rap vs. hip-hop

“In 2005, four of the top ten selling albums were (rap) projects (50 Cent, Kanye West, Black Eyed Peas, The Game). Just a year later, only two rap albums appeared in Billboard’s 40 highest selling albums of 2006. In 2007, hip-hop album sales dropped by 33% again, even though heavy hitters like Jay-Z, Nas, Didddy, Ludacris, and Snoop Dog all released albums.”

“While individual hip-hop songs and ringtones may sell well with the tween demographic, it’s pretty clear that twentysomethings in particular have lost interest in the genre.”

“But it’s worth noting that hip hop, alongside jazz, is a completely original American creation. As an agent of change, it’s probably opened the eyes of more white kids to the struggles of the urban poor than any single book, magazine article, or classroom lecture could ever hope to achieve. If you were born any time after 1980, then hip-hop has been a part of your culture, of your life experience, even if you’ve never considered yourself a “fan.” “

It doesn’t take much more than looking around to realize that “glam rap” artists have taken a potentially powerful art form and degraded it to being about partying, women, booze, and other substances. Completely mindless and devoid of anything that contributes to humanity.