One of the most important days in my musical experience took place on hot, sunny fall day of September 29, 1999 - the release date of Black Star, Jay-Z’s Vol. 2, Outkast’s Aquemini, and A Tribe Called Quest’s farewell album. In 1999, there were no leaks, no blogs, no internet album listening sessions, and bootlegging actually required a little money to make money (CD burners were new and expensive, you actually still had to buy the CD to bootleg, and blank CDs were expensive). Marketing required radio singles and music videos along with magazine and newspaper press (it was a BIG deal to get the cover of The Source) and maybe mixtapes, depending on where you lived.
After ditching class on 9/29/99, I took the bus to Target and stood dumbfounded in the Electronics section for over an hour debating which two records where going to end up with my hard earned lunch money. It was critical to make the right decision because I fasted like Ghandi for hip-hop.
*debating in my head*
Buy Black Star – this is the “REAL HIP-HOP” (remember that?)
Wait…that “Hard Knock Life” is a banger. Jay-Z is bringing the heat.
But I love Q-Tip and ATCQ are legends, you can’t deny the heritage of hip-hop.
Hold on, Outkast has never failed to disappoint, they are funky and different.
*the verdict*
Jay-Z because it had a bonus double disc. (Hey! 2 for 1…kinda) Then I picked up “Aquemini” because my HS sweetheart and I were “Aquemini” - She is an Aquarius and I am a Gemini…aww…how cute.
So, I walked ran (I was a geek in HS) to the bus stop, pulled out my discman (remember those?) and put in “Aquemini.” I must have read every word in the linear notes while bobbing my head. I didn’t care if my bus never came because Rosa Parks kept me company. Nonetheless, Aquemini is one of my favorite hip-hop albums of all time.
Do you remember when listening to music was an experience? Do you remember when you first heard Aquemini? Miseducation of Lauryn Hill? Blueprint?
This is why I hate leaks. The iPod and mp3 generation are robbed of a true musical experience and events. Today’s generation are single driven, ring-tone laced, and fast paced moving music listeners that no longer appreciate the epic even that Kanye West’s “Graduation” should represent. I partially believe that while our music libraries and options have dramatically increased due to the internet, we are saturated in the mix of the newest and “hottest” trend/song/dance/music that we no longer recognize a large musical event.
I think the Kanye West versus 50 Cent could have built up the another milestone in hip-hop similar to Outkast’s Speakerboxx/The Love Below or The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, but with the leaks appearing two weeks before its historic release date of 9/11, our generation have robbed ourselves of a great music event.
Rather than asking the questions – “Where were you when you first heard “Graduation”? Do you remember when you open the package?” – we are now downloading an album and then googling its production credits. Before the album is released, we placed our judgment, no longer allowing an album to “grow on you” because you downloaded for free (yet illegally) on your MacBook. (sidenote: I remember buying records I didn’t like, but because I dropped money on it, I forced the music to grow on me – LOL) One listen on your computer speakers and one blogger’s opinion, you judge the album as a classic or as a flop.
*throws the mic on the floor and just leaves the podium*
Do you remember when…? Do you miss the musical events? Do you prefer listening to leaks? Would you rather wait til its release date? Feel free to debate…Why do you prefer leaks?
Note: This is catered to the internet savvy album downloaders and bootlegger. There are alot of people that don’t know how to download albums online…yet.
Reecie
thehonorable
You make some good points. One the one hand I think that the whole “leak” thing can take away from the feeling that you are a part of something big when you go to the store the first week to buy a cd and support your favorite artist…but the incremental leaks can be even more fun and exciting enough to compensate for that.
After all…discovering music is still discovering music, whether it’s one track at a time, an album, or video at a time. If you look at the top posts on the site…there is plenty of evidence that the leaks are building an incredible amount of excitment about the release of Kanye’s album. People want to get their hands on anything they can…even if it’s a snippet. So…I wouldn’t say that leaking as a whole totally robs people of the experience. Listening to a track, debating its merits with others over weeks and making predictions about where it’s going to fit in is all part of the package now.
