A 35-year stretch without a rap song on Billboard's Hot 100 has left many scratching their heads - an era of formulaic beats and sanitized lyrics seems to be the norm now, according to Abiodun Oyewole, co-founder of hip-hop forefathers The Last Poets.
It was 57 years ago that Oyewole came together with fellow poets Jalal Mansur Nuriddin and Umar Bin Hassan at a writers' workshop in East Harlem's Mount Morris Park. Their collective would become the Last Poets, outfitting themselves in African prints and advocating for populism through their verses. The group released its debut album in 1970, which peaked at No 29 on the Billboard 200.
The Last Poets were pioneers of "jazz poetry," whose tight rhythms, insurgent message, and emphasis on Black consciousness laid the groundwork for hip-hop music. Artists from Melle Mel to KRS One to Common have paid homage to The Last Poets in their work. Oyewole's "party and bullshit" line has become a title and hook for Notorious BIG's debut single.
Oyewole credits Last Poets co-founder David Nelson with challenging him to express the rage he felt towards racism through poetry. In an interview, Oyewole told Ernie Isley that the Isley Brothers' hit song It's Your Thing inspired his first poem, What's Your Thing, Brother?. The poem is a warning to those who would seek to oppress others: "You better get a thing before you lose everything."
Oyewole believes hip-hop's emphasis on style over substance has led to its commercialization and watering down of its original message. He says that the industry's focus on creating catchy hooks and beats has resulted in lyrics that are "barely intelligible." Oyewole also argues that this shift has made it easier for politicians like Donald Trump to dismiss critical voices, such as those advocating for diversity and inclusion.
When asked about Kanye West's recent fall from grace, Oyewole says the rapper got hooked on "bitch brew" and is now "stuck, strung out." He also criticized Charlie Kirk's death, saying it was an attempt by right-wing forces to turn a civil rights martyr into a figure worthy of reverence.
Oyewole points to his own experiences growing up in New York City as an example of how The Last Poets' message was always about living life and fighting for justice. "Our music has always been a reflection of our living," he says, but notes that the group is "dying spiritually." Oyewole believes this is because hip-hop's focus on style over substance has led to its own spiritual death.
When asked about the relevance of The Last Poets' message in today's climate, Oyewole remains hopeful. He says that times of great chaos often bring opportunities for change and growth. "In times of great chaos, there's opportunity," he says. While acknowledging that some people may be working to erode Black excellence and history, Oyewole believes that The Last Poets' mission will ultimately prevail.
It was 57 years ago that Oyewole came together with fellow poets Jalal Mansur Nuriddin and Umar Bin Hassan at a writers' workshop in East Harlem's Mount Morris Park. Their collective would become the Last Poets, outfitting themselves in African prints and advocating for populism through their verses. The group released its debut album in 1970, which peaked at No 29 on the Billboard 200.
The Last Poets were pioneers of "jazz poetry," whose tight rhythms, insurgent message, and emphasis on Black consciousness laid the groundwork for hip-hop music. Artists from Melle Mel to KRS One to Common have paid homage to The Last Poets in their work. Oyewole's "party and bullshit" line has become a title and hook for Notorious BIG's debut single.
Oyewole credits Last Poets co-founder David Nelson with challenging him to express the rage he felt towards racism through poetry. In an interview, Oyewole told Ernie Isley that the Isley Brothers' hit song It's Your Thing inspired his first poem, What's Your Thing, Brother?. The poem is a warning to those who would seek to oppress others: "You better get a thing before you lose everything."
Oyewole believes hip-hop's emphasis on style over substance has led to its commercialization and watering down of its original message. He says that the industry's focus on creating catchy hooks and beats has resulted in lyrics that are "barely intelligible." Oyewole also argues that this shift has made it easier for politicians like Donald Trump to dismiss critical voices, such as those advocating for diversity and inclusion.
