After watching Paula Zahn's special on CNN titled, "hip-hop art or poison" and listening to the radio debates, and the chit-chat at the water cooler, I thought I would bring this discussion to the Eps music community. What do you think? Is hip-hop music art or poison?

Hip Hop is art.

The problem is not hip-hop. That is merely the beginning of the analysis. The problem is B-A-L-A-N-C-E.

That is, on the radio, tv, videos. In hip-hop there is NO balance. The station managers, A&R people, and producers promote and glorify certain songs and artists over others because they figure it will sell. Their signature cop out line is that "well, that's what the people want to hear." which is bull.

Things would be different if there was balance. Heads need to see/hear KRS-ONE, Afu Ra, Jurassic 5, and Talib Kweli just as much as other artists. If there was more balance in how the music was presented, there'd be no need to question if hip hop is art or poison.

i gotta disagree with that somewhat. a lot of underground/conscious artists don't really make a serious attempt to balance commercial appeal with artistry, and wouldn't be able to get radio play if they tried. in that sense, a lotta people _would_ prefer the stuff on the radio now to the other artists.

exceptions would include (the obvious) Kanye West, and to an extent Common and Kweli. however, if underground artists really wanna complain 'bout the state of hip hop, they've gotta be a little savvier about their production, and what they rhyme about -- as in, conscious lyricism's one thing, but most people don't wanna hear overbearing political stuff. myself included.

i also think people gotta stop writing off certain mainstream acts as talentless and pandering to the lowest common denominator. some of 'em, for sure. but take T.I. for instance. yes, he raps from a "street" perspective, but there's a smoothness and confidence in his style that i think a lotta other rappers lack. in that sense, i really don't think he's that different from a Biggie or a Jay-Z -- not speaking on skills, but his appeal. i don't think everyone who listens to stuff like that are always people who just think it's cool he raps about drugs or whatnot, there's more to it.

so i disagree with you on the underground rap scene, look at wu tang they are the biggest rap group ever, necro, non-phixon,krs one,boot camp clik,tupac was underground for a while , they are complaining cuz a rapper with lyrics as bad as(Lil mama had a swag like mine,She even wear her hair
Down her back like mine,I make her feel right,When its wrong like lyin'Man.She ain't never had a love like mine) -lil wayne .....can be compared to ( It's something about knowing my mother is still working,And it's certain that her back hurting, and it'll probably worsen'That lengthens my hustle, strengthens my struggle,Stacking up dough until the banks are in trouble)Apathy... Now the lyricism and flow is way beettter ..in underground, im sure they want a phat check like lil wayne ..but woud yu rather do it for the love or do it for the fame, did not mean for that to rhyme lol.. those rappers are complaining cuz now adays its rare to not hear a crunk beat and that same lame choppy flow ..im sure they want the money too, but rap is nothin compared to in the 90s ne more..

oyea its a art .lol

most def art....hiphop was my first love...hell it's in my ear as we speak...it gets a lot of crap because of the mainstream trash thats being pushed and drill in the publics mind...but true hiphop respect their craft and the artistry of the genre which can be defended by their lyrical content.

- true hiphop is not dead-

The hip-hop culture has devastated our young Black youth. Reading, writing, and thinking are no longer priorities. While the hip-hop "performers" are getting theirs, they have contributed little to nothing to nurturing young Black men and women to grow up to become dignified adults. Any contributions that hip-hop has made has been negative: women are demeaned; women dress like prostitutes; hip-hop is so angry that our youth rarely smile anymore. Many young Black men's chances of getting a decent job is diminished because he has been raised "hip-hop" and knows no other way to act or speak. I have traveled the world and I tell you, the developed world is laughing at us. They view us as unintelligent, ignorant, and violent by nature. Many of us give the world plenty of fodder to perpetuate that view. Sadly, hip-hop has poisoned the Black race. I am saddened by the Youtube videos showing Black men and women "ghetto" fighting like animals. I am more saddened by Black on Black crime. We cannot blame this on White folks. Hip-hop has sold us all out.