Rap Nihilism: What Vince Staples Is Telling Us
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- čas přidán 25. 08. 2024
- Examining the music and philosophy of rapper Vince Staples.
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Footage used:
Radio Interviews: Hot97, Peter Rosenberg, BigBoi
Music Videos from the albums: Shyne Coldchain, Summertime '06, Ramona Park Broke My Heart
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#videoessay #essay #music #vincestaples #breakdown #hiphop #hiphopmusic #rap #vincestaples #joebuddenpodcast #joebudden philosophy, sadness, nihilism, purpose, meaning, life, olisunvia, nerdwriter1, nerdstalgic, popculturedetective, lyrics, gangsta rap, gangsta, ops, drill music, chicago, gangs, gang
“How do you convince yourself that it’s ok to live in poverty?”:- that quote is as powerful as it gets.
This shit hits different when you come from south central LA 💯
true
@@_donjose not only South central LA . I've listened to Vince since 2013 through Earl and I can firmly say this , because I'm in South Africa 🇿🇦 and that question is a cut and clear and deep as it gets because it's right there
Vince Staples is the funniest and most honest voice in hip hop imo, he could be Kendrick big but he chooses his level of fame and involvement within hip hop. Dude is one of a kind.
His decision to be extremely laid back is respectable
Na fam😂
No he wants commercial success.
Nobody "chooses their fame"
@@jameztheartist3893 you can choose to not be famous, but you can’t choose to be famous
Vince is like the intelligence and black understanding of Huey mixed with the humor and bravado of Riley from the Boondocks. He’s essentially like both of their best traits molded into one dude.
Omg yes. I was just thinking that.
Incredible comparison
FU-sion!!! Huh!
true shit
Vince would make an EXCELLENT Boondocks character
"Summertime, '06" was Vince at his most seemingly nihilistic, but "Ramona Park Broke My Heart" kinda shows that was a facade.. a mask to disguise the hidden pain and tears of a "Stolen Youth." It's warm and nostalgic. Vince is definitely cynical, but he has a moral center. A drill rapper, he is not.
Great comment thank you. I completely agree regarding his moral center. I believe that the quote from Nietzsche is used to describe the one who can live morally, despite the immorality around him, as ubermensche. A drill rapper is one consumed by the abyss, not one who has overcome it like Staples
@@kazmaloop Honestly fuck Nietzche as this point. Stirner and Novatore are the better demonstrations of nihilism.
You can have morals and be a nihlist. Nihlism can be viewed as believing that the universe does not care. In an uncaring world, people can still help each other or hurt each other.
Listen to shyne cold chain 1
@@TheZademann nihilism bases itself on the idea that there are no moral principles. Nietzsche was grappling with the fact that if this is the case how do we live justly. Many people don’t know what it means to truly live without the belief in moral value. Most people grow up with the religious framework even if they’re irreligious. I think children who grow in the harsh reality painted by Staples and can still be kind are those beacons of hope.
People like Vince don’t want you to idolise him, only wants you to do you.
Powerful. I feel like people won't truly appreciate his voice until he's gone . Mfs be addicted to a death culture unfortunately.
That's gonna be a LONG time in that case. Vince is gonna die an old ass man after living a full life.
I’m sad that it happened to MF Doom. I loved his music
@@dboyedoe facts. Just hope the masses wll give him his flowers before then🤞
Those people aren't worth impressing. On a certain level Hip Hop fans need to look at themselves. At some point the best and most talented will find other genres of art to express that talent. Because increasingly Hip Hop and its fans don't deserve the best and most talented artists anymore.
@@bluewave3417 who are you to judge? Seriously get off your High Horse and Let people Grow into Music naturally.
I hate fake rap. Drake talking about bullets, gang members talking about club life or bitches. Depressed dudes tryna sound happy, happy tryna sound depressed. Vince’s music is honest and direct, and I love how music changes with the artist.
Drake is a “the lover” archetype not a “rebel” he makes lover boi type music
Even though its not rap I’ve always felt that “happy tryna be depressed” about Billie Ellish music. Theres a clear difference between someone happy making depressed music and a depressed person making depressed music
@@koldheartedbam1064he definitely dissed xxx. He definitely does gun bars. His media music is lovey. But he acts like a gangster even though he high key fruity.
Being from Norfside Long Beach I went to Jordan high school and I used to battle rap at Houghton Park and skateboard. He sound EXACTLY like most dudes from L.A. grow up. Rather they are from Watts, Compton, Or Long Beach. Most dudes are just regular guys who get caught up in Gang life style. For me my whole family is from Grape street. But I don't gang bang, But you cant tell my homies that. Everything this dude raps I relate to in every aspect. And shout out to Vince for being successful and from Norfside for real because it is not many who have this platform from that area on Artesia and Atlantic Blvd. specifically.
Hit the corner, make a dollar, flip it
Don't know how old you are but I went to Jordan too. Was tuff at Jordan because there were not many white kids at that school and I alway felt unwelcome. Grew up in a house across the street from DeForest Park. My experiences are different, no doubt from yours but I feel what you are saying. I now live in a state that is vastly different from where I grew up but I enjoy being able to see life outside of Cali. Believe it or not, I didn't get into Rap music until I moved to a conservative state... it really unites people. Makes your head explode, huh? Much love.
“I don’t give a fuck what your going threw, what you gotta do… I need bars sixteen of em.”-Vince Staples
Nice Earl reference.
im too fuckin busy tryna get this album crackin’
Man I can relate. I tell my wife I had a good two three-year run of fighting everyday. You be tired. Tired of looking behind you. Physically tired from fighting. Mentally exhausted from always being in survival mode, or even a defensive mode.
I know Vince will have a longstanding career in many different mediums but Vince has one of the most dynamic discographies in hip hop and I just know it won’t be appreciated until much later.
And the unfortunate truth is, what Vince speaks about isn't even a solely unique experience onto himself, his songs are a reality for many, MANY black people all over the country. Some people wonder why he and so many other people who had similar upbringings have this "it is what it is" attitude to life, but if you had to experience the reality of gang violence and poverty from a young age, you would be the same. You don't have to like it, but that IS the reality. It IS what it is, whether or not we want it to be.
Great video man.
Thank you for this very thoughtful comment. I tried to capture that exact sentiment you’re talking about. Vince is the embodiment of this feeling but he’s also a beacon of hope I think. You can make it out the other side but you have to grapple with it first.
@@kazmaloop I think you did a great job of capturing that feeling of hope Vince gives off. He's definitely an example of what you can achieve, even in the face of adversity and coming from a harsh environment.
Accountability
Just black people? Lmao.
@@noneofyourbusiness1114 sorry to inform u but bro ur illiterate😭🙏
What immediately drew me in to Vinces music was his way of rapping. His lyrics contain things that wider society would consider abhorrent but he says it all so matter of factly. Really gives insight about the experiences he's had growing up.
Vince is a great actor, him and Zack Fox are hilarious in Abbot. I can't wait for his new Netflix show he produced.
He deserves a forehead kiss. All these rappers all these children. Their lives really have become entertainment. Entertainment a good chunk of the population are unwilling to change. But with that being said, if you got to move. If you got to cut off everything you knew before just so you can keep your mental health and connection with God. Just so you can have peace so be it.
Beautifully put, thank you for watching
“We just have to know more about each other before we speak on each other”
Simple as that
💯
That was beautifully done. Thank you for no gimmicks and a relaxed journey through the topic.
Thank you!
wow great video. i love vince staples. so real, so funny, and his music and lyrics are real.
Vince is such a talented person. His pen game is as nice as virtually anyone. Since DOOM is gone now Vince might be “your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper”.
Facts R. I. P MF DOOM
I’d like to toss Earl Sweatshirt in the ring for that crown, but Vince is cold with it for sure.
Mach-Hommy and Vince will be something spooky..
Their art definitely mesh with one another.
@@dawsonmaclean2038 I love Earl too he’s a dog. I love when him and Vince collab.
@not a human no he isn’t. My favourite rappers favourite rapper was DOOM.
RIP to the king.
I think Vince’s best example of this artistically, was his album big fish. That self titled track off the album had so many great metaphors about being a big fish in a little pond. Both a braggadocios and humble statement. And he finally gave us “crabs in a bucket” another great metaphor he’s referenced a few times before. Seniorita also really spoke on what he was saying as far as “ what’s an action movie without an explosion?”
Theres a this clip is when he said that people dont gove gifts to be kind, they do it just to please their own egos. Look at how they react when they give you something. Mind blown!🤯🤯🤯🤯
how they react?
He cool but he ain't inventing 'Indian giving' its a fully accepted human behavior since time began
@@tomwilko7841 thats not "Indian giving" - the term was for giving gifts and then taking them back
I love Vince for how he's able to accurately depict the mindset and struggles of someone within his lifestyle while remaining human. The way he balances becoming part of the danger while reminding you his reality is fucked up is brilliant to say the least. He's one of the only artists whose work I see as accurate, not only to the greater picture but to himself and what he seems to have been through
Most of us that are from Southern Cali zip codes know exactly how easy it is to conform to the environment for protection or doing whatever we gotta do to escape those circumstances. Excellent vid 🏆
Thank you for the kind words & watching!
Everybody wants to condemn and label people, but nobody wants to understand how children turn into ‘murderers’. How can you try to help people if you don’t want to understand the problem?
Like you said, it’s so easy for “at risk youths” to fall into that lifestyle for protection or as a way out.
It’s easy to say “don’t join a gang” from the suburbs, but what about when you’re a child all alone in this world having to deal with extreme violence every day? Children get robbed and beaten just trying to go to school, some of them get killed just going to the store for their family.
@@FerrariTeddy very sad but true it starts with the parents monitoring their kids, no one should be letting their kids walk by themselves in those territories, but when your parents are messed up themselves there's really no escape of trauma.
Vince really the shikamaru of rap😭🙏🏽
Accurate, this vibe really drags
Damn this is a high quality video essay. You deserve 100x more subs
Thank you! Much appreciated and more to come.
Facts,
I stop fugkn with Hip Hop & Hip Hop related
News since D.J Akademics and Gangsta Rap
Years & Years ago..
This was refreshing
I wish so many people didnt miss the purpose of this video. It’s great y’all are complementing him. But a ton of ppl see trauma from communities and almost treat it like a movie. Once the show is over they get to leave, live, and continue their lives. While it’s real day to day life for others. Then you ask those people what type of humanity is that…
Minstel shows never disappeared, they just evolved to a point of being unrecognizable and accepted by society.
I wasn’t ashamed being from the ghetto and I didn’t make it my personality, I believe my mother raised me right in standing up for others and being happy with what you got
Vince represents the fact that no matter who you are in whatever circumstances at the time, there's always basic human needs, insecurities, and interest that influence our decisions. He's an anthropologist analyzing his own childhood as if it was a science experiment. His lyrics are filled with theories, observations, and contradictions of the human experience. It's ashame more people aren't acknowledging his genius. Especially other kids going through the exact same things.
This comment needs to be pinned fr…💯❤️
If Vince dropped an hour long interview or an hour long album.....I'm copping the interview. I say that as a person who still buys music and enjoy Vince's music. Music limits his expression. I wish he had a producer he could work with to craft one single body of work that best captured his mind and then he can move on to the bigger work he's here to do. in my opinion. He's as eloquent and potent and poignant as Pac and Nip. That's good bad company. Get him out of LA and out of Hip Hop and somewhere else where he can keep impacting the world.
110%
He's getting closer to it. I think he could do it with Kenny Beats but they would have to really hunker down
Some people find inspiration in the flashy look at me shit but Vince has always inspired me bc he just wants to stay out the way, live a relatively normal life, and take care of his people. That’s something realistic that everyone can relate to. Vince has been one of my favorite rappers since I was a freshman in high school. I’m 25 now and I still find inspiration in the profound things he says in his lyrics and interviews. My favorite is the NPR mic check interview he did with Earl in 2015.
im so happy to watch this video. ive always had a mixed feeling about rap going all the way back to biggie/tupac. i love that black artists get to tell their story and talk about these real things that happened in their community. its real, its raw and its needed.
but additionally i noticed post 2000s as rap and hip hop really became mainstream, the media curators of rap always wantef to glamorize these unspeakable hardships, they claim that it is necessary to be legitimate as an artist and on top of it create a cycle of inspiring young children not to make art but to perpetuate the cycle of violence because its marked as a necessary backround check to make this form of art... glamorizing it even. just how hard drugs are being used to escape the crushing hardship when picking up and moving out isnt a viable option, in the case of purple haze and lean; young kids are treating it like a background check and some of these aspiring artists are dyinging young to sell and commodify their trauma.
theres even been the rise of these white upperclass soundcloud rappers who lived perfectly good and well off childhoods who then attempt to almost parody and act like these impoverished hardships are just a selectable character traits that they can pluck out of inner city culture and mime/clown for profit.
and im not sure whats worse; those who went through it and are treating it like some great thing that made them better despite the friends who didnt make it, who dont get to lyricize their side, seemingly forgotton. to "flex" the life that took so much... or the pantomime of artist who have never lived that experience and their parroted promotion of its themes are a faulty and offensively warped characterization of what they "think" living that life entails.... and how both cases are selling it with half truths.
