How to Revive Hip-Hop

Hip-hop is a very diverse genre of music. In essence it has evolved from a type of music to a culture. Hip-hop is the way someone walks, talks, and express onesself. It is also how someone dresses, fix-up their car, or plays sports. It varies from smooth,soulful, and sexy to rough, rugged, and raw. Hip-hop's impact can be felt in neighborhoods all around the world from Los Angeles, California to Tokyo, Japan. Hip-Hop appears to be doing well, but one hip-hop legend doesn't think so. Nas has made a current hit single titled "Hip Hop is Dead"(Nas), and it brings to question. has the genre of hip-hop really died out? This blog will try to come to a conclusion on this question.

This is a song that has sparked a lot of debate throughout the hip-hop community. There are some artists that agree with Nas. They believe that some artist have stole the essence of hip-hop at its truest form. They feel hip-hop is a voice of a community, the poor impovered african-american community which doesn't have a say in major politics of today. This is why in the song Nas states "that any hood can tell you that Nas help grow 'em up"(ohhla). So some people use hip-hop as a way to get their voices heard. These same people feel that there are artists who have dummed down their lyrics and used very heavy bass lines in order to make songs trendy. In return the Nas supporters feel that the music makes african-americans look silly, and uninformed about today's political climate. He is also supported by the fact that hip- hop record sales have steadily declined since 2003(XXL). Now opposers to Nas's belief feel that this is due to increased piracy and bootlegging of records and introduction of new technology such as I-tunes and Mp3's.

The song has a very unique beat as far as hip hop songs go. It begins with an accordian playing before it gets to the main beat. He also has a guitar riff playing in the background throughout the song. The first time you hear nas on the track he sounds real angry and agressive, he raps this way throughout the whole song. His voice tends to give off the notion that he is upset that the music that has made him famous and that he loves very deeply is dying in front of his eyes on his watch. He makes it known how much hip hop means to him by stating that, "If Hip-hop should die we die together, bodies in the mourge we lie togehter"(ohhla). He gives off the notion that he would go to any length to bring hip hop back to where it was and off its figuritive life support.

In conclusion wheter you feel that hip-hop is dead or not one thing is for sure this song has brought this issue to the forfront of hip-hop listeners. Maybe hip-hop hasn't died but just evolved into a different phase that is now excepeted by its current consumers. this may be a question that is debated for quite some time now.

Works Cited

Nas. "Hip Hop is Dead". Hip hop is Dead. Def Jam Records, 2006.

"Hip Hop is Dead lyrics". Original Hip Hop Lyrics Archive. 2 Feb 2007www.ohhla.com/anonymous/nas/hip_hop/hhisdead.nas.txt>

Gilmore, Bonsu. "Hip-Hop's Desciple." XXL. Dec. 2006: 111-116.