What's Your Style?

I read an article quite some time ago around the time when Missy Elliott was talkin' about how she was "Supa Dupa Fly" She made the comment that she didn't watch a lot of TV and that she seldom listened to the radio. This was because she didn't want other peoples music to interfere with her creativity.

While I believe it is important to know what people like and what music is being embraced, Rappers and singers do need to isolate themselves to a certain extent to find out what type of style they are truly supposed to project. When I hear a lot of music that sounds repetitive and eventually turn it off, I think to myself "That formula is not working for them."

I come to the conclusion that a lot of rappers and singers don't know their style. The main reason for a lot of this is that most artists automatically lock themselves into a certain style of rap based on their geographical location.

In my opinion, you should strive to be unique anyway. Sure you live in the south and the south is making music that is selling, but if you sound better arranging your lyrics like an east coast rapper, that's just the way your gift was given to you. I took Missy's advice way back when I heard it. Today, I feel like I can't be put in a box. I'm in the south, but while most would expect crunk beats, my music is kind of mellowed out and R&B-ish, and a little unorthodox too. I've heard MC's who would actually sound better over my style of beats ask for more crunk down south beats. I can give them exactly what they want, but then they try to rap over those beats with a flow that needs more of a storytelling instrumental. Most of the rappers who have this problem are quite gifted. They just need to turn the radio off and study themselves for a minute.

I've heard rappers try to spit deep lyrics with metaphors over beats that are only fit for booty shaking or club fighting. I seldom see this type of music get far. They want a hype club song, but they're really saying something that has substance and people don't grasp that over beats they would rather be shakin' it fast to. You also have to ask yourself "Do I even look like that style of rapper I'm attempting to be?" I think if these MC's find their true style and delivery and put it with the right beats, they have a better chance of getting where they desire to be.