2000-2004: Hip-Hop In Its Heyday

[Return to INTRODUCTION] [Return to Table Of Contents]

Listening to the music of the first five years of this century, I wondered about 9/11, and what effect it might have on hit music. There was definitely something there. A lot more Country music hit the charts: patriotic songs or ones about soldiers or family. 9/11 was a national (and world) event that meant something different - and very personal - to each of us. One common thing I saw in music was appreciation: for those who lost their lives; for the people fighting for our country; for family; for love, and for life.

This was a seriously good time for music. The further I looked, the more really good songs I found that I'd never heard before (for this decade, be sure not to miss the bonus tracks). I added more new songs to my own music collection from this era than from any before. I especially appreciate the renewed focus on lyrics and song construction. I never knew there would be so many new songs I cared about learning the words to. The best music of the time is more introspective. You might be surprised, but a lot of this music is Hip-hop.

Before the year 2000, Hip-hop had already been around for at least 20 years, but it was often panned, or scorned. This wasn't all deserved. Certainly some of the critics of Hip-hop weren't giving it a fair shake. The typical complaint against it is that it's misogynistic and anti-social: all about gratuitous sex, guns, and "bling." All that is there, but focusing on that in spite of so much extraordinary music that's NOT like that anymore is really short-sighted (and maybe a little racist...)

By the turn of the century, the quality of Hip-hop had improved by leaps and bounds. You can hear better rhythms, better lyrics, more personality, more musicality. In the 90s and earlier, some Hip-hop songs had these qualities, but by the 2000s, it was easy to find an excellent song.

Hip-hop is here to stay, but it's already being melded into Pop - and everything else. I expect in 20 years, we'll see Hip-hop the way we see Funk: a sound that permeates all kinds of music, but few "pure" songs of the genre. This is why we should appreciate the time, and one day tell our grandchildren about Eminem, OutKast, and Kanye.

The songs you're about to enjoy aren't nearly all Hip-hop. Rock-n-Roll, R&B and Pop all survived just fine. If anything, Hip-hop made them better, too.

Alright, dig in:

Kryptonite - 3 Doors Down (2000)
Maria Maria - Santana Featuring The Product G&B (2000)
Ms. Jackson - Outkast (2001)
It's Been a While - Staind (2001)
Turn Off The Light - Nelly Furtado (2001)
Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me) - Train (2001)
Family Affair - Mary J. Blige (2002)  
Lose Yourself - Eminem (2003)
Baby Boy - Beyoncé Feat. Sean Paul (2003)
Air Force Ones - Nelly Feat. Kyjuan, Ali & Murphy Lee (2003)
Bring me to Life - Evanescence Feat. Paul McCoy (2003)  
Jesus Walks - Kanye West (2004)  
100 Years - Five For Fighting (2004) 

Spotify: ipodimprovement.blogspot.com: 2000-2004