The other quote in the song that speaks to this point (that doesn't really relate to DJs, but makes a similar point) is when Budden says “Theycan’t think we’re really deep, I just heard Chris Brown on the ‘A Milli’beat.” Once again, the fact that the art of MCing has been lost within the mainstream makes anybody feel as though they can make a "hot" hip hop song. Now, while somebody like Chris Brown may not be responsible for maintaining the integrity of hip hop, I would say that DJs and producers are. This is the music that they grew up listening to and falling in love with and ended up making their profession. With that comes the responsibility of maintaining the essence. I know that sometimes being around the music and artists so much, producers/DJs can catch that bug that makes them want to get behind the mic. As mentioned earlier, some of the most revolutionary music we had came from producers-turned-artists, but it has become such a gimmick and trend now that nobody has to even take being an artist that seriously anymore. 

Finally, there is another line when Budden mentions how DJs no longer have the skills they used to due to technology. We've all been to a concert and seen the majority of DJs "spinning" tracks from their laptop. The art of cutting and scratching records has definitely dwindled and this parallel's to the loss and lack of lyrics and content in the music. How can expect to keep the essence of hip hop alive, when DJs, the original face of hip hop, no longer takes pride in what it is supposed to do? I know that it is probably easier to set up with just a laptop and everything, so I can't say I knock many DJs for doing it, but it is not helping the cause by any means. 

Obviously, not all the blame can be placed on DJs (and producers) for struggles hip hop is going through. In all honesty, they are probably doing what they can to survive. After being the ones to found the movement, DJs have definitely taken a backseat. They're going to evolve with the times, just like everybody and everything else. However, it is still so important that we look to them and expect for them to their part in helping to keep hip hop afloat. Whether that be taking being an artists seriously (if they choose to rap, if not just avoiding it altogether), exposing new talented artists, or emphasizing the importance of being able to get down on the 1s and 2s, DJs are such a vital part of our culture and we need them to get better (along with everything else) in order for us to get better. 

What do you think about the DJ's role in hip hop? What changes/improvements do they need to make? Does Joe Budden (and Diddy) have a point? Leave a comment and let your voice be heard. As always, you can e-mail at straightouttahiphop@gmail.com.

Peace. 

P.S. I won't do a post because I'm sure you're going to see it everywhere all day, but I do want to recognize that today is the anniversary of Tupac Shakur's untimely death. Tupac had so many dimensions and he was never scared to show any of them at any time. He was truly a solider for hip hop and nobody had put so much of themselves into music as Tupac did. He will forever be missed.