"I Used To Love Her."

The evolution of Hip Hop.

Conceived in the city of New York and born in the 1970s, Hip Hop was brought into this world to share the experiences and culture that the rest of the world was unaware of.  Not only did it provide an outlet, but also Hip Hop gave inspiration and hope to the inner city.  Picture the three wise men, but instead replace them with DJ Kool Herc, Melle Mel, and Grandmaster Flash. Hip Hop’s birth would soon change the world and its story passed on for generations.

Hip Hop was a baby in the early 80s, it was new, it was fresh, and for many it was a way of life.  This culture was represented in many forms.  Whether rapping, DJing, breaking, or tagging Graffiti Art.  Hip Hop was more than music.  As Hip Hop was defining itself in the 80s, many nonbelievers did not expect it to make it.  Many thought that listeners wouldn’t take it seriously or that they were not ready for it, but the only thing premature was that opinion.

As the 90s approached, Hip Hop gained mainstream attention, but at the same time, it seemed to be changing its message.  In the 90s, Hip Hop seemed to be going through its adolescence phase, as it was still learning its way and still learning about itself.   During these years Hip Hop showed many faces, adding to the fact that Hip Hop was versatile and still a voice for the inner cities.  However, like any teenager, Hip Hop became more defensive.  This was a direct result to the criticism it continued to take for its language, censorship, and crime related rap.  While media critics argued these points, again Hip Hop found itself growing and now appealing to a broader demographic.

In the early 2000s, things appeared to be moving too fast for Hip Hop.  Hip Hop was losing its direction and it was losing itself even faster.  Even as it gained a worldwide audience, some thought it was dead.  True, Hip Hop had strayed from what was believed to be the original elements of the culture, but Hip Hop was far from dead. 

Hip Hop has changed so much over the years to cater to the consumer that it has lost the essence for which it was originally created.  By the year 2014, it appears to be a promiscuous middle-aged adulterer willing to be with anyone.  Now artists like Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are hailed as Hip Hop's kings.  They say that’s Hip Hop, but Hip Hop wouldn’t do that. 

I’m a 80s baby, but I grew up in the 90s.  I feel that Hip Hop was at its finest then.  It seemed like there was more comradery in the industry and labels seemed more like families.  Everything just looked to be more authentic and it actually carried over into the music.  This was a time before the Internet and illegal downloading made its impact on the genre.  So yeah, I’m sure many factors had its hand in the slow demise of Hip Hop, but for a brief minute, all was well.  In my opinion, Hip Hop is not dead.  This is evident when you watch movies, television shows and commercials.  Hip Hop vitals also appeared to be loud and clear when Hip Hop mogul Jay Z went platinum last year in just days after releasing an album without any prior promotion. 

Hip Hop has been through a lot in its short life and now it just needs some support.  Someone needs to revive Hip Hop.  Have you seen Hip Hop lately?