FLOCK-aww.

June 4, 2013 6:45 PM

"How a Waka Flocka Flame Concert Ended My Marriage and Saved My Life": Where a woman goes to a concert headlined by the artist called "the most attention-starved character in hip-hop" known for making "brute, no-nuance bangers" [(previously)] and comes out with a new perspective on life and her failing marriage.

Bonus tunes; all should be considered lyrically-NSFW:

"Hard In The Paint"
"Young Money Brick Squad"
"Rooster In My 'Rari (TNGHT Remix)" notable lyric: "my house is up in the mall."
"No Hands"
"Two Year Old Wakes Up To Waka Flocka"

Also: hip-hop and social media outreach previously on the blue.

posted by raihan_ (72 comments total)

That was charming.

RIP rock and roll
posted by thelonius at 6:54 PM on June 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

That was charming.

RIP rock and roll

hey no need to attack rock and roll. i'm getting into dumb rap like A$AP Rocky and Wack Flock Flame but that doesn't mean rock and roll is dead

its a neat idea for an article, but the writing is horrible:

The moral of this story? Don’t EVER let anyone else keep you from your bliss, no matter what that may be. If someone truly loves you, they will come along for the adventure. Otherwise, get the heck out and live your life to the fullest. Believe me, you’ll sleep better at night and have a song in your heart.

The song in MY heart will always be a song by Waka Flocka Flame.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 6:58 PM on June 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

The world is so much more weird and awesome than you think it is.
posted by R. Schlock at 7:00 PM on June 4, 2013 [14 favorites]

PAY FOR WHAT ?
GIRL YOU BETTER PAY FOR THIS HEARTWARMING STORY

It makes me so happy to see metafilter repping bricksquad. Waka is really one of the most likable figures in hip hop music right now - certainly outshining Gucci Mane. Witness his interview with Nardwuar.

I listen to Flockaveli whenever I have some repetitive work to do, cleaning, AutoCad, or sometimes to just transition out of a good deep rage.

RIPieces rock and roll, somehow you look like Pinterest to me now.
posted by Teakettle at 7:01 PM on June 4, 2013 [7 favorites]

sorry attacking rock didn't help
i spent my whole life not getting into rap but somehow weed and this new breed of rappers just clicked for me
maybe its a midlife crisis
which is probably what the article is about

reminds me of a local comedian (Sue Thomas) who's just the most normal looking middle aged lady but she writes and reads smutty fanfiction about celebrities and boy bands
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 7:07 PM on June 4, 2013 [2 favorites]

Don’t EVER let anyone else keep you from your bliss, no matter what that may be. If someone truly loves you, they will come along for the adventure. Otherwise, get the heck out and live your life to the fullest. Believe me, you’ll sleep better at night and have a song in your heart.

This lady has a real future as a high school guidance counselor.
posted by Steely-eyed Missile Man at 7:10 PM on June 4, 2013 [8 favorites]

Also, to people who say Waka makes 'no-nuance bangers' I would compare him to Bach, whose music outshines the ornament and timbral flourishes of romanticism through its sheer inevitability. One track on flockaveli flows to the next like a rushing stream of champagne with girls swimming in it.

And with regards to Waka and A$AP being 'dumb', well, I think your enjoyment of the genre will deepen as you extend more credit to the sophistication of these artists. I sincerely believe that Big K.R.I.T. is the most important figure in contemporary pop music, and he writes songs about candy painted cars whose grain he grips.
posted by Teakettle at 7:10 PM on June 4, 2013

How is Kanye not the biggest diva of the genre?
posted by discopolo at 7:11 PM on June 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

And with regards to Waka and A$AP being 'dumb', well, I think your enjoyment of the genre will deepen as you extend more credit to the sophistication of these artists.

I mean 'dumb' as a compliment. I don't know much about the genre, but they seem to rap about pussy and weed... again, not an insult, its why i like them.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 7:13 PM on June 4, 2013

a group of little white boys in their sisters’ jeans who told me “Hey, this isn’t Woodstock” . . .

