Quote Originally Posted by quickdodge®
As far as mainstream goes is right. But as far as talent and better lyrics and music, we all know underground/mixtape is the shit. Mainstream is where all the groupies and white folks who want to be down are at. These folks that buy the down South music shit are wanting it for the bass and beat. Not for what's important. The lyrics and what the person is saying. Of course that is what the South music is basically driven towards.
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gets up and applauds!!! right on point! FINALLY someone realizes this

Quote Originally Posted by tony
The artists don't determine what hip hop is, the consumers and the media do. I just came back from Vegas and if yall could see the influence the south has on hip hop out there its amazing.. and it isn't being shoved down their throats, they CHOOSE to listen to it and buy the records.

Want to blame someone for the way hip hop has gone, blame the consumers and the media but not the rappers. If Jay-Z or Jeezy decided they wanted to change up and rap like Common do you really think they would sell records like they do? No, and the next person who wants to rap about bs behind a good beat will step up.
truth

if your gonna keep supporting shit music, they're gonna keep on making it.


and about Jeezy
(the interview>http://rapidshare.com/files/6515304/...0_206447c7.mp3)

This is exactly what's wrong with Rap today! These new guys don't wanna listen! Jeezy never even let the lady get her point out. He just wanted to talk about him "doin' numbas" and "killin' it". (Jeezy sucks btw)
It's sad, but I just don't think these new guys can even comprehend the argument. I don't want to make it seem like its an education issue, but I don't think they are able to fathom what the reason is for all of Jay-Z and Nas' recent comments about the state of rap. It's almost like their argument is "If album's are selling, Hip hop is not dead!".
They aren't making the connection to the artistry/poetry side of rap and its downturn over the years, aside from a few artists who continue to push the limits of wordplay/lyrics and themes in their music.