Why isn't Will Smith acknowledged as a pioneer or major contributor to Hip-Hop?

Answer 1

Will Smith does not utlize a "Gansta" image. His style is more pop oriented. The Hip-Hop community simply does not acknowledge this. Doesn't make it true as he is a major contributor.

Answer 2

Probably because he's NOT. I mean, "Parents just don't understand" came out after Hip Hop was pretty well established. The real pioneers and contributers to hip-hop are Run-DMC (Russell Simmons), Digital Underground (2-Pac), NWA (Easy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube), Slick Rick, Beastie Boys, Tribe Called Quest (Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes). Even LL Cool J was a little later than some of these pioneers. He rapped for Def Jam Records, which was founded by Russell Simmons.

The Fresh Prince could not even be credited with bringing rap into the mainstream. The FACT is that Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" featuring the debut of Snoop Doggie Dog was THEE pivital album that blew up hip-hop.

The fact is that DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince was a "novelty" group that was basically a 1-hit wonder until Will Smith was discovered as an actor. I mean, really the only difference between Will Smith, Young MC and Sir-Mix-Alot is that Will turned out to be a great comic actor.

Answer 3

i wouldn't call will smith a pioneer or major contributor to hip-hop. i personally like him as an actor and like alot of his songs. if you were to ask alot of the rappers today what they thought of will's music 10 years ago they would probably call it bubble gum rap -- kid n play was another group that got labeled like that but when you say pioneer or major contributor to hip hop you have to go back farther than will smith -- somebody like LL Cool J would fit that description maybe -- i think will smith showed alot of the entertainers today the light at the end of the tunnel in as far as making hits both in the box office and on the music charts -- b/c i can't think of any entertainer who dominates the movies like he does but can still spit lyrics -- ice t is on a sitcom but that ain't the same thing as the big screen

Answer 4

I think of him as a quite talented entertainer. But as with "J-Lo", Timberlake, and a few others,..not particularly great in either music or acting. The more diluted ones interests are, the less likely it is that there will be a singular focus that will allow one to become a "pioneer" or "major contributor" in a single area (bagging awards does not equal pioneering). It's not impossible,..but it is much less likely.

Answer 5

because he came out when groups like nwa were tearing up the charts...had he been around a bit later i think he would have made more of an impact. But it's hard to compare his rhymes to rappers like Dr Dre, Ice Cube, Ice-T, Eazy-E...they were the pioneers of hip hop

Answer 6

Before his acting career and during it, he was a rapper as well.
In his show fresh prince of belair, he raps in it and here are some more of his songs:
Switch
Just the Two of Us
1000 Kisses
1995
But where did u read that he was a "pioneer" of hip hop
shouldnt that be someone like mc hammer or something?

Answer 7

His music career didn't really take off until he had his own TV series. Granted now his music from before then is considered classic, then it wasn't. Sorry, but some of his songs take the background music from older songs and he puts new words to it.

Answer 8

uh, becuz he's not a real rapper or HIP HOP artist. He is what we call a commercial entertainer. Music is not his thing, he's an actor.

Answer 9

haven't you done your homework. my boy Will was the first rapper to get an award. Will have paved a path for many rappers. every rapper is tryna act now.. people and rappers dog him but they know who the f*ck Will is. yall need to start respecting the man.. he's the illest thing happening right now.

Answer 10

I think that what he did was bring rap into the mainstream.
(Read WASP)