Series: Hip Hop

Searching For The Pulse Of A Dying Culture #3: Deams

A Re-tweet by Dutch MC, @DEAMS was all it took to get me started on this twitterview : "Hip Hop is NOT dying its just evolving, Embrace change." If you follow me on twitter, you know that I have some pretty strong opinions about the music industry, hip hop specifically (from a fans perspective of course). I'm on a journey looking for the exact fork in the road that led the industry so far away from its starting point. I often throw questions out onto the twitter field looking for different ideas on why things are the way they are. This time around though, I was on the receiving end of the pitch.

@MsBlckSummer: What have been the most sever changes in your opinion?

@DEAMS: On the positive side, more media exposure, it's created a lot of jobs!
@DEAMS: On the negative side, there's a lack of respect for the culture. There's a lack of creativity.
@DEAMS: What's your opinion about any changes
(For the record, up till now no one had asked my opinion
@MsBlckSummer: I think there is a major lack of respect and care on the industries side, for the culture, the craft and the fans
@MsBlckSummer: It's become about touching pocket books instead of touching minds. Few artists are challenging listeners to see beyond their own range of sight. @DEAMS: Very true! That's what happens when business becomes more important than creativity, money is the root of all evil!
@MsBlckSummer: So who is responsible for returning it back to substance? Are the masses interested in that anymore or has consumer demand changed also?
@DEAMS: It will get back to substance eventually, when people get tired of hearing the same thing over and over again. But it takes time.
@MsBlckSummer: Also, what parts do you think have remained in tact? What hasn't changed, and is that good or bad?
@DEAMS: The part that hasn't changed is the power and influence a lot of artists have, but most just don't use it for the good
@MsBlckSummer: Influence is always dangerous in the wrong hands.

Is music changing? Yes. Without question. Right now it's safe to say it's an industry of cool. And for some, that means it is dying. While the hip hop I knew growing up exists only on my iTunes, I am hopeful that there is something new, exciting and real just around the bend. The industry is being led there by a new generation of drivers, that's certain. But sooner or later hip hop will end up right where it's supposed to be. Where it's always been for me, the mind, the heart and the soul of it's listeners
Many thanks to @DEAMS for his participation, and insight. For more on Deams, check out his site DeamsMusic.com.