Hip-Hop has been in a sad state for several years now. Sure, we have our non-mainstream artists out there that aren't TOO underground (Mos Def, etc...) and we have our true undiscovered gems (Anyone with the Def Jux crew, Madlib...) but for the most part, Hip-Hop will not see that creative state of the late 80's and early 90's ever again. There will always be someone to push the envelope and musical boundaries, but the culture in general has gotten too mainstream and popular for a historical growth pattern. It won't be until pop culture and the marketing brass embrace another genre or style will us fans ever experience a major revolution in the music.
I was a young fan of NWA, Public Enemy, old Run DMC, LL Cool J (don't front!) when I was in elementary school. I felt at the time and still to this day that I could understand what was being said in reference to the political commentary and a social standpoint, plus the music was amazing, all from an obscure town in Texas. We should have known at that point that eventually the industry would be taken over with fly-by-night artists and this need to use anything popular to sell items (McD's chicken strips, anyone.)
I miss the early 90's with the unknown Wu-Tang Clan, Digable Planets, Third Bass (the 2nd white rap crew to make it), Black Moon, etc...
BTW, the VH1 special is just running the BIG/2Pac thing into the ground. It is a small part in the huge world of Hip-Hop.
I'll get off of the stage now!