FM was a great expression of this premise. Yeah, you white kids in the burbs hear the bangers and the flows and the hooks. But when things actually get real? When people actually start tweaking? You turn the dial. You switch stations. It's done before you even realize it. The trauma, the pain, the folks he's lost, and the broken systems that either caused, don't care about, or actively exploit this situation, all of it is always in the frame, but never actually in the framing. Very key distinction.
Excellent video, my dude.
Thank you and great comment.
I remember my English professor a white dude from North Carolina put me onto Vince Staples and man dude can really spit
I remember in the XXL cypher I didn’t know him and his part made me a fan instantly especially when he was talking bout his homie and said “and Jesus couldn’t save him so I barley believe” sadly relatable
@Kingdom House because when your immediate environment is darkness and hopelessness it can be hard not to follow, im not saying it’s right im just saying kids are their environment to a certain extent
@Kingdom House because anyone who causes the innocent to suffer unjustly is not almighty. They're a p.o.s and so is anyone defending them
@Kingdom House well evil is a pretty bad creation. If you think that's worthy of worship good for you. I think it's pathetic
Consistent with his words and hides NOTHING from the masses. This is why I fw Vince Staples.
Last line was so powerful. Thank you, it’s a privilege to hear your prose
Thank you for watching! Very high praise!
Vince Staples is definitely at the extreme end of a definition of a "REAL ONE" in this genre
I was already a VS fan but this video has made an impact on my mental. I always knew he rap different but I didn’t draw the complete conclusion. The way he thinks should b studied socially, by everyone jus for them to see it jus because u see and b immersed n a world doesn’t mean u can’t grow out of it n take as many people as you can with you to a better place. Shout to da boi, Vince Staples
Dog, this was a seriously well edited, researched, and narrated video!! Thank you!!
I have a heart full of love for vince. I'm thankful for the influence he chose to be.
Vince is a legend and the world will see it soon…he never cap to his supporters
Dope ass video. You managed to delve even deeper into the mind of an already profound Vince Staples. Got my sub.
Thank you means a lot. I do all sorts of essays so stay tuned!
4:15 mans truly felt every emotion while he was sayin his name (( Jabari ))
The hypnotized instrumental had me dying man. Indepth vocabulary and elaborations with "booty keep bumping, bouncing up n down repeating in my head. lol
Lool yo that riff is just so good, that’s not the image I want to paint though
This was masterfully crafted! Had my attention every second, even replayed it! Thank you for this
Vince knows.
Work for yourself. Improve for yourself. Learn for yourself.
You really have everything to blame and everything to gain by yourself.
Everything else falls in place.
How the hell does this channel have so little subs, when this mindless garbage today is just slaying? Dude, please keep this up. This is art; this is beautiful. Well done, my brother.
Thank you for the kind words bro means a lot
Always believe that Vince and Lupe are the smartest rappers out there
Facts, my two favorite rappers right now. Lupe is my GOAT too
I would say K-Rino is
It's crazy how we know why they make they make music and we still listen to it and don't do nothing about it but continue to kill each other
#programming
I stumbled upon "Are You With That" in a random spotify shuffle a couple years ago which was the first time I ever hear about Vince Staples and it was the very first time that I gain as much interest in an Artist that I came across randomly, and he's been consistently on the top 3 Artists that I listen to the most ever since, something about his songs feels really reliable in a way that I have a hard time describing. Recently I had the chance to get a ticket to his current tour which got me digging further into the picture he's painting and let's just say that I feel prouder for enjoying him as much as I do the more I dig and you really pushed the extent to which that goes with this video.
I appreciate the introspect. Vince is an artist that needs to be more celebrated for the way he challenges our thought processes
Bow this is what i need more of stuff like this gives me hope
i just got into him this year. I HAD NO IDEA. this guy is smart, articulate and an inspiration.
The expectation that black people’s lives be valued as entertaining trauma is the central argument to my dissertation. Lol. The smile across my face running across this random video essay. Love it.
I have been saying this ever since Gangster rap started. A shame our kids are suffering for what our parents thought was so cool.
Shut yo yapp clown lol
You know gangster rap came from the society the grandparents came up in and those adults as kids dealt with???? Its the government's fault and society as a whole. Gangster rap didnt just start from nowhere
@@millhousemillard2140 THIS!
Vulnerability and honesty is what Vince is preaching
This was spot on. Excellent work! You highlighted everything that drew me to him as an artist, and that makes him important as a voice in the culture
When summer 06 was out, I loved that album even slightly more than TPAB. As a guy who lives in poverty, in other country, he’s songs still talking deep into me. Never knew he said this much outside of his music so, thanks for the video.
