Hip Hop Blogs: 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:

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

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.

Posted by: Hashim A Warren | 2004.12.13 at 04:59 PM

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.

Posted by: laze | 2004.12.13 at 05:03 PM

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.

Posted by: Steven Samuel | 2004.12.13 at 07:00 PM

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.

Posted by: laze | 2004.12.13 at 08:52 PM

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

Posted by: Steven Samuel | 2004.12.14 at 06:30 PM

Troubleneck, Troubleneck, Troubleneck, Troubleneck

Posted by: Jay Smooth | 2004.12.16 at 01:08 AM

Jay - shhhhh

Posted by: Steven Samuel | 2004.12.16 at 02:00 AM

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

Posted by: Hashim A Warren | 2004.12.16 at 01:19 PM

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?

Posted by: John | 2004.12.16 at 06:26 PM

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-Matchstik
Live in the abundance, and make today your best!

www.myspace.com/matchstik

Posted by: Matchstik | 2007.07.06 at 11:05 PM