Vol.4 Guardian at Da Gate

8/4/2019 Vol.4 Guardian at Da Gate

1/13Page 1 of

Guardian at da Gate.FINAL9:22 10/3/06 6:04 PM

"Guardian at the Gate"

A Guardian is an artist who has at some point in their evolution literally been consumed

with skills. They are easily distraught when they see other rappers take what they view as

sacred and depreciate their art from to just a merchandise. Rap shows no regard and tramples

under its feet the splendor of Hip-Hop. A Hip-Hop lyricist hates a rapper because they pervert

and decrease in value Hip-Hop.

Over the years, Hip-Hop has matured and created some basic principles that should be

present is each work of art. Speaking of a guardian, the artist Rakim is mostly responsible for

the creation of a Hip-Hop canon. He was the 1 st Hip-Hop deity, due to the popularized Five

Percent Gods & Earth Philosophy. Prior to his appearance on the musical sense, there were

really no expectations of a Hip-Hop artist. If the truth is known, he is the first guardian of Hip-

Hop (not Rap). After his arrival, the way MCs laid down their rhyme had to be changed. I

will go into more detail later, describing the qualities that should be present in a work of art, but

here is a brief summery. The artist should have an overall good composition, originality, battle

skills, decorative elements, symbolism, analogies, and metaphors etc.,. To give an example of


2/13

Page 2 of


how the father of skills laid it down. I have restated a verse from, Microphone Fiend, By:

Eric B & Rakim.

Rakim and Eric B rap called Microphone Fiend:

I was a fiend before I became a teen

I melted microphones instead of cones of ice cream,

When Hip-Hop music was originated, I put it

together, like pieces of puzzles. Complicated.

I grab the mic and say, yes, yes yall,

They tried to take it, and say that I am too small.

Cool, cause I dont get upset, I just kick a hole

In the speaker and pull the plug and I jet,


3/13

Page 3 of


back to lab, without a mic to grab,...

Microphone Fiend Eric B and Rakim

These lyrics have the quality of a well developed MC/artist. If we were to look for

beauty in the first two lines. We don't have to look that hard. The first thing that stands out is

the title. Microphone Fiend. Its speaks loudly about the love he has for this art form. He then

continues to say he was a fiend before he became a teen, speaking of his youth and the

obsession he had for Hip-Hop. Lets look at how he completes his scheme " I melted

microphones, instead of cones of ice cream." This line cream has symbolism, complexity, and

similes. The symbolism of melting a microphone signifies that he as an MC is fiery, because he

"melted microphones." In addition, he is also bragging about his mastery of the art while he

was still a youth. Then he proceeds to add deeper symbolism by letting us know that ice cream

is usually what teens or youths are interested in, however, unlike the average teen he was a

fiend prior to becoming a teen. The use of metaphors exaggerates this type of lyrical

organization. As if he was suggesting that his was enticed by the microphone, "melting

microphones instead of cones of ice cream." He increases his complexity with rhythmic flow.

Furthermore, he shows that he is a creative genius by rhyming extremely complex schemes.

Like in the verse stated above, he uses a reverse of the internal lyric, "I melted microphones

instead of cones of ice cream." This technique of reversing the syllables, adds new dynamics


4/13

Page 4 of


to the lyrical quality. For instance, by rhyming the sound mi in the word mi-cro phone with

the root sound in the word ice. Then he flips the normal way in which an artist would rhyme.

He states I melted microphones instead of cones of ice cream." Normally, an artist would have

stated, I melted microphones instead of ice cream cones." By doing this, Rakim demonstrates

and proves his supreme agility over the common artist. Thusly introducing what I call an

unexpected reversal of the rhyme scheme. This intensifies his technique and formal quality.

This technique broke the monotony of the normal sing-song ABA flow of rapping. For

instance, the genius in knowing when not to be obligated to rhyme line upon line but rather rest

in the meaning and aesthetic eloquence.

For a guardian to be born as stated earlier at one point in his development he had to be

obsessed with skills. In Hip-Hop's short history you can see some legendary guardian level of

lyrical maturity by their dexterity to flow off beat and their ability to use metaphors, analogies,

and battle rhymes. For example, Rakim, who is known as the father of skills, mentions in the

previous quote that he was obsessed with hip-hop while a teen and that he spent time in the lab

creating and working on his craft. This is a sign of a true Hip-Hop artist worth mentioning.(not

one who feels they need recognition because of album sales)

A west cost guardian states that a Hip-Hop artist needs to have control in his delivery.


5/13

Page 5 of


In the song Check it out he states:

Yeah.........I let the people rhyme

first of all I am seeing if my man

can keep the time, if he go off beat,

and its on purpose, he gotta come back,

or the effort is worthless,

I like to hear a cool flow,

but if its identical to another,

he's a fool for it.

