During a recent episode of Roc Solid, Memphis Bleek’s podcast, engineer and educator Young Guru offered a clear take on what really matters in today’s music industry. While most conversations still circle around streams, spins and playlists, Guru pushed back on all of it.
“It’s not even about the spins anymore,” he said. “It’s about culture. That’s what matters.”
The remark came during a broader discussion about the current state of hip-hop, where both Guru and Bleek expressed concern over the sameness of many new artists. In their view, too many people are chasing viral trends instead of building something lasting. For them, success was never just about numbers—it was about impact.
“You can buy spins. You can fake numbers. But you can’t fake cultural relevance,” Guru said.
Bleek echoed the sentiment, adding that individuality used to be the goal. “Back then, if you sounded like someone else, it was a problem,” he said. “Now it’s like everybody’s trying to sound like Ice Spice or A Boogie.”
They weren’t criticizing the artists who have carved out their own space. In fact, both acknowledged how strong the women in rap have been in recent years—from Cardi B and Nicki Minaj to Lola Brooke and Remy Ma. But they emphasized the importance of carving your own lane, not copying someone else’s.
Guru, who now teaches at the Roc Nation School, said he’s seen firsthand how young artists get distracted by metrics. He tries to refocus their energy on meaning, message and legacy. Bleek added that when he looks to sign talent, he’s looking for originality—not someone mimicking a wave that’s already in motion.
“Real influence isn’t what’s trending. It’s what stays,” Guru said. “That’s culture.”
For both artists, the message was clear: if you’re making music, don’t chase the algorithm. Chase authenticity.
“You want to last in this game?” Bleek said. “Make sure you mean something to the culture. Not just the charts.”
Watch the full episode of Roc Solid featuring Young Guru here:
