RAP MUSIC 80s vs RAP MUSIC 2024

Rap music has come a long way since its early days, and as someone who's watched it grow over the years, I can’t help but marvel at how much has changed from the 1980s to 2024. 

Let me walk you through ten key differences I’ve noticed along the way.

 

1. PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES

Rap 1980s

Back in the 80s, when I first started listening to rap, production was all about drum machines like the Roland TR-808, vinyl sampling, and simple looping techniques.

The sound was raw, and even though it was straightforward, it was incredibly effective. 

Artists who couldn’t play instruments made magic with drum machines, crafting beats that still resonate  today.

Not being able to read or write music didn,t stop them from creating sounds that influenced a generation ( some artists of yesterday, such as James Brown, couldn,t read a note of music).

Many talented rappers were very proficient with rhyming words on the spot. Rap battles were held in clubs, playgrounds, basketball courts, on the streets, etc.

 

 

 Rap 2024

These days, production has become a whole other beast. 

Modern rap uses advanced digital audio workstations (DAWs), complex sampling, and virtual instruments. 

Producers blend trap beats, drill, and electronic sounds in ways that would’ve blown my mind back in the day.

 It’s amazing to see how much skill and knowledge go into mixing and recording now.

2. LYRICISM AND THEMES

 Rap 1980s

I remember when rap lyrics were mostly about social issues, partying, storytelling, and showing off. 

The delivery was clear and direct, making it easy to catch every word. The party atmosphere was strong in the records, and we all felt that energy. 

I miss the days of the party jams and strong positive messages in the songs that uplifted you in mind

Straight good fun whether you were in the club, a house party or just hanging with friends listening to the music.

Rap 2024

Today, rap lyrics have taken a turn. While social issues are still in the mix, there’s a bigger focus on personal struggles, mental health, wealth, and fame.

It’s not uncommon to hear about money, sex, drugs, and violence, which has become more prevalent now that censorship isn’t as strict. 

The main concern for me is the social impact of rap music on our society. 

A lot of young folks minds are being shaped by the lyrical content in today,s music.  

Profanity is every other word blaring out of a rap song, with videos and concerts are performed by females in scantily clad outfits.   

Lyricism ranges from intricate wordplay to melodic, auto-tuned vocals (people suppose to be singing), which is quite a shift from the straightforward sometimes raw performances that I grew up seeing and hearing.

 

3. CULTURAL INFLUENCES

Rap 1980s
 
Back then, rap was just starting to make waves, especially in New York City. It was the voice of the youth, particularly in African American neighborhoods.

I remember how rap battles and dance-offs were a big part of the culture, bringing people together in ways that felt powerful and new.

Rap 2024

Today rap isn’t just a genre—it’s a global phenomenon. It influences and is influenced by cultures and genres from all over the world.

It’s amazing to see how mainstream it’s become, with sub-genres like trap, drill, and emo rap showing just how diverse and far-reaching the art of rap has grown.

 

4. COMMERCIALIZATION

 Rap 1980s

In the 80s, rap was mostly underground or independent, with little radio play and not much commercial success.

I remember artists hustling to get their music out there, often selling albums on the street or out of their car trunks. 

Some even created hit records in their home studios, which was pretty impressive for the time.

Rap 2024

Today, rap is a major player in the music industry. It’s backed by big corporations, gets plenty of radio play, and established artists like Rick Ross and Lil Wayne are at the top of their game. 

I’ve seen more and more new artists breaking into the scene, flaunting their wealth and luxury in ways that were unheard of back in the day.

5. TECHNOLOGY AND DISTRIBUTION

Rap Music 1980s 

Back in the 80s, music was all about vinyl records, cassettes, and radio. Distribution was limited by physical media, and promotion relied on radio spots, posters, and word of mouth. 

There were no streaming services or internet to spread the word, so getting music out there was a different kind of grind.

Rap Music 2024

Times have changed. 

Now, everything’s digital.  Artists can release music instantly to a global audience through streaming platforms, and social media has become a key player in promotion.

Youtube, TikTok, Instagram  and other streaming services have made it easier for people to become famous nearly overnight

 It’s wild to think about how quickly music can reach people now compared to the slower, more localized spread of the 80s.

6. FASHION AND IMAGE

Rap Music 1980s

I remember when rap fashion was all about street culture—tracksuits, gold chains, Kangol hats, and Adidas sneakers. 

