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The Creative Act: Rick Rubin’s Knowledge Turned Into A Book

February 17, 2023

What happens when a famous music producer takes an interest in self-help books? The Creative Act is your answer. But who is Rick Rubin? Without a doubt, Rubin has an impressive track record in the

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Behind the Music: The Audio Engineer

February 14, 2023

The music industry is a place full of musicians, producers, and creators who have the magical ability to make those perfect sounds we hear everyday through our digital devices. We want to listen close

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Koji Kondo: Nintendo’s Melody Maestro

February 14, 2023

What do popular video games franchises Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, and Star Fox all have in common? They were all produced and published by Nintendo, and the iconic music themes that you hear in...

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Taylor Swift on Industry Sexism and Music Rights

February 8, 2023

Being a successful woman in the music industry is no easy feat. Not only do they deal with the typical trials and tribulations of being a musician, but there are also gender-specific challenges.

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What’s the Ideal Length for a Single— Are Songs Getting Shorter?

February 8, 2023

“Is it just me, or are songs getting shorter these days?” This is a question I have often pondered, especially in the last few years. It appears that in the era of social media, attention spans are

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SG Lewis: Who Is He - and What’s Next For This Rising Star?

February 6, 2023

SG Lewis (Samuel George Lewis) is a rising star in the dance/electronic music realm. He is a DJ/producer turned singer-songwriter, and is known for his disco-inspired, transcendent sound. He routinely

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Lessons to Learn From the Launch Of Sam Smith’s “Unholy”

February 4, 2023

Sam Smith just released their new album “Gloria” on the 27th of January. As described by Pitchfork, “Gloria flips between hyperpop, country, dancehall, disco, 2-step, and intimate, Kehlani-esque R&B”.

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Are Virtual Idols the Future of Music?

February 5, 2023

Virtual reality and the metaverse have become popular topics in the music industry where more and more technology and music have been combined, creating something that could revolutionize the entire

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Grammy Awards Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical: The Category Songwriters Deserve

February 5, 2023

The 65th annual GRAMMY Awards are here, and there's a long-awaited addition to the awards. This year marks the introduction of a new category: the Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical Award. For all

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How Zach Bryan’s Authenticity Makes His Music So Appealing, Even to Non-Country Fans

January 31, 2023

Zach Bryan released his first album in 2019, and in the short time since he has become one of the biggest names in country. His biggest album, “American Heartbreak”, broke single-day album streaming

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Miley Cyrus is Going to Take Over Pop in 2023

January 31, 2023

Miley Cyrus was born into the music industry, and has spent her career channelling her Nashville and Hollywood roots into a diverse discography stacked with hits. Add to that countless covers that are

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Why This Pop-Rock Band Got Hate For Starting On YouTube

January 31, 2023

Before the invention of TikTok, many music artists gained popularity through YouTube. However, similar to the TikTok stars of today, people in the music industry saw ‘YouTube bands’ as lesser because

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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...