The best of times, the worst of times [Volume 1.0 - Issue 2.0]

Nasir Jones seemingly prophetic message "Hip Hop is dead" may be shaping form yet, according to a number of media sources See 'Hip Hop's Down Beat'. It is believed the music industry is on a downward trend overall and hip-hop is sliding along a steep slope with the genre experiencing reportedly a one-third drop on it's sales in '07. Indie Record Labels are being scouted in bigger numbers, with some rappers even taking a groundswell approach (See 'The Shrinking Market Is Changing the Face of Hip-Hop'.), taking it to the people; reminiscent of the days when 'mixtapes' were the main channel for the hottest joints of the season. Media critics attribute this decline to critical listeners who point unforgiving fingers towards vulgarities, and violent content for the abandonment of revenue, while others name the flooding of formulaic sound, that has usual buyers overexposed and 'under-stimulated'. This puts the genre at the brink of a definitive direction, and at a position to take in some good with some bad. While hip-hop's exposure and popularity has reached the broadest height's of it's lifetime with something like 70% of it's buyers of the caucasion persuasion, it's persona is under intense scrutiny, that of which puts it at a cross roads, and has 'break masters', producer extraordinaries, or image weavers, deep diving through the sea of their imaginations.

Yesterday a friend told me I didn't appear, to her, to be a recognizable member of the hip-hop fanbase. "You don't strike me as a hip-hop fan" she said, and I began to ask her what she meant by it. Yet giving thought to her statement I realize my identification with hip-hop has changed through the years. Back then I wore, big boss jeans, bamboo earrings and thick 'x and o' link chains, and an attitude to match. As part and partaker of the culture, each of us know how the fashion, the music and the spirit are married. This concept was not introduced from hip-hop, but more a product of social dynamics, and cultural relationships.

Now at least a decade later, after attending and graduating from a private institution in the most diverse metropolitan area of NY, becoming a parent, and maturing a little bit (not in that order)my relationship with hip-hop has changed. Like friendships that grow older that either develop or diminish, we've become the kind of come home college acquaintances that slip into old memories and mock new ones. Our differences in opinions are open and abrupt, yet we still manage to find that common ground, and either enjoy each other's presence or become playfully annoyed by it.

So what do you tell your old friend, when you feel like they may have made a few wrong choices, are projecting themselves sometimes in a way you no longer agree with, or are going in an ill-advised direction? Does your commitment to the friendship waiver, with distancing on your part? Do you argue against them in the presence of others?

I find these questions relevant to the idea of how listeners will determine the path of hip-hop, their buying power, their perception of it's weaknesses, it's strengths and whether it stays true to it's origins or becomes a fusion of other artistries, like some other genres like punk rock, emo or rhythm and blues even, after the fall of the disco era. The beauty of it is that the music belongs to us, it was born from us, the people.

"Hunger in they eyes is what seems to feed me ... now I'm on the rise, doing business with my guys, visions realized, music affecting lives, a gift from the skies, to be recognized, I'm keeping my eyes on the people that's the prize"

- Common

Hip Hop makes it's directorial debut, with life as it's subject

- Double Edge Films