The look was all about authenticity and staying true to where you came from.

Rap Music 2024

Fashion in rap today is a whole different story. It’s more diverse, often designer-driven, with artists blending street-wear with high fashion. 

Social media plays a huge role in curating these images, and it’s fascinating to see how carefully crafted everything has become.

7.  COLLABORATIONS AND FEATURES

Rap Music 1980s

In the 80s, collaborations between artists were rare and usually happened within the same area or record label. When they did happen, it felt special and local.
 

Rap Music 2024

Today, collaborations are everywhere, crossing genres, cultures, and even international borders. 

It’s normal to see rap artists teaming up with pop stars, EDM producers, and more. The collaborations we see now would have been unimaginable back in the day. 

There were exceptions to the rule; such as the Run-DMC/Aerosmith  collaboration of "Walk This Way". The record, along with the video, was a huge hit.

 

 8. SUB-GENRES AND DIVERSITY

 Rap Music 1980s

The rap scene I grew up with was more uniform, with most artists following a similar style and sound rooted in the boom-bap tradition.  Each artist or group had their own distinct style.

You could tell who they were because their vocals were their trademarks along with their unique sounds.

 

Rap Music 2024 

Nowadays, rap has exploded into a variety of sub-genres—trap, drill, conscious rap, mumble rap, and hybrid forms that blend rap with pop, rock, and electronic music.

It’s incredible to see how much the genre has expanded and diversified.

 

9. VISUAL AESTHETICS 

 Rap Music 1980s

I remember when music videos were pretty low-budget, focusing on performance and street scenes with a gritty, unpolished look. 

Michael Jackson and Prince were the big exceptions, setting a new standard for what music videos could be.

Rap Music 2024

Now, rap visuals are on another level, with cinematic quality, CGI effects, and elaborate story lines. 

Visual storytelling has become central to an artist's brand, and it’s amazing to see how far things have come.

 

10. IMPACT AND REACH

Rap Music 1980s

In the 80s, rap’s impact was mostly local, resonating within urban communities in the U.S. It felt like our music, something that spoke directly to us.

 

Rap Music 2024

Today, rap is a global force. Artists from all over the world are contributing to the genre, and its influence extends beyond music into politics, social movements, and global pop culture.

It’s incredible to see how something that started in small communities has grown into a worldwide phenomenon.

SOUL MUSICIANS: SUFFERING INJURIES FOR THE SAKE OF ART

Dedication. Focus. Persistence.

 These are qualities that one must have in order to achieve your goals in life.  We will always love the soul performances from past artists (regretfully some have passed away) that have given their all on stage and in recordings.

 James Brown, Joe Tex, Patti Labelle, and Prince are just a few performers who gave fantastic shows which became the stuff of legends.  

But how many of us really know what it takes to do what they have accomplished?  


Constant touring and rehearsing takes a toll on the body and mind.  Imagine (in the case of Sheila E) playing drums, congas and timbales until your fingers bleed.


James Brown (starting from the late 50s, and continuing thru the 60s and early 70s) singing, dancing and screaming night after night, knees bleeding from falling to the floor 5-6 times each show.  

Screaming so hard one night that he could hardly talk the next day( he poured a small jar of honey down his throat before each show).





 Prince, who not only did splits, but did them in high heels while jumping off huge amplifiers. 
 High heel shoes and boots were also part of his daily dress wear.

They all had tremendous drive and focus to do what they did on stage.  It took a lot of stamina and will power to get on stage night after night, giving audiences their all, 

making sure when people left, they talked about THAT show!


Artists thrive on the attention of others on and off stage, dressing so they would not look like anyone else. 

Injuries, aches and pains are a big part of performing and often are ignored to the point of where they become very serious issues. 

 Anyone who plays an instrument or multiple instruments(such as guitar, keyboards, drums, etc.,) is subject to carpel tunnel syndrome in fingers and hands thru repetitive motion.


 How did James Brown fall on his knees five, six times a show night after night?  How did Prince leap from the pianos and huge amps into a split every show? 

The answer to that; MIND POWER!  These artists endured setbacks early in the career and decided that they would reach as high as they could, no matter what it took to make it!


James Brown was examined by doctors not long before he died and was found to have very little cartilage in his knees. 

He did splits and knee drops well into his 50s, till he could not do them anymore.  

Michael Jackson would practice his dance moves until his whole body ached from pain.