You got ta build upon skills,

and all that copy the most popular


6/13

Page 6 of


rapper shit can get killed

I love a rapper who talk shit

cause thats my department department "

Del da funky homosapien

Del the Funky Homosapien states that the adaptability of an artist to go off beat shows

he has mastered his delivery ability. To be at a level in development where one can speed up or

slow down the words being expelled is a plus. The artist that can achieve this has to have spent

a great amount of time working on his artistry to be able to display such control. However, in

contrast to going off beat, he shows that he has control when he attempts to come back on beat.

The going off beat is simple; for anyone can do this even if they can not keep a beat. However,

those who go off the beat on purpose show a cognitive knowledge of what they have planned

to do rather then a freak happening.(unless one is freestyling. I will explain this later in the

chapter on Freestyling ) But one that jumps out of a steady flow, like girls in a jump rope

competition, must come back into the rhythm of the rope or the jumping out was in vain.

Moreover, Del begins to suggest another essential basic element that the guardian must have or

this would eliminate him from being a guardian.


7/13

Page 7 of


This weapon of choice is Battle Rhyming, which is also one of the early driving forces

of the Hip-Hop genre. This aspect advance out of the break-dance era that caused a positive

release of creative energies through stiff competition. Battle rhyming is when a guardian

shows that their rhymes and lyrics are the best. This skill is used by the guardian to defend the

artistry of Hip-Hop. However, it would be expedient that any artist add to their proficiency.

dexterity of flow in their delivery so as to increase their diversity. The guardian engages in the

act of verbal violence and lyrical brutality. The reason for engaging in lyrical insults is to

insure that the competency level is respected with in the genre. A Guardian is committed to

Hip Hop and its standards of beauty and the the beauty must be preserved through the force

of Hip Hop. The Guardian is the best MC out their that is qualified to defend H.E.R.(Hip-

Hop and her Essence are Real)

The circle of guardians range from KRS One , Goodie Mob, Common, Native

Tongue, Black Thought, J Ru da Damager, Bahamadiah, Redman, Keith Murray, Canabus,

Mystical, Craig Mac, Casual, Hieroglyphics, Del , Guru, Alcoholics, ect,, These battle MC's

are the guardians of the Hip-Hip genre. They make sure that Hip-Hop never gets disgraced and

take the back seat to fluffy materialistic rappers. The current whack platinum album gives these

guardians purpose. For these artist are communicating that their art is dedicated to skills and

true meaningful content. In addition, the death of a guardian is a common place within the


8/13

Page 8 of


Industry. When I speak of dying I am speaking of self-murder, i.e. crossover. Only another

guardian can bury a guardian that has committed suicide. For a once-upon-a-time guardian is

marked for treason. For example, Jay Ru, KRS One, Cannabis and others have defended

H.E.R. Therefore, they become the guardian of skills and the keeper at the gate to make sure

hypocrites don't sneak in undetected.

"Building a Foundation"

"They are master precisely because they do not follow either models or rules but

subdue both of these things to serve enlargement of personal experience" John Dewey

The thought of someone becoming a rapper by way of learning how to say a rhyme that

someone else has written is beyond my comprehension. This type of artistry is no more than a

false portrayal of an aesthetic experience hiding behind industry business. Someone claiming

to be an artist but has not developed any true deep relationship with the art form. This impostor


9/13

Page 9 of


has no foundation in which to communicate to their inner self better yet an external audience.

The basis of the artistic foundation is first an internal aesthetic awakening. Secondly, to begin

to developed a personal definition of beauty. By the way in which the art form has exposed

itself to the person. This could be done by another artist or a collection of experiences. Thirdly,

after having started to form some sort of personal definition in relation to Hip-Hop. An

incubation period should take place in which the artist communes and courts the art form. This

period is essential for any artist. The thought of a person just getting up one day and deciding

to rap without a space of incubation is insanity. This incubation period is really the most

important part of the artists growth. For it will center them and ground their passion or reason

for being. Also, this will make sure that the artist is original and not a clone of the industry. It

is evident when an artist has spent great time on the third step. For time can humble an artist

which should keep the artist focused and committed.

I once asked an unsigned artist when will you stop writing lyrics he said when my

heart stops pumping In addition, another artist in the same group said, I will never stop

writing even if I never get signed I inquired to the reason of why would he be so committed.

He stated, Hip-Hop is not just about getting a record deal even though I deeply desire to get a

deal. Hip-Hop has become more than just something to listen to, because it is like a personal

diary for me, an aesthetic record of my evolution. This type of commitment blew my mind and

made me realize that it is not just about art alone, but for some it has become a actual spiritual


10/13

Page 10 of


path. It is a philosophers dialogue with himself, a process of integration of experiences. A deep

awareness that he is a part of something he has no control over, something bigger than

entertainment. Though deep within his soul he desires to be connected to the Rap world and

express his love of Hip-Hop. In addition, the awareness that he is not connected to the world

without a record deal. This is a great source of pain, for the burden weighs heavy on his soul.

