
Over the past 10 years, hip-hop has undergone a lot of change. The lyrics (or lack thereof), the production, the performances—it’s all different. Of course, this isn’t exactly breaking news, but when a respected, veteran emcee shares his thoughts on the way artists are now approaching their concerts, ears tend to perk up.
On Monday morning, in a series of six tweets, Curren$y shared his thoughts on rappers who lazily perform their material over “already recorded jams.”
The game has become a lot more accepting of the music and the way artist perform.. I'm from a different era
— Spitta (@CurrenSy_Spitta) September 18, 2017
My first show in New York was after the xxl freshmen cover and my set was comprised of mix tape cuts … I thought I nailed but @DJWhooKid
— Spitta (@CurrenSy_Spitta) September 18, 2017
Was there and he pulled me aside and said yo … I've heard ur stuff so I kno it's dope but people want to hear u over instrumentals …
— Spitta (@CurrenSy_Spitta) September 18, 2017
"we can't really hear u because ur rapping over your real songs in here .. It's two voices crashing homie" I'm like oh ..U right as fuck!!
— Spitta (@CurrenSy_Spitta) September 18, 2017
But now some folks jus hit the venue and play their already recorded jams and chime in every now and then with some lyrics.. And get the bag
— Spitta (@CurrenSy_Spitta) September 18, 2017
It's a check so get paid everybody but man… People came to see a show ya kno… Like they wanna hear u and really live some live shit. Luv
— Spitta (@CurrenSy_Spitta) September 18, 2017
Curren$y wisely doesn’t name names, but you don’t have to hack into the dark web to find an example of an artist essentially lip-syncing over their entire record. Earlier this month, during her performance at JAY-Z’s Made in America Festival, Cardi B shimmed and rapped over her own vocal track during the performance of her breakout hit, “Bodak Yellow.” It was, in a word, disappointing.
Cardi is on top of the world right now, but she's gotta stop rapping over her own vocal track. It's amateur hour. https://t.co/7a6Q2kmJ3l
— DJBooth (@DJBooth) September 3, 2017
For many concertgoers, going to a hip-hop show—or a concert or festival of any kind—has become more about saying you were there and showing the world on social media, but with the cost for tickets to premium tours and festivals on the rise, fans will (and should) expect more. It’s hard to justify spending hard-earned money to see your favorite artist perform when the end result is a lip sync and ad lib fest for 45 minutes.
“They wanna hear u and really live some live shit,” Curren$y tweeted.
Exactly.

