Hip Hop started as a way of keeping people out of trouble and making ways and opportunities for those that may not have otherwise had a chance. Along the way, we have built certain standards that we expect people to uphold, but if hip hop does still afford these opportunities, has it done its job? If it has, can we in fact say that it is dead? For some the answer may yes (it is dead), but for many, the above line is the way in which they view hip hop and the music they make, endorse, etc.

If this is the mentality of hip hop, especially of this generation, this could explain the discontent amongst many (including myself) in the hip hop community. The argument is this: the music that the artists make is just different (some may even argue an evolution) from that of the past, but this is their way of "making it" and they are going to do what will allow them to be "successful". It may be hard to argue with this, especially since there are many people who may have been saved by getting involved with music as opposed to trying to satisfy their wants and desires through other avenues. If we follow this logic, could we at least argue that hip hop should be getting credit for saving the lives of so many, even if it is at the expense of the art itself?

I think most of us would prefer that people that chose to get involved in hip hop at least attempt to offer something of substance. Our mind-state (those that are advocates of what hip hop as a whole "used" to stand for) is that if hip hop is what did in fact save your life, then you have an obligation to preserve its values and ideals; you owe it at least that much. However, the argument we have been discussing is a valid one. The idea that hip hop was created to give people a voice that didn't have one before, regardless of what they say, is fair, but only partially correct. Without any standards and by allowing anything to be said (right or wrong, good or bad), it could lead to a very poisonous frame of mind within the community (which it has to a certain extent).

Maybe the term Budden chose to use in the line is best. Maybe hip hop isn't dead, but it is instead in a coma and it won't wake up from that coma until we come to the realization that there is a great deal of responsibility that comes with getting involved in hip hop. Let's leave that discussion for the final post of this series. 

What are your thoughts? Does hip hop deserve more credit for simply "saving" people, or is what comes out of it more important? Is the argument of hip hop helping others valid? Leave your thoughts and comments. You can always e-mail at straightouttahiphop@gmail.com. 

Peace.