Hip-Hop: In my Opinion

Some say hip-hop is dead, I say it's specializing. Like any form of music, it starts out from one type then slowly branches of into different variations and styles. Rock and Roll started out as a rhythm and blues style with emphasis on electric guitar and heavy drumming, but now it's broken down it multiple genres (Alternative, Punk, Heavymetal, Grunge...) Hip-hop is no different-- You have your Club Hip-hop (Lollipop- Lil Wayne, Stronger- Kanye West), your Dance Hip-Hop (Chicken Noodle Soup- DJ Webstar, Crank that- Soulja Boy), your Conscious Hip-Hop (Common, Talib Kweli), your Regional Hip-hop (Westcoast, Dirty South, Midwest) and so on. To say it's dead or dying is wrong because hip-hop is making more strides in sales and endorsements that it ever has, but that can be why people would say it's dead. It grew from this underground, inner-city music to a commercial, worldwide business. As for those who say it's today's rappers who are killing hip-hop, there too I see flaws because back when MC Hammer was out no said he was killing it. His songs were as meaningless as the next, but we didn't complain. We in fact credited him with taking hip-hop acts to a whole new level. He was one of the first to making millions off of rap, he sold out stadiums and arenas worldwide and as a performer you "couldn't touch" him (I had to say it, lol). So hip-hop isn't dead, it's in fact chugging away at quicker pass then ever before, there is just different trains to jump on now.

Now here is where it may get a lil sticky. In my opinion, Jay-Z is the best rapper ever. His combination of lyrics, sound, flow and longevity are second to none. As far as whose next in line, I'll have to say Lil' Wayne but Kanye West is a close (very close) second. Lil' Wayne is the most witty rapper out there. His metaphors, tone, choice of words are unique, but I feel like he is lacking is a meaning behind some of his tracks. His topics become redundant, though they are catchy as all hell and many of us can recite them word for word. Even his songs that are meant to have meaning don't seem to have the same impact as say a "Diamonds are Forever" by Kanye West. West brings a whole new freshness to rap. He is a slick and savy lyricist, and has the ability to express meaningful subject matter in a tricky way that many are fooled into listening to. Songs like "Jesus Walks", "Through the Wire" and "Roses" are an example of that. Also and maybe most astounding is the fact that he has only put out 3 albums compared to Wayne's hundreds and hundreds of tracks. For him to be even in the argument at this point is a great accomplishment already. I like to use a sports analogy to help explain my opinion, take the NBA for example.

Jay-Z - Michael Jordan (Greatest of All-Time- Retired and came back, you kno)
Lil' Wayne - Kobe Bryant (Most Valuable Player now)
Kanye West - Steve Nash (Good as all hell, but just a different type of player then the rest)
Everyone Else- The League (They all just fall in line)

As far as BIG and Tupac, they were good but they died. No need to even talk bout them, but yes, I still think Jay is better than both (Though, he probably wouldn't be the same Jay without them)

So folks, this is my opinion. If you disagree, so be it. Neither you or I are wrong.

- The MadMusician