Old N*ggas - YBN Cordae

As a fan of J. Cole's "1985," I am sort of taken aback with "Old N*ggas." J. Cole is not trying to save Hip Hop or completely remove this recent trap trend that has crept into Hip Hop, however he has been critical and has attempted to mold and assist the new generation of sound cloud rappers and trap stars for the "better." J. Cole's recent KOD (where "1985" is featured) uses trap at times with irony of J. Cole's and many other's negative perception of trap, but nonetheless does not negate its influence and can't help but embrace it. Being someone who has been in the "game" for a while, J. Cole is aware of having to adapt to new trends and niches that come about, but as someone part of the elder generation who think this style of Hip Hop is dumb, J. Cole cannot help but think something needs to be done for these kids who have embodied trap as part of their identity. Enter "Old N*ggas."

YBN Cordae is a young rapper coming up in this trap trend, who seems to have an affinity of using the same beat of other tacks, a notable example being "My Name Is," but definitely understands and is relatively cognizant of what he's saying versus other trap stars who recite silly and simply melodic bars ("Gucci Gang"). "Old N*ggas" is evident of YBN Cordae's potential as an artist (while still using the exact beat from "1985") serving as the voice of the trap generation in the consistent belittlement of their music stylings.

These trap stars are saying that these older rappers, whom they looked up to as father figures have let them down, "other idols they be broke, get your funds in your order/And Kanye West is a Trump supporter." "1985" is trying to mold and teach these kids on how to come up in Hip Hop, but Cordae and the rest of the new generation are not buying it. Trap is not a small trend, it is the new wave in Hip Hop that can't be escaped and the older rap community has to see that.

Trap is scrutinized as being idiotic and unable to evoke meaning or a coherent message, however KOD, DAMN and recently, Childish Gambino's "This is America" has shown that this new wave in rap is still able to create meaning and spread a message to listeners. Instead of trying to educate these rappers to do the same thing that these older rappers have been doing for years, maybe we should be learning from them.