Let's face it, the music Industry is not what it used to be. The radio is no longer a celebration of the culture that many of us fell in love with--- when you eagerly sat by your cassette deck, with two finger held against the "rec" and "play" buttons to catch and record the latest hip hop songs. That same sense of urgent necessity was no different than sitting by the VCR ready to record another episode of The Cosby Show, Martin, or In Living Color. And even knowing that you can record it, you still wanted to enjoy the first airing of it. And so it was with music, making pause tapes that would become monumental tokens of history as you got older, commemorating an affectionate relationship with hip hop, like it was the first pretty girl who shared her "Twinkies" with you.

And that's on the side of the listeners. As the sparks of inspiration spun with the supply reels of our favorite cassettes, fans of the music became makers of it. And it meant something to make and sell cassettes of your own personal "made this in my mom's basement" expressions of the art. And as the buzz and popularity grew, the phrase "Dub Me A Tape" (words that inspired this platform) started circulating as well.

Who can forget watching the other streams of hip hop media, like you and your buddies sitting on the bus looking at The Source magazine your teacher would take away until the end of the school day, after you got caught peeking at it in the middle of the lesson? And getting off the bus, preparing to watch Rap City to see what new videos were out, that, to us, was a routine the seemed as regular as breathing. And then there's the joy of standing in line at the record stores to be amongst the "elite" rap connoisseurs, who acquire CDs on the release dates, and cherishing opening the plastic wrapping from around the jewel casing, carefully reading the song titles and features, before opening and reading the liner notes.

The hard work it took to record tapes, release tapes, and share music, acquire, and learn about new music--- even moving into the era of compact discs, and burning your own CDRs to sell and hustle around school--- is what now gives us somewhat of an embittered nostalgia, like the Romans mourning over the city of Pompeii.

Those were good times, and held a special place in the hearts of many boys and girls living in America in the 80s and 90s. But has the entertainment industry changed so much that it has removed any and all enjoyment? Has all been lost to this new generation of hip hop artists, mediums, and distribution channels? Has the corporate structures so corrupted Hip hop that Common now has to be summoned to record a "Can Anyone Love Her (At This Point)" follow up to his 1994 classic "I Used To Love Her"? And think about it, he was rapping about his ideas and feelings about her condition THEN--- 30 years ago! Ask ANY rapper or hip hop/rap enthusiast what he or she wouldn't give to go back to THAT point.

But that just shows you that there will always be complaints about what Hip Hop is. Is she beyond repair? Is anything even wrong with her? Has she seen the last of her great days? Or is there something greater that is yet to be discovered?

My faith in God plays a major role in how I look at, not just the world itself, but specifically the genre of Hip Hop music. I imagine that even some of my closest friends are confused at how I can use the words "fuck" and "Holy Spirit" in the same sentence--- and with clarity and boldness. (That mystery alone deserves a separate article. Lol) But the type of faith that I possess allows me to see things through a bigger set of eyes, the bifocal lenses of what is and what could be, based on the optometry of omniscience.

So where do I see Hip Hop now? And where do I KNOW it's going? Hip Hop is however you choose to define it; where you go to look for it; who you say is making it; what you think is preserving it; what you do to enjoy it; what you decide to put into it; and who you let influence you concerning it. And that's why I laugh every time someone says it's dead. To me, it has never been more alive. How can I say that? Because of how I view it. I still play the classic records that aided my youth, and the thought-provoking albums that brought me to truth. I still enjoy the albums that are attached to historic moments shared with friends and family. I still cherish the moments I saw and see my favorite artists on stage. I still feel loved when I enter a small club and see other aspiring artists spinning records and freestyling.

As an artist, I still get chills when I drop a hot sixteen, with that one bar I'm just itching to explain, to make sure nobody misses the "pure genius" work I put into it. With the mediums of DSPs and social media, I can now find awesome artists of all calibers (AND GENRES) across the world, and turn off what I don't like. With the same, I myself can post my music and content concerning it. I enjoy watching podcasts and blogs talking about different aspects of the culture. And while I have my preferences on what I do and don't like, I allow that which feeds my soul to be the only "food" I put on my plate.

See, I believe the days of having a unanimous view of what Hip Hop is or isn't has been over. While there are indeed groups of people who share similar taste in music, it's often hard to find. And I have to be honest, I really do not understand what people are looking for. I think many people are "junkies" for new music, so much so that he or she doesn't take the time to enjoy music over the course of a lifetime. There are certain songs that I have a MUCH greater appreciation for than I did when I first heard them--- for a bunch of different reasons--- LIFE and experience being only two of them. 

I find that if people were wise and honest, they would understand that their REAL enemy is the ECONOMY that is making it difficult for a person to enjoy the fruit of their artistry, and for many, even their listening and enjoyment, behind having to work three jobs to barely afford rent and bills--- issues that really take faith to navigate. But whether a person is a believer in God or an atheist, I shrug my shoulders when I hear them complain as if the complaints--- even collectively--- are going to somehow move the greedy to compassion.  And that's where my personal faith has helped me. I have learned to trust in God for my PERSONAL situation--- and that INCLUDES my love for--- and participation in--- Hip Hop.

Hip Hop, like The Kingdom of God, is within YOU. And you have to decide what you're going to do with it. You have to be creative on both the artist and listener sides. You have to be willing to go at it ALONE, because not everyone is going to enjoy it or pursue it the same way, with the same motives, or with the same purpose. While there is still money to be made in this industry, there are far more other "currencies" than greenbacks--- many of which are intangible.  So, it's not whether or not Hip Hop is alive or dead. It's a matter of whether YOU still TRULY love it enough to keep pursuing it--- what was, and is, and is to come!