The View from Korea

I got an e-mail from our boy Mike Witmer on this topic this morning. I'm going to post it now and respond when I get home from work.

"Ben, far be it for me to criticize one who actually makes music and has been involved in the actual creative process. I've listened to far fewer genres of music and probably would be only to be able to talk intelligently about hip-hop. I'm not surprised you didnt like the new Nas but you pinpointed exactly why. Most dont come to hip hop for good songwriting but that is exactly what makes Nas great. He has held on to these garbage producers for such a long time mostly out of loyalty (I believe) and his last 18 albums have suffered for it. However, no one in hip hop with maybe the exception of a couple underground guys and Black Thought even warrant a second listening. I cant remember the last time I stopped something I was listening to and rewound with the exception of Nas. The way he puts certain words together positions them may not always even be that deep but sound so nice together. I dont think one thing that L'il Wayne has said would cause this. And the new album "Untitled," I agree seemed to want to make more waves then he is capable of doing anymore but "Hip Hop is Dead" made a good point. I dont think he was talking about hip-hop as an art form but that the strong albums in the mainstream scene have disappeared. 2008's best selling artists were L'il Wayne, T.I., Young Jeezy and Flo Rida. 1994 best selling were BIG, Nas, Common, Jeru, Roots, Outkast and Gangstarr. I may not know who the fuck Kings of Leon are or own the latest "Now! That's what I Call Music" but if it aint dead its in a steady decline. This may be an unfair comparison and he has many a line but Nas "Through the lights cameras and action, glamour glitters and gold I unfold the scroll, plant seeds to stampede the globe, When I'm deceased, by then the beast arise like yeast to conquer peace leaving savages to roam in the streets."
L'il Wayne "Suck the lollipop"
The blog is awesome, especially you saying Fuck you! to any who doesnt like that dog video. Churn that shit out!
Holla Mike