I wish that Kanye’s full album didn’t leak so that folks go do download it…BUT I still think that an overwhlemingly large number of people will still go out and support his music and purchase the cd. 9-11 is still going to make history for Hip Hop and Kanye will still be the victor…and it will be another round of discourse when even has the official legit version of the album.
Reecie, I concur with you that leaks build an incredible amount of excitement for artists. But I think the line is drawn for artists that are on the next level - the likes of Kanye, TI, 50, JT, Maroon 5, etc. These artists developed a reputation and earned the hype and their fans are indeed anxious. But artists of Kanye’s magnitude will get hurt more by leaks than by the up-and-coming artists. Soulja Boy, Sean Kingston, and Amy Winehouse needed to leak everything so people can feel them out and then purchase their music. They become successful with long term, consistent sales (see: Amy Winehouse) that will generate a buzz for a long time. An artist like Kanye comes out swinging - big first week numbers - then have the quality to make an album last for a long time (see: Justin Timberlake).
I’m so disappointed in myself: I downloaded the Kanye. I guess I’m okay, since I preordered it 2 weeks ago on iTunes.
I used to have the same experiences with new music. I’m the world’s biggest Outkast fan, and Aquemini shut me down. I wasn’t eating. I wasn’t bathing. All I was doing was bobbing my head to ‘Da Art of Storytellin’ Part 2′ in a dark room.
A lot has changed, so I’m proud of bloggers for not listening early.
I just needed some new study music. I’ve literally worn out ‘Axis: Bold as Love’ and ‘1999′ out over the last two weeks.
I won’t lie, I did download Graduation in the end…but haven’t listened [SWEAR!] and will try not to. For that though, I’m buying two copies [no lie]. I agree, even only being 13 and practically raised on bootleg albums, that the experience is taken away from you if you just download. Even iTunes, I think, is kind of killing it: what ever happened to looking through the liner notes, album art, all that? It’s a damn shame that Graduation leaked. I even feel a bit [only a tiny, tiny, TINY bit] bad for 50, because his album straight sucks…and he made such a fuss. Either way, if I was going to buy CURTIS at all, it’d be on second/third week lol. But yeah, I see where you’re coming from.
wasnt that 98? but yea, i feel you… there arent too many artists i still go to the record shop for… but kanye is one of them… i love having the whole package for big albums… however… i did download kanye’s album (clean and lacking the musical interludes, so i wouldnt say its his *album* yet) and i had my little ritual for it to get that ‘experience’ thesis was talking about… but i dunno… i think the way that leaks SHOULD work is to force artists not to put out bullshit.. but i know a lot of ppl dont get out there and buy it if they liked what they heard on the leak. but ive downloaded a bunch of albums that were just not good… i deleted them from my computer and didnt waste my money… in that sense, leaks are pretty good.
i disagree w/ reecie about discovering music one song at a time. i think the concept of the “album” has been forgotten by a lot of acts out there… for true albums, i feel like just hearing it one song at a time is like showing someone the mona lisa one chunk at a time… you cant get a real idea of the artist’s work w/o considering it in the context of the whole album. case in point: in think that john legend’s version of Home is better that the album version… but the one w/ chris martin is so much more along the lines of what kanye’s doing on the rest of the album.
donjuston, you have a point with the “one at a time” thing, however, when almost all of today’s albums are radio-ready singles compilations, it doesn’t make a whole lot of a difference.
i was actually just downloading graduation
when i read this post.
I immediately stopped myself and realized you made
a great point. i have been looking forward to 9-11
for soo long and do i really wanna rob myself of that?
so i decided to wait and buy the album.
Thanks “thehonourable”
All I can say is “wow”
I use to do that for every big album, we would ditch school, hit Roscoe’s (Dena) then Target or Best Buy and then to some ones house to listen then back to school by lunch, those were the day, i will wait!
G. Vitte…I’m so doing that if I have school on any major dates this year. That’s genius…just need a friend with a car..
i see what your sayin, i hope they won’t be sold out when i make my way up there on 9/11
i used to camp out for new cds too, i remember doing that for a a wu-tang disc, nas’ stillmatic, a biggie album, and many others. i always felt if you’re a true fan of an artist and if you can afford the music then you should always buy the cd or buy it on itunes.
