Ah ha, KC, you do put up a respectable argument on this matter. Just so you know, I ain't really gonna argue with you much since I never try to align myself too much with either radically mainstream or radically underground, 'cause I listen to both kinds with pleasure.
While you got a point about Nas vs. Soulja Boy, these two cats cover totally different styles of MCing/rapping. I mean, I personally sho'nuff wouldn't pop a Nas track at the high point of a dance party, a Soulja Boy track would probably be better suited for that ish. Then again, you don't got time to be listening for lyrical content at a dance party.
One can put you in artistic articulation while the other can rock a party.
Though, you can't say all underground/alternative stuff is depressing and about hard times and all (that seems to be the kind of image "underground" has carried, even though it's not completely true). I'd cite an example, but you prolly never heard of 'em anyway, ha ha. For real though, for starters there's Jurassic 5.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YhZt4i92aSAyou can't say that ish is depressing, they gots a breakdancin bear up on that, lol
lol and I dunno if I can say I respect Soulja Boy more than Nas. Alright I sho don't, but that isn't to say Nas can be somewhat radical. For the record,
Hip Hop is not dead, and never was. Sure, maybe it's dying, but it sho ain't dead, you just might have to look harder.
I like Kanye West 'cause he's got more skill than these other kids, imo, but that doesn't mean I always agree with him, or I think he's completely positive. I was definitely aware of that kind of other stuff, and I still think he can be arrogant at times, but while looking at other artists who are popular today, I gotta say he's up there. If not him, then Common Sense.
I can't say people like Soulja Boy and Weezy
aren't hurting hip hop. Because they're so popular, they're the sort of rap that most people are exposed to and recognize. And if that's all that people know, man, the image of hip hop gets mad twisted.
For the record, I've heard as many Weezy songs as I can take in without killing anyone, lol. (A Milli, Dr. Carter, Mr. Carter, a few of his better tracks, and inevitably Lollipop which is repetitive as heck, and he's got better stuff.) Sure he could get creative and think of different ish, but I still think it's corny as hail, ha ha. That's strictly personal opinion though. I was never a fan of lines like stuff like "Hi Mr. Toilet, I'm the shit," or however it goes, or "I get more ass than a toilet seat," I don't even know who said that ish.
Anyway, I think there should be a balance between these two general styles of hip hop, artistic and party rockers. These days though, the party rockers kinda been the only thing people been hearing.
Also, you can't deny that money and corporations have had a negative twist on Hip Hop. I mean, think about it, that ish definitely wasn't there before. It's funny 'cause Hip Hop was originally a rebel music against what was mainstream at the roots, like funk.
QUOTE(BanDaSnowman @ Jun 20 2008, 07:32 PM)

I need something thats going to blast in my car not put me to sleep.

ninja, you don't have no car, you totaled that ish, lol

Dayum, I didn't really want to make a long arse post.