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How to Create Epic Risers and Transition Effects for Electronic Music

October 11, 2024

Creating epic risers and transition effects is essential for electronic music producers to build tension and anticipation before a drop or shift in their tracks. Here’s how you can do it...

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Automating a Drum Bus in Reaper to Create Dynamic Room Effects

October 6, 2024

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EQ in Practice: How to Use Subtractive EQ to Clean Up Muddy Mixes

October 6, 2024

ixing music is an art, and one of the most essential tools for achieving clarity in a mix is the equalizer (EQ). One technique, in particular, known as subtractive EQ, can work wonders for cleaning...

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How to Manage Static Noise in High Frequencies When Compressing Vocals

October 6, 2024

One common frustration in vocal production, especially for home studio and bedroom producers, is encountering static noise in the high frequencies after compressing and brightening vocals...

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Sampling Like a Pro: How to Flip Samples and Avoid Legal Issues

October 6, 2024

Sampling has been a cornerstone of modern music production, allowing producers to reimagine and breathe new life into old tracks. Whether you're producing hip-hop, EDM, or any genre, knowing how to...

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What Makes an EQ or Compressor VST High-Quality: Insights and Examples from Pros

October 6, 2024

When selecting EQ and compressor plugins, musicians and producers look for more than just a shiny interface or brand recognition. It's all about how these tools perform in real-world scenarios...

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Sound Design 101: Crafting Killer Drum Sounds Using Synthesizers

October 6, 2024

Drum sounds form the backbone of many music genres, and while sample packs are popular, designing your own drum sounds from scratch can elevate your production to a whole new level. Crafting custom...

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Mastering Multiband Compression Sidechaining: A Solution to Clashing Frequencies

October 6, 2024

In modern music production, one of the most common challenges is the clash of frequencies between instruments. For example, bass guitars and drum kits often compete for space in the lower end of...

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Studio One Workflow Tips for Faster Music Production

October 1, 2024

Studio One by PreSonus is an incredibly powerful DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) that offers a variety of tools to streamline your music production workflow. However, like many DAWs, getting the...

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Solving the Issue of Buried Crash Cymbals in the Mix

October 1, 2024

Crash cymbals often get buried in the mix, especially when using complex miking techniques like Glyn Johns, which balances close mics with overheads. While re-recording with higher cymbals may be a...

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GarageBand Hacks: Creating Professional-Sounding Tracks Without Expensive Plugins

October 1, 2024

GarageBand is often seen as an entry-level DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), but it has powerful tools that, when used effectively, can create professional-quality tracks. Many indie musicians and...

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Solving the General MIDI Program Change Dilemma in Ableton

October 1, 2024

When working with MIDI in Ableton, one might notice that although MIDI clips can send program changes, most of Ableton's native plugins don’t seem to respond to these changes effectively. This can...

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"Is Drake's Music Really 'Pop'? Mos Def Thinks it's "Shopping'' Music

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Photo Source: The Shade Room

Yasiin "Mos Def" Bey stirred up the hip-hop community recently with his candid remarks about Drake's music, stating, "Drake is pop to me." The acclaimed lyricist did not mince words, suggesting that Drake's music is akin to the kind that would be played at a place like Target, making it feel compatible with shopping. This bold statement has ignited a heated debate among fans and fellow artists, prompting us to ponder whether Mos Def's perspective holds weight. In this article, we'll delve into the diverse reactions sparked by Mos Def's comments and explore the broader implications for the ever-evolving landscape of hip hop.

Mos Def acknowledged the controversial nature of his statement but doubled down by questioning the future of the music industry. He pondered, "What happens when this thing collapses? Are we not in the early stages of that at this present hour? What's in it for your audience, apart from like banging the pom poms?" This raised eyebrows and invited speculation about the changing dynamics of the music scene.

Fans had mixed opinions on Mos Def's assessment. Some argued that the critique was a testament to Drake's significant impact on hip hop, while others believed it was simply a matter of personal taste. One fan pointed out, "SO many rappers, old and new, feel the need to discredit Drake, and if that’s not a testament to his stamp on Hip Hop, [I don’t know] what is." Another fan defended Mos Def, stating, "He’s been in the game. Who else would have the ability to make these opinions? He’s not hating."

While some fans supported Mos Def's viewpoint, others defended Drake's versatility and ability to traverse different styles within hip hop. One user mentioned, "Drake has tons of boom baps on songs with Little Brother, Slum Village, etc., if you go back and listen to his mixtapes. The dude can do it all. He just excelled in ways unimaginable."

Despite being known for his witty and sometimes petty responses, Drake has yet to address Mos Def's comments. Interestingly, the "Hotline Bling" artist referenced Mos Def in his song "Away From Home," showing appreciation for the support he received.

As Mos Def's statement continues to reverberate across the hip-hop community, it prompts us to reflect on the ever-changing nature of the genre. Is Drake's music truly "pop," as Mos Def claims, or is it a reflection of the evolving tastes within hip hop? The debate rages on, inviting fans and critics alike to consider the diverse facets of the genre and whether its current trajectory aligns with its roots.

What's your take on Mos Def's assertion? The answer might not be as straightforward as it seems.