I think it was with the advent of Puffy and Biggy. I could be wrong but that was the first time i can remember when people started rapping about money and jewelry. I don't know, I think that one song was made...sold millions and the next man came along was like "Hey this shit works" and he did the same thing. From then on it just spread like wildfire. Same thing with R&B. You wouldn't dare catch Luther singing a song about getting an erection while on the dance floor. Hopefully somebody will follow the Roots and Common's lead and we'll get back to where we started.

:-)
"Seems like everybody's lost their minds/ and I just might be the next one in line" - Amel Larrieux

work like you don't need the money
love like you never been hurt
dance like you do when nobody's watching--Mindstorm

"I crave more than anything truthful and intense human interaction"--el_rey