s

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Behind Kaytranada’s Unique Sound

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Kaytranada (Louis Celestin) is a Haitian-Canadian record producer and DJ. He is a highly acclaimed electronic artist, having earned two Grammys and countless other awards for his work. Kaytranada has

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"Is Drake's Music Really 'Pop'? Mos Def Thinks it's "Shopping'' Music

Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet

Photo Source: The Shade Room

Yasiin "Mos Def" Bey stirred up the hip-hop community recently with his candid remarks about Drake's music, stating, "Drake is pop to me." The acclaimed lyricist did not mince words, suggesting that Drake's music is akin to the kind that would be played at a place like Target, making it feel compatible with shopping. This bold statement has ignited a heated debate among fans and fellow artists, prompting us to ponder whether Mos Def's perspective holds weight. In this article, we'll delve into the diverse reactions sparked by Mos Def's comments and explore the broader implications for the ever-evolving landscape of hip hop.

Mos Def acknowledged the controversial nature of his statement but doubled down by questioning the future of the music industry. He pondered, "What happens when this thing collapses? Are we not in the early stages of that at this present hour? What's in it for your audience, apart from like banging the pom poms?" This raised eyebrows and invited speculation about the changing dynamics of the music scene.

Fans had mixed opinions on Mos Def's assessment. Some argued that the critique was a testament to Drake's significant impact on hip hop, while others believed it was simply a matter of personal taste. One fan pointed out, "SO many rappers, old and new, feel the need to discredit Drake, and if that’s not a testament to his stamp on Hip Hop, [I don’t know] what is." Another fan defended Mos Def, stating, "He’s been in the game. Who else would have the ability to make these opinions? He’s not hating."

While some fans supported Mos Def's viewpoint, others defended Drake's versatility and ability to traverse different styles within hip hop. One user mentioned, "Drake has tons of boom baps on songs with Little Brother, Slum Village, etc., if you go back and listen to his mixtapes. The dude can do it all. He just excelled in ways unimaginable."

Despite being known for his witty and sometimes petty responses, Drake has yet to address Mos Def's comments. Interestingly, the "Hotline Bling" artist referenced Mos Def in his song "Away From Home," showing appreciation for the support he received.

As Mos Def's statement continues to reverberate across the hip-hop community, it prompts us to reflect on the ever-changing nature of the genre. Is Drake's music truly "pop," as Mos Def claims, or is it a reflection of the evolving tastes within hip hop? The debate rages on, inviting fans and critics alike to consider the diverse facets of the genre and whether its current trajectory aligns with its roots.

What's your take on Mos Def's assertion? The answer might not be as straightforward as it seems.

"Is Drake's Music Really 'Pop'? Mos Def Thinks it's "Shopping'' Musicis-drakes-music-really-pop-mos-def-thinks-its-shopping-musicDanny CarterJan 14, 2024Yasiin "Mos Def" Bey stirred up the hip-hop community recently with his candid remarks about Drake's music, stating, "Drake is pop to me." The acclaimed lyricist did not mince words...