The title may seem like a bit of a head scratcher, but I assure you it’ll all make sense when you reach the end of the article. Quick disclaimer: Over the last month or so, the internet has been full of conspiracy theories suggesting Michael Jackson faked his death. While there are aspects of these findings I personally believe in, that’s a topic I will not be touching in this article and it will be written under the full assumption that he has indeed passed away.
Like most people, I was was personally struck when the news hit of Michael’s passing. I grew up a Michael Jackson fan. At the age of 5, I was trying to learn the moonwalk. At the age of 8, I was performing all his hit songs in my mirror pretending to put on my very own MJ tour. At the age of 13, I lived a dream and hit the moonwalk on stage and witnessed an entire auditorium jumping to their feet, clapping and screaming. I’ve heard almost every MJ recording that’s been made publically available, seen almost every bit of live footage, and have collected every album. As a lover of music, MJ was the king of the hill. A new Michael Jackson album wasn’t just another collection of music in my household. It was a reason for the entire family to sit down and experience yet another piece of work. It was a chance to argue about which song was the best, and more so, how this new album stood up against the previous albums. Michael Jackson albums were an EVENT. With his passing, I instantly knew that I’d never get to experience these “events” again. I took joy in knowing I’d always have his 6 solo albums as a way to remember him, but I’m instantly saddened when faced with the reality that there is no music today that can compare to what MJ offered us. Which brings me to my point.
For years, I’ve been very much into hip hop (like practically every other male in his early-mid 20’s). I make music myself, I rap, etc. But I’ve come to a striking realization that the overall culture of hip hop is beginning to bore me. It’s easy for me to admit this because the culture has obviously changed over the years. What once used to be a vehicle for self expression, originality and even uplift-ment has become nothing more than a glorification of violence and other ideologies that bring harm to an entire community. I always told myself I’d never become one of those “hip hop is dead”, “music back in my day” type of people. But it’s hard not to when you’re my age. Being 26 years old means you’re old enough to remember Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, EPMD, Pete Rock, CL Smooth, ATCQ, etc…but at the same time, young enough to still be into hip hop with the likes of Soulja Boi, The New Kids, and Gucci Mane making the genre’s most popular music. It’s definitely demoralizing as a fan of not only hip hop, but good music in general. And if it weren’t bad enough that the music itself has taken a noticeable dip in quality, the genre is faced with so many “outside the music” issues that people these days simply accept it as part of the package. Rappers are sent to jail on what seems to be a weekly basis, threats are often exchanged that have nothing to do with rap itself, rappers are killed, people affiliated with rap are killed. The lucky ones are simply shot and live to tell the tale; and ironically these are the ones people look up to. Yes, hip hop is a culture and a music that came from “the street”, and was made as a outlet for “the street”. But why is hip hop the only music genre where people want each other dead? Where people will fight someone because of what they say on a song? And why does no one cringe at the fact that the people who are making the most money off of hip hop aren’t the people hip hop was made for? Do you really think they care if a rapper ends up dead when there’s another rapper on the corner waiting to be “the next rapper”?
As it pertains to hip hop, no one wants to make timeless music. Well, I take that back. There are a handful of artists I look forward to because I know that they look to put out quality music. I’m not going to name them in this article because most of you will disagree, and it’s beside the point anyway. The fact is, when I listen to music, I want to feel something. Sometimes, I just wanna nod my head. Sometimes, I just want something I can dance too (since I don’t really dance…something I can watch female dance to). But sometimes, I want something more than that. I want music I will remember 20 years from now. Music I will put on and tell my children about. Every other genre has that, right? I mean if you’re a rock fan, you have an entire list of bands and legendary artists you can school your kids on. If you’re an R&B/Soul fan, there’s no end to the singers, groups, etc you can show you kids. Even recent R&B acts like Usher (Confessions) and Justin Timberlake (FutureSex/LoveSounds) managed to put together projects I will listen to for years to come. But what does hip hop currently offer me in that vein? Aside from those aforementioned few, nothing. You know why? Because hip hop artists are distracted. Hip hop artists are lazy, and the people in charge of these hip hop artists are even lazier.
Michael Jackson took 4-5 years in between albums because he wanted to give us the best possible album he could. Hip hop artists, if we’re lukcy, take one year off (sometimes less time than that) to cash in on their current popularity. Michael Jackson worked with one or two producers for an entire album to come up with a cohesive sound. Hip Hop artists pay the hottest producers in the game (at the time) to cash in on their current popularity. Michael Jackson went on stage to entertain and dazzle us night after night. Hip Hop artists stand on stage with 5 other people yelling out their lyrics to the point where we can’t understand ANYTHING. When Michael Jackson died, I realized there was no one left that could offer the magic he offered. Least of all in what used to be my favorite genre: Hip Hop.
Yes, today I turn 25 for the second time. Isn’t life grand? Anyways, for those of you who would like to wish me a happy birthday (which should be ALL of you!), feel free to drop a comment. Or not. Don’t matter, yo.
It’s kind of becoming a disturbingly sad trend, but yet another high profile athlete has been killed. Former welterweight and middleweight champion Vernon Forrest was shot and 
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