That is really nasty and, unfortunately, funny.

The comments on this article were a lot uglier than I expected. I suspect that's because of internecine disputes on Mr. Flame's quality and persona. I hope the fallout from this article doesn't make her regret it, because I was really touched.
posted by Countess Elena at 7:15 PM on June 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

My ex NEVER liked rap, my interest in rap & rap artists, or my blogging about rap. When I knew Waka was coming to Ft. Lauderdale, my husband basically said he wouldn’t prevent me from going (as if) but he didn’t want me to go.

LOL! I no!

Snark for the writing aside, it's fun to see people admit to interests that superficially appear inconsistent. That picture of the author and Waka was great, though I wish she would have included the one where she was "all googly-eyed and giggling like a schoolgirl." If you're embracing your bliss and writing about it, why not share it whole-heartedly?
posted by filthy light thief at 7:17 PM on June 4, 2013

HE'S WEARING THE NARDWUAR T-SHIRT IN HER PICTURES! *head explodes*
posted by basicchannel at 7:19 PM on June 4, 2013 [2 favorites]

"Got a main bitch and got a mistress; a couple girlfriends, I'm so hood rich."
-Waka Flocka

awwwww
posted by rainman84 at 7:19 PM on June 4, 2013 [3 favorites]

Oh good, the not-at-all-reductive-bordering-on-racist "let's take lyrics out of context" game. Maybe next we can get an old Englishman to read Snoop Dogg lyrics.
posted by basicchannel at 7:28 PM on June 4, 2013 [28 favorites]

In the grand tradition of Running With The Devil, I bring you Waka Flocka recording adlibs.
posted by StopMakingSense at 7:38 PM on June 4, 2013

The world is so much more weird and awesome than you think it is.

Every day I say this to myself.
posted by lakersfan1222 at 7:45 PM on June 4, 2013 [2 favorites]

I was not familiar with this artist at all but I was also genuinely moved by the article. She's so matter of fact about it, but discovering rap music after a whole life without it can feel like stumbling across water in the desert, or watching your first sunrise. "So this is what music is supposed to feel like," almost? Or at least that's what it felt like to me.

Now all I can do is hope that I am this cool in 20 years. The idea of bumping "Hard in Da Paint" out of my ride at age 53 is unbelievably sweet. Would that we all could have so few fucks to give!
posted by divined by radio at 7:46 PM on June 4, 2013 [2 favorites]

Maybe next we can get an old Englishman to read Snoop Dogg lyrics.

Wheeling where the way is marked
Smoking my superb sativa
Drinking gentle gin with juices
posted by michaelh at 7:53 PM on June 4, 2013 [4 favorites]

Bow bow bow bow
posted by Brocktoon at 8:03 PM on June 4, 2013

Oh good, the not-at-all-reductive-bordering-on-racist "let's take lyrics out of context" game.

Here's some context:

I go hard in the muthafuckin' paint nigga
Leave you stankin' nigga, what the fuck you thinkin' nigga?
I won't die for this shit or what the fuck I say
Front yard broad day with the SK
See Gucci? That's my muthafuckin' nigga
I hang in the Dale with them hit squad killers
Waka Flocka Flame, one hood-ass nigga
Ridin' real slow bendin' corners, my nigga

Gotta main bitch and gotta mistress (What else?)
A couple girlfriends, I'm so hood rich
Keep my dick hard, and keep me smokin'
You'll get bills free shorty, no jokin'
Ay what I stand for? Brick Squad
I'mma die for this shorty man I swear to God
In the trap with some killers and some hood niggas
Where you at? Where your trap? You ain't hood, nigga
Keep this shit 300, put that shit on my hood
Crips fuckin' with me, Gs and the Vice Lords
Eses and amigos freestyle off the dome
Brick Squad, Waka Flocka Flame is fuckin' on!

