... the problems the music industry faces. Low record sales, music channels no longer playing music videos, a lack of balance when it comes to music being played from different regions in this country (NY, LA, Mid West, etc), the lack of diversity in our music and the overall view of the state of our music….it can be very depressing. But history proves that music has a way of correcting itself. I believe that the time is drawing near for self correction. The word “correction” in no way means that the majority of music being promoted is “wrong.” However the state of our music is in dismal shape and is in desperate need of self correction. I have watched read and listened to the MANY critics and their opinions on Wayne’s venture into the world of rock. I’ve watched read and listened to the criticism of the “skinny jeans” movement and the new generations approach to music. These criticisms remind me of the time Hip Hop was growing in it’s popularity in the mid 90’s and older “black” folks were dismissing our music, fashion & culture as a fad and not legitimate music. I urge folks who are in their 30’s and up to remember being rebellious, u know..wearing Cross Color jeans with the shiney black boots! TLC wearing condoms on their clothes. Biz Markie, Flava Flav and Humpty from the Digital Underground. We can’t dismiss the new generation as irrelevant and misguided, we must embrace them and REMEMBER the days when we were 16, 17, 18 and so forth. The way James Brown and Marvin Gaye was important to our parents, we respected it but NWA was that shit! Well we must now accept that Pac and Big are now OUR Marvin Gaye and James Brown and now Drake, Kanye and Wayne is that shit. 1995 was 15 years ago and a 15 year old kid today wasnt even born when Ready To Die 1st dropped. It’s a new day, a new time and its on us to embrace the new generation. I champion those artists willing to create music not boxed into one genre. Remember the birth of rock music happened in the slums and ghettos of this country many many years ago. And while America ignored it, the British embraced it. They took the blues, melodies and stories of black America and made it their own. Over the many years the music took on different shapes and forms. From The Yard Birds to The Rolling Stones, from Black Sabbath to Metallica, from Jimmy Hendrix to Prince….it’s beginnings started in the slums and ghettos in a time where our people had no rights whatsoever. Thats whats “hood” to me! So on this day before Rebirth drops, I want to remind all who enjoy hip hop and rap music not to be closed minded but to be open and optimistic about the future of our music. We cannot afford the same fate Disco music met. Self correction is vital to our existence ad that can only happen with open minds and open hearts. The Rebirth is on the way and regardless of what the numbers reflect, as long as it can touch one person’s life and inspire him/her to dare to be different…then our mission was a success. Love.