OFF TOPIC:
http://www.mediafire.com/?6xyhrhdpats
the link you see above is to britney’s new track that’s produced by timbaland’s protege danjahandz. no one probably cares about this, but she’s supposed to perform this at the vmas next week. anyways i always had this theory in the back of my mind that if anyone could give britney a hit this year and save her from the hot ass trailer trash mess that she is it would be timbo and his crew. i guess its now up for the public to decide if he has.
You beat me to it. Sucka. I have both of her new ones!!!
Gimmie More http://www.mediafire.com/?9deezyqj1hj
Cold As Fire http://www.zshare.net/audio/33946333b98f83/
Hardy har har. Wait…why the fuck is this in a Kanye post?
Yeah I’m feelin’ you 100%, ’cause i guess all of us “old school” heads, used to do that. I mean wait impatiently until the release date of an album, skip school if necessary, get on the bus or metro, get to the record store and purchase the CD. It was all a unique experience to rip the CD wrapping, check the album art, production credits (I remember that i wanted to become a recording and mixing engineer back then so i even used to read at which studios songs were recorded), lyrics … i miss that so much.
Nowadays i feel i’ve been robbed of those experiences, but i must also add that “back in the day” (and i’m talking about not more that 10 years ago) i was more excited about music, currently there are just a few musicians that would make me wanna buy a record, especially when it comes to HIP HOP.
Therefore, i’d like to thank cats like Common, Talib & of course Kanye for still putting out GREAT quality music, if it wasn’t for ‘Ye i’d probably just stop listening … so people go out and get that GRADUATION on 9/11 and give GOOD MUSIC our support.
Peace
Damn… I didn’t even want to download Kanye’s album off the internet, that’s how much of a fan I’m not. lol
I feel you on that experience business… I’m on your hype. But I thought you was talkin about quality music. Kanye’s a quality producer, but his lyrics just drag out and rhyme for the sake of rhyming, he aint smooth or smart with his content like kast jigga or ms. hill. All his singles were wack. The production was genious… gettin on Daft Punk’s hype and intergrating that into his music was beautiful work, but THOSE LYRICS. From the breathe’s he takes inbetween rhymes to the rhymes he rhymes. But I got you on that statement of actually owning a hard copy.
The last CD I bought and thought was worthy enough to buy was Lupe Fiasco, and Dreamgirls… haha
But to finish up, 50 Cent? Don’t even get me started with his level of ignorance. Child, the only CD I’m waitin to drop on 9/11 is Keyshia Cole’s record. Talk about a new generation of music. Her second single don’t sound too promising… but that girl’s swagga is straight Bay Area… she is the west’s MJB. She is bringin fire.
Even with leaks, when i was in college I would have albums weeks if not a month before anyone else. This was before it became commonplace and you had upload/downloading sites where people post an album in the zip file. It would take some work, however I would have the album and I thought i was hot b/c no one else had and would bump it in my dorm room. But I am ashamed that I downloaded both Kanye and 50 Cent album (In the past I would have bought both) and now, I rarely buy albums unless i love the album or the artist.. just to continue to support the good artists. (that reminds me that I need to buy Robin thicke and TI albums). But with the great experiences came buying cds that were horrible like Montel Jordan - This is how we do it (throwback, i know) and the group that made Come on ride that train (cant even remember the name of the group.
…But it is even worse with the kids younger than us, my sister is in college now and she said she has not bought music in a few years…
In the last 3 weeks, I have downloaded Talib, Common, 50 Cent, Kanye and if the internet did not exist I would have purchased all 4 but now I probably only buy Kanye’s out of support even though it is already in the car which = official rotation.
Side note: I do have a subscription to yahoo music (as of march or so) since I do not have a ipod (I have a mp3 that accepts subscription sites and remember i was the professional music downloader before it was mainstream…
however it gives me the opportunity to listen to music i would never purchase like, old Prince, latin music, Coldplay, I was listening to The Police yesterday. Basically, albums and artists that you may know some songs but never heard entire works.
