[The Movement] Hip-Hop Is Dead.

Disclaimer: I would not describe myself as a hip-hop head or a journalist. I am merely a music-lover & music-maker who loves to observe and discuss the goings-on in Urban Music.

With that said, I’ll say it again:

“Hip-Hop is Dead.”

I have only recently begun to surf the OKP boards after Honorable has sent me several relevant music-related links. Going through the site, I’ve noticed an overwhelming presence of the above statement - Hip-Hop is dead.

Before I give my two cents on the subject matter, I’d like to share with you my initial thoughts:

1. All urban music is not hip-hop
2. Hip-hop still persists, but not in the way some would like it to appear in the mainstream
3. If Hip-Hop is dead, then what are you listening to?

Now, my opinion comes from an artist point of view – still young in the game and with a tendency to look for the silver lining. So with that said, I don’t think Hip-Hop is dead; it’s just in its proverbial teens.

I am 22 – so I am young myself. I didn’t grow up with BDP, Rakim, or Pete Rock; I can’t tell you about the heyday of Hip-Hop. But being 22, I can say that looking back on the times when Hip-Hop was “great,” it appeared to only be in its infancy. What cats are saying about Hip-Hop now is not dissimilar to when my mom recalls how cute I was when I was a toddler.

Before you begin the barrage of comments about how I trivialized Hip-Hop’s significance, think about it. Remember how much you and your folks beefed as adolescents? Or being asked the rhetorical question “If all of your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?” It seems as though Hip-Hop might have answered “yes” and when the opportunity presented itself – willing went over the ledge and plunged to its death…leaving, Hip-Hop, well, dead.

However, I don’t believe that is the case. Instead, Hip-Hop is growing up and doing all the dumb shit adolescents do. I must admit, that is unfortunate that all of these movements look like they should be accompanied by Black Face. But that’s another post topic for another day.

In a recent blog post, Hip-Hop: The New Minstrel Show, writer Khary McGhee reflects on a concert in Fayetteville, NC. Among the Crunk/Snap artists billed for the show was North Carolina’s own, Little Brother – true Hip-Hop purveyors of the present – who received a lack-luster response from the crowd. Khary used this incident as a catalyst to maintain this growing notion that Hip-Hop is dead (or dying) because a “real” Hip-Hop act can get no love, meanwhile, Cadillac Don and J Money (who?…wth!) has the audience going stupid. However, McGhee later proves my point by noting the following:

“As it stands now, rap music is becoming more and more disposable. Great records aren’t being made. Careers are getting shorter and shorter. The music is becoming more homogenous.

In many ways, this period in hip-hop reminds me of the new-age rock period of the 1980s. Remember all of those one-hit wonders? Toni Basil (Mickey), a-ha (Take On Me), Nena (99 Luftballoons), Soft Cell (Tainted Love). In a few years, artists like Dem Franchize Boyz, Yung Joc and the Ying-Yang Twins will join that group of 1980s has-beens as answers as Trivial Pursuit questions.”

So not unlike the Doo Wop movement of the 60s or the new-age rock of the 80s, these movements will come and go, but the true art form will remain. Would we say that Crunk is truly Hip-Hop, anyway? And why can’t you have a little 3-6 Mafia with your Lupe? Aren’t LB and Fiasco signed to Atlantic – a major label?

What we are observing is the necessary transition of “Hip-Hop” which is essential to its commercial viability. With each of the cookie-cuttter acts being signed to regurgitate a movement to the masses, true Hip-Hop acts are given access to the industry in ways unseen before. They, by no means, have the keys to the city, but I think we are moving towards maturity.

In closing, Hip-Hop is not dead – it’s evolving. Hip-Hop is still here – the good, the bad, and the snapping.