Yo! I read it and it's the same old ish we've been hearing since Hip Hop was founded! Of course Hip Hop has a great influence on the world. It's one of the most popular music genres to date. You always hear people beefin' about the negative sides of Hip Hop; but you rarely hear about the positives. Is that because there are none? No; it's just because the negatives make better news reports and ratings. How many records or cars would be sold if mc's rapped about birds, trees and flowers? What would Mo' Kelly have to write about then? I agree that at times Hip Hop can have a negative effect on today's youth. But this guy makes us out to be like blind ass sheep or something without a mind of our own. I love Hip Hop because it's grooves and vibes speak to my inner being. At the same time: I don't drink alcohol, don't smoke weed, don't own an Escalade and my rims don't spin. I do have a degree, I do make mad loot legit and I respect my woman. Corporations have been exploiting entertainers for years black and white. Every popular genre of music has it's positives and negatives. How are we to speak on only positives when most urban communities are ear marked as negative areas from the jump? I consider myself to be a well traveled man; having the opportunity to have seen Hip Hop break the boundaries of race, creed, color, and religion all over the world. I've seen people from all different backgrounds come together in unison to live and experience Hip Hop. Look across the pages of this site if you need proof of that! Yeah, I agree that Hip Hop is still kinda' stuck in this "bling bling" phase; but it is slowly coming out and we will move on to something else. I mean look, we were happy partying for awhile, we were grimey, we fought the power, got thuggish, now some have made it and we're flossin'. Maybe we will go back to teaching again or something. Who knows? But no matter what happens labels and corporations will continue to gain cream from your sweat! Unless you're plan on walkin' around butt naked rappin' about sunlight or some ish! LOL! Nuff said!
ONE