Where’s the innovative hip hop? Really? It’s right here, foo. If you took the time to turn off the shit playing on your radio, you’d see that artistic innovation in hip hop is very present and continues to grow. See, I like Kid Cudi and a applaud his personal mission with his music, but I really didn’t appreciate parts of his rant on the Arsenio Hall Show. Really dude, I understand artistic ego and all, but don’t shit on the culture by making a claim that you’re the only one in hip hop presently pushing boundaries.
See, everyone outside of the culture likes to blame hip hop for a lot of society’s ills so it certainly does’t help when insiders like Cudi help to legitimize those voices. Sure there’s a lot of “cash, money, hoes” rap out in the genre, but last I checked, all the hip hop media talked about last year was Kendrick and Macklemore. And that’s not even their thing. Besides, Cudi seems to be doing well for himself. As he names off all of his luxury automobiles, it seems as though hip hop has been very good to whom most would call an alternative hip hop artist. Many argue that Ye gave birth to his style, so show some gratitude.
I just get kinda pissed when those who eat off the culture, in their frustration, start making these negative broad generalizations about it. And oh yeah, I caught that “thug” shit you slipped in Mr. O’reilly while you were on David Letterman.
Truth is, young boys are more than likely consuming more violent video games and porn than hip hop. Wanna pick a social villain? Go after those industries. They won’t because going after individuals who are celebrities makes an easier target and gives a bigger spotlight to political rhetoric.
Hip hop is in good health. 40 years and it’s stronger and more influential than ever. Even if it ceases to exist in the mainstream, we will continue… in the parks, in the hallways, on the blogs, in your social media, in the basements, and in places where you’d never suspect. And the next time someone comes to you claiming that the best years of hip hop are behind us, tell them to browse this blog or check for my playlist every Friday for a dose of hip hop music untainted by the industry. Then politely tell them to CEASE THAT NONSENSE!!!
