I like the way you think but I have to disagree <P>>First off I'm 27!! <BR>So we're in the same age range. <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/happy.gif"> <P>>The Hip-Hop game has changed COMPLETELY...The level of exposure that multiple hip-hop artists are getting now is unprecedented. <P>True, but inherent in hip hop is competition...the game is still the same in that sense. Using No Limit as an example, P had to compete with MTV, stations that play hip hop regularly in their rotation and way more access to a variety hip hop music by the general public. Yet he developed a strong regional following that transfered into a national/international one. What P did is very "hip hop" in the sense of grassroots appeal and his approach to promoting his "music". He created a demand and then the demand took on a life of its own. many of his original fans are loyal and will buy No Limit no matter what...and he's doing all of this with music that's not all that "sophisticated" (which is not a comment on whether or not its good...i have my own ideas on what makes good music)<P>>And as far as "accessible music" goes, the Roots <BR>make music for headz that love hip-hop and are into music. I firmly beleive that they would be more popular if outlets like MTV and the HOT97s of the world would play them more. <P>I love hip hop & all types of music...but I like a variety of hip hop styles including everything from bass to "underground" ish. I think that the Roots would eventually have MTV & Hot97 coming to them if they had a majority of the black audience FIRST..eventually the rest will catch on as usual. <P>>I am from "roundtheway" and I grew up with a multitude of musical influences. I'm around these kids everyday and if you asked any of these kids to identify Donny Hathaway, Parliament, Patrice Rushen, Bob James, Herbie Hancock, etc. they wouldn't have a clue, but they know every song that used one of their samples.When hip-hop wasn't as mainstream the headz that really loved it had to work so hard to get it, the music kinda checked itself. but now it's like going to the supermarket and buying bread. If you can go around the corner and get bread, why would you walk three miles and wait for five hours to buy bread? That's human nature! <P>Maybe I'm biased because I came up in NY but I don't recall working that hard to get hip hop - my cousins down south, now that's another story. I think GOOD music will travel..that's exactly what hip hop did....that's its story. If black people had to rely on white radio alone to get our music out we'd have been lost. <P><BR>>The Roots don't need to teach (go get KRS for that), they need to contine to make good music <BR>>and that'll talk for them. I don't feel that they're preaching to anyone! Do you suggest they change what they do and add some references to money and hos? <P>I suggest that groups (like Blackstarr) that promote black nationalism make an extreme effort to appeal to average black folk. It doesn't mean they have to talk about money & hoes...I refuse to believe that most of us are so simple minded that we HAVE to HAVE those references. Lauryn Hill & the Fugees get blasted throughout the pjs they aren't talking about any of that. I do think that you can't have contempt for an audience while trying to reach them...meaning if you feel that people are beneath you, then they will sense that and act accordingly (the Fugees played the Tunnel & got respect). I wasn't necessarily looking to learn anything from PE when I first heard them, the beats & the flow made me pay attention. Chuck D said that his mission was to teach the bourgeoise & rock the boulevard for a reason. <P>>When I go to Sweet Basil or the Vanguard or to Small's or Dharma to see a traditonal jazz act, it's nothing but asian and white folks and me. <P>There's how many years late? When it was contemporary black culture we were there. While I think we could benefit from preserving our heritage and get rid of this disposable art mentality, I also recognize that our ability & need to take pieces from the past & use them with our current forms of expression is what keeps us in the forefront of musical creation. We don't wallow in or cling to dying art (as some do, which is why they can't create their own music)...we move on. I mean, for example, you're not out their doing the Lindy hop in 99' are you? <P>>We must go to different shows! Because I've never been to hip-hop shows in NY, regardless of who's <BR>performing, where the crowd wasn't majority or overwhelmingly black. <P>THe 2 Roots shows I attended weren't...neither was the Rock Steady anniversary "overwhelmingly" black. <P>Granted it is harder to see a show nowadays because their is a definete bias towards hip hop shows with predominantly black audiences. EVERYBODY plays the Tunnel. By black venue, I mean a spot that is heavily promoted to a black audience...most clubs in NY (hip hop or not) are not black owned. <BR>><P>>You can't be comparing Tabou Combo or Stone Love or some local heroes' promotions to the Roots.<P>Ummm...why not? I mean being local heroes is the whole point right? I know who Stone Love is in part BECAUSE I couldn't help but notice their stuff all over the place. Fat Joe got notoriety putting his stickers up all over the ghetto. BCC throws a cookout for everybody in Albany projects. The Roots are not from NY so I wouldn't expect them to be here and I can't speak on their local activity in Philly (I'm sure they do what they can) but you get my point. <P>>This is not cliquish! If someone wants to hear Bone, thugs , Harmony, more power to them, but I'm not paying money to see them (hell, I wouldn't go for free). <P>I think the distinctions: real head, commercial head, underground, etc. are destructive...if you like hip hop you like hip hop. Maybe the music scene has grown to a point where hip hop styles have to be divided into categories but then we should expect that joints that rock the blockparties & clubs will always have more appeal than those that don't. Ha would have blew up regardless of the emcee on the track or what was being said. Rhythm drives hip hop (imo)and things go in cycles. <P>>The only way the Roots are gonna be able to completely control where they play is to become promoters and book their own tours. <P>You would probably know better than me. Question, where do rap artists make the majority of their dough. I know touring used to be what paid but I'm sure that's changed now. <P>Anyway, thanks for the feedback. Just for the record, I love the Roots & love their music, I just don't want to see them with Everlast (or the crowd that Everlast will surely bring). <P>