I’m not necessarily old school, but I do remember having an appreciation for music back in the day. The days when I actually had no money and had no discman, I bought blank cassette tapes and recorded songs off Hot 97 or 107.5. It was a tedious task especially waiting for the DJ to finish talking. I would then use the double deck tape recorder and record the songs in row on each side creating…voila, my own mixtape, lol.
Even the sun goes down
Heroes eventually die
horoscopes often lie
but sometimes why
nothin is for sure nothing is for certain
nothin is forever but until we close the curtain
It’s him and I aquemini
Church!!!!!
Sagittarius Black, you’re gonna make me have to put that Aquemini in. I used to sit and meditate to Outkast lyrics.
I blame the Chinese.
For the most part I still buy albums. I notice when people explains to me why they download albums and they say come on artist like Britney Spear and Metallica are rich so what’s the big deal or they claim they are tired of buying albums that only have a few good songs. I will admit the quality of music today isn’t that great but at the sametime it’s not all bad. There are artist who are releasing and producing some great stuff. I’m happy to report that I still get excited for album. The last album I got was Talib and the next album I’m waiting for is Kanye and 50 Cent.
Great discussion! I actually remember the hype about “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”. The record store was out and I had to wait for days because I was a youngin’ and only had one mode of transporation…the parents! When I finally got that CD I was lost in my headphones for days!
I’m patient enough to wait for Sept. 11th! I’m supporting Kanye and, as my friends know, I don’t support illegal downloads at all! Let’s keep our music alive!
Nostalgia - rushing to the local music store for the release of a Pearl Jam “VS” CD which was in a unique laminated cardboard package, not a plastic jewel case! This is circa, year 1993, when CD’s were valuable media, not used as coasters or throw out the window of a moving car.
I thought the user comment, “Blame China,” was amusing. Sincere or tongue-in-cheek, regardless, the Chinese marketplace definitely perfected the pirate CD/DVD media and distribution of the product.
The people buying the pirated CDs/DVDs are consumers no more/no less than the Apple itunes/ipod marketing victim customer. Both pay a price for something they need. Methods may be different, but the ______ is the same.
Thanks for the article, hmblog.
Gotta admit…China did help get piracy out there.
Wonder if 50 leaked full yet?
I feel your sentiment EXAAAACTLY! I was hardcore with the saving the lunch money to go to the record store at lunch (shoutout to Tracks only to later become Blockbuster Music)….coming home afterschool and sitting on my front porch to with the fellas listening to Redman’s Whut Thee Album..lol. Aaaaah the good ole’ days.
Later on in my college days, I got savy with my getting exclusives and would hit the mom and pop spots. I’d get to know them well enough that when they got next Tuesdays release on Friday, I’d get a copy and rock niccas over the weekend! Aaaaah the good ole’ days.
But now…
The d’ling has messed the game all up. But honestly, though there hasn’t been albums to generate the kind of excitement as records in the past did. We’re bombarded by sooooo much hype on albums. The marketing blitz that comes from these artists in the upcoming weeks of the release date makes it damn near impossible to wait and live up to the hype.
I consider myself a true music lover….one who respects the experience of going to buy an album…going home and looking through the linear notes (bonus if it had the words to them) [Sidenote: I hated the tapes that I would buy that had the perforated edges in the linear notes. They ALWAYS came apart.] Do I download albums?? Hell yeah! Let’s face it, the quality is real shaky nowadays. If an album is good that I downloaded will I buy it?? Hell yeah!
I could go on, & on, & on….
I actually copped “the Miseducation” again like three weeks ago. lol andddd Rakim’s 18th letter. Ave., you got to kid lol. Throw that in ya player and capture da moment.
Music is supposed to inspire….
Lauryn…. CHURCH!!!! LOL!
I’m going oldschool and saving myself for 9/11..
I’d usually download with any other artist but something tells me this is going to be well worth the wait.
“Even the sun goes down, heroes eventually die, horoscopes often lie and sometimes ‘y’, nothing is for sure, nothing is for certain, nothing last forever, but until they close the curtain, it’s him and I, Aquemini”
I’ve got Kanye’s new album… it’s crack…
Synthesizer, microwave me
Give me a drug so I can make seven babies
Pump my breasts up, can you suck the fat up
Please make my life appear
like ain’t no such thing as bad luck
My, nose ain’t right
Like I need a new one
Just take your pick, a yellow red
A black or a blue one
Virtual reality, virtual, BULLSHIT
Synthesizer preachers can reach you
up in the pulpit
Who a bitch?