When asked about Kanye West's recent fall from grace, Oyewole says the rapper got hooked on "bitch brew" and is now "stuck, strung out." He also criticized Charlie Kirk's death, saying it was an attempt by right-wing forces to turn a civil rights martyr into a figure worthy of reverence.
Oyewole points to his own experiences growing up in New York City as an example of how The Last Poets' message was always about living life and fighting for justice. "Our music has always been a reflection of our living," he says, but notes that the group is "dying spiritually." Oyewole believes this is because hip-hop's focus on style over substance has led to its own spiritual death.
When asked about the relevance of The Last Poets' message in today's climate, Oyewole remains hopeful. He says that times of great chaos often bring opportunities for change and growth. "In times of great chaos, there's opportunity," he says. While acknowledging that some people may be working to erode Black excellence and history, Oyewole believes that The Last Poets' mission will ultimately prevail.
. Abiodun Oyewole is right on the money, though - The Last Poets paved the way for all that we love (and some of what we hate) in hip hop today 
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. I remember listening to those old school beats and feeling like I was part of something bigger than myself - it was all about Black pride, social justice, and living life on your own terms 
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. Oyewole says that if they focused less on style and more on substance, things would be different - but I think that's still true for all of us, not just artists 
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the hip-hop industry is so watered down rn... formulaic beats and sanitized lyrics are literally suffocating the art form 
. i mean, where's the anger? the pain? the fire? it's all just a bunch of surface-level bars about partying and flexing now 
. abiodun oyewole is right on point tho 
, hip-hop needs to go back to its roots and start tackling real issues like systemic racism and economic inequality 
. it's time for a revolution in the music industry, not just another iteration of the same old formulaic beats 
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[GIF: Denzel Washington fist pumping with a bottle of liquor]
. It seems like those days are behind us now, and it's all about formulaic beats and sanitized lyrics. I think Abiodun Oyewole has a point about hip-hop's focus on style over substance - it's made the genre feel really watered down. I mean, where's the fire, the passion, the message? 
. And Kanye West's recent fall from grace? Yeah, I think Oyewole hit it right on the nail with that one 
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. Bring back the fire 
. But what really gets me is how Oyewole says hip-hop's focus on style over substance has led to its commercialization and watering down of its original message 
That's a total truth. We need more substance in our music, not just some catchy hook and beat 
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. They're keeping the legacy of The Last Poets alive, even if they're not getting the same mainstream recognition as some of their more commercial counterparts 
. Oyewole's right – we need more artists like this to speak truth to power and inspire change 
. It's all about making a quick buck and not really saying anything meaningful anymore 
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. Can't let people like Charlie Kirk erase someone who fought for civil rights just 'cause they disagreed with them 
. We need more voices like the Last Poets pushing for justice and equality 
. But for real, Oyewole's comments about The Last Poets' enduring message giving way to a spiritual death feel kinda on point... like we're losing ourselves in the process of trying to make it big 
. Still, I hold out hope that we can reclaim our art and use it as a force for change... time will tell 
I mean, come on guys! A 35-year streak without a rap song on Billboard's Hot 100 is like... what even is the point? 
He's saying that hip-hop's focus on style over substance has led to its own spiritual death. I mean, I feel you, dude! 
Like, come on, guys! Be true to yourselves and your art! 
Oyewole says it's like right-wing forces are trying to turn civil rights martyrs into figures worthy of reverence, but we can't let them do that. We gotta keep pushing forward and celebrating our heritage. 
the Last Poets paved the way 4 black consciousness & jazz poetry, and now we're left with... well, not much 
. It's no wonder people are losing touch with the original message and values that made hip-hop so powerful in the first place 
. His message that times of chaos can lead to change and growth is so relevant right now 
. Let's keep The Last Poets' legacy alive and push for a more just and inclusive hip-hop scene 
anyone else feel like we're losin our edge? i mean, where's the fire in these songs? Oyewole makes some legit points tho - style over substance = watered down message. i'm still holdin out for artists who'll push boundaries & keep it real