Within the last 2 decades, it seems clear to me that pop culture has degraded heavily, and in order to view how rapidly Western society has declined in terms of quality of entertainment, you'll need to look no further than hip-hop and rap music. When I was a child (late 80's, early 90's), I remember rap music being something fun, clean, vibrant, and generally speaking with a message behind it. How can we go from listening to our favorite rappers perform about important topics such as racial issues, equality, freedom, and social liberty to 26'' chrome rims, big-assed prostitutes, and selling crack cocaine? A pictorial representation by yours truly, if you will allow me to post an example:
Clearly the differences are undeniable. Now I realize there were some rappers "back in the day" that talked about ass and gold, but at least the English language was involved. I also realize that there are still technical rappers around today that perform about current events, unfortunately you don't hear any of these songs on the radio - our watered-down generation simply does not want to hear them.
If these trends follow suit, what will become of our society in say, 30 years? In 2041 will a performer jump on stage, have public anal sex with a groupie, grunt to the beat, and spit expensive liquor all over the crowd? Is that what we want? Something has to give.
Rap and R&B, like the blues and rock (all which have ties to the Afro community) have all sold out in one way or another...
ReplyDeleteThe music industry will just bastardize another genre, like they are doing with DubStep and what they did to Trance and HiNRG
ive never been a huge fan of rap but i still follow the scene and what u say makes alot of sense
ReplyDeleteAnal sex on stage, I would go watch that show
ReplyDeleteCorporations gotta make money son, shitting on culture doesn't matter if it makes a few bucks.
ReplyDeleteCommercialization killed rap!
ReplyDeleteRap has degenerated over the years, now it's all about the money and less about the "music"
ReplyDeleteBut that's what happens to every cool genre... look at metal in the 80's... commercialization killed it and it took a while, but now it's cooler than ever (if you know where to look)
ReplyDeleteEveryone is shallow and retarded these days. If they see it on MTV, it must be cool. GTFO
ReplyDeletei agree Layman "Commercialization killed rap",nice blog
ReplyDeleteInternet is the answer!
ReplyDeletedude shits fucked up
ReplyDeleteinternet killed the good rap stars!
ReplyDeleteFIGHT THE POWER!
ReplyDeleteNevermind, There is still a whole decade of quality hip hop/rap to listen to. Rap music was strong to have at least 10 years of creativity & development. Lil Wayne & Flav Flav both on par, What the hell was Chuck D thinking when he let flav have any input to anything public enemy ever did?!
ReplyDeleteRap is poo now, Not a fan at all
ReplyDeletethe rap as change.
ReplyDeleteOld-school 4ever