but first off, it's 2012. discussing the radio and major labels as if they're meaningful entities sounds pulled from an archaic undergroundhiphop.net conversation from a decade ago. both are completely at the mercy of the internet. sandman's essay makes him sound excruciatingly naive.

beyond that, you're speaking from personal feelings and perceptions instead of facts.

here are the top rap singles from the end of 1995.

coolio - gangsters paradise
biggie - one more chance
luniz - i got five on it
biggie - big poppa
tupac - dear mama
dre - heads ringing
junior mafia - player's anthem
naughty - feel me flow
az - sugar hill
bone - 1st of the month
brat - give it 2 u

2011 (i've left out all the LMFAO, pitbull, black eyed peas, kesha, etc)

nicki minaj - super bass
jeremiah and 50 - down on me
wayne - how to love
lupe fiasco - show goes on
wiz - black n yellow
bad meets evil - lighters
diddy - coming home
wayne - 6 foot 7 foot
flocka - no hands
khalid, etc - on one
nicki and drake - moment for life
em and dre - i need a dr
nelly - just a dream
wiz - roll up
kanye - all of the lights
drake - headlines
drake and wayne - she will

outside of rap being more poppy, there's no evidence whatsoever that hiphop was more diverse 17 years ago. especially if you add in all the mega-poppy records i left out from last year. the problem with these tiresome conversations is that everyone skews the past with these wistful sepia tones instead of being honest about what actually occurred.