Is Hip-Hop Dead?

Before I spread my message, I would just like to say that I love Hip-Hop. I am a fan of many artists and I am not advocating that I am some rebel against Hip-Hop and Rap music non-whatsoever My purpose is to open eyes a bit. Being a 90's baby and growing up in the 2000's, I have experienced a wave of various forms of Hip-Hop over the span of my 22 years of living. Around the time of my birth, you had artists like NWA, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, Tupac, and my all-time favorite, the great Notorious B.I.G. Each of these artists had their unique style of flow, delivery, and swagger which all made them popular in the industry. Moving into the 2000's, Jay-Z, Nelly, 50 Cent, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Jadakiss, Nas, 8Ball and MJG, (I can go on and on) all made an impact in the game. I often times find myself going on YouTube and listening to those great songs from a decade ago. Then I ask myself, "What happened to this era? Why don't they make music like this anymore?" The time of throwback jerseys, big white tees, New York Yankee fitted caps and Air Force Ones was a time where the best music was produced in my opinion. Jay's "Blueprint," 50's "Get Rich Or Die Trying," and Nas' "God's Son" are timeless albums and can still be listened to 30 years from now and still be enjoyable. New York seemed to have dominated the rap scene at that time. Gritty wordplay and finesse. As the decade progressed, the South blew up and dance music became mainstream. Atlanta artist Soulja Boy set a nationwide trend with "Crank That Soulja Boy," D4L and Dem Franchise Boyz had the game on lock with the snap and "Lean With It, Rock With It" music. Dallas, Texas created the "Dougie" movement, and I must say the Dougie was one of my favorite dances. Then the scene shifted to the West Coast and the New Boyz created the "Jerk." Not saying anything is wrong with the dance epidemic that occurred in the industry, because expression is more than just rhyming over a beat, but I feel as if the game lost its core values. I was listening to Young Thug's "Stoner" a bit earlier and in all honesty, the song is horrible. But, what lures myself and others to enjoy the song is the beat. Once you like the beat, chances are you begin to like the lyrics, and my God the lyrics are awful but I cannot help myself but to listen to the song over and over. Most of the music today is one-dimensional. They have catchy beats and that is it. The messages in the songs are all the same. Money, degrading women, and jewelry. What ever happened to promoting peace and uplifting the community? Courting women? You know, those "Fight The Power" type records. Those "Excuse Me Miss" type records. Oh, I forgot, no one wants to hear it. That type of stuff doesn't sell records. It's all about money these days. Sellouts. Until next time....Thank God and stay humble. As We Proceed.