In the beginning there was blues, country, Motown, and rock. But nothing truly compares to Hip Hop. It has and continues to be an unstoppable force in the music industry. From hardcore rap to stadium music, from club music all the way to gogo, to R&B and neo soul there is none like it. Some call it a genre; some call it a culture, Hip Hop has even been referred to as a lifestyle. I call it a passion. As irreplaceable as time, hip hop has shaped generations upon generations and continues to influence today’s youth. But what truly sets Hip Hop apart from the rest of music genres and cultures? It is the passion, the pain; the struggle, the truth, and the triumph of the artist that makes genuine hip hop music. Not to be confused with mere entertainment, Hip Hop is an art form often misunderstood by critics and judged by authorities. However, Hip hop has evolved immeasurably. It now crosses over into rock, pop, go-go, club music, country, and blues. It is the epitome of diversity, joining the many avenues of music in one. Hip hop is love, hate, pain, and happiness. It is truly UNSTOPPABLE.

Nas once said that hip hop is dead, but is it evolving rather than dying?

Artist such as Soulja Boi and G-Spot Boys are changing the genre of hip hop and gearing the music towards entertainment rather than hardcore realities of “hoods” or police brutality. Hip Hop is now, more than ever a profitable business, but is it exploiting artist’s creativity and reducing the quality of the talent exposed to the public. Back in the day we listened to Biggie and Tupac, RUN DMC, McLyte, Dougie Fresh, KRS-1, and numerous other hip hop legends, all which undoubtedly have immense talent and have profited hundreds of millions. But has the hip hop generation always been exploited? The first hip hop track was recorded in 1979 by New Jersey-based Sugar Hill Gang. “Rapper’s Delight” was intended for parties and entertainment purposes only. It was a fairly easy song to rap and can be recited by millions of people who grew up during the late 70s, early 80s and even by present day members of the hip hop generation. However, little do most people know there is an immense difference between that record and modern day records. Sugar Hill gang recorded “Rapper’s Delight” in 1979. The label they recorded it on was created by an advantageous young black female who was an entrepreneur and futuristic thinker. She was a pioneer of her time because every record she produced was in house; therefore she and her artists were reaping the extents of their labor.

Present day artists, however, are exploited by numerous hierarchical economies. Not only is the artist under a label, that label is often under another label, which is under a powerhouse company. (i.e.: Interscope Recordsàshady recordsàG-Unitàartist) Therefore everyone wants a chunk of the money pie, but the artist gets the last bite and is sadly only left with the crust. So is hip hop really dead? And if it is, did it commit suicide or did the music industry murder it and rape it of its creativity? Contrary, if alive, is hip hop on life support dependent upon the economy and enslaved by huge industries.

Men and Women go through it all the time…breakups. Everyone reading this post can say that they have experienced it. It can definitely be a hard process for some to move on and music can help heal that broken heart. So tell us what CD/album help you get past that breakup and over that ex?