In the beginning, there was Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop became the Voice that symbolized the angst of a muted generation. No longer silent, Rap was born. Not to be undone as a fad, Rap increased in its popularity and without asking, became Music. Corporate America took notice... Rap music Officially went LIVE! Critical acclaim and Success came with Ease. When Time blinked, Rap music Changed!
On it's heralded quest for world domination, Rap music embraced the Almighty Dollar Bill as if it were it's own creation and "Souled" Out. Today, Rap is the embodiment of Commercialism itself. Some call it an achievement. Some still call it Music. Some even make excuses, and say its only in Transition. And yet others, recognize the allegiance between Commercialism and Rap, and call it CRap.
But whatever name it goes by for the day, Just don't call it... Hip-Hop!
In parting, I leave you with the first Verse from L-Fudge's 1998 classic single A Conversation with Hip-Hop (Rockin It):
I had a conversation wid hop
and he told me it wasn't hip [to] what's happenin' to rap nowadays
We're believin' that our culturalized music
Is that falsely narrow rated crap I would say
It's funny now, ninety per cent of these rappers skills
Is dull like pencils that get worshipped
But it's even funnier when ya skills are sharper than kitchen
utensils and you still get chopped down now that's nervous