Renaissance (Interlude 1)

Some time ago, there was an epidemic that occurred within the Mediterranean. About a third of the people living near that area in Europe died. But, as compensation, many scholars fled west in order to escape the plague. And being scholars, they were able to teach… All of a sudden, people learned new ways to do things. And it was better! Peasants were no longer just peasants… they were peasants getting paid. There was a new interest in the style of learning. Many artists allowed themselves to be influenced by old Greek mythology, their art contained more realism. They became depictions of things that may have or can occur in the real world.
Before this gets too boring, let’s skip some chapters in the movie . Let’s go to chapter 1920. Black people arise from depression and come under the scrutiny spotlight. Learning how to let go their emotions as artistic expressions… poetry, blues, art or jazz. It was hard to attain a hater in this time when everything was welcomed. Anything was art, all styles, varieties accepted. Langston Hughes’ Not Without Laughter and Countee Cullen’s The Black Christ and Other Poems; novels and poems. The visuals: Jacob Lawrence, Palmer Hayden or Aaron Douglass. As well as the musicians: Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk or Fats Waller.
All this Renaissance talk leads me to say that Hip Hop is changing. Around the early 1980s, it was all about good beats and simple rhymes. ‘Cause no one really had the time to make improve their lyrical content. They were content with what they’ve done, and only having fun. But… then came a time.. about 5 years later, when people thought about their stories. It wasn’t just having fun with Dick & Jane… it expounded why Dick & Jane had to rob in order to support their family because of effed up companies effing up the world. How Dick & Jane didn’t have the money to provide a hot shower for their son. This Golden Age was like Story time. Rappers spoke their stories or tales they’ve witnessed or heard…. And bedtime was at 1994 sharp! Now, it seems hip hop contains many artists heavily influenced by braggadocio – which is boasting/bragging. Bragging within hip hop… seems like a topic anyone can pick up and throw over a beat… hmmmmmmmmmmm