February 12, 2014

The Seven-Year Itch



Seven years ago today I decided to start writing the type of album reviews that I wanted to read myself: reviews that both included track-by-track analyses of each song, intro, interlude, and skit, and tried to place each entry into the overall pop culture consciousness. And also with a shit-ton of italics and some much-needed humor, because writing reviews of music is inherently silly and, of all genres, hip hop takes itself rather seriously for what it is.


Somewhere along the way, other people picked up on the blog and started reading through each post, one by one, leaving their thoughts on what I had written. Sometimes they agreed with me, most times they did not (this is the Interweb, after all), but they still bothered to take time out of their respective days to leave their thoughts.

As such, I know we fight (a lot), but I appreciate each reader and every single comment that has come my way since I started this ridiculous undertaking. What began life as a simple writing exercise between projects has taken on a life of its own, and even though I still try to keep up on my other non-blog work, I always end up back here. Even though it's plainly obvious that I've taken on more than I can chew with this whole “finish what I started” bullshit, which is why I plan on offering some clarity soon, so that you two know what to expect.

I also hope that the blog sees a more consistent review schedule in general, except for the times when I take a hiatus. Which will most certainly happen: you can't handle a blog such as this one day in and day out without needing constant breaks to avoid burnout. I can only hope that any vacations from the blog I take in the coming year are on purpose and not because of outside influences.

Also, I'm still accepting Reader Reviews: I'm running low on my reserves, which is good news for those of you who have sat idly by while watching everyone else's submissions hit the front page of the blog. Keep them coming: I need stuff to run during my breaks. If you're interested, send me a message at max.hiphopisntdead (at) gmail (dot) com with a list of albums you would like to write about, and we'll whittle them down together.

Thank you for all of the comments, emails, retweets, Facebook likes, and Amazon purchases thus far: they go a long way toward justifying my continuing this site. Keep them coming: I actually do try to respond to most of my emails and tweets. In return, I'm going to try to keep the new content coming, at least until I run out of steam completely. Here's hoping I still have a while to go.

-Max

38 comments:

  1. Dear blog author,
    I work for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. We have a very sweet four year old girl who loves rainbows and ponies but unfortunately has terminal cancer. Her dying wish is for you review Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em by Eric B & Rakim. She has expressed this on numerous occasions. We ask you to please make her dream come true, and soon; she doesn't have much time left!
    Take care,
    A Real Person

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    1. I'm not sure if I should laugh or condemn it for being such an evil masterpiece.

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  2. Happy Birthday Max! Awesome stuff keep it up!

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  3. happy birthday HHID! cheers to the years

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  4. I can't exactly remember how I came across the blog, but it was about a year ago and it's provided me with laughs, thought-provoking comments and analyses, and a lot of new music to listen to. I always check from time to time to see if there's anything I've missed. Happy 7th!

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  5. Just want to say that I've always enjoyed reading your reviews. Its entertaining even when you destroying some of my favourite records. Long may this blog continue... Peace

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  6. I also have a feeling Public Enemy is some sort of swan song.

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    1. If that's true, then shouldn't everyone hope that I NEVER write about them then?

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    2. Well, here comes the blashphemy, I listened to their first LP and I thought it was so dated that I couldn't get into, so I tried one more time, but it's just not relatable to me.

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    3. But their first one's not even their best! Try it takes a nation..., that's arguably their best

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    4. Sorry Anon, I tried to give that one a spin too, but I couldn't get past half of it. PE is just not for me. If anyone feels the same or different it would be nice to hear some opinions.

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    5. Please not this discussion again. Me and Max got into over the Brand Nubian stuff and things like that. Max stay away those artists and and anything pro Black related. Just end the discussion before it gets out of hand again.

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    6. I wasn't talking about the pro-black stuff, I was talking about their music in general. I don't give a rat's ass (or any animal's ass) about the other gibberish that accompanies the music.

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    7. This whole "Max doesn't like pro-Black material" is absolute nonsense. WU-TANG, ANYBODY?

      In reply to Dave, PE takes some warming up to. First of all, they sound incredibly dated; also, the rhyming is a bit rudimentary.

      But the overall energy, Chuck D's enthusiasm, and the cultural gut-punch they provide (remember, it was the Reagan-Bush years) far make up for the shortcomings. With that being said, sitting through an entire album of their's can get boring.

      It Takes a Nation... and Fear of a Black Planet are their best albums, in that order...

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    8. 5 Percenters all over Wu lol. Anyway thanks Michael for giving me motivation to try PE a couple more times. Personally I doesn't matter if the rhyming is elementary if something can make up for it, at least in the early days of hip hop (hell I love LL's "Rock The Bells")

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    9. I said pro black because thats what Public Enemy was. As a long time reader I know Max isn't a fan of that type of sub-genre of rap. Im damn sure not having this argument again so take that someone else. I dont give a rats ass either man. Dont be a smartass. You have your opinions and I have mine, simple as that dude. I enjoy their music and yall don't. And Please don't reply Im not continuing this convo...

