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Artists, historians examine the decline of positive messages in today’s rap music industry.

By CINQUE MUHAMMAD
Contributing Reporter.

Rap music has undergone drastic changes in the last 20 years. Considered the golden era of the music and culture, the '80s to mid-'90s, is when many Hip Hop purists came of age.

Fans of that era blissfully reminisce of the days when one could tune to BET's Rap City in the afternoons and view videos by seminal "Gangsta" rap group NWA, but then be sobered by the anti-violence message in a video by KRS-One.

Local urban radio stations would spin Too Short's edited pimp tales and the politically-conscience rhymes of Erik B. and Rakim in the same play list. And for every head-turning, sexually-charged stage show of The 2 Live Crew, there was Public Enemy offering balance in the rap universe with their socially-conscious songs.

For some "old-school fans," such days are long gone.

Silencing positive messages

Some Hip Hop purists argue that there was much more balance in what was seen in heard in rap's golden era.

As one group of artists wove tales of sex and violence, there were also those MC's who promoted a sense of social responsibility, family values, ... Read more »