I think I like it......I really think I like it. I am actually pleased with the current state of hip hop. When you think about it, it’s not as pleasing as it is useful. Hip hop, these days, is the great equalizer. It separates the truly enlightened from the wannabees. The people who buy the "now that’s music volume 345" cd from best buy and the people who go to their local hole in the wall and get the "G Dep Head Over Wheels" 12 in".
I am the president of the hip hop club at my college, (perhaps the only legitimate one in the state of N.C.) and what I always find my self saying to interested parties is that...hip hop isn't just music it’s a movement. Hip hop isn't simply your music preference it’s a lifestyle. It is something that you live in and with everyday without fault. Not, to make it seem like it’s an adopted religion, or that you make a conscious decision to live a "hip hop way of life"; but it’s just a myriad of things you do that feel natural. Before you know it... what you listen to is what you are, you ARE hip hop. This brings me back to my point. The worse that commercial rap music gets, the easier it is to see who really believes in the culture. I hate to say it, but more often than not, you have a better idea of who a person is based on what type or types of music they listen to. I mean, I've got friends from hundreds of different environments and backgrounds and none of them have ever felt the need to chicken noodle soup, do the motorcycle, or walk it out. (I remember thinking that the “bankhead bounce” looked incredibly stupid)
The greatest part about the current state of rap music is that you have to search for the good stuff. To tell the truth, good rap music was never especially easy to find, be it because of the newness of the artist, or parental advisory laws, or the size or lack there of designated to hip hop in your local record store. Back in the 90's if you weren't in New York, Chicago, or L.A., there was a good chance there might only be one spot in the city to get the basics (de la, beanie sigel, tribe, common, A.Z. etc). And that spot was always subject to close down due to the lack of revenue. These days there is a lot of good talent out there both locally and globally, but you’ve got to look for it. Whenever you find a cd that you can listen to from beginning to end and be pleased with your purchase, it’s like you struck gold. You put your friends on to new artists; your friends put you on to a new blog, or remind you of so and so's album release date etc. It’s just what you do. You can't leave home without your ipod and a little cash in your pocket incase there are some new additions to the used cd section at the record shop, your checking my eBay to keep a watch on that vinyl or that pair of sneakers… like I said it’s a way of life. And I wouldn't have it another way.
So next time you tune into rap city hoping that they'll finally show that “Dilated Peoples” video you've been watching on iflim for two weeks and instead they run the “Dem Franchise Boys” joint, AGAIN, just know that they're doing you a favor.
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