 I have read about more than one artist being wheeled to the edge of a stage, getting up and doing a show and getting back into the chair waiting for them.  


Al Green appeared on Soul Train with a broken arm(all he had to do was sing, enduring the pain nevertheless) and did a fantastic live show!




Even with today,s technology artists still have to prove they have what it takes to perform(to tell the truth some are selected because of their looks, not musical ability.


Whatever your goal is in life, give it your best if you want it badly enough. Just remember there is a price to be paid somewhere along the road. As James Brown used to say; "Pay the cost to be THE BOSS!"

THE OLD SCHOOL VS THE NEW SCHOOL

There are many old school artists that have left us, in the past few years to the present such as;

ETTA JAMES, JIMMY CASTOR, and  WHITNEY HOUSTON.

Also, though he was not a singer, he influenced a nation as innovator, creator and host of the show "SOUL TRAIN",  the great DON CORNELIUS.  

 

 

The list also includes; PERCY SLEDGE,  GEORGE DUKE,  MARVIN ISLEY,  JIMMY RUFFIN,  BIG BANK HANK (Of the Sugar hill Gang), LOUIS JOHNSON, LEROY "SUGARFOOT" BONNER (Ohio Players), BOBBY "BLUE"BLAND,  and quite a few others.  


The contributions these artists made to Soul Music is immeasurable and unforgettable. 


 In an era where rap music has taken over the airwaves, the old soul music of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, will never die out.  


When rap music first came out it was about having fun at a house party.

 Neighborhood rap battles abound with the winners and losers admiring each other,s talents and  having just plain old good times. 


Over the years,  gangsta rap became prevalent and to the forefront, with stories about the hood, bling, sex, dope. 

Gangstas, guns, girls, etc.,  became the norm for the listener of today, filling minds with dark images of  revenge, killing, treating women as sex objects.
  

I didn't, want to listen to my parent,s old soul collection when I was entering my teens, mainly because it was their music. 


In the same vein,  the young people of today want to form their own music expressions that mirror the times we live in. 

But can we really BLAME them for the advent of gangsta rap? 

My answer is yes and no; everyone is responsible for their own actions. 


If someone puts out information about building bombs on the internet, and someone else actually follows through with that info, does that let the author off the hook? 

No!  When information is put out over the internet or printed; therefore, whatever the format it is presented in, the author is responsible. 


Some people will disagree, that the person is not responsible for what others may or will do with the words put out there.
  

It,s like opening a door; be careful what door you enter, because you may enter the wrong house. 

Back in the day, old dirty blues records were played at juke joints or private parties, stag and x-rated films were shown at theaters which catered to them. 

One example would be Clarence Carter,s hit "STROKIN" (Be forewarned, this is a borderline X-RATED song).

                                      

                 A lot of babies were made when the hit record "STROKIN"
                                              hit the airwaves lol!

 
CLARENCE CARTER,S  other hits along with the great ROY C  not only ignited sex in the bedroom. 

The backseat of a car, motel room,  a hot tub, corn field ( well you get the idea) made hormones run wild and kept the stork in business!


Is it any wonder, that with the rise of technology (dvds, twitter, facebook, streaming internet content) that the door has swung open very wide? 

 The Bible states that every generation gets wiser but weaker. 


 With all the technological advances today, people tend to throw common sense out of the window now more than ever.


Many things that were once taboo(and should have been left behind closed doors)  have come to the forefront. 


The soul music of the 60s 70s and 80s was about family unity, education,  having a good time etc. 


But there were many songs falling in or out of love, cheating or being cheated on, what happened behind closed doors, singing the blues over lost loves etc; you get the message. 


 Check out this hit by DON COVAY below;



   


Also this old but goodie song by RICHARD "DIMPLES" FIELD,



   

 Regardless of what direction music goes in, we have the soul artists, deceased or living, to thank for music that will never die.


  Music that we could tell where we where, what and when we were doing; who we were doing it with (when our kids were conceived lol). 


 The next wave of rising artists have studied the old school and do songs and performances in a new(?) way.  


In all actuality, they take from the best and copy or adapt. Not such a bad thing when you consider there is nothing new under the sun.  

  There is a new crop of entertainers that work very hard but mainly sell sex appeal. 


This  is not imply that there are people that have positive song messages that inspire and uplift others.

The music industry knows it can sell more by put controversial artists out front.

The old school artists nearly killed themselves trying to outdo one another when they appeared on shows together. 


