Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Waka Flocka - Flockaveli & Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy



あまりに退廃的で狂った世界をつくりあげるLex Lugerのビートと、荒削りという以上にその荒々しさがオーラとなって降りてきているWaka Flockaのラップ。そのコンビネーションは、"まったく中身がない"暴力賛歌をベースに進行しながら、どうしようもないゲットーで生きるどうしようもない若者がどんづまりで拳銃を振り上げなら行進する姿そのものを照らし出す。

アルバム中、「唯一テーマがある」と言われる"Fuck This Industry"ではWakaが銃撃に倒れて病院に運ばれたときにも一切関知しようとしなかった音楽産業を徹底的にこき下ろしているし、質も内容もいままでのミックステープとほとんど変わらない。そんなレーベル側からまったくコントロールを受けないままリリースされた『Flockaveli』には、 Wakaが溜め込んだフラストレーションだけがパッケージングされているので、ミックステープの持つ"猥雑さ"に魅力を感じるリスナーにとって、これほど生々しく心に響いてくる商業作品は他に見当たらないだろう。

しかし、メッセージ性の欠片もない『Flockaveli』に限らず、アンビエントから浜崎あゆみまでをジャックしてしまうLil BのBasedを聴いていても、ウィッチハウスとも微妙にシンクロするOdd Futureなどのローファイムーブメントを見ていても、もはや「ヒップホップとは何か?」という命題に取り組む姿勢には何の意味も無いように思えてしまう。ヒップホップの様式や美学に捕われている人間はいないんじゃないかと錯覚してしまうほど、若手のアーティストは皆が皆、DIYの精神を持って自由な解釈でヒップホップを作るようになった。

2年前の『808s And Heartbreak』はチープなサウンドと歌唱を軸に添えながら、ルサンチマンを溜め込んで自己の内面に没入していく、それまでのラップミュージックの枠組みから外れたとても先鋭的な作品だった。「内省的なイメージで売ろうとする黒人アーティストはポップフィールドではいなかった」という指摘も当時あったように、『808s And Heartbreak』はDrakeのような黒人ラッパーがナーヴァスな世界を展開しながらもヒットチャートにランクインする時代の先駆けとなった作品とも言えるし、それこそ、このチープな音と歌で彩られたイビツなヒップホップが自由な発想のもと作られるその後のヒップホップの形を大きく変えたのは明白だ。

Kanye Westの『My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy』は『808s And Heartbreak』の延長に位置するアーティスティックな作品で、製作に3億円かかったというスケールも含め全く引けを取らない。膨大な量のサンプリングと、元ネタを華やかに演出するオーケストラの迫力だけでも充分物凄いが、クラップ音だけのためにハンドクラップ奏者を4名も雇い入れ、RihannaやAlicia Keys、The-Dreamといった大物シンガー達にコーラスだけさせてゲストクレジットも残さないという起用には「無駄遣い」という言葉までよぎる人も多いだろう。しかも、そこまで金をかけて奏でられる音にはチープなコーティングや質の悪い低音がのっけられ、ひずんだ音像になるようにミックスされていて、インディペンデントミュージックの持つ"チープ感"とシンクロした現時代性までもを獲得している。ここで凄いのは、DIYでつくられるヒップホップとは真逆に、金と人材と手間をかけまくることでつくりあげた"チープなヒップホップ"が、インディペンデントミュージックの持つイビツさをより立体的に浮かび上がらせているところだ。

意図的であるにしろないにしろ、『808s And Heartbreak』が「ヒップホップとは何か?」という問いを突きつけたからこそ、いまの新たな表現――ポップフィールドで見かけるアーティスティックで内省的なヒップホップやインディペンデントシーンに広がるプリミティブなヒップホップ――が出来上がった。『My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy』はチープで90年回帰的な"いまのヒップホップの姿"を屈折させることで「ヒップホップとは何か?」を改めて問いかける。もはやヒップホップの様式や美学に捕われることはナンセンスに思えてしまうこんな時代でも「これからの時代のヒップホップはどうあるべきものなのか?」を考えさせ、さらに"次の時代の扉"を開こうとする Kanye Westのビジョンと貪欲さには感動を覚えずにいられない。

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I do not even know the way I finished up here,
but I thought this submit was great. I don't know who you're however definitely you are going to a
famous blogger should you are not already ;) Cheers!

