How the South Killed Hip Hop!

Who killed hip-hop? I've heard some say that D4L killed hip hop. I've heard others say it was Dem Franchize Boys, Lil Jon, Three-Six Mafia and even Young Jeezy. Right now we are on the verge of an East Coast/Down South feud that I am sure the media will sensationalize until we loose even more of our talented young men and women in a hail of bullets and bullsh*t. Everybody's talking about who killed hip-hop, but the last time I checked you don't investigate a homicide without a body. With Three-Six Mafia just winning an Academy Award and T.I. nominated for multiple Grammies, hip hop is looking very much alive to me. It seems the more important question on everybody's mind should be, "Who in the hell said hip hop was dead?" Before we turn this into an East Coast vs. The Dirty South beef lets remember that Smoke of Field Mob, just this past summer was quoted having said, "...hip hop is dead and D4L killed it."

I personally couldn't disagree more. Hip hop started in the streets of New York as a musical reflection of what was going on in the hood. New York is the father of hip hop and while you have to respect your elders, that doesn't mean that New York is where hip-hop ends. I moved down to Atlanta last summer and when I first heard "Laffy Taffy" on the radio, I thought, "What the hell is this BS doing on the air?" Two days latter I hear it again in the club and the whole place goes wild. People were leaning, rocking, snapping, and walking it out, and to be honest.... after five years of people standing around in the clubs mugging, I was happy to see people dancing and having a good time. It was at that moment I realized that "Laffy Taffy" was the epitome of hip-hop. No different than Rakim's "Paid in Full" or Grandmaster Flash's "The Message", "Laffy taffy" is a reflection of the streets. And for those of you who don't think its right for me to compare D4L to Eric B & Rakim I say its no better than you trying to compare The Bronx circa 1985 to Bankhead in the summer of 2006.

If the world changes, why can't hip hop. How can anyone say D4L killed hip hop when they are just putting out songs that reflect their culture? The fact is the streets made "Laffy Taffy" hot, not a million dollar promotional budget. "Trap or Die" made Young Jezzy, not Def Jam. Cash Money was independent and getting paper well before Universal Records came along. Master P made more in a calendar year off music than most of these so called record moguls are worth (net), with the inclusion of clothing lines, liquor, movies, fragrances, and additional streams of income.

Real talk, The south is what's hot right now. From Houston to Atlanta, from Memphis to Miami new sounds are being developed that are fueling the next generation of rap. With all do respect to Nas (who is one of my all-time personal favorite rappers) and people who share his viewpoint, how can you say hip-hop is dead just because it's not what you want it to be. Like I said New York is the father of hip hop but just like every child Hip Hop has to find its own way in the world. You can only guide a child for so long before it finds its own identity. Maybe you don't like the crowd he's hanging around now, but it's his life and you got to let him live. You can't say Hip hop is dead just because you chose to disown it.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Be sure to leave your comments below.