Hip Hop is Dead

Hip-Hop is dead. The style of music that originated in Jamaica and moved to the South Bronx in New York has stifled its ongoing mutation into new, exciting, fresh and original sound. Now the common goal among “artists” is to create an emulation, or a culmination of past (or present) artists’ styles.
Unfortunately that is not what art is. According to the Encarta Dictionary art is defined as the creation of beautiful, thought provoking works. Not as a redo of somebody else’s good idea. Even worse, Denver, CO’s hip-hop scene is the prime example of artists of little talent trying to suck the last remnants of life from the corporate, commercialized breed of media circus spectacles.
“What can you do that hasn’t been done?” Asks Denver native AK Love, and old-school MC. As a man who has seen success in the local market he continues to attempt to pioneer a mountain that has been climbed many years ago. With a 20 year rap career that he defines as ‘great’ and several hit records (Denver Love ‘97, Eastbound ’98) he has probably reached as far as a stale, mimicking style can reach.
According to AK Love, and it seems many others, rap music is about mimicking a selection of styles to create a hybrid sound. “Everybody’s a little different, its like a mix of flavors, Baskin Robbins has 31 flavors, you don’t have to be stuck on one sound.” The sound that has made southern rappers and artists stand out has been the glorification of slum living loss of hope; a necessity to party hard and get as stone drunk and belligerent as possible. Knock up as many women as possible but complain about child support, and for the ladies; just hang around and put up with as much as you can. When asked about these reoccurring themes AK Love felt it may look a little more glamorous than it is. “Some people make it look easy when its not.” The effect on young teen raised children seems to go overlooked also. “Rap is a way to get out frustration,” Love commented, “You got to separate the music from reality. It’s no worse than a Jason movie.”
The difference is they kill Jason at the end of every movie, he doesn’t hop in a Bentley and go sell crack.
Denver MC’s have been trying to keep up with the trends set by other artists only to find themselves far behind the competition. Why would you want Gordan’s when you can have Jordan’s?
Lack of support is also an issue for aspiring Denver artists. Coupled with a ‘saturated local scene’ and lack of creativity it’s hard to tell what will be the spark to put Denver in the national market. “I been here forever asking myself that.” AK Love said. “A lot of us have done all we can do, we need a major label to come in or we can’t be where we want to be.”
With the National Convention on its way this summer, many see it as an opportunity to display fresh talent to the world. “Try to support each other, and be non-violent. Be goal oriented.” AK Love said. Unless an artist takes some real initiative and creativity, the future looks grim for local rappers and DJs. Unfortunately the copycats need to learn a new trick soon with a new light emerging this summer.