‘Shelby Powell’

So I’m normally about being all open minded and allowing the thoughts and feelings of others to either influence me in a positive way or just totally bounce and roll into the gutter when they pop off with some craziness. Every once in a while though, somebody suggests something to me; something so mind-boggling, that will not allow a quick drop off at the nearest garbage can. It burrows into my psyche and takes root.

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Minus a few off-centered sorts that were probably created for the sake of off-centeredness, Hip Hop is one of the most recent additions to the community of musical genres. We all know it was primarily created and elevated by the youth. Hence, Hip Hop is generally regarded as a youthful expression. However, as the foundation ages within the medium; we seem to be encountering an issue. Today’s upstarts are expecting the passing of the torch while the old heads are contemplating their next decade of dominance. So I guess the question today is, how old is too old? And is the up and coming wave of new artists waiting for a hand-out that simply isn’t going to come their way?

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I had never thought about this until it was pointed out to me, but I have been writing about the same 8 rappers for the past six months. I mean, mainstream hip hop is starting to look like a moving carousel. It’s the same plastic horse and rider every 15 seconds or so. When did everyone else get off, or get kicked off the ride?

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There is so much confusion and apprehension behind these words. First, it’s not my intention to in any way step on Mr. Amani’s toes as I am wading in the shallow end of his pool. Also, I am not a biblical nor a gay rights scholar, so I cannot bring you the depth of thought, experience or knowledge this piece probably deserves. However, as I toggled between subjects for my next delivery to Hoodgrown, this issue stood front and center.

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Does anyone remember when the first deadly sin of Hip Hop was crossing over? Rappers spit reams of disdain for those who would hand the culture over to corporate America for a buck and anyone who did was a sell-out.

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