Hip - Hop goes Pop

Forty years in the game and she just ain’t the same she was raised in the Bronx ,New York, She stood proud, strong, and true. And those who love her dear ,say she has lost her value. In the 1970’s, she helped SugerHill Gang find their “Rappers Delight.” During the 1980’s, she helped Public Enemy “Fight the Power,” yet she never forgot her girls. She and MC Lyte let the fellas know that if they are gonna “spit” game it better not be “Paper Thin”.

She has been there from the start in the beat, rhythm, and hearts of those who admire her. She’s experienced many highs and lows. Common thought she lost her way when she moved out west and started “hangin” wit those “gangstas.” She has always been the star of show garnishing attention everywhere she went. Nowadays she has hooked up with an all new crew, guys named Kanye ,

Wayne , and a cat named Lupe.

Some men claim to love her yet use her to get by. What’s become of her cannot be denied. She’s being loved but is not in love with who she’s become. Alphonse McCullough, former Source magazine writer and producer of Rap City, says, “In my opinion hip-hop is a youth culture” and as a matter of fact that is the truth. Hip-Hop is providing the masses with what they want. Some claim hip-hop as culture has maintained its vigor and essence, however there are those who feel that has been a serious loss of substance. She is a part of pop culture, yet the culture she targets consequently does benefit the one, that reared her up.

East to West, North to South, few could say they didn’t know what she was about. Those who doubted her would come love her, name her, and call her hip-hop. . Hip-hop is now a brand, something that stands to make many people a lot of money. An example of how hip-hop has become a brand is the creation of “KarmaLoop, an urban streetwear website” founded by Greg Selkoe in 2001. Since its conception, the karmaloop website has managed to garnish 2.5 million visitors a month.

She grows financially in worth, but her soul is hurt. Jesse Marbury ,a junior education major, believes that“90’s hip-hop was the pinnacle of hip-hop. Dance moves were simple, now they’re complex.” Marbury, a native New Yorker, claims that he cannot even listen to it anymore. Edwin I. Johnson, Morgan Alum and Higher Education Administrator, says “Hip-Hop has been overtaken by commercialism.” Johnson goes on to say “Rap music was more positive. Krs One called it Edutainment, It motivated you to learn.”

Hip-hop’s followers are immense in numbers , but her true lovers stand the test of time Morgan’s own rap group. Any Means Necessary (AMN), consists of four group members Dwine (Dweez),Craig (young Mab), Donnie(Don), and Flor (Ladi). Meeting three years ago, these young men found they shared a common love of Hip-Hop rapping back in O’Connell hall. When the group asked what direction Hip-Hop is taking , Dweez responds “It’s on its way [to being pop].” Ladi follows up. “There was a message, there is a lack of substance. If you’re gonna do pop, still have a message.”

A mother to a generation, she appears ageless throughout the years Alphonse McCullough says “Hip-hop is meeting the needs of the people.” It appears that hip- hop is meeting the needs of the people. Hip-Hop is included in every aspect of society. Nowadays rockers are rapping, suburban kids are break dancing, and elderly people are using the slang. At first thought this transition to the main stream maybe humorous but the central themes are disappearing. No one is pointing out the ills of society or taking responsibility for the affects the music is having on “urban youth” . Johnson states with what appears a sort of remorse “Artists are socially irresponsible , they fail to realize the impact their content has .”

Forty years in the game and she just aint the same, she was raised in the Bronx, New York. She stood proud, strong, and true and those who love her dear, say she has lost her value. Ladi, of A.M.N says, “I want people to have hope and feel refreshed, I want to be the defibrillator that revives music.” Ladi speaks of hope and that is something hip-hop thrived on, giving people who, society wrote off “Hope” to make a change. As time goes on she will grow and change, and the more things change, they will stay the same.