Give me my gat so I can smoke this nigga
Tell his mamma not to cry
because they can clone him quicker
than it took his daddy to make him
Niggaz bitin verbatim
Thought provokin records radio never played dem
Instant, quick grits, new, improved
Hurry hurry, rush rush, world on the move
Marijuana illegal but ciggarettes cool
I might LOOK kinda funny but I ain’t no fool
Now if you wanna synthesize I emp-athize
Now if you wanna synthesize I emp-athize
But if you synthesize I will understand
your synthesizer man
Thehonorable…
I’m probably a retard for saying this, but what’s that from?
Sythesizer by Outkast…off Aquemini
that was one of my fav 3000 verses from aquemini…it was artistic and creative
my favorite verse 3000 verse from aquemini
Yea yea yea yeah yah yo
Baby did you hear that yea baby I heard it too
Look out the window golly the sky is electric blue
Mamma Earth is dyin and cryin because of you
Rainin cats and jackles all shackles disintegrate, to residue
Silly mortals haven’t a clue
as to what the fuck is goin on
I’m on the telephone, dialin the Dungeon
“Hello?” This Dre, bring the MP and the SP
Meet me at the center of the earth and travel carefully
Baby grab the baby cause baby it ain’t much time
Mamma Earth is tossin and turnin and that’s our sign
Omega Nigga IFO’s are landin in Decatur
Hope I’m not over your head but if so you will catch on later
Play the track, guess she could not take it anymo’
Rapin her heavenly body like a hoe, coochie so’
from niggaz constantly fuckin her never lovin her never showin
appreciation bustin nuts in her face when they done
Its a new day as soon I left work my bootlegger had the Kanye. I went home cornered a bottle of moscato and zoned out. People are excited to get their hands on new music. When I was young Mr.O on Christmas Eve my parents would let us open one gift but little did they know I poked holes in all my gifts. Did Christmas morning lose some of its allure, somewhat, but I got over it quickly. Waiting to hear the album now that its leaked is futile you’re missing out on great convo. Additionally everyone heard almsot 6-7 songs anyway.
my 0.02
I downloaded Kanye album, its wicked album and def will be worth purchase, Go Graduation for No 1!!! I’m loving flashing lights and the glory and also Homecomming
I gotta get that album…
Well at least people are excited about Kanye album. Sure some people might download it so they won’t have to pay for it but at least they are still excited about it no matter what.
So, what? If people want to download the bootlegs, I say let them. It helps me figure out exactly which CDs I might show an interest in and would possibly get at retail. There are some CDs that I got five months to a year after they were actually released because of online bootlegs, and some that I should’ve gone to the store to get because of them. But, in the case of some really good albums, I went out on the release date and made my impact (although very small, since the album in question didn’t get #1 like I expected [and that I can attribute to the leak]).
In the case of Graduation: I’m not sure I would’ve gone to get it, anyhow. I’m more in the market of DVDs. Curtis… was pure unrefined dross.
“big brother” is my fav track so far. the album is bananas, ill def be buying the official one on 9/11.
OMG Reecie!!! I read where you said that you high school sweetheart is a female??? Say it ain’t so!!!??
*Burns lifesize picture of Reecie in my den*
Just kidding ma do you!!!!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
SMH @ Myself for realizing The Honorable wrote this post…
On some serious shit, this is a great great great post!!! I totally agree with you as far as the leaks are concerned. It’s not the same as it used to be before Bearshare, Limewire and the others. These programs and the net in general have killed hip hop and that’s why the sales today are horrific!
*Still SMH @ My Reecie Error*
Overrated.
Sound like old men talking about old pussy.
I am happy to have a choice in what I want to listen to.
I enjoy staying up all night by my computer waiting for leaks.
I stayed up till 3 Am searching for Kayne West Link, there is a joy in that, being the first to find the leak, and I could not wait to get it on my Ipod.
