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After having spent Thirty seven years in the music industry, I have finally been forced to take a look at a style of music I have avoided until recently. My son has now taken me to a place where I need to move from classic rock to hip hop.
Why Hip Hop?
A few years ago I would have said good question. Having grown up with the super bands of the 70s and 80s, I was strongly influenced by the rockers. It took many years of playing clubs and having to cover country and pop styles to change my view on where I was at with them, but Hip Hop? not me.
Why the change of attitude?
As the years went by I read all the articles on what was going on in the rap world, how the east and west coast were always feuding, and then people started getting shot. This was both interesting and a real put off to me. I have always been about the music, and this ego war stuff that was happening was out of my vision of what music was all about.
Then along came bands like Kid Rock, Lynkin Park and Emimem, and all of a sudden these artists were mixing rock with rap. OK, I thought, now it is about the music and I am interested.
I started following these bands and really liked what I was hearing. Off to You Tube I go to get a first hand view of these guys doing their thing, and I was impressed.
What was the clincher?
Along comes my second son and as a father you want to do your best to steer them in the right direction in life to follow, so I made sure I kept the classic rock stations on hoping to get him interested in the influence these super bands had to music.
Well, I just attended my second sons first live show and yes, you know where I am going with this, it was a hip hop show. Somehow through all the styles of music I have played and listened to, hip hop never being one of them, I now have a rapper in the family.
In all honesty, I am honored he decided to follow me into this business, knowing how hard it is to make a living and also knowing how much dedication and time it takes to be able for a few hours a show be who you really want to be.And he is good at it.
I guess I have an 18 year old teaching the teacher so to speak. One must follow their heart and do what they love. If you are able to do that you will never have to go to WORK a day in your life.
Interesting read! I often go through the same things with my children. Now, I grew up listening to Hip Hop, the Motown sounds and various types of music. I love George Michael and my favorite band is Queen. I tell my kids that Hip Hop is a lot different now that it was years ago. There were more rappers who were conscious about their lyrics and were not all about promoting sex, drugs and violence. Now, it seems like that's all they talk about. I prefer my kids not to listen to it, but I also know that they need to form their own opinions.
Shawn, That's fun! Music together. Hey, you can help him have a Hip Hop Online Presence for the HOP part:-) Sell his music to his own list, even pre-releasing new songs and asking for feedback. blessings, Cynthia
Its good to read that you have an open mind. I grew up with the rockers as well, but my kids finally got me listening to hip hop and different types of music. I like what you wrote about following your heart and never having to work a day in your life. More people need to adapt to that philosophy in life.
I haven't been able to cross that bridge yet but happy you did for your son. Informative article
Nice article, Shawn. It is so important for people to find what they love to do.
Good article, Shawn. It is so important for people to find what they love to do. I have read reports that say most people hate their jobs and careers.
Good article Shawn. Wouldn't it be amazing to have a world where everyone was able to do what they love and make a living from it.
We spend so many years influencing our children... what a joy to get to the place where we realise they are also influencing us! That's family!
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