Halfway Through 2018
At the writing of this article, we are now at the halfway mark of 2018. Through all of the ridiculous happening in this hyper charged socio-political world, I'm shocked that we made it this far. I could've guessed that we would've gotten blown up by a nuclear attack by either the United States, North Korea or Russia but that hasn't happened (yet); the most explosive thing we've seen is the Hip-Hop communities drama. Modern kings are facing underground kings while icons are facing icons like it's wild west. I couldn't have predicted anything that happened so far during this calendar year, but I attempted to do so in December of 2017 with What to Expect from 2018... Let's see how I did!
The rap world didn't explode on Grammy Night... It did so almost every other day
Allow me to be honest: I am of the firm belief that DAMN is Kendrick Lamar's best musical entreprise. It's not on the same lyrical level or depth that one can find in Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, but it's nice to listen to. All the while, I do not think that he should've won the grammy for best album - it should've gone to Jay-Z for having released 4:44. DAMN should've gotten second place, followed by Culture by Migos. No matter where you stand, let us all appreciate that Kendrick won and that there wasn't as big a backlash as there could've been. 2018 has been the year that I've seen hip-hop truly be on the news in a nearly weekly level, from Cardi B's pregnancy, to Drake vs. Pusha T and even the unfortunate passing of XXXTentacion. We've been emotionally rocked for a year, so let's just hope that the rap world decides to be relaxed for the rest of the year.
Overall grade: A (I was right. Just so happens that it happened every other night)
Big rappers staying quiet...
I'm going to take my big fat L here and we are only halfway through the year. Jay-Z released a collaboration album with Beyoncé and it was the definition of fire. Kanye West decided to release two albums that have been critically lauded as being some of his best work. J.Cole possibly made the rap songs that will be heard in your darkest moments and on the basketball courts for the next six years. Nas's album is actually done and released this time (I've been waiting since 2016). That's what we've already seen being released! Let's not forget that Nicki Minaj is gearing up the Queen album, while Wiz Khalifa has his eyes set on Rolling Papers 2 just as A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has The International Artist coming in September 2018. Members of the rap community, I apologize for my doubts.
Overall grade: L (I would've given an F, but I'm proud and kinda happy about this L)
The rise of new rappers is stunted?
Now this might be the most controversial piece of this entire article. I want to see the culture grow and new artists take the helm. New ideas have always been controversial, but they're needed if we believe in progress and innovation. But new rappers aren't taking the game like I thought they would - if anything, they're being stunted. Big artists such as Jay-Z, Ye and the like are taking up so much time and space, we aren't able to give respect and time to the rappers who are on the come-up. Artists such as Joyner Lucas, Mark Battles and even anyone you can see being nominated or having gotten a place for the XXL Freshman Class - except Bhad Barbie, let's have class - should have, if not take, the opportunity to take the game by the horns and truly make a name for themselves... I hope they pick their spots correctly and take the next step towards superstardom, because stars don't shine forever.
Grade: C (I can't control this one and they can't either).
Overall, I'm not too far off in my predictions. It's not that bad of a problem and we still have more than half a year to be able to see all of these things come to fruition. That being if the world isn't blown up in a nuclear holocaust that takes out more than 70% of the human population within the first six months, causing the fall of energy centers, media and modern civilization as we know it.