posted by averageamateur at 8:09 PM on June 4, 2013 [6 favorites]

Most of the reactions here are people enjoying this woman's triumphant story of discovering herself and escaping a failing marriage. The juxtaposition of her and Flocka is central to the piece, so juxtaposing some of his actual lyrics with the sentiment of overcoming misogyny could possibly be humorous to some. Sorry to have offended.
posted by rainman84 at 8:10 PM on June 4, 2013 [4 favorites]

That Nardwuar interview was very silly... and, obviously, making Metafilter more gangsta, always the right call.
posted by ph00dz at 8:25 PM on June 4, 2013

Trill as fuck.

She reminds me of my mom. My mom loves 50 cent more than life itself.

unfortunately my girlfriend hates rap except for Danny Brown.
posted by Ad hominem at 9:01 PM on June 4, 2013 [3 favorites]

I admit to only glancing familiarity with "Hard in the Paint" from the samples in GirlTalk's track, but I am saddened to be disillusioned: I honestly thought the line was "Got a Man-Bitch; got a mistress"

I was kind of heartened by the thought that this was the opening line of a hip-hop track.
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 9:16 PM on June 4, 2013 [2 favorites]

Gotta main bitch and gotta mistress (What else?)A couple girlfriends, I'm so hood rich

This is bad? I thought metafilter supported polyamorous relationships!
posted by chrchr at 9:26 PM on June 4, 2013 [11 favorites]

That was interesting. For counter-balance, a nice read is perhaps this account by a scholar who unwillingly attended a Papa Roach concert.
posted by Wordshore at 9:44 PM on June 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

That was interesting. For counter-balance, a nice read is perhaps this account by a scholar who unwillingly attended a Papa Roach concert.

This article is turning me into a Papa Roach fan, just so I have one less thing in common with this guy.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 9:46 PM on June 4, 2013 [2 favorites]

I feel bad that Gucci Mane hasn't been mentioned here yet.

If I had time to I would provide a suitably meta post.

If there isn't one after my 9 hour coach journey today I'll make it so.
posted by ACair at 9:53 PM on June 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

Metafilter's jansport straps are a bit too tight for Gucci.
posted by Teakettle at 9:55 PM on June 4, 2013 [3 favorites]

I feel bad that Gucci Mane hasn't been mentioned here yet

you know Waka's Brick Squad is a subsidiery of Gucci's Brick Squad. They were beefing for a while but it seemed settled. Gucci confirmed Waka will be on his next studio album.
posted by Ad hominem at 10:20 PM on June 4, 2013

Aw I saw this story around today and was avoiding it, but it was actually really charming. Yay.
posted by !Jim at 11:31 PM on June 4, 2013

To be more precise, Gucci Mane owns 1017 Brick Squad Records. Waka Flaka Flame owns a subsidiary of Gucci Mane's label, Brick Squad Monopoly.

Recent news for 1017 Brick Squad is that they signed Chief Keef.

At any rate Waka is notorious for being great with his fans. He said that Gucci's poor treatment of fans is what led him to leave 1017 Brick Squad.
posted by Ad hominem at 11:38 PM on June 4, 2013

I feel bad that Gucci Mane hasn't been mentioned here yet.

Wasn't he the subject of a FPP when Eminem tore him a new asshole following his beef with Mariah Carey?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 11:39 PM on June 4, 2013

Most of the reactions here are people enjoying this woman's triumphant story of discovering herself and escaping a failing marriage. The juxtaposition of her and Flocka is central to the piece, so juxtaposing some of his actual lyrics with the sentiment of overcoming misogyny could possibly be humorous to some. Sorry to have offended.

