The Trident

Issue date: 3/25/09 Section: Distractions

But what makes them even better for us is the internet factor. I have seen most of these guys live, and they are pretty bad. Lupe Fiasco cannot sign his own chorus to "Daydreamin'" at all. Wale got booed in a nightclub in his own hometown. Fortunately, these guys are made for the internet. While their Renaissance predecessors used canvas to paint, these artists use other people's songs. They are maestros of the remix. Unlike notable artists like Young Jeezy and Lil' Wayne, these artists do what a remix is supposed to do: change the flavor and tone of the song so that it is viewed in a somewhat different light. Lil' Wayne used Kanye's "Flashing Lights" to remind us that he is a pretty good rapper, and Jay-Z just copied his own verse from another song that was literally about the same subject. Wale, on the hand, shed some different light on the song. Instead of lamenting on the drawbacks of one becoming famous, which is what Kanye was doing originally, he changes the tone and critiques famous celebrities, like OJ, for hindering the African-American's chance at staying stable once celebrity status has been achieved. Now although that's a pretty long sentence, it's not that complicated of an idea, and Wale is not saying something so profound that it staggers you, but his remix is still a intellectual step up from Lil' Wayne's reminder that he is pretty good at life.

So why 2009? A couple of these artists have already made a splash in the public stratosphere, but this is the year that the flood gates open. This is the year the underground will surface, and you'll finally have a reason to be excited about the year 2009. So without further ado, here are the major players in the Renaissance:

Lupe Fiasco- The Donatello of the group. He came a little before his time by getting big about two and a half years ago. He became an underground god with his mixtape "Muhammad Walks," and the track of the same name, which remixed Kanye's "Jesus Walks," sufficiently showed his talent and his verse on "Touch the Sky" cemented his eventual stardom. He has written the blueprint for all of the names below him and his "Kick Push" is unquestionably his David. I'd write more sentences about how great Lupe is, but I need to change my pants and find some tissues.

Continued...

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