>>principles...
>>
>>and there used to be standards for MCs too...
>
>CLOTHES is a principle of hip-hop?
>
>Do you even know what "principle" means?

no, the question should be: do you know what the word principle means?
>
>Freestyling was a prerequisite?

uh yes, there was a time when MCs dismissed other MCs who said they couldn't freestyle....in the beginning when HipHop was a local NY/Bronx phenomenon, freestyling/ad lib was what the MC did while the DJ was spinning records.
>
>Where did you find that stupid ass quote from the original
>post, did you make that up yourself?

Have you ever heard of this rap group named "The Roots?" Well they had a song entitled "What they do" in which Blk Thought said those words used in the post title. foh
>
>HipHop always had "conscious rappers"?
>
>Why are you concerned about what mainstream acts are doing?
>How is watching the mainstream in line with the true
>principles of hip-hop?

because they have a larger reach in spreading the essence of HipHop...and its not a matter of being concerned w/them but it'd be nice to see the popular HipHop acts continue some of the traditions that past MCs established...and it was Chuck D who 1st said HipHop was the CNN of the ghetto(s)...in addition, the GREATEST HIPHOP RECORD EVER IS A CONSCIOUS RAP RECORD. Ever heard of "The Message?"...its a really good record
>