Many old school artists have left the building,  but  the legacy they have left behind will live on.

"GET ON UP' MOVIE- RIGHT AND WRONG

The JAMES BROWN movie, "GET ON UP" has been released close to two months ago.  

While I thought they did an excellent job all around,  the story was not always true to his legend.

Great acting by all involved (especially Chadwick Boseman and Nelsan Ellis),  fantastic dance sequences, etc.  




 

Overall, a very entertaining movie which touched upon different time periods in JB,s life and career. 

Most biographies often include changes from real life scenarios in order to let the  movie flow properly.  In this case, there were things put in that I never read or heard about.

I have six books on JAMES BROWN;  

THE ONE,   I FEEL GOOD,  THE GODFATHER,OF SOUL, A BIOGRAPHY, SAY IT LOUD (MY MEMORIES OF JB, and THE JAMES BROWN READER. 

Also, the great FRED WESLEY biography, HIT ME FRED, detailing his life in music along with association with The Godfather Of Soul.

A tv mini-series about JB,s life would probably run about six to 10 hours to get the WHOLE story! (lol). 

With that out of the way I,m going to list things in the movie that I never read or heard about before along with things that I wished were included;

1. JB going to school:  Kids paid 10 cents to see him perform as a kid in the school auditorium. 

Despite being a brilliant student, he was sent home on more than one occasion for insufficient (raggedy) clothing.

2.  Doing odd jobs, such as picking cotton(other than buck dancing for the soldiers) to earn money to help his aunt pay rent.

 Picking up coal along railroad tracks to help keep warm during the winter months.

  3. How he went out on his own after the Flames quit ( appeared as little Richard after to fulfill the dates after Richard had  quit for evangelism).

4. More studio and rehearsal performances should have been filmed or added.

I didn,t know the the purpose of showing JB,s oldest son Teddy with a rash on his face (never read anything of the sort).  

Teddy Brown died  in  1973 at the age of 19 in a car crash.

James went back on stage the next night after the funeral.  Even though the loss of his oldest son devastated him, James Brown kept on recording and entertaining.




He turned to the stage to help him keep on going despite whatever grief and turmoil he went thru.

A lot of times, movies based on a real person show events that never actually happened in real life.  


When the "GET ON UP" dvd is released, hopefully there will be deleted scenes  added. 

UPDATE: here,s two great deleted scenes below;

   

There was one tv trailer showing JB getting in bed with a woman ( it was so quick I couldn,t see her face clearly) so maybe it will be included. 

 It is sad that the film only made just over $30 million (cost of production) and it should have been released overseas.  

When his concerts fell off in the U.S. in the late 70s and 80s, JB always had sold-out shows overseas and around the world.

It would only be fitting for the producers to put the movie out overseas, as I believe it would really become box office gold.  

 The way I see it , this movie puts the Godfather Of Soul back in the spotlight; meaning there will be other movies and documentaries heading our way.  

Case in point; HBO will show a  two hour plus documentary about James Brown on Oct. 27th with never before seen footage included. 


UPDATE;
The documentary (THE RISE OF JAMES BROWN) has been released. It is one of the best I have ever seen covering James Brown in that period of his career.



Get ready for the magic people, because it,s about to start all over again!

REVIEW OF MY FIRST JB CONCERT IN 1969

This is my review of the first James Brown concert I ever attended. 

A next door neighbor was taking her kids and asked if I wanted to go also. 


I was just entering my teens at the time, but I have been a JB fan ever since I heard "DON,T BE A DROPOUT". 


I can,t recall everything about the show as it happened that night but I will do the best I can.


My father used to listen to a radio station out of Nashville, Tennessee, that played a lot of the  R&B hits of the day. 


Only being around 5 or  6 years of age at the time, the only singer that I remember hearing was James Brown.
 

In 1969 I was taken to a  JB concert by a neighbor and witnessed a show I will never forget!



This was James Brown with his late 60s band featuring saxophonist extraordinaire, Maceo Parker.


I don,t remember all the songs but I do remember the band opening with "THE CHICKEN".  Then the band,s classic hit featuring Maceo, "THE POPCORN".

Then the lovely Miss Marva Whitney came on and performed two songs, "BALL OF FIRE" AND "IT,S MY THING".


Looking gorgeous in a long blue grown she had  the crowd in awe as she belted out her hits, then left the stage.


