Hip-hop is losing it’s accreditation from outside genres and communities due to the internet. The commentary from a “personal online blog” vs actual journalist criticism against the music industry, has taken a toll on many artist.
Teron Anderson does a small break-down of this in “Higher Learning And The Hip-Hop Invasion On College Campuses”. The article from the University of Florida, Mass Communications student briefly touches on subject of the acknowledgement of hip-hop in college classes and the virtual critiquing of the online community with the lack of genuine research and resources, “ At a 2006 conference hosted by Stanford University, Hip-Hop legend, advocate, and Zulu Nation member KRS-One, once offered harsh words to journalists and the academics. The “Blastmaster” lived up to his name and called out those who attempt to provide commentary and critique on the genre of music, yet have no true knowledge of the culture.” This is, obviously distinguishing the difference between a well put together article with statistics and facts from well recognized publishers, compared to the sometimes biased and notably incorrect facts from a member of a blog site (such as myself). On the other-hand, there are others who believe that they have the up most insight and knowledge about the hip-hop age of today simply because they live in it. Bryon Crawford takes to the internet to what seems like venting on how he feels about Rappers Future and Drake, on their recent surprise album What A Time To Be Alive [WATTBA] with his article “What a buncha bullshit”.
In this rant of the highly acclaimed album voted from 9/10 “black twitter” users from age 16–25, and 3.5 star rating from The RollingStone. Though, under the protection of the First Amendment, he has every right to critique how he wants, but this brings us back to the original issue of commentary on hip-hip and losing the value of it from whats read on the internet, where there is a lack of “ reliable sources”. “ Drake and Future, I hear, already had done a song or two together, if not like 40 of them (rappers are always collaborating), and none of those songs were particularly well regarded.” This alone enforces my statement on the lack of research done. First problem simply is that he states “I hear” to make a fact, not only is that not a reliable source but it is also incorrect, Future and Drake have numerous collaborations, all prior to the release of the joint album. Fellow student of my university, Chad B Lariscy Jr, brings attention to the continuous debate on hip-hop not being as it used to in his post “How Hip Hop has Changed with time”. He writes on the drastic shift in rap and the differences of today's hip-hop vs how it was before the 2000’s. “ Underground Rappers know that Hip Hop isn’t the same as you used to be. Since the early 2000’s whenever you turn on the radio, the songs you hear a track and a hook repeated multiple times until the song is over.” Although it is not stated in his article, a lot of the changes come from what the media hypes up.This generation thrives off the lust and love for money, killings, sex, and drugs. While in the late 80’s early 90’s the same attributes weren't necessarily non-existent in the songs. They were, however ,there just not overly accepted by the audience. It brings us back to the question, are outside genres lack of understanding impacting the downplaying of hip-hop due to the internet?
