Hip Hop is dead . .

The other day I was listening to Donny Simpson’s morning show on WPGC. I have take to listening since because I like local radio and I have never really appreciated the behemoth that is the Steve Harvey Morning Show. At any rate, Donny and his son DJ are sometimes a little too touchy feely for me in the morning. Last week he was playing Nas Hip Hop is dead. Donny’s daughter called up and complained about the song. Nas is saying ‘kill the dj’ and my dad is a DJ, she said. I thought to myself, why is Nas metaphor being taken so literally? But whatever.

Slowly but surely I would catch little blurbs here and there; people commenting on Hip Hop being dead. Apparently, Outkast and a few others have made little comments about hip hop not being dead. I just heard what Young Jeezy had to say about it on Monie Love’s radio show.

Now young Jeezy’s album is supposed to be the truth. I know a few people whose opinion I value who have stated that Jeezy is the hottest thing out right now. I personally never really got into Jeezy, sometimes I like my hip hop hard to find. You know? I like steak as opposed to baby food. You know? Not taking away from what anyone has done, because honestly when jeezy was on Donny Simpson’s morning show, Jeezy come off like a saint; food to the Katrina victims, outreach to the youth, etc etc. So big ups to Jeezy.

BUT, Jeezy did not come off the same way on Monie Love’ show. He actually come off quite abrasive. I give everyone the benefit of the doubt, but c’mon people. Hip Hop is Dead is a metaphor. I cannot see how someone who has any respect for hip hop, NOT understand this as a metaphor for the current paradigm in the music. I’m not saying there are not dope albums out right now. And clearly Jeezy’s may be among some of the better projects, however, Hip Hop is Dead is still a relevant critique.

I think that’s why I like my hip hop hard to find sometimes, you know? Back in the days you couldn’t just turn the radio on and hear hip hop. You couldn’t just turn the TV on at any time of day and see hip hop. You know? The comodification of Hip Hop has, to a certain extent, compromised the true essence of the art form. Nas is within his right as a veteran of this music to make critiques which ultimately may push the paradigm shift.

Hip Hop is dead is like your football coach calling you a punk. You may have made some punk moves on the field, but you’re not actually a punk and coach doesn’t think so either, he’s just calling you out so he can get the best out of you. He’s motivating you. Hip Hop is Dead is a rallying cry. If you listen to the record, Nas says that we ALL killed hip hop. He points the finger at us all. We are all guilty. He also says that its not too late, we can fix it. We can do better. It’s the same thing Tony Dungy would say, or Bill Parcels. Don’t take it personally.

It seems like Jeezy took it personally and it really disappointed me. He told Monie Love hip hop ain’t dead, just wait till my first week numbers come out. Just what the hell does first weeks record sales have to do with Hip Hop and whether it’s dead or not (‘cause surely he wasn’t trying to say that because he sells a lot of records that hip hop aint dead; is he?) At then end of the day. Hip Hop is dead is a metaphor or a critique or a rallying cry. Please do not take it literally.

BUT, maybe I’m just bugging. Maybe I’m just old and maybe I should just return to listening to “The Symphony” with Craig G, Master Ace, Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane.