Musicianship is defined as; the artistry in performing music.
The technical and interpretive skills involved in singing or
playing music. Hip-hop may be one of the only genres of music
where musicianship is not a prerequisite for entrance or
success. The average rapper comes from humble beginnings or
poverty in some cases. Even DJ’s learn their craft doing house
parties unless they’re taught by someone else. The idea of
actually playing an instrument or going to school for music
production or engineering rarely comes up. Two and turntables
and a microphone? But if nearly all other genres maintain
musicianship, why can’t hip-hop incorporate that more into the
overall product? I’m not implying that we abandon the
turntables, but haven’t we done everything else? Even if
musicianship isn’t a priority from the inception of an artists
introduction to hip-hop it can still be a part of the process.
But for some reason its not the focal point unless you happen to
be Nicolay or The Roots. Technology has definitely play