Hip-Hop Nerds

A couple of great blog entries about hip-hop nerds and how even wack shit is going for mad coinage on ebay, as long as it's from between 1987 and 1991:

• Revenge of the (Rap Record) Nerds
• Cocaine Blunts on "random rap"

Let me be the first to say: I'm a hip-hop nerd, too. However, I don't necessarily try to cop a copy of everything on DJ Ivory's wishlist (though DJ Ivory's a cool cat and his two mixes of super-rare tunes from '88 are essential). I know I'd still kill for a copy of Maestro Fresh Wes' "Let Your Backbone Slide" 12", if it had the version that they used for his video (it can't be that hard to find) and recently I've been itching for the original release of the Beastie Boys' 12" that had "Beastie Groove" on it, even though the re-release would do me just as well. And I even find myself occasionally buying "random rap" just based on its label or its time period or because it might be rare... but that's when I'm searching in dollar bins or junk shops. I'm not shelling out $50 for a 12" I never plan on opening.

One thing that seems to have gotten lost among certain people in the "hip-hop nerd" category is the ability to look at a track and not think of its place in history or its rarity or how it breaks apart into a hundred different samples. It's OK to like something just because it's dope. Some of the albums I'd put in my top 25 are not ones that made a lasting impression on hip-hop. Some of them are really forgettable in the grand scheme of things. But when they came out, they caught my ear and got my head nodding. And, really, that's what's most important in the end. Everything else follows from that.

Comments

[Hashim A Warren]

I seem to be a hip-hop nerd. I'm the guy all of my co-workers and friends go to when they have obscure questions like "What's up with that kid rapper Shyheim, nowadays"**

Though when you start treating hip-hop as something collectible things get wierd. As you mentioned you start buying albums because of their "place in history" instead of if it's actually good or not.

I used to do with with comics and it drove me crazy. I had books that I wouldn't take out of the original plastic because it would lose value. Nevermind actually reading the book.

Hip-hop nerds also tend to have an elitist attitude. I try to avoid that in myself as much as possible.

**Shyheim is doing his own reality show now.

[laze]

Yeah... there's nothing wrong with being knowledgable (the fact that I know a certain super-obscure rapper is now driving trucks in Philadelphia makes me feel really smart even though there's surely no one else in the world who cares the least bit), but when it gets in the way of your enjoyment of the actual music/art, that's when it really becomes an issue.

I'm also very much a music hoarder, so I know that I'm not overly worried about value since it's unlikely I'll end up selling anything so-called "collectible" in the future.

[Steven Samuel]

I've been collecting shit. Some things I've started selling 'cause it's taking up space. A lot of my southern CDs are selling well on Half.com.

Last month, I copped Infamous Syndicate. It's Shawnna's first album AND it has production & rhymes from Kanye West. I got like 5,000 CDs and I'm trying to consolidate. I like to have certain CD's for 1st appearances. You can see how an artist developed or UNDERdeveloped.

[laze]

Wow... Steven Samuel... long time no talk! So long you probably don't even remember me. :)

I have part of my collection posted online and I'm always getting e-mail from people offering me silly amounts of money for stuff. I actually did sell off one copy of a random early 90s 12" that I had seven copies of (!) for $40.

[Steven Samuel]

Laze...I know your site, but I don't remember from where exactly. E-mail me and jog my memory.

[Jay Smooth]

Troubleneck, Troubleneck, Troubleneck, Troubleneck

[Steven Samuel]

Jay - shhhhh

[Hashim A Warren]

Jay, how did you know that?? We need to set you up on hip-hop Jeopardy or something.

[John]

Hey, from one geek to another I thought all this talk about top albums and building a collection made me want to pass this along a buddy of mine is bringing out a new album (dont worry he isn't famous yet) and I thought you might want to check it out: www.getkarter.com "The Down Low", pretty cool. I wonder how gay hip hip is?

[Matchstik]

Matchstik was born in Fort Camble, Kentucky and raised in Dothan, Alabama. At age nine, Matchstik’s parents separated and a few months later his father attempted suicide. Matchstik’s father, who was formerly a soldier in the United States Army Reserves, abandoned Matchstik’s family, leaving his mother to raise him and his siblings on her own.

Without a father figure in his life, Matchstik found a home in the streets with drug dealers. It wasn’t long before Matchstik himself began selling cocaine. At age 13, Matchstik had his first run in with the law. Matchstik had his second arrest at age 14 for possession of crack cocaine.

Thereafter, Matchstik joined forces with the local king pin, who also happened to be his mother’s boyfriend son. From the ages of 13 through 16, Matchstik and the local king pin worked together moving 3 to 4 kilos of crack cocaine per week.

Then, after his third arrest at age 16, Matchstik realized he had to turn his life around. Matchstik left the life of dealing behind, dropped out of high school and passed his G.E.D.

He also went on to attend college, and ultimately joined the Navy at age 20. After completing four years of service in the Navy, he decided to leave the South and follow his musical aspirations on the West Coast. Matchstik is now living in Los Angeles, California where he is pursuing a career in music.

His energetic and innovative beats, witty rhymes and clever choruses are just what the Hip-Hop industry needs. Matchstik has collaborated with numerous local artists in various locations throughout the United States ranging from the East Coast, the Dirty South, and the West Coast.

Matchstik has also opened up for Joe Buddins and Sean Paul (the Reggae Artist) in Winnipeg, Canada! Matchstik is an impressive 25-year-old who is one of America's next Hip-Hop stars. Uniquely talented, Matchstik does not only write his own rhymes but also produces his own beats.
-Matchstik
Live in the abundance, and make today your best!

www.myspace.com/matchstik

[MASTAMINE]

now accepting interviews for up and coming artist mastamine on his new album "the fast life"

[Hip Hop Community]

i'm a hip hop nerd as well... but i would never buy those things posted.

[Hip Hop Community]

i'm a hip hop nerd as well... but i would never buy those things posted.

[Hip Hop Community]

i'm a hip hop nerd as well... but i would never buy those things posted.

[Hip Hop Community]

i'm a hip hop nerd as well... but i would never buy those things posted.

[Hip Hop Community]

i'm a hip hop nerd as well... but i would never buy those things posted.

[Hip Hop Community]

i'm a hip hop nerd as well... but i would never buy those things posted.