EDITORIAL: THE STATE OF HIP HOP! (WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?)

[Urban Threshold Network]

THE STATE OF HIP HOP

By Jesse Atkinson. CEO of Urban Threshold Enterprises Inc.

Hip Hop is life, power, and expression. Hip Hop transcends race, class and cultures. It has been the voice for those who have been marginalized and oppressed. It has also been a vehicle for economic self-sufficiency and collective survival. Today, Hip Hop is a multi-billion dollar industry. However, over the years it has lost its freshness and originality. The art form used to embody beauty, pride and self-respect. Artists like KRS-ONE, PUBLIC ENEMY, TUPAC, RAKIM, AND RUN DMC have enriched the lives of many people.

Presently, the Rap music culture is in a state of artistic and spiritual paralysis. Rap music has become shallow and superficial and it resonates with greed, hubris, vanity and violence. The genre is now a shadow of its former self. In Spike Lee's film "Bamboozled," the rappers of today are depicted as being modern day minstrels. In many ways, Mr. Lee is correct. Many rappers have sacrificed their moral and artistic integrity in order to chase the illusion known as "The American Dream."

As a result, the Hip Hop culture has become a rebel against its own existence by allowing itself to be controlled and defined by corporate powers, which profit enormously at the expense of the destruction of the Black male image. The corporate stranglehold on Hip Hop is slowly causing its demise. Sadly, quite a few Rap artists have sold out their souls and their culture in exchange for uncertain riches. In fact, so called "gangsta rap" continues to promote and glorify the most negative and heinous aspects of the ghetto without any positive balances. The images of gangsta rap feed into the racist propaganda notion that Black males have the propensity to commit crime. In 1915, a movie entitled "Birth of a Nation," by D.W. Griffith depicted the Black male as being an ignorant, lazy, over-sexed, buffoonish thug.

Unfortunately, Hip Hop has internalized the many negative generalizations which America has created about Blacks. The internalization of these negative stereotypes manifests itself in the forms of self hatred and Black on Black violence. This self hatred can be heard and witnessed in the hedonistic, materialistic, misogynistic, and violent rap lyrics of today.

Currently, many rap songs and videos are punctuated with hyperbolic expressions of excessiveness. Moreover, the relentless images of thugs, gangstas, playas, bitches, and ho's are programming the youth to self destruct. What rappers need to understand is that their words are powerful instruments. Words have been the catalysts for revolutions.

LIFE AND DEATH ARE IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE! Hip Hop artists are in the unique position to influence others with their words. They should use their lyrics to elevate, inform and inspire the youth, instead of constantly focusing on the demoralizing aspects of human nature. Hip Hop must get back to its essence and its roots, while maintaining its cutting edge.----

[Paul Wasser]

The state of Hip-Hop is what we make it. Is it time for a change? If it is it is up to us. When it started it was rooted in a solid foundation, and many labels, producers, and artist have forgotten about the foundation Hip-Hop was built on because the bottom line is the only thing that matters. Maximum profit or bust. Now much of the music is mainstream, and commercial selling the negative immage that thugs, and players are good. This is killing our children too many babies having babies. Many industry people only want a Bentl, and a diamond watch. So to achieve this they do cookie cutter music because the label says that is what will sell, and do what is expected of them wich helps sell the negative image so many have been told they are. You have to ask your self as a music industry professional what do you want to do sell a million hot singles today, or have a song that helps to improve peoples lives, a song that is real, and heart felt a song that touches their souls. Or do you want to put out the same old same old watch money kill car girl weed song that people will forget about in six months, and just help the negative immage be pounded into our heads even harder?
Hip-Hop is alive but don't kill it, and don't let the man kill it. Krs one says only black women in my bed, and there is nothing wrong with that. Freedom of speech, religion, press, life liberty, and the persuit of happyness. Deversity is what once made this nation great, and now we all have to act look be the same as everyone else. Sounds like brain washing to me on a mass scale. There is also nothing wrong with people being with people of other races that is personal choice, and free will in action. If someone dosen't like what a song is saying they can change the station. But the only thing that matters is album sales not self expression, and the love of music. So if someone changes the station the album wont sell bull great art will always sell mabey not the most but it will sell. Today the label would say be politically correct that is killing the honesty of Hop-Hop, and more.

[Patrick Germany (P.Germ)]

Yo there was a typo in my comment it should read We need to stay the course connecting the History of the Hip Hop Past to the present. And move on and through to the future rendeering positive change and success as people of color keep it hoppin 1Love P.Germ AsshighasTheSky Promotion

[Patrick Germany (P.Germ)]

Yo we need to stay the course connecting the Hip Hop pass through the present and on to the future keep it Hoppin 1Love P.Germ AsshighAsTheSky Promotion

[The Consultingguy of MHM Management]

Your article is a great piece that should remind hip hop fans and enthusiasts to remain creative and bring out the element that makes their style unique.

[Rush Major]

Hey Jess, I appreciate you for writing this article, hip hop gives identity to a unheard culture an is very subjective to it’s environment an in a time where your dreams can be realized it would be unfruitful to continue in it’s current direction of tearing our community down. any positive action within the community has been met with resistance an it would seam as if we have gotten to the point to where we have given up and conformed to the opinions of society that yes we or flashy violent stupid and ignorant of to the fact that we are the voice of the future the taste makers of our new society. children wana mimic what it is that they see on TV so the rich and the influential artist and athletes become the role models for our youth like it or not yet we teach hate an greed as a cornerstone of success it’s time ta step your game up an end the destructive cycles. Music grow up and be responsible let’s bread real artist an stop playing follow the leader.

Rush Major

[Urban Threshold Network]

Hey Keith, your comments are informative and on point. I agree 100%!

[Keith J. Richards]

I submit that Hip Hop is not dead. However, the body of Hip Hop is possessed by a demon known as the Rap Music Industry. It's like getting bitten by a vampire. The body still exists, but it works seperately from the mind and spirit. And it spreads like vampirism. So when you create from a place where your mind, body, and spirit are in unison to express your individuality, you are Hip Hop. However, when you allow the music industry to dictate what you think, do, and say inaccordance with chasing the almighty doller by sounding like the last money maker before you, and furthermore when your mind is closed to anyone else's viewpoint, the Hip Hop in you is then in fact dead. And from that conversation, many of our brothers and sisters may very well be casualties.
The Five Pillars of Hip Hop are:
DJing, EmCeeing, Graffiti art, Breakin', and Knowledge.
As said by the Founder of and creator of the term "Hip Hop," Afrika Bambaataa. Hip Hop was created as a means of bringing a stop to violence, not perpetuating it. Uplifting our people from the vicious cycle of demoralization, not embracing it.
That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!!!
Just Sayin'