The incubation period can be a blessing and a curse, because this deferment of the dream can

also be a thorn in the flesh. The artist has to constantly fight against becoming bitter and angry

about the impostors he sees benefiting from that which he views as sacred. He may have

suicidal thoughts of crossing over so that his dreams may be actualized sooner.

When you first start out as a amateur, the process of laying down a foundation is the

stage of innocents. For the soon-to-be artist to first even notice the art form of Hip-Hop

someone within the genre must expose them to the beauty of Hip-Hop. This usually happens

by way of a aesthetic experience from a Hip-Hop song by another artist. For example;

...cool out, and just listen to her,

sitting on bone, wishing that I can do her..

Common I use to love H.E.R


11/13

Page 11 of


When one looks at the history of the Fine Art world its shows you that an artist

usually began by way of inspiration of another artist. The painter or artist might start off being

mentored by a master, and then break off and do his own thing. They begin to develop their

own style by first copying another artist that inspired them. For example, a fine art artist from

America would go to study in Europe to get their foundation of skills developed. Stuart Davis,

who was a painter that was mentored by the Impressionists, developed his artistic style by first

developing as an Impressionists. Then later evolved into a Post Impressionists with Van

Gogh and others that were previously in the Impressionist movement. One must always be

aware of how they build less they build on another mans foundation. One needs to be careful

how they use inspiration, less inspiration turns into theft. This is what Busta Rhymes states in

his song Whoo-Hah!! Got You All in Check

"sorry homeboy but your flow sounds used/

you got ta pay your dues baby you know the rules"

Suggesting that one ought not steal his artistic style without giving proper credit or being the


12/13

Page 12 of


originator of the style. The only way an artist would be able to build off of the style of another

artist, without being accused of robbery, is to have come out of the same school of thought. For

example, there have been various movements to come about through the fine arts. One of

which is the Impressionist movement. They had a method of how to depict shadows and show

light in their paintings. The artists who were apart of the Impressionist movement were artist

such as; Degas, Cassat, VanGogh, Monet. However, Manet initiated the Impressionist

movement with the painting, Luncheon on the Grass, and this drew other artist to his style of

painting. Thusly, the Impressionist movement began. They adopted the same techniques and

they all used and had some similar ways of laying down the color. In addition, Mary Cassatt

trained as a painter in Europe and studied the masterworks in France and Italy. Then she

embraced the style of Japanese prints and Edgar Degas the Impressionists. The philosophy of

the Impressionist is that there is no such thing as black, rather darker shades of blue. This

holds true to the Hip-Hop sects as well. There are various sects, clans and cliques, within the

hip-hop genre. For example, If one were to listen to the artists that came out of the clan Native

Tongue you would notice nuances of analogies, mystical usage of language that contrast the

hard core rap of other sects. The common thread of visual pictorial words such as De la Soul

song entitled, Pot holes in my Lawn and Tribe Called Quest song Benita Applebum were

strange and uncommon usage of words. Any artist that was apart of Native Tongue was

allowed to lend and borrow and have the same essence of style. (Just as Cassat studied under

another Impressionist artist therefore it was permissible to do the same style of painting.) One

can really see the cohesiveness in the song called, My Buddy, there was a similar metaphoric

quality of various independent groups. The Native Tongue. This group brought about a lot of


13/13


decorative images in their lyrics that were functional but different according to the times; there

were a lot of hard core raps in demand. One can even see in the titles I just mentioned. Non-

aggressive lyrics and symbolic images within the lyrics that were written for the simple

pleasure of rhyming. Its almost as if Hip -Hop through Native Tongue began to enjoy herself

developing. In addition, the Boot Camp has the same type of magic among each other Black

Moon and Smith & Wesun. Where Black Moon would have a special way of singing/saying

his raps like the song Crookland, "I am feeling another part of reality/ Hit me when I represent

F.A.B. " His delivery is that of a singer where his words added to the music rather then just

depending on the track. Likewise, In the song by Smith & Wesun, "I shine you shine/ In this

day of time/we maintain the same frame of mind." Here again we have another typical way the

Boot Camp creates sing along hooks in their lyrics. This is the Beauty of the different styles

that make the whole art form of Hip-Hop so incredible. As one begins to develop as an artist

they begin to form ways to communicate their feelings. One may create a decorative element

but yet very functional. For example, a simple groan from artist Master P. This all adds to the

beauty of the work of art after having developed the basic foundation.

Documents

Vol.4 Guardian at Da Gate