Hip-Hop! When is it time to let it go?

I grew up with hip-hop when it actually had some consciousness to it! Then as I got older it seems hip hop has grew up to! Unfortunately, the rap part of hip-hop has seemed to taken a back seat to everything else. Remember, hip-hop has some principles behind them, such as break dancing, graffiti, scratching and rapping! While graffin' has evolved to another later and a few are benefiting off of the technological advances, it has become a lost art of hip-hop! Breakin’ or break dancing seemed doomed from its start because it was a dance style and as styles do, they go in and out! Scratching disappeared with the advancement of technology and most hip-hop beat makers deciding to use samples and a beat machine. Actually the only time you get to hear real instruments in hip-hop songs is if it’s an MTV Unplugged moment or some other special concert!

The so-called elements to hip hop are seemingly lost and not looking to be found! As a child of the early hip-hop movement, I did a lil break dancing; I listened to some albums that didn’t require a Parental Advisory sticker on them. Now you would be hard pressed to find any rap or rock album without a warning label on them. The songs used to be creatively put together! The artist was more of an artist. The videos actually went with the songs. The women were not merely ass shaking figures! With the other elements of hip hop seemingly gone, how long will it take for rap to gravitate to a more mature state? The lyrics in most pop rap songs are straight bullshyt! I recall when rap and pop were something totally different, but now rap for the most part has become pop! Where did we go wrong? I understand the financial aspect of the game, but what about the artist integrity for something that was once so honest? Hip Hop crossed cultural lines back then too, but it spoke to a group of underdogs, a group of rebels and misfits! Now that hip-hop has crossed so far over it doesn’t appear to be a remedy to this situation.

I guess I just figured since I was a child of this hip hop shyt, that as I grew the songs would grow too! Trust me I like some ole ignorant creative shyt too, but most of this shyt is just stupid….Unfortunately, it seems that the songs have gotten more immature than I could have possibly imagined. I use to love hip hop, but shyt aint the same…or is it that I’ve changed!

Until next time...