Is it actually 'misogynistic'? all he's saying is that he has sex with a lot of women. Compare that to, for example, Eminem's songs about his ex-wife.
posted by delmoi at 12:11 AM on June 5, 2013

"unfortunately my girlfriend hates rap except for Danny Brown."

wow. that's such a delightfully extreme statement; please give her a high five from me. (danny brown is the man but his tunes and his delivery are most definitely acquired tastes!!)

he'll be an FPP for another day. maybe.

but its more likely that one of his main producers forOld will get the treatment instead...
posted by raihan_ at 12:18 AM on June 5, 2013 [1 favorite]

wow. that's such a delightfully extreme statement; please give her a high five from me

I was shocked too, when I play something like Trinidad James she just gives me a doleful look and tries to "punish" me by playing Nina Simone I Got Life over and over.

And with regards to Waka and A$AP being 'dumb

A$SAP is incredibly interesting. A$AP Yams knew exactly how to marry ProEra 90s nostalgia with Clams Casino style production. Take a look at Peso. We have Cloud rap married with Colt 45 and alleyway 3 dice C-lo. The big giveaway is that they show the telltale orange cellophane Cristal wrapper. When has a rapper mentioned cristal on a track.
posted by Ad hominem at 12:45 AM on June 5, 2013

That was interesting. For counter-balance, a nice read is perhaps this account by a scholar who unwillingly attended a Papa Roach concert.

Incorrect. A scholar would either have familiarized himself with the artist, the artist's genre, and their role in the history of popular music, or would have acknowledged his lack of familiarity and ignorance in the subject. The guy who wrote this is just some dude who knows a handful of five-dollar words to say "get off my lawn".
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 1:03 AM on June 5, 2013 [2 favorites]

Is it actually 'misogynistic'?

I was referring to the ex-husband's behaviors - e.g. his implicit forbidding of his wife from attending a concert, his assumption that she would go out to clubs and act in a way which he would not approve, etc. Misogyny may be too strong a word in this case, as his behaviors revealed in the post are only directed at the author and readers cannot assume he has a hatred of women in general. To clarify, perhaps his behavior is better described as controlling or domineering.

As for Waka - he's free to have as many female companions as he'd like and there is no judgment to pass there.

I found this post both heartwarming and amusing for the situational irony. I didn't expect to have to explain this or be accused of being a racist, but it's the blue and I should have known better.
posted by rainman84 at 1:04 AM on June 5, 2013

Metafilter: "I mean 'dumb' as a compliment."
posted by Blasdelb at 1:18 AM on June 5, 2013 [1 favorite]

That was interesting. For counter-balance, a nice read is perhaps this account by a scholar who unwillingly attended a Papa Roach concert.

This reads as though directly inked by the goose-quill pen of one Cornelius Bear.
posted by metaman livingblog at 1:27 AM on June 5, 2013

readers cannot assume he has a hatred of women in general.

haaa what
posted by Coatlicue at 4:38 AM on June 5, 2013

The writing strikes me as quite good except for her use of all-caps for emphasis, which is a bit message-board-post-ish. If you're writing professionally, you have to trust that your readers will catch the emphasis you intend-- and understand that if they don't, your sentence structure is probably to blame.
posted by Pallas Athena at 5:33 AM on June 5, 2013

BOW BOW BOW BOW > bow bow bow bow
posted by Teakettle at 6:28 AM on June 5, 2013 [3 favorites]

Pallas Athena: If you're writing professionally, you have to trust that your readers will catch the emphasis you intend-- and understand that if they don't, your sentence structure is probably to blame.

It's just a different writing style. Universalizing academic and journalistic standards is not a good way to think about writing quality. In internet discourse, writing in all caps conveys a certain kind of message that is usually not necessary to convey in print.

tl;dr EMBRACE ALL CAPS AND FEEL HAPPY
posted by Kattullus at 6:49 AM on June 5, 2013

Now all I can do is hope that I am this cool in 20 years. The idea of bumping "Hard in Da Paint " out of my ride at age 53 is unbelievably sweet.

I can only imagine that in 20 years rap will be getting the same treatment from young people that rock is getting here.
posted by Steely-eyed Missile Man at 7:35 AM on June 5, 2013

> Also, to people who say Waka makes 'no-nuance bangers' I would compare him to Bach,

A statement like that just makes me sad - particularly after checking out Waka's music. To compare that music's "sophistication" to that of Bach is... words fail me.

