<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Yes I did.
Jay-Z has always been about the dollar, and Nas jumped onto the mainstream bandwagon with 'Stillmatic'. Both are great lyricists, dont get me wrong, but they dont represent what true Hip-Hop is all about, which brings me to the next point...</div>
eventhough both have aimed for mainstream success in their careers (Nas failed miserably with Nastraudamus) I wouldn't say that they aren't "hip hop"....to be honest you can't say who "is" and "isn't" hip hop......I can say that someone is wack and a disgrace to the culture, but I can't say someone "isn't" hip hop.....and I definitely wouldn't say Nas or Jay z aren't hip hop when they've been some of the most influential MCs in the game...and how did he sell out with Stillmatic?????
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Guys like Eminem, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Mobb Deep, DMX, Dr. Dre, The Game, Snoop Dogg etc. etc. rap about killing people, having sex with women and living large, simply as a means to make a quick buck. No thought or heart goes into their music, some exceptions can be made, dont get me wrong, but their basic message is "pay me". That my friend, is the difference between the 2.</div>
You can't say just because they rap about things that aren't socially conscious that they aren't hip hop..if that's the case then Scarface, Ice Cube, Kool G. Rap, Big Pun, Biggie, Pac, and Big L aren't hip hop either....I'd argue that a lot of thought and heart went into albums like The Infamous, Reasonable Doubt, Marshall Mathers LP, It's Dark and Hell is Hot, etc.....nothing wrong is wanting to get payed for the music you make as long as you don't let allow it to be the main driving force behind making your music.....I understand that some of the people you listed have fallen off and are money hungry, but I still don't believe you can say someone "isn't" hip hop.
