Q-Tip has commented on whether hip-hop needs another subgenre after fellow legend 9th Wonder says there needs to be.
Recently, 9th Wonder said on X/Twitter that he had been telling “folks for at least 20 years now” that hip-hop needs a new subgenre. The esteemed DJ-producer cited the albums Common and Pete Rock respectively released this year, and said they should file into a category called “Adult Contemporary Hip-Hop”.
Tell that to the moment in music history when they created the term ˜Neo-Soul ,” the North Carolina star said, comparing his suggestion to the creation of the R&B subgenre. “It not only separated it from other R&B styles, but it damn came with a starter kit.
This Common and Pete Rock album begs the conversation I ve been having with folks for at least 20 years now.
Adult Contemporary Hip-Hop needs its own category.
Word to DO IT ALL from Lords of The Underground ¦.we ve been said this homie!!!
— 9th Wonder (@9thwonder) July 12, 2024
Tell that to the moment in music history when they created the term Neo-Soul .
It not only separated it from other R&B styles, but it damn came with a starter kit. https://t.co/70b1q2LnXi— 9th Wonder (@9thwonder) July 13, 2024
Q-Tip opined that there isn’t necessarily a need for more subgenres in hip-hop: Adding [the] ˜ADULT CONTEMPORARY category [to] hip-hop programming is divisive. It would be nice to have everything in one pot BUT… if there is a need to do so, call it TRADITIONAL hip hop as ˜ADULT will make [an] AGEIST prejudge.
The A Tribe Called Quest rapper also agreed when a fan pointed out that the suggestion could widen the divide between generations of hip-hop fans.
Another X/Twitter user said: To me, it s just hip-hop. I never considered a recent Nas release that, nor do I consider the new Common ˜adult contemporary ” “ to which Q-Tip added: Totally agree ¦ but a lot of folks inside are pounding the table for it.
Adding "ADULT CONTEMPORARY" category 2 hip hop programming is divisive. It would be nice to have everything in one pot BUT.. if there is a need to do so.. call it TRADITIONAL hip hop as ADULT will make AGEIST prejudge
— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) August 1, 2024
I actually agree it should just remain as is ¦ https://t.co/1Pg2T7j1CZ
— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) August 1, 2024
Totally agree ¦ but alot of folks inside are pounding the table for it https://t.co/gRycPjF9jh
— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) August 1, 2024
Last June, it was revealed that Q-Tip would serve as the executive producer of LL COOL J‘s upcoming studio album, ‘THE F.O.R.C.E’. The 14-track LP will have guest spots from Eminem, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes, Saweetie and more.
While speaking to NME, LCJ said that “ when he briefed the ‘Vivrant Thing’ star on his thoughts for the album “ he told him: I want to do the Blackest shit in the world .
He continued: I want the hot sauce, barbecue, pickle juice. I don t care whether we re doing curry chicken, fried chicken, rice and peas, or potato salad, whatever it is. I want the blackest black album I could ever make in history. And I want you to help me make that.
˜THE FORCE is LL COOL J s 14th album and marks his first LP in 11 years. The record is set to drop on September 6 via Def Jam Recordings/Virgin Music Group. You can pre-order/pre-save it here.
In other news, Q-Tip earned an honorary doctorate from Berklee College Of Music back in May. He was rewarded alongside jazz artist Ledisi, and Puerto Rican bandleader Gilberto Santa Rosa.
The post Q-Tip questions whether hip-hop needs a new subgenre appeared first on NME.
