How is it that we've had hip-hoppers holding it down from one end of the spectrum to the other (ya'll know what I mean). For years they've toiled and hocked their wares all in the name of promoting their artform. Minimal compensation and limited recognition have been afforded these cats but still they press on.
Enter: One Eminem- setting records, garnering worldwide attention, fortune and fame almost overnight. Is it a phenomenon or the same old sad song? That a Caucasion (albeit talented) but still Caucasion can come on the scene (a scene that has historically been demoninated by African-Americans and other minorities) and rob others of what they've worked so hard to achieve all these years. For example: Q-Tip recently disclosed in an interview that one year(I think after Low End) he barely cleared $30,000! How can this be? That may be a bad example because ATCQ was not considered as mainstream as the now *gasp* infamous Cash Money & No Limit squads (they're paid too but haven't garnered nearly as much attention and reverence as Mr. Mathers!)
It has been surmised that the overwhelming majority of CONSISTENT hip-hop consumers are young, caucasion teens? So, they've supported "us" too, right? So somebody please explain this. . .when is it going to end? And what can we do to help elevate the status of say, culturally uplifting and conscientous acts such as The Roots, De La & Outkast?
"One of the things I fear most is to be on my death bed wondering what I've done with my life and realizing it has meant nothing"- me
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage ~ ANAIS NIN