wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

I'd say 80% of hip-hop is bad...just be aware a similar statistic applies to the air and water on earth. Real Hip-hop exists and is vibrant. There's a local scene in every city around the world, for example Buffalo, NY currently play host to a movement similar to early hip-hop, or jazz. I found this Mc, producer, & DJ named Shuteyes on this youtube video that's a good example of what I'm talking about. It's http://youtu.be/AnODrONe6eE

I'm in agreement with most of what was discussed here I for one was very optimistic of the liberation of the hiphop artists from the corporate masters via online independent marketing and sales, however two things were a little inaccurate. One, the 'underground' was not a title that artists like Mos Def/Talib Kweli or Common etc assigned to themselves it was the new corporate music industry's attempt to stratify and classify hiphop into sub genre's to delete it of its message. In the 80's Hip Hop was hip whether it was the Fresh Prince or Public Enemy there was no distinction between underground or mainstream the diversity was considered just another ingredient within the whole meal. So The underground movement was not a movement at all it was just rappers rapping. Second, it is patently false that Lil Wayne ushered in the revolution of doing his mixtapes outside the mainstream corporate infrastructure to reach his fans. That was initiated by 50 Cent who was blackballed by the major labels and some indepedent ones as well for his irreverant stance and the barbs he took at other well established emcees. He adopted a DIY long before Lil Wayne and it is safe to say that the mixtape industry was created by 50 Cent.

You know I love you guys but I am still disturbed. Just because a lyric does not specifically say, "P-ss on (your name here), let's rape (your name here) and take all (your name here)'s sh-t.", does not make that lyric ok; someone is going to end up on the wrong end of that activity, maybe lethally. When we as a society give that kind of mindset a platform or coverage, it normalizes... no such thing as bad publicity. OF COURSE these performances and creative efforts will be perpetuated on the internet, like many other questionable movements and socially aberrant positions, but it seems like a bad idea to give it a powerful public voice. I was 16 once and it's fair to say anyone who wants to listen to that can, but I don't want to be the one who sat idly by while the message goes out to one more person thinking p-ssing on me or you, raping either of us and stealing our sh-t is common or tolerable or not a serious crime, and I think coverage of this kind of mindset by public radio is hard to justify, except for the allegedly high level of talent here? Then, please, you smart performers should make smart choices and be able to create something positive or at least not potentially harmful to yourself, your friends, or anyone else. How is it a bad idea if we all try and help each other. That's my vote and my $.02 for the week.

I'd love to find todays equivalent of Dr Octagon, or Gangstarr, or Mobb Deep, or Aceyalone, but I'm afraid it probably just doesn't exist. Hence the awful stuff showcased on this "new hip hop" segment. Not really wnyc's fault I guess...

Diddy is not the enemy, criminals are - and those who support them. My next door neighbors on both sides have had crawl spaces stripped of copper, and the one across the street had all walls torn out, and to top it off the compressor stolen. Gun crimes are rampant on the four blocks around me - and I live 2 blocks from the campus of Georgia Tech, at the center of Atlanta, not in some slum. Seriously y'all, why is this "coverage worthy", funny or acceptable - to anyone in any community?

DIY is the true origins of hip-hop. Like punk, its origins are political and counter culture. Listeners who don't like the aesthetics are missing the message, a mouth piece for a demographic of people whose voice is otherwise marginalized.

Diddy Puffy whatever he wants to call himself is not an artist or performer (just look at his dance moves). He said he would put out only one record - in memory of Biggy, and he would be finished (look it up). He lied. Boycott all his product.

Why isn't this guy talkin about dr octagon?!

None of what I'm hearing sounds remotely like hip hip as I know it. This is all breathy vocals and sexy choruses. This stuff is all R&B and pop music as far as I can tell.

@john from office - sorry that you've never heard any good (or real) hip hop. But since this seems to be the case, you should probably refrain from making a blanket statement about a vast genre of music.

Sounds like alot of noise, where are the Al Greens of the world. John Legend has true talent, stop pushing this noise.

What about Frank Ocean - wouldn't he be included in this DIY crop?

where are the up-and-coming female artists?? I'm sure they're therrr...

I really have a hard time with the talentless nature of Rap, very little talent, no originality. Yes, I have heard some good Rap, but the vast majority is mumble mouth, dirty words. Further degrading the society. There is an ad on TV for Sweet Soul of the 70's, that beats all of this "music".

Time to check out, rap = boring show.