Lemme start off by saying that I enjoyed a lot of the music that Juice, Peep, and xx made and I think the genre was much better for having them for the short time that we had them. RIP to all the ones taken too soon <3

But I also can't help but wonder if we might be in a better place as a culture if that brief 2016 positivity rap wave had maintained mainstream popularity. You all remember this wave right?

A lot of artists like Yachty, DRAM, Chance, Saba, Amine, Noname were making some great, different positive music at the time. Even other artists who aren't generally seen as positive were making more positive albums (Lil Uzi Vs the World, TLOP, The Divine Femine) than prior or since.

But then Chance and Yachty fell off, DRAM and Amine lost popularity (DRAM moreso than Amine but still), and a lot of that Chicago jazzy rap music got a good amount darker.

Idk I just think if that wave found a real superstar to carry it than rap might be in a better place. Chance was supposed to be the chosen one

2016 was one of the best years in life and music on god

When you believe the republicans wont win

TLOP was more positive than Yeezus but it had that duality with the FML-Real Friends-Wolves run

ispy

Same... i miss those times

Lil yachty stopped doing happy music but if still did he would be relevant

That is true and I think the image of that album was a lot more positive than the actual album we got lol

Cash machine is a classic

And I'm not trying to turn this to general discussion but I do genuinely think that the political events of mid-late 2016 made positive music a lot harder to make and market. Like this wave ended ABRUPTLY asf, right towards the end of 2016. 2017 was when Peep, xxx, and XO Tour Life really changed mainstream music as a whole

We on that perc 30 rap now my nigga

2012 party victory lap rap was better

Chill

It's just low effort humor, unless you feel victimised

made me ashamed of Chicago

rt

I think it's also that the kids who grew up listening to cudi finally got old enough to express themselves truly

This s*** was trash foh with these youth pastor ass mfs

ktt2.com/what-happened-to-all-the-happy-rappers-8560

made a thread about all these happy niggas a month ago

Imagine hating on your local artists trying to spread a positive message

Just listen to your own stuff and move on

Shoulda been Amine tbh

ONEPOINTFIVE is too underrated

coulda spread it in a better way. Luckily this s*** is done

really insightful observation tbh