>I think it does. Check out that "PE is to 80's music" post
>and see the comments on PE. Lyrics and writing have taken a
>back seat to production and hooks in todays hip-hop. Which I
>think adds to the orginal posters point. Production is
>over-rated. It applies to hip-hop/rap as well.

there should be a separate production post for hip hop though. hip hop and production are inseperable for the most part. im not sure if saying that hip hop production is to be blamed for the lack of songs in R&B or if we should say the hip hop notion of songwriting is to blame. a song liek crazy in love for example, is about two parts, and thats IT. the horn loop and the verse/go-go beat loop. theres nothing else to it!