IS HIP HOP DEAD?

I know that in my first posting it sounded like I was saying that Hip Hop died, but by no means am I saying that. I strongly feel however that hip hop is on life support. I know that some people may have a certain connection with different parts or eras of hip hop, so when I speak on the subject I want you to know that I am giving consideration to the different age groups that listen to hip hop and what it may mean to different people of different age. I think you can appreciate hip hop without identifying with or celebrating all aspects of it. I do understand that it is the total package that makes up the culture we call hip hop. Hip hop is entertaining, like Sugar Hill Gang and Will Smith , Doug E. Fresh, or Dana Dane. It is political like Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five or Public Enemy and funky like Afrika Bambaata, . We even have our roots in the burbs, with Run-Dmc. I could go on and on. No matter where it came from it was raw and what people were thinking and feeling, what I'm saying is that we've had many voices but these days I feel like everyone is saying the same thing. Sex, Drug, Violence. Yeah some say my music is different, its real, it me, but then they turn around and make a record with every sucker out there. Where is the realness. Since when did Hip Hop become bragging about your bling and exploiting women. We have always had our hard core rappers, Slick Rick, Rakim, the D.O.C. and NWA. 

Today, you have up and comers rapping about what they heard the other guy say and every other word is a curse. How did the rappers of old do it without cursing so much. I am not saying that you shouldn't be able to, but is that all you have to say. I love Hip Hop, I used to party at Skate Key when they had the spring jams, and T-Connection. I grew up in the Bronx. I've gone through all the phases, and I can see the deterioration, and yes I see the hope too. Hip Hop is our baby, and I want better for my baby. I don't have any hangups about language or content, but it is about skills, credibility and authenticity. Hip Hop needs to go back to it's roots. What people seem to be in denial about is the impact that today's Hip Hop culture is having on our youth. Today's artist forget that they were once young. They can say it's up to parents but remember when you were young and all you wanted to do was hear the songs. You listened at a friends house, at a party, or at school. You listened when your parents weren't at home or in your room late at night. It drew you in. I am grateful for the old school, they gave Hip Hop its foundation, what has the new school offered to the culture. We can blame it on the record labels and distributors, but that argument held water in the early days, not today. If rappers really had a desire to change the situation they would have begun their own distributing by now. If only they didn't waste their money on bling!!