Wednesday, January 23, 2008

"Two Extremes collide like Jekyll & Hyde"



Two extremes collide like 'Jekyll & Hyde'
Virtues: bi-polar, psychoanalytics, real | Quote from The Roots Black Thought

In case you all don't know, Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a classic novel about a London lawyer who investigates strange occurrences between his old friend, Dr Henry Jekyll, and the misanthropic Edward Hyde. The work is known for its vivid portrayal of the psychopathology of a split personality; in mainstream culture the very phrase "Jekyll and Hyde" has come to signify wild or bipolar behaviour.

I think we all have a little bipolar tendencies in us; on any given day our mood can rise to an elated state all the way to deep depression. Differing variables such as friends, family, school, work can easily alter our mood. The clinical definition of being bipolar is having at least one manic (characterized by extremely elevated mood, energy, and unusual thought patterns) or mixed episode; which could include episodes of hypomania and major depression.

Based on the recording industry state, I bet more than 50% of rappers have some sort of bipolar in them. Its almost a criteria of a 'certified' rapper to be a bipolar because it displays their range of 'depth' in their content. From Kanye, Jay-Z, Eminem, Nas, Lil Wayne, and even 50 Cent, these artists have demonstrated that life isn't just about a 'party' and doing the latest dance; these are certified MC's because they can talk about their struggles and pain (depression), and then can be equally engaging in a feel-good song (hypomania). With the new generation of rappers, its kinda peculiar, but, they need to start being more bipolar - the people can not relate to a hypomania rapper all the time, because 9 times out of 10, the fan can not related to all the 'Ice', 'rims', and 'hoes' that the rapper is spitting about.

I hear people say that the old heads (veterans like Jay, Nas, Kanye) need to make way for the younger generation to get in the game; I agree, but based on what the younger generation is bringing out - hip-hop is in trouble. And maybe my beef should be more directed to media, as opposed to the rappers; because the media is only giving light and attention (in terms of new artists) to hypomania hip-hop artists like 'Soulja Boy', and other 'dance-pop' rappers. Great hip-hop still exists from the south, east, west, and north, but it remains in the underground - NOTE: where much greatness in any industry and/or art form exists.

Long live the bipolar rapper - it is they that give real music.

.:: d.b
http://cs.vacantlot.org


Sources:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_I
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jekyll_%26_Hyde

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