Ben Weins
Hip-hop, the once-revolutionary voice of the streets, has long been heralded as a cultural force, a platform for social commentary and artistic expression. But in recent years, a growing chorus of critics have declared the genre in a state of decline. Is hip-hop sick? And if so, what's the diagnosis?
The Symptoms:
Lyrical Limbo: Gone are the days of dense wordplay and social commentary. Today's mainstream hip-hop often favours repetitive brags and simplistic narratives, lacking the depth and complexity that once defined the genre.
Beat Fatigue: The trap sound, once a fresh innovation, has become a monotonous formula, with producers seemingly content-churning out variations on the same hi-hats and booming bass.
Auto-Tune and Melodyne Overload: What was once a tool for artistic expression has become a crutch, masking vocal deficiencies and homogenizing voices.
Lack of Innovation: Where are the genre-bending pioneers, the artists pushing boundaries and challenging expectations? The current landscape often feels derivative, recycling past trends without adding anything new.
Commodification and Collaboration: Art and commerce have blurred, with artists prioritizing brand deals and guest appearances over authentic expression.
Possible Causes:
The Streaming Age: The algorithm-driven streaming world prioritises catchy hooks and short attention spans, discouraging complex narratives and lyrical experimentation.
Social Media Pressure: The constant need for virality and engagement can lead to sacrificing artistic integrity for trends and fleeting fame.
Industry Consolidation: The consolidation of power within significant labels limits diversity and stifles the voices of independent artists.
Loss of Connection: With the rise of globalised hip-hop, the genre can feel disconnected from its roots, struggling to speak to the specific experiences of marginalised communities.
Stereotyping Black Culture: Labels intentionally prioritise lyrics and lifestyles of gangs, drugs, violence and sex as true representations of black culture
Black females are hyper-sexualised: Most females in hip-hop are symbols of over-sexualised bodies and are not lauded for their talents
Dom Hill
Prognosis and Treatment:
The diagnosis may be bleak, but it's not terminal. Hip-hop has a long history of reinvention and resilience. The cure lies in:
Supporting diverse voices: Seek out artists challenging the status quo, pushing boundaries, and bringing fresh perspectives to the genre.
Demanding more from artists and industry: Hold artists accountable for their content and encourage them to push their creative boundaries.
Reclaiming the roots: Rediscover the essence of hip-hop – the storytelling, the social consciousness, the raw energy – and use it to create something new.
Resisting the stereotyping of the culture by record labels: The complex tapestry of hip-hop, encompassing social issues, storytelling, and artistic expression, is often narrowed down to the tired trope of gangsta rap, perpetuating negative stereotypes and ignoring the genre's diverse voices. Artists must demand more creative control and promotional support for all typoes of content by labels.
Hip-hop is still by far the most popular form of music, and it is continually expanding. According to Luminate, it accounts for 26.8% of US recorded music consumption, with rock coming in second at 20%. However, hip-hop peaked at 27.7% in 2021 and 28.2% in 2020. Hip-hop's growth has slowed after rapid expansion in the 2010s.
Vinyl has replaced the album bundle phase that aided the expansion of streaming as a vinyl (which functions more like a merch item because more than half of recent consumers do not possess a player). Because of the limited quantity of vinyl materials, record labels can choose which artists get initial access to the inventory. Pop singers like Adele, Taylor Swift, and Harry Styles get precedence and benefit from strong first-week sales. Meanwhile, other performers from different genres must wait, even if their streaming numbers are very similar!
Hip-hop is not dead, but it needs a checkup. The genre must rid itself of white corporate control by moving to decentralised platforms and the sale of physical products via personal interactions with potential fans. By acknowledging its ills, supporting its innovators, and demanding more from its artists and industry, we can ensure that this cultural force continues to evolve, resonate, and inspire future generations.