Hip Hop is Dying

Nas once said hip hop is dead.  I really didn't want to believe him but I have no choice but to face the facts.  I once was madly in love with hip hop.  it may sound cliche, i fell in love the first time I heard the Sugar Hill Gang's "Rapper's Delight".  I don't know what it was abut the song it was my first hit and like a fiend i was hooked.  Lately though that love has slowly diminished into dislike.  I once blamed Puffy for watering down what was dark and gritty but informative at the same time.  but now i blame the record industry and the "Y generation".  These are the people who are not quite old or smart enough to appreciate quality.

Today's top rappers are Gucci Mane, Waka Flaka Flame, Soulja Boy (all of which are from Atlanta), and Nicki Minaj (I'll get into that later).  None of them can freestyle, actually spit 16 bars, or can speak proper English.  But this is who is ruling the rap game?  why is Black Thought, Talib Kweli, and Mos Def barely ever mentioned anymore.  I bet if u ask the 106 & Park crowd they wouldn't even know who they are.  10-15 years ago these same...dare I say artist would have went triple wood and would be working at Walmart by now.  All u need is a hot beat and no lyrical skill to get by nowadays.

Now on to Nicki "Plastic Woman" Minaj.  In 1997 I watched a The Come Up DVD.  I wanted to check out a new up and coming female rapper.  I saw her video and was smitten.  Not only was she pretty but she could rap.  My first thought was as soon as Foxy and Kim get their shit together they have competition.  Fast forward to today and I can honestly say... I HATE NICKI MINAJ!!!  I hate her stupid faces, her stupid sound effects, and the fact that she is blowing up off the stupid shit.  He gets praise for her corny shit but incredible femcees such as Jean Grae, and Ursula Rucker are unknown.  I prayed that the stupid shit was just a gimmick to get her name out there, but with every chicken head from BK to San Francisco embracing it, I don't see it stopping anytime soon. 

Hip Hop needs is definitely in cardiac arrest.  There are a few artist, such as Joell Ortiz, who are trying to bring back it's luster.  But with little press from record labels, and media platforms such as BET I don't see that happening.  So until then I'll keep listening to Golden Era ('88-'89) rap and Neo Soul.

Nicki Minaj pre dumb shit