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Status of hip hop questioned by BSU

Monique Tate
Mesa Legend

Is hip hop dead? Comparing the `80s and `90s version of hip hop to today’s hip hop, it sure may seem like it.

That is exactly what was discussed at a moving Black Student Union forum Feb. 7.

The meeting began with BSU member Jarrett Payne passing out handouts with some interesting quotes spoken by various rap artists.

One meaningful quote from the, handout spoken by Jean Grae (New York bred indie hip-hop MC), stated, “Rap’s dead, rap sucks. Thank ya’ll for killing it.”

Another opinion concerning hip hop on the handout was, “Hip hop’s not dead. It’s really just the mind of the emcee,” eloquently said by Canadian born MC K-os.

After reading over the quotes from the handout, Jarrett Payne opened up the floor for other members of BSU and guests to express their outlooks on whether or not hip hop is dead.

“Hip hop is not dead, but on life support,” proclaimed BSU member Ryan Mason.

“Rappers are always talking about selling guns. We need more lyricism,” added MCC student Jason Pino.

Members came to a consensus that hip hop no longer seems to be about lyrics, but more about making money.

“It is starting to become a business,” says MCC student Spencer Williams.

“Hip hop used to be a culture and now it seems to be more marketable,” stated Jarrett Payne.
“Materialism is starting to form hip hop. Music is starting to not have any mental stimulation”, Ontonio Ballard said.

Do lyrics no longer make people think like they used to?

There were many beautiful words shared but unfortunately, the meeting had to come to an end.
To close it, people went around the room and stated who they felt the most talented lyricists are. Some members voted Nas. Other members voted Common. Others thought Mos Def.

So, what was the final verdict? Is hip hop dead or alive? Stay tuned for part two of BSU’s open discussion of, “Is hip hop dead?”