Hiphop. where are we at? where are we going

Todays Hiphop music has a million and one problems. But weve never been free of our fair share of problems, controversy conflicts and just about everything else. Thats a part of hiphop because hiphop is us. Hip-hop is our condition. Some we work through and fix, others are irreversible. But its ours, and regardless of how much trash is thrown at it the true lovers of the culture always manage dust it off and make it treasure again.

That's my universal view of hiphop as a whole.Or belief I should say.Its important for us as a culture to understand that belief. We have to document hiphop, because it is history in the making. Hiphop is the biggest influence the world has ever seen. And regardless of its current musical state, we as a culture need to always understand this. Hiphop isnt just beats and rhymes. Its our lifestyle,what were doing, how were living, our stories, our voice and actions. The "Hip" is the knowledge the "Hop" is the action. Hiphop translates to "knowledge in action". Weather we use the "Hip" or the "Hop" for positive or for negative is solely up to its cultivators...which are us.

I wanted to open with that because its important to understand what hip hop really is before I dig into the meat of things. Now, Hiphop isn't dead. Its never been and never will be. Thats just a little trick we like to use to lite matches. Its sort of a recessitative maneuver. Nas proclaimed it dead to stir the pot up, and he did. Because Nas is a legend and when he talks, people listen. He knew exactly what he was doing. Some followed him, some didn't. But it made things interesting again. And that was the goal.

So if hiphop isn't dead, what is it?. Well, Hiphop is in a transition. Were trying to find ourselves yet again people. the "rap industry"is whats dying, but WE aren't. Were like the samurai. In the old days, Samurai would often work for powerful merchants. But the merchants themselves had no skill. They just threw riches around and shuffled money. They had no code of honor, no strength. So many samurai overthrew their merchant employers after they realized this. But to be a samurai literally means to serve. So without anyone to serve those samurai became what is called ronin. They would wander the land searching for a more meaningful way to serve. In some circumstances that would be serving themselves.In others, serving an admirable warlord. Hiphop is the samurai, the Industry is the merchant. Were overthrowing the industry. Were don't believe in it anymore.

Were looking for warlords and not merchants. Merchants dont know the culture, warriors do. Were serving ourselves, blowing up independently now as well. Now we just have to connect the dots again. Hip hop is catching up with the internet finally. Were finding more efficient ways to outsource the culture, to get people to invest in our lifestyle again. Kids are coming up completely on an indie level. No label, no big producer, no super studio. Were doing it all on our own again. We just have to grasp this and build on it. We don't need outside companies to invest in us anymore. We need to start building more companies around the preservation and continued sustainability of hiphop itself. less liquor and energy drinks. More artistically relevant investments. Get more of these rappers behind recording software, microphones instruments or sound systems. For example, i think Dr.Dre's beats by dre headphones are a perfect example. He knows quality sound, what better of a guy to market that?

Were headed in a good direction. Its just hard to see right now for most of us. we just have to stay focused and support the culture in its transition. Start becoming rebellious again. Start barking at these lame play list radio stations. more and more of us are just saying fuck it, and going satellite. That's it. We have to support creativity and variety, and rebel against conformity. I cant stress that enough. STOP BEING ROBOTS TO THIS BULLSHIT and pick up a torch. Were the masters of our culture, not some old white ceo. But things are headed towards promise. I saw Rae and Ghost on Jimmy Fallon tonight. And the Roots are Jimmys house band. Yep..Hiphop is looking better.
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