The State of Hip Hop?

Question

Alright, so I want everyone that visits this page to vote with either group one or two.
Group one: Your a group one person, you like to listen to acts like Talib Kweli, Slick Rick, Rakim, Nas, BIG, Common, & other rap acts that are often considered classic rap acts.

Group Two: You prefer acts like Ludacris, Young Jeezy, UNK, 50 Cent and other currently popular acts.

Okay, the idea of this is to see how many people really are becoming fed up with with the current state of Hip Hop.

To me, Hip Hop is a dying art form, however, many of the people I've spoken to recently seem to share my opinion that Hip Hop need a revival, and that much of the current stuff is worthless. With this poll I want to see how many people really agree with me that hip hop needs a makeover.

I would just like to say that anyone in here that has not listened to Rakim rap is missing one of the great musical talents of rap. Not only are the lyrics ridiculously amazing, but the production is some of the best I've ever heard.

Okay, so I didn't have the room to classify every rapper, but to simplify this process, I'll name some more that fall into my groups

More of Group one: LL cool J, Big Pun, Big L, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Ghostface, AZ Krs One.

More of Group Two: Mike Jones, Shop Boyz, Jim Jones, Cassidy, Chingy, Dem Franchise Boyz, Bow Wow.

Answer 1

Group 1! I cant tell you how long it's been since I listened to the radio. I wont say its all bad, but almost. I do like Mike Jones and UGK since Im from Texas. But, If I hear another song by Akon, or T-Pain, I will shoot myself in the head!

Answer 2

I listen to both. I love Talib, Nas, Biggie, Common, Tupac, Jay-Z, etc. and also listen to others such as Run DMC, but unfortunately haven't become too familiar with Rakim or Slick Rick (although I love him on the Aaliyah track). I find that these artists have music that are just classics and that will always be played. Also, they often rap about deeper issues that a lot of modern groups don't dwell on. However, I feel like I need to, in a way, defend Group 2. Most popular acts are in it for the money, but you have to give a bit of nod at least to their production and their strategy at crossing over into the pop market. Also, Biggie definitely was a popular act in the '90's, and the other names mentioned in Group 1 had a few moments where they had some hits. Also, I love Ludacris, and just because he creates a lot of party anthems since he is known for that doesn't mean that that is all he is. He gives a thought to a lot of his lyrics as well as his past and social issues. There is still a lot of great new music out there (I love Lupe Fiasco) and while hip hop has really changed a lot, people thought it was dying 10 years ago too, and I think that the makeover will happen regardless and automatically as with everything in the world, so there should be no need to worry.

Answer 3

I'm in group 1.
I grew up with that music.
This music added to the best hip-hop
experiences in my life.

Then NWA came out.
then the "Chronic" album exploded
Then Bone thugs, Ice T.
Too Short, etc.

The thing is, when these people came out there was also clean rap out too like
Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince with
"Summer Time"
Tribe called Quest with "Banita Applebaum"
Brand Nubian's, Outkast with "Elevators"
Yo-Yo, The Fugees, BBD was out(I know they aren't rappers)
They kind of evened it out.

Now everyone wants to be a
Pimped-out-Gangsta!
Too Short was considered one of the most vulgar rappers. Now EVERYONE raps like that!
It's sad that this is what these kids have to grow up listening to.
rap took a turn for the worst.
And some of them suck!
:~(

Answer 4

Hip-Hop and Rap are dying. Major record sales over the past two years have TANKED....big time. Nothing personal, but the major labels have moved on, dumping Hip-Hop and Rap pretty much altogether. Good luck to the 'independents', but I laughably doubt they'll ever attain the profits enjoyed by the major labels.

Sadder still, is the witless hype that cries Hip-Hop is booming and Rap is s*it hot. Hey: The 'bling-bling' is fake, the high-profile cars and SUVs are rentals.

Answer 5

I listen to both of the "groups" mentioned. I find it sad that group two has pushed out group one. Hip Hop is alive; the consumers and the media chose to support one group, and that group is number 2.

Answer 6

I vote for group 2 , their hip-hop is more enjoyable..the beat is so cool...yeah I know that the group 2 songs don't have meaning whatsoever..is about girl,sex,money,cars,etc but still like I said is more enjoyable and not boring.

Answer 7

The 50 cent of old had some hot tracks. Obviously now him and his amusement parks are terrible. I choose GROUP ONE even though you certainly left out some big names.

Answer 8

Hip Hop is not Dead
But it is on live support.
Hip Hop has a disease called Southern Rap (snap music)
Its on medication(rappers)
The medication its on is called
The Game, Eminem,(rappers worth listening too)

Answer 9

when i get to high school, theres a varsity hip-hop dance team and im joining it so any kind of hip-hop that i can dance to is good but i like group one better, they write better lyrics. also ludacris shoudl be with group 1 because he writes good music too.

Answer 10

Group 1 fa sho, except I don't think you should group Ludacris in with all the other jokes, he's got skills.