EPISODE 277 "HipHop's Declining Power On Social Issues"

Most people would agree that our society, especially in this country is in constant turmoil. If its not economical issues then its racial issues, there is always SOMETHING that is wrong with us as a society of people. There are many vessels that people who want to "fix" or "change" the ills of it all use to get their message to the masses and try to drum up support for their cause. Music is one of those vessels. While i will NEVER agree to the mantra that music can make you do a certain act, I will however say that music is a delivery system that can sway people to think a certain way. Hip Hop music used to be a major delivery method used by artist to try and make people aware of the ills in society that occur in urban neighborhoods, the legal system, and other places here and abroad. But over the years the genre changed and artist like Public Enemy are a thing of the past. The era of the Gangsta and then the Bling era sealed the fate of hip hop to become Party music or music that really just doesn't have any sort of message...it just is what it is. Now artist that make music mostly about the ills of society and wish to enact change take the back seat to artist that keep the crowd "turnt up". This is not one regions fault...one station...one artist...one label...or movement. Its the collective and systematic dumbing down and marketing of mindless music and the acceptance of that music by the listeners. The emphasis on partying and looking good became more profitable and less controversial made $ense to the powers that be. Instead of artist labels and DJs making a stand and saying we are going to release and promote socially conscious songs at least ONCE off each major release, they play it safe and go with the "club banger". This is where we are and why I'm doing this show.