Things like counterpoint, harmony and polyrhythms seem to be entirely missing. Indeed, it seems to me from the three that I listened to that all the pieces are exactly the same structurally - there's an introduction of a very simple musical theme, in 4 and in a very similar tempo, in the first few seconds of the piece - and that's all the notes you're ever going to get, it's just repetition of this initial theme all the way, with some drop-outs.

More, Bach's work defined instrumental virtuosity. I'm sorry, but in these Waka videos there isn't one "virtuoso" musician at all. Aside from the rapping, everything seems to be primitive loops, things I (not a trained or particularly competent keyboard player) could play in with my left hand on a bad day with a hangover.

Here's the Goldberg Variations. To claim that Waka's music is in any way comparable to the sophistication of this music - or of any other Bach pieces, even the Notebook for Anna Magdalena, which is deliberately designed to be as simple as possible - well, it just makes me sad.
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 10:40 AM on June 5, 2013 [2 favorites]

Sniff... They grow up so fast. I remember Waka when he was first starting out, and he took the lowly gig as Pac-Man's sound guy.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 10:47 AM on June 5, 2013

> Oh good, the not-at-all-reductive-bordering-on-racist "let's take lyrics out of context" game.

Ah, the racism card! Well, let me just randomly find some complete song lyrics by this artist.

Here's one. Here's another. Here's another. And yet another.

Is there some subtlety I'm missing here? Because this reads like super-generic rap stuff to me. Life already has too much crassness and stupidity...
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 10:55 AM on June 5, 2013

It's music. It happens to be music with inane lyrics, but it's music first and foremost. Of course, it doesn't function at all the way that Bach does, but I assure you that for people who understand and appreciate the musical language of rap music, it functions just fine.
posted by chrchr at 11:43 AM on June 5, 2013

Wordshore: That was interesting. For counter-balance, a nice read is perhaps this account by a scholar who unwillingly attended a Papa Roach concert.

Wow, that article is so curmudgeonly and high-falutin' (that's one of them there college words) that I thought for sure the author was writing brilliant parody, suckering in even his commenters.

If that's true, he's made an entire career parodying self-impressed prigs, apparently. Truly a Kaufmanesque achievement.

Or, he's just a dick.
posted by IAmBroom at 12:24 PM on June 5, 2013 [1 favorite]

Waitaminnit...

Testimonials
'The most dangerous man in British librarianship' Anon, 1990s
'An intellectually arrogant Bolshevik'...'his reach exceeds his grasp' Headmaster, 1972
'Dear Sir,
There is a person on your staff called Tom Roper, whom I believe to be a librarian of some kind...' from a letter to the Vice-Chancellor of Sussex University, 26 June 2010

OK, he's self-denerating...

Premature Ejaculation. Astonishingly, MeSH had never heard of this concept, until now though it was not unreported in the literature. Previously it was all indexed, perhaps more forgivingly, under ejaculation.
Binge drinking. I think this may be an example of the Americans following, at last, our lead, . In case you didn’t know this is, ‘Drinking an excessive amount of ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES in a short period of time’. Note the use of upper case.
...
As for changes to existing terms, Coprophagia has been replaced by human coprophagia, an important distinction, I’m sure you’ll agree.

And he can be dryly funny. Now I just don't know.
posted by IAmBroom at 12:29 PM on June 5, 2013

> It's music.

I don't think anyone claimed it wasn't music.

> Of course, it doesn't function at all the way that Bach does, but I assure you that for people who understand and appreciate the musical language of rap music, it functions just fine.

I am extremely interested in what people get out of this - what musically do you like about this material? I keep feeling that there's something I'm missing.

The first hip-hop album I picked up was "It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back", way back in 1988. I played it all the way through - twice in a row. The song structure, the internal rhymes, the astonishing production - I was an instant fan.

