Has Hip Hop lost it's "originality"?

Question

I've been thinking long and hard about this. My cousin and I are both in our early 30's were reminiscing about the Golden Age of hip hop. I think the main problem with hip hop today is that most of the artists nowadays all look and sound the same. It makes no difference what part of the country they come from. Let me give you an example. In the early 90's if you were watching Yo MTV Raps you'd see four videos let's say.

LL Cool J

Digable Planets

Tribe Called Quest

Public Enemy

Now here is list of groups/solo acts that are completely different in every way. I'm mostly talking about image and message. Each one of these examples are bringing something unique to the table. That is what's missing from today's hip hop. It's turned into a copy cat business and quite frankly...I see almost no individuality in this music right now. Where are the Digable Planets or the De La Soul's of today's Hip Hop? All of these clowns wear the same gear with a ball cap tilted to the side. Who has the balls to come out and be original and do something that no one else is doing. I know part of the problem falls at the feet of the major record distributors like Sony and Warner for not wanting to give artists like this a chance for fear that they won't sell, but when are people going to wake up and realize that we are in the Twilight Zone right now.

Now I know some younger people that are in their teens and early 20's will probably not understand (I said some and not all). People don't even realize how diluted and unoriginal this music is at this point in time. I think it's really sad.

All opinions are welcome. I'm not looking for and amen or a pat on the back. If you disagree I will receive your answer with no hostility.

Thank you

Answer 1

I agree with you 100%.  I am also in my early 30's and know how you feel.  I am not a big hip-hop fan, but I see the same thing in rock and pop and country music.  I have completely quit listening to the local radio stations, because everything I hear sounds exactly the same.  Thank God for XM satellite radio!

Answer 2

no but it has lost alot of vibe.

Answer 3

Well I mean I agree with you but what your saying is all mainstream. There are still some out there who respect hip-hop. Mainly every guy from Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco, Rakim, Mos Def, there's tons. All The rappers who aren't played on the radio still make good hip-hop music. The music today on the radio is all garbage but we have no control over it.

Answer 4

I agree, Rap is not exactly my favorite genre of music but I enjoy listening to the older rap songs, but I can't stand the recent, popular ones.

They just say a bunch of c**p that doesn't make since and put an interesting beat to it.

Answer 5

yeah it has lost a lot of originality because the GOOD rappers are underground dead.  bone thugs lost some of their flow but still good wu tang clan make good songs run dmc , and some rappers that are dead eazy e 2pac biggie smalls. all these rappers and many more old school made bad azz songs . okay hip hop sucks now.

by the way iam 18 years old and ill always be down with old school rap/hip hop

Answer 6

No it's just in a coma for right now.It will come back eventually.

Answer 7

I truly feel you. I'm in my early 30s as well and it pains me to see hip hop become what it has become. Its all about the money now. Its like a popularity contest with these rappers nowadays. They're selling their soul. Not all of them but alot of them. It hurts me especially because I'm from the south and that is mostly where this weak rap is coming from. I want to be proud of my region but there is only a handful down here that I think put out true hip hop. But I'm still hopeful. I mean M.C. Hammer and Vanilla Ice didn't kill it in the 80s so maybe hip hop is just transitioning itself again and soon people will get fed up with the wackness and bring back real hip hop.

Answer 8

yeah of course with all these wack rappers like soulja boy, V.I.C.,baby bash,rick ross,and dj khaled. not only rap lost its originality also rock,Rnb. the only genre that got better was pop!!!

Answer 9

All the original and unique people are Underground, that is where the real talent is at. I don't think I could name one guy this is like another, or follows the trends of the Mainstream. That is one of the reasons they are underground. They are not willing to conform to what is "Hip" or "Trendy" or whatever, they spit about what they feel and don't give a f!ck who hears.  That is what makes them unique and original, If you told Lil Wayne that all the kids will like it if you die you dreads pink, that it would help you sell more records, he would probably do it. If you tell these real underground dudes to do something like that, they would tell you to go f**k yourself. I guess the problem is that the people with real talent have morals and aren't willing to sell out for a little bit of guap.

That's just my opinion. I'm not saying I'm wrong, I'm not saying I'm right.