There’s another option…

They can kill it ….

There’s a lot of artists doing different things though it seems the major labels would rather force feed us this garbage that they “think” we want. They’re no longer willing to take chances on something different. Hip hop was in better hands when it was run by the indies, Profile, Select, Sleeping Bag, and Def Jam (when they were indies). You could pick up a Slick Rick, EPMD, Big Daddy Kane, Run DMC or a De La Soul and Public Enemy. You could be a fan of Kool G Rap’s street music and still appreciate the quirkiness of a Tribe Called Quest.

Since the hip hop has become big business it seems the labels are more worried about turning a quick buck and rehashing the same tired schtick over and over. The kids coming up now only see what’s on videos and on the radio and that’s what the try and copying only adding more crap to the industry.

There are still hip hop artists more concerned with making good music as opposed to just following trends you just have to look beyond what BET and urban radio are feeding you. Artists like Blu & Exile (one of the best album of the year… see itunes), Kidz in the Hall, Talib Kweli, Common, Blue Scholars hell even Kanye West.

Due to the shuttering of a lot of mom and pop stores as well as larger retailers, shelf space is limited so you probably won’t find a Blu & Exile cd in stores, which is a damn shame. Since they’re on a small indie there’s no money to pay “independent promoters” to get their stuff all over the radio.

But with a little research… you’ll find that there’s a lot of good hip hop still being created.

Is there seriously nothing out there? nothing that deserves radio play?