In fact, I just listened to "Terminator X To The Edge Of Panic" while writing this - damn, what a song, what an opening to a song, it still makes me laugh a generation later!

"He goes on and on 'till he reaches the coast
Tired, wired of his own race playing him close
Understand his type of music kills the
Plan of the klan
You know the pack attack the man
With the palm of his hands
Police, wild beasts, dogs on a leash
No peace to reach - that's why he's packin' his black piece"

Fast forward 25 years - and what do we have? Waka, the new Bach? I don't get it. Perhaps I'm just an old fogey, but I listen to a huge amount of new music, and generally I love it...

But if you can explain to me what I could be getting musically out of Waka's, I'd love to give it another listen.
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 12:37 PM on June 5, 2013

Listen, lyrics isolated from the music they are built around is, indeed, "out of context." Lyrics alone do not make a song. I'll give you a thread to start pulling at: Hip-Hop has, since the beginning, been framed through bragadociousness. It is the framework upon which the rest of the art was built. From there it has been greatly expanded and reinvented. The framework is still around though.
posted by basicchannel at 1:03 PM on June 5, 2013

Also, comparing Waka to Bach is... wow, who the fuck even thinks that way? Neil Young is a lot like Liszt! GG Allin is very similar to Handel!

What?
posted by basicchannel at 1:05 PM on June 5, 2013

I didn't say he was like Bach, I said his musical gift and cultural influence are comparable to Bach. His music itself is more similar to Paul Hindemith.
posted by Teakettle at 1:09 PM on June 5, 2013 [2 favorites]

> Listen, lyrics isolated from the music they are built around is, indeed, "out of context." Lyrics alone do not make a song. I'll give you a thread to start pulling at: Hip-Hop has, since the beginning, been framed through bragadociousness. It is the framework upon which the rest of the art was built. From there it has been greatly expanded and reinvented. The framework is still around though.

Well, I have been listening to hip-hop for 25 years, so I did get that bragging is a big part of it.

But this isn't actually telling me what musically I should be looking for. Suppose I couldn't understand English - what musical content here is important?


> I didn't say he was like Bach, I said his musical gift and cultural influence are comparable to Bach. His music itself is more similar to Paul Hindemith.

Hah, I guess your original comment whooshed right over my head - but I did laugh right out loud at this one! (EDIT: not meant sarcastically, I do hope you were joking...)
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 1:40 PM on June 5, 2013

I said his musical gift and cultural influence are comparable to Bach.

I know you meant this in a good way, so not talking to you directly, but:

Can stop we comparing things to Old European Classical Music as if it were the arbiter/ultimate yardstick of what "cultured"/"valuable"/"gifted" music is? I don't want to listen to the Bach of hip-hop, the Beethoven of Rap, the Liszt of Folk, etc. I don't want those genres even compared that way.

There's a great deal of assumptions behind a statement that says, essentially: "that thing is so great, it's almost like this other thing!" Especially when the latter is music created and paid for by a system of wealthy aristocratic (or religious) patrons a few centuries ago, and the former has deep roots in dance parties, black culture, mixtape culture, city culture, etc.
posted by suedehead at 1:43 PM on June 5, 2013

Or in other words, why not:
"Bach is so great, he's almost like the Grandmaster Flash of the baroque!"
posted by suedehead at 1:44 PM on June 5, 2013 [1 favorite]

This conversation has gone so far up it's own arse, it looks like a mobius strip.
posted by stenseng at 1:58 PM on June 5, 2013 [4 favorites]

Bach barely matches up with Waterbed Kev, much less Flash.

