A new era for rap music?

For the past couple of years many Hip Hop fans have become disappointed by the state of mainstream Hip Hop music. Hip Hop has always provided an avenue of expression for the streets and maintained a flamboyant, in your face style. This form of expression has constantly been at odds with the mainstream of society as often unpopular facts and opinions were expressed through the music. This dates back from N.W.A screaming **** the police to more recently Nas and his ****** album. The past couple years however has seen hip hop music has starting to loose it’s identity becoming stagnant with artists simply following trends with creativity taking a backseat to trying to make a quick dollar. Too many artists have tended to stick to the same tired formula of portraying a hardcore gangster image that they often dont live up to. While there does exist a place for this type of content in music it’s presentation is often lacking and hard to be considered art. Rappers need to avoid the trap of being just another run of the mill guy on the corner repeating generic phrases. Image however is what sells albums and why should artist switch from what is working? This year however a number of acts have emerged with unique styles displaying many of the characteristics which have helped make Hip Hop music the force that it is today. Even though the art of emceeing has always been evident in the underground the growing popularity and mainstream appeal of artists such as Drake, Asher Rosh, B.o.B, Charles Hamilton and Kid Cudi to name a few have left true hip hop fans feeling hopeful that this could be the year that substance comes back in the music.