Every time things look up for hip hop, it takes a step backward. By now everybody has heard that Killer Mike has changed his name to Mike Bigga. This is mainly due to the lack of corporate support, endorsement deals, etc. that he has seen over the years and his feeling that changing his name would enable him to be more widely accepted throughout the industry. While I completely understand the motives and thing that he is definitely deserving of more recognition, I can't help but point out the negative effect this has on hip hop.

The name change represents the power that Corporate America still holds on hip hop and how it continues to censor us, even indirectly (which is proven in the case of Killer Mike...excuse me, Mike Bigga). Now, most may say that this isn't really a big deal, it is simply a smart business move. That may be true, but I can't get the image of Mike in the documentary The Art of 16 Bars, speaking about the importance of names and how he earned his name. In the documentary, Mike insists that an artist name "God d*mn mean somethin'" and mentions that he got his name after entering in a rap battle and "killing" (not literally of course) everybody that he took on. I have watched this documentary a number of times and that always sticks with me, but now that even Killer Mike has given into the political pressures of the industry, that just leaves me with a sour taste in my mouth.

Now, please don't take this as me blaming Mike Bigga for the problems of the industry. He is simply a victim of it, but it just has more of an impact because he is one of last people you would expect to give in. What this says to me is that even something as sacred as an MC's name, that is usually given to them by others, is no longer worth the amount of money that could POTENTIALLY be made by using a more accepted name. That is exactly the problem that we are having with the music now. The money that could be made is respected more than the art, creativity, and most important, the culture and what that culture represents. Many have exploited the culture for a few extra bucks, causing it to lose the edge it once had. Now, we are moving into an age where even your name isn't protected from the ills of Corporate America. Killer Mike isn't the first to make this adjustment and he probably won't be the last, but if somebody of his stature (an artist that represents the culture right, speaks out against the government, music industry, etc.) can/will/has to fold to these pressures, that can't be a good sign for the rest. At this point, we can only hope that not only the music, but the culture, and everything that comes with it, can make a full switch back to when it was profitable to be yourself and represent yourself in the truest form, and not have to conform to the norm.

What do ya'll think? Was this a necessary move? Will artist continue to do this in the future? Is the impact really this big? Comment and give your thoughts and opinions or email at straightouttahiphop@gmail.com.