Also visit my web page: fashion designer michael kors

Anonymous said...

Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn something like this before.
So good to seek out any individual with some authentic thoughts on this subject.
realy thanks for beginning this up. this website is something
that's wanted on the net, someone with a bit originality. helpful job for bringing one thing new to the web!

Also visit my blog nike hyperdunk

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for providing individuals with remarkably wonderful
possiblity to read from this web site. It is always very beneficial and as well
, jam-packed with a great time for me and my office fellow workers to search your site more than 3 times a week to find out the latest
stuff you have got. Of course, I am also
certainly contented concerning the incredible hints you give.
Selected 4 points in this post are surely the most efficient we have
all had.

My web page michael kors outlet locations

Anonymous said...

I've been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.

Review my weblog - michael kors snakeskin shoes

Anonymous said...

Does your site have a contact page? I'm having trouble locating it but, I'd like to shoot you an email.
I've got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.

Take a look at my site :: square face michael kors watch

Anonymous said...

I not to mention my friends were found to be reading
through the nice hints on your web blog and the sudden developed
an awful suspicion I had not thanked the site owner for those strategies.
Those young men came as a result happy to read them and have in effect in actuality been loving those things.
Thank you for indeed being really helpful as well as for making a choice
on this sort of amazing tips millions of individuals are really desirous to be aware of.
Our own sincere apologies for not expressing appreciation to you earlier.



Here is my blog ... about michael kors brand

Anonymous said...

I used to be recommended this blog via my cousin. I
am now not certain whether this submit is written by him
as nobody else recognise such particular approximately my trouble.

You are wonderful! Thanks!

Visit my web-site: kevin durant shoes

Anonymous said...

Just want to say your article is as amazing. The clarity to your publish
is just great and that i could think you're a professional in this subject. Fine along with your permission allow me to grab your feed to stay up to date with forthcoming post. Thank you a million and please continue the gratifying work.

My website :: nike free 2013

Anonymous said...

As a Newbie, I am constantly exploring online for articles that can be of assistance to me.
Thank you

my homepage; jordans 2013

Anonymous said...

Can I just say what a relief to find somebody who actually knows what theyre
talking about on the internet. You positively know how you can carry a problem to light and make it important.
Extra individuals need to read this and understand this aspect of the
story. I cant consider youre not more common since you undoubtedly
have the gift.

Here is my site michael kors sale

Anonymous said...

I have read some good stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking
for revisiting. I wonder how so much effort you place to make such
a wonderful informative web site.

Feel free to surf to my blog michael kors watches uk

Anonymous said...

I've been browsing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It�s pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.

Look into my page :: authentic retro jordans

Anonymous said...

Aw, this was a very nice post. In thought I would
like to put in writing like this moreover � taking time
and actual effort to make a very good article� however what can I
say� I procrastinate alot and under no circumstances appear to get something done.


Also visit my website - michael kors his background

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for providing individuals with
an exceptionally nice opportunity to check tips from here.
It is usually very nice and as well , full of a good time for me personally and my office fellow workers to
visit the blog a minimum of 3 times a week to study the new guides you have.
And lastly, we are always pleased concerning the mind-boggling ideas you serve.

Some 3 ideas on this page are indeed the most suitable we
have all ever had.

Check out my site :: jordan bred 11

Anonymous said...

hello!,I love your writing very so much! share we be in contact extra approximately
your article on AOL? I require a specialist in this space
to resolve my problem. Maybe that is you! Taking a look ahead to peer you.


My web page: nike jordan spizike

Anonymous said...

It's a shame you don't have a donate button!
I'd without a doubt donate to this outstanding blog! I guess for now i'll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
I look forward to fresh updates and will share this website
with my Facebook group. Talk soon!

My weblog ::