Let me tell you something; these songs were performed identically like the records ( most were extended in concert)!  Then Maceo blew everyone away with an imprompt  solo sax performance!


I believe  after that the announcer came onstage said a few things pertaining to concert show books and whatnot.


  Finally... he brought out the man HIMSELF...


                                Mister Dynamite,
                           JAAMES BROWNNN!


He was immaculately dressed in a white jacket,  black silk turtleneck shirt and white pants with black patent leather boots(so shiny you could see your face in them).  


Soul Brother #1 strutted on stage and  delivered a quick handshake to the announcer. 


He went into his big hit, 


"SAY IT LOUD  I,M BLACK & PROUD!"


 

The audience sang along with him as he went thru the song and when JB finished, he started rapping with the audience as the band stood silently in the background.


I did recall one thing that he said which really left an impression on me.

"The color of a man,s skin does not make a   man."

                  "A man makes himself." 
Still rapping, he held the mike, when all of a sudden...


he spun around and stood in the SAME POSE HOLDING THE MIKE!

This happened in a SPLIT SECOND!

I tell you as I saw it with my own eyes, the man was as fast as GREASED LIGHTNING!
 

JB went thru his hits from "IT,S A MAN,S WORLD"( he sang live to a tape being played while the band stood around ;at this time he no longer had the three violinists touring with him).







On "LOWDOWN POPCORN", he accompanied the band on organ, playing the song note for note.  


His footwork was dazzling as he went from one side to the stage to the other.  



The camel walk, the one-legged dance, (especially the James Brown) he performed as we all watched mesmerized!


He spun around three and four times, almost falling on one of the drum sets at one point.


You could actually see the sweat flying away from his body as he worked himself into a frenzy and the crowd along with him.


 I noticed he didn,t do the splits at all that night, (I found out later during that period in his shows he didn,t do the splits) nevertheless still had an exciting exhilarating show. 


On the live  JB concert dvds, "LIVE AT THE APOLLO 1968" and "LIVE AT THE BOSTON GARDENS 1968" ( filmed a month before the former and the night after Martin Luther King Jr. was killed) he did no splits. 



Then came his signature cape routine with "PLEASE PLEASE".  Mister Dynamite then left the stage to rest for a few minutes. 


The announcer appeared again and talked about the concert books and other things that were still available for sale.


We heard the shout, "ONE MORE TIME, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MISTER JAMES BROWN", as he took the stage one more time. 


 
He had removed his jacket before he left the stage the first time, but did not change his clothes before his finale.


 
All of a sudden came a familiar scream, "EEEEYOWWW!" The band immediately went into "GIVE IT UP OR TURNIT A LOOSE". followed by his current monster hit, "MOTHER POPCORN"!


The whole audience, worked into a frenzy by this time, (me included)rushed to the front of the stage. 



That,s when I noticed how his pants were made.  Instead of a belt or buttons in front, they were laced up, just like football jersey pants. 


I also noticed for the first time his dancer, the lovely Ann Norman, on an elevated platform behind the band.  


I,ve seen (what we called back then)go-go dancers before but this woman was a SUPER FINE FOX! 


She was so sexy in that tiny mini-whatever she had on, I wanted to motion to JB to move over so I could get a better look at her, lol!


Someone  hoisted a little girl up onto the stage.  The child looked bewildered as she stared into the crowd of faces looking back as her.  


 JB was oblivious to the child, as he was grooving back and forth with Maceo.  


One of the trumpet players saw the little girl, put his instrument down momentarily and gently lowered the child back down into the crowd ( so she wouldn,t get in the way or accidently get hurt).


 
The show ended with James Brown leaving the stage, drained but with a satisfied look on his face, knowing he killed them! 


  I,ve seen JB about five or six times after that, but I never, ever will forget that first show!  Im glad that 
I got a chance to see him with the late sixties band.


James Brown is gone now but...


Not only there is a movie  titled "GET ON UP" on August 1, 2014 coming out about his life, but there is quite a bit of  footage of him  available online, like  YOUTUBE, and a few officially released James Brown concert dvds out now.


So no matter what you,ve heard about JB, good or bad, mistakes and all, know this; to see him live back then was not just a concert, but an EVENT!


He was a flawed human being (we all are) that pushed himself to the top of the music world. 


He had help along the way, but did it HIS WAY!


 There will  always be imitators, duplicators, people that will take something from him and take it to the next level.  


BUT... there  will never, ever, be another...  JAMES BROWN!