Hip Hop is not dead!
Since Nas recorded "Hip Hop Is Dead", his eighth album from 2006, the slogan has repeatedly appeared, which escalated recently when this genre fundamentally changed its face.
Subject matter and lyrics changed quite drastically from socio-political themes to the celebration of success and wealth. Musically genre took a turn in a different direction changing from smooth and jazzy boom-bap instrumentals to more electronic and energetic trap style beats with a faster BPM tempo.
That Hip Hop has changed completely doesn't mean that the previous achievements do not count any more or are lost forever in the history of music.
Many artists of the younger generation don't know the roots of this culture. They are choosing easier options and picking the most popular styles out now.
It would be nice if these younger artists knew a little about the history of their own branch, but the artistic randomness is not forcing to create in any particular form. I don't see any reason why contemporary artists should stay on the beaten track, why shouldn't they try something new and come up with more personal, original style.
You don't need to be happy with those new directions and I see that many listeners are not. Sometimes even reacting with bitter disappointment and anger.
But there's still a lot of artists who appreciate the old days by continuing the traditions and paying tribute to the legends.
This is not baseless. I have several examples to support my thesis.
The first is Intell who is proudly carrying the banner of Wu-Tang Clan and writing other chapters in the chronicles of that cult group. You might say he is a representative of Shaolin squad's new generation.
Next player taking care of a good form of poetry is Merkules originating in Canada. He proved lately that you can skillfully rap on modern beats and still send a meaningful message. You can find out this by listening to any of his recent remixes such as 'Gucci Gang' by Lil Pump or 'Bad And Bojuee' by Migos and Lil Uzi Vert as well as his own songs he has recorded on four long-plays, the last one titled "Trust Your Guts" was released in April 2017. Now Merk is working on another one - "Cole" - available from 30th of March.
Another example is DJ Statik Selektah who is showing with each album that Hip-Hop is still alive and in a great condition. Active since 1992 this East Coast DJ features rappers from the old and young generations on his productions maintaining a ‘Golden Era’ style, that made Rap music great. If you want more of that type of vibes his last work "8" is what you are looking for.
If you are still not convinced that Hip Hop is not dead, maybe it is mean that you are listening exactly opposite what you would like to listen. Because this classic style is still alive and doing well as always since it born.
It is not so popular as some of the listeners would like to be, but it was an underground movement since the beginning, so don't be surprised. It was mostly about having an important message and pushing difficult issues into the forefront, which may be not enough people want to see and hear.
Statistics from last year showed that Hip-Hop was the most listened genre of all.
But we are talking here now about this radio version, which is easier to receive and enjoy.
If you are looking for something more meaningful you need to dig a little deeper.