Thank you for watching, like and subscribe to support the channel!
Reminds me of lupe fiasco in a sense
Never listened to a vince staples song(felt like kendrick already had the good kid in a maad city thing ) lol but always watched his interviews
Love his insight ,happy i took time to watch this video
Great job!
Thank you for this. Hip hop will never die lets change it for good one love
Vince has always been a smart dude. He payed ample attention.
Excellent. Thanks for making this.
the realest person out there and i respect him a lot for that.
Vince is a very good example of understanding the value moderation whilst having excess
I love hip-hop, but while I grew up poor, I was never gang affiliated or around gang violence and I feel sometimes that I’m consuming these people tragedies as entertainment and it weighs on me. The industry really does “sell trauma” as Vince put so well. It’s a weird dynamic between artist and listener. I think there’s something in being aware that these are people’s lives, but being aware doesn’t change the fact these record labels profit off the stories of the impoverished. It’s just another example of the poor being used as entertainment for society and knowing I’m perpetuating that gives me conflicting feelings. Vince really is an amazing mind in hip-hop and this video has given me a lot to think about
Great reflection and appreciate the feedback. It's, in my opinion, a moral question that we each have to find the answer to. Thanks for really grappling with the art.
Thanks for the perspective. I didn’t care much for this guy’s attitude prior to watching this video. But now I understand him a bit more.
His verse on the end of "Hive" was what drew me to him, but his whole catalog is FIRE.
Man, this is so well made, I really enjoyed this.
This was such an amazing video, I look forward to watching all your other ones!
I couldn't agree more. Vince sees with clarity and is able to earnestly translate it to reach a large crowd(genius shit), maybe the only honest rap voice with that much exposure. But also Google is listening to me. This video got recommended 20hrs after explaining to someone the embrace of hedonistic nihilism in Yeat and Carti, in contrast to billy woods et. al. recognition of nihilism while using art to keep head above water.
You got people that it’s real to, that don’t wanna talk about it. They got people that ain’t never done it that loves talking about it
underrated rapper
broooooo, thank god I was able to witness this. The video is amazing
Excellent video💯 Really true, trauma sells and they’re gonna want more and more from you. Right when you try to talk about something positive when you’re not in that situation anymore and it doesn’t sell as much. They will want the thing that sells more. Y’all stay blessed and safe out here💯 Make your music because you’re the creative one. Shoutout Vince Staples too✊🏾💯
Well made video. Thank you! I've always loved Vince and his music and this compilation and story telling was excellent.
Beautiful video man, I love it.
This was a good video. Very well explained. I think Jean Baudrillard's theory of hyperrealism fits the narrative Vince describes with regards to the fan who consumes black trauma content for pleasure without any actual interaction with the content.
Check out my Nope Video for that discussion
I've only really heard his name, never the music or message behind it. Thank you so much for showing me this guy, this is what music lacks and I'm all for it
Great analysis, top notch quality.
Honestly appreciate that. Means I’m heading in the right direction. Thanks for watching and supporting.
On my short list for video of the year. Great work
Well done! Great video
Glad this video was created.
Thanks man
Stick around and check out my other essays! Thanks for watching
Amazingly insightful essay. Thank you for making this.
What a great video! Thank you for sharing this!
Well done video bro! Any content that's speaks about the current state of culture against the backdrop of Nietzsche and archetypes is medicine for a wounded world.
Amazing work with this video. I have a greater understanding and appreciation for staples ✊🏾
Great video bro
Great video! Love Vince and this was the deepest dive that I've seen into his art, upbringing and outlook on life
I actually rewatched the whole video after finishing it the first time!
Thank you for the great comment and support!
One thing stuck with me is an interview back in the day where he said that he only raps when he needs to get something off of his chest, made me really think about the music I was making at the time and really made me step up my game and be more introspective in my writing. I have a lot of respect for Vinny
Summer Wars logo goes crazy. Great video man
Extremely thoughtful analysis. You earned a sub mane. Great work.
Much appreciated! Thank you for watching
Never disappoints 🔥
Appreciate the comment! Thanks for watching!
We need more rappers like him 💗💗🙏🏽 I really love his music and personality! Great video!!
now this is a well done real ass shit need people need to see type vid
Instant subscription. Going through your back catalog now.
Wow Thank you.
I look at music and my own music in a new light
Thank you
And Thank you Vince Staples
The Odd future family tree showed that there's a different way
A national treasure 🎉 celebrate this man!!!!
This is a great video, need more like this
you did an awesome job editing this video