I owned over 1000 cds, I imported all them on my computer and sold all of em, the shit takes up to much space.
CDS and cd packaging has always sucked.
Ho ray hor the digital age.
So fucks what yall talking about.
I get tired of old fuckers talking about hip hop dead, blah blah blah. This nigga Kayne is making hip hop, 50 Cent is making, that gay nigga Common, and that nigga that sound like a little girl Talib is making it. Hip hop is not limited.
Wow… I guess that loser told us. huh?
I’ve never seen anyone put together lyrics like Dre.
A lot of people slept on Idlewild. Everyone was caught up in the ‘Danity Kane’ media frenzy. ‘Hollywood Divorce’ was a sure hit.
ive been in DC for the past few days and i finally receive a brief moment to read the comments.
Thanks for the compliments on the article.
Xfacta - LOL@ your reecie mistake. I hope you savaged your life size photo of Reecie. Is it one of those lifesized fat head stickers?
Maurice - come on now…
redshade - we have one more week bro!
Ave - I dont think everyone was caught up with Danity Kane. I just dont think that Idlewild was a good enough soundtrack to label as an Outkast album, esp. after they went diamond. Hollywood Divorce was a huge hit, but they were so over budget with the movie that they lacked promotion for the album, thus no video for Hollywood Divorce.
Jae - I feel you.
Yo thehonorable…mad props on this post…You hit a lot of points right on the head.
So far this year I’ve bought two albums the day it came out:
1. “Finding Forever”
2. “EarDrum”
This posting makes a serious point. Music does not feel the same anymore. That child-like anticipation and rush to rip through the plastic wrap, check out the CD jacket, and pop the disc into the player are gone. I can’t remember the last album I bought on its release date. I download to not waste my money on crap music. I bumped Musiq’s Luvanmusiq for weeks before buying it. This had two advantages: being able to listen to every track before buying and being able to create a disc with bonus/unreleased material. You can’t always get the bonus tracks from the commercial release.
Still, if you are a true music fan, you buy the disc to support the artist. Real, true, good music is fading fast, so I feel like it is my personal duty to buy the music of the artists I really enjoy. Yeah, I might have downloaded Lil Mama … but I’m not going to buy it because I don’t support her music. To me, downloading is the new age equivalent of trying to tape record your favorite songs when they came on the radio. Its just for the ability to listen to songs when it is convenient for you. Why buy? I guess when you buy music and are disappointed one too many times, you look for alternatives to throwing your money down the drain.
Still, I must admit that 9/11 is bringing back that childlike feeling for me. I’ve refused to download any other Kanye tracks other than Can’t tell Me Nuthin or Stronger. I won’t even preview any other tracks. I want that feeling of walking into the store, purchasing the disc, and listening to the album once, all the way through, anticipating new favorite songs and complete duds.
I was at a forum with 9th Wonder and ?uestlove last night at Duke University, and 9th said, “The most important date in hip-hop history was September 29, 1998″ and he proceeded to make the same argument you make about how the internet has spoiled the fun out of going to the store to buy albums.
I Never was able to afford CD’s so once I discovered Limewire i found myself downloading album after album. But ever since I got a saturday Job(I’m Only 15) I decided that I was going to buy the CD’s to all the albums I had previously downlaoded. I feel much better about this as I know it is the legit thing to do and it also mkaes me feel that I am part of something when I see how well the album has done in the Soundscan. I also now feel that I am giving something back to the artist.
And about the whole Curtis & Graduation Situation. I am a fan of both artists and had previously bought Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and ‘The Massacre’ by 50 Cent & ‘The College Dropout’ by Kanye West.
But I felt as though the promotion for the album was being fueled by an ongoing argument between the two artists. Nether the less I was still very excited about the release of the two albums. But I am sorry to say that I didn’t purchase the albums and downloaded both of them illegally. I enjoyed both tha albums and didn’t feel any remorse for my actions until I read this discussion. So the weekend after I first read this discussion I went into my local HMV (UK Record Shop) and purchased both the CD’s. I have to admit I feel a lot better about this. I have now learnt that by downloading the album illegally when you are really looking forward to a release date is basically stealing the whole fun experience away from yourselves.
x