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    10. This whole convo is pointless

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    11. used to think PE were a snooze fest as well. Gave em another chance, now they're pretty swag

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    12. I just posted my thoughts on PE's It Takes A Nation Of Millions. I am extremely harsh on albums. http://hiphopstillhasit.blogspot.com/

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    13. Immortal Technique and Roc Mar needs some love on this blog

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    14. Apocalypse 91 shouldn't be discounted

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  7. lawyer400metersFebruary 12, 2014

    Max, congrats on seven years. I've never commented but I've read every word on this blog and I just want to sincerely thank you for this blog. It's a great read.

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  8. Actually, as a reader, I'd rather see more reviews of different artists, then see you finish the discographies you've already started. I'm tired of reading about the same rappers over and over again, and many of the albums you've been reviewing lately haven't been worthy of that much time and Internet Ink. Who really cares about Soundbombing 3, and some B-sides from an obscure indie Wu-Tang compilation? Come on, man. Life is short - review something exciting. Jump around - you've barely touched legends like Rakim, Big Daddy Kane & KRS-One. And you've never reviewed anything from Too Short, Tech N9ne, 8Ball & MJG, etc. A lot of the top new rap albums of the past few years (like Rap Music) haven't been covered.

    Don't mean to sound so negative. Your blog rocks, and thanks for all the great reviews. We appreciate the time and work you put into it.

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  9. Happy birthday! ! To seven more.

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  10. Congrats on seven years, Max. I've been checking the blog daily for about three years and I think I've read about every post. Keep up the great work!

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  11. Congratulations on 7 years man, I appreciate all you have done for this blog, and expressing your arrogant and snoobish opinion for hip hop. Your catalog and sidebar has actually helped me calibrate my own definition of what great, classic hip hop records sound like, which is not correlated to what is played on the radio, in clubs etc. What saddens me is that people who are less knowledgeable about the culture is led to believe the greatness of hip hop sounds like what is played in these certain areas. A little kid who lives in the UK will turn on the TV onto music channels and hear Pitbull, YG and the like and thinks this is what successful rappers sound like, which is to say terrible, but they try to emulate them, and the kids end up sounding terrible. 6 Years ago, I used to think Lil' Wayne was the shit, I cant front. Although not everyone agrees with your opinion on everything you say, we can wholeheartedly appreciate the fact that you care for the genre a lot, and we all want to see younger aspiring artists that have potential to embrace the culture of hip hop as opposed to making a quick buck. I think that it's cool that we have a lot of dope underground, indie rappers making a name for themselves but simultaneously I feel like we need a 'mainstream' rapper out there but one who can fully manifest the essence lyricism, emceeing and hard-work to teach these younger kids what hip hop is all about. And also opinions like yours are much more worthwhile than say, a fucking Grammy. Thanks Again MAX!!

    P.S. Can't believe you deleted Nosetalgia!

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  12. On a side note, I've been bumping O.C.'s debut Word... Life a lot recently, and maaaaaan does he has some QUOTABLES on that joint.

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    1. Yeah, that album is awesome!

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  13. As a reader, would like to see some big names you haven't reviewed. Bone Thugs, 8Ball & MJG, Twista to name a few. Also to finish up some artists' catalogs like UGK and Snoop Dogg.

    That being said, I really enjoy reading your blog. Happy 7th!

    P.S. Can we look forward to an Oxymoron review when it comes out? Am really looking forward to it dropping.

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  14. I am so glad to have found this blog about a year ago and love the reviews. Picking apart each song including the skits is innovative and refreshing

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  15. Great blog! Truely one of a kind.

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  16. I have always enjoyed reading your reviews. Happy Birthday HHID!

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  17. HHID is the first place I come for an honest album review, Thanks for your time and effort over these last couple of years, long may it continue!

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  18. beatsbydrehurtmyearsFebruary 14, 2014

    max i really like this blog review ILLFIGHTYOU

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  19. Congrats on the blog! I've agreed and disagreed with your reviews, but you have definitely got me into many new hip-hop albums over the 7 years.

    I'll keep reading until you review Masters of the Universe... I know it's coming one day!

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    1. That would be dope.

      I love this blog.

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  20. Came across your blog by googling for a review of the mos def and talib blackstar review and was disappointed that you didn't love it as much as me ( though your review was positive). But since then I have enjoyed countless reviews and hated just add many.love you max ( no homo). YOLO.

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  21. Great Blog! I always read it before buying an album!
    Congratulations!

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