There's some truth to that tho. A lot these hip-hop artists from the inner cities couldn't afford instruments.
Not only that, but I think most of the time, the messages in rock/pop type of music are different than the types in hiphop. I mean you have Motown, but from what I know, for the most part, I think that the struggles in the inner city are better expressed in a more raw format. Well wait... Punk music has some innercity roots and jazz can express some of it. But still, do you know what I mean? Life's a bitch and I'm just along for the ride.