Seriously though, there is a way to get into Waka; he doesn't engage the part of you that enjoys lyricism. Next time you have to do something repetitive, put Flockavelli on, I think you will begin to understand the appeal. Waka does not point to intensity, he doesn't ask for it, he finds it in every moment. Waka's self esteem is reinforced like a mantra. It's a very zen sort of thing.
posted by Teakettle at 1:58 PM on June 5, 2013

Also re: the public enemy comment, you might like this song from Mississippi.
posted by Teakettle at 2:08 PM on June 5, 2013

guys, you can go listen to nas or atmosphere or kendrick lamar if you want lyrical dexterity.
or elliot smith or tom waits or (jay-z??)... whomever... if you want a good story.

waka doesn't suck for everyone just because he doesn't conform to your own personal views of what makes music good. i respect your views, too, though.

for those of you who do like this stuff. there's gonna be a new gucci mane record featuring waka, keef and OJ the juiceman. Y E S !
posted by raihan_ at 2:09 PM on June 5, 2013 [1 favorite]

I'm not denying that people have every right to enjoy it - I'm merely curious as to what musical value they find in it, what I should be looking to get out of it. "Repetition" really isn't enough to go on...
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 2:20 PM on June 5, 2013 [1 favorite]

Here's a story about Diana D. and Waka that includes both photos and a couple more of her thoughts.
posted by chrchr at 3:40 PM on June 5, 2013

I'm not denying that people have every right to enjoy it - I'm merely curious as to what musical value they find in it, what I should be looking to get out of it. "Repetition" really isn't enough to go on...

As the resident curmudgeon, who usually hates everything that isn't Old Person Dad Rock or boring indie rock... guys like Wacka Flocka and A$AP Rocky are just FUN. they write songs about stupid stuff that everyone can relate to, and it flows really well so you can chill out while smoking weed or working or whatever. and they've got so much style that is pretty much irristable... its not much more complicated than that
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 4:57 PM on June 5, 2013

I been asking people why they like crap like Surfin Bird for years and nobody has been able to give me a reason. I am forced to conclude rock and roll sucks.
posted by Ad hominem at 11:04 AM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]

No way, man, it's FUN.
posted by Steely-eyed Missile Man at 12:25 PM on June 6, 2013

I been asking people why they like crap like Surfin Bird for years

I've been thinking about the Ramones. The Ramones are critical darlings and in fact their music is clever and interesting to anybody who has enough experience of rock music, but if you don't have quite a bit of experience listening to the rock music of the '60s and '70s it's just simplistic and trite and inane. By any kind of conventional measure of musical sophistication they lose to Herman's Hermits or any other maligned third tier derivative band you'd name.

Waka isn't my particular flavor, and I am not saying he's as good as the Ramones, or that his music is exploiting contextual tensions in the awesome and sophisticated way the Ramones do. I'm just offering them as an example of some music that seems foolish and empty if you don't have the context.

(Someone is going to come in here now and say that Herman's Hermits *are* better than the Ramones but please please for the purpose of this discussion let's assume you're part of the consensus reality where everyone likes the Ramones)
posted by chrchr at 2:42 PM on June 6, 2013 [4 favorites]

What if part of the reason you like the Ramones is because you grew up on Herman's Hermits?

And Dee Dee Ramone was a rapper, briefly
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 3:32 PM on June 6, 2013

I mean, these are club bangers with simple lyrics so you can shout along with it. You ever see a crowd try to sing along with something like C.R.E.A.M? 50 people say "Cash rules everything around me" then everyone is lost. Who wants to hear Blackstar rap about wall street when they are half drunk. Half of Dark Side of the Moon or Sgt Pepper is just to sound cool when you you are high, kinda like Rocky's Purple Swag.

BTW, check out the masonic symbol on Rock's sweatshirt in Purple Swag. Fucking Illuminati.
posted by Ad hominem at 4:30 PM on June 6, 2013 [3 favorites]

general thread maintenance: post link has changed to http://deepcommotion.com/2013/06/07/how-a-waka-flocka-flame-concert-ended-my-marriage-and-saved-my-life/
posted by raihan_ at 12:36 AM on June 9, 2013

Mod note: Fixed 'er up, thanks!
posted by taz (staff) at 12:38 AM on June 9, 2013