I think NaS's new album says it best "HIP HOP IS DEAD".
But what can we do to change it? I grow up an 80's baby (1982 to be exact).
So a lot of what I miss from hip hop comes from the late 80's through the 90's.
How can we keep it illmatic and carry on tradition, when we have every tom, duke, and Harry trying to rhyme, not for the love of the art form, but for the love of the Hustle!
Don't get me wrong a lot of new dudes sound cool, but they have nothing really to offer hip hop and its fans, besides money, clothes, and hoes image. But aren't we partially responsible? After all it is us who keep these images popular. Every time we buy a CD or watch a Video were casting a vote.
Were saying we agree, we agree the lyrics in the song, we agree with the message in the video, and we agree, that this is what we want to hear and see.
Ok, somehow do we fix it?
We can't control what gets played on the radio or what gets shown on television.
But we can choose not support what's being air on the radio and television.
That would send a message to the radio stations and TV network, that we don't approve of the images and the messages being promoted by TV and radio.
But that will only slow the bleeding, it won't stop it.
Hip Hop is too congested with studio gangsters and fly- by night hustlers.
They'll adapt, Label giants like Sony and Interscope have too much money invested, just to sit by and let their golden goose slip away.
Alright, so what's the Damn Solution? More Kanye's, more Common's ?
Your guess is as good as mine.
But one thing I do know, and that is we can't fix the problem until we're aware of the problem. Until more people start realizing that there's more to Hip Hop, than candy paint, spinners, and staying icy. We can kiss Hip Hop Goodbye!