Hip Hop is still breathing

"Hip-hop is dead" The latest album title of one of the most decorated emcees of all-time; Nas. "Hip Hop is dead" is an opinionated statement used by many of the artists in the hip hop music industry and fans alike. However with the overplayed and senseless garbage known as Crank dat ___ being hit songs of the year reaffirms the statement Hip Hop is dead. However is hip hop really dead? It was on the brink of death with all the low blows of crank dat batman, superman, soulja boy, spongebob and whatever cartoon character or superhero of your choosing. However the year ended very strong with 4 great self-conscious albums. Talib Kweli's Eardrum, Common's Finding Forever, Kanye West's Graduation, and Lupe Fiasco's The Cool. The latter being my favorite of the 4. Hip hop may have been down for the count but with self conscious rappers with deeper meanings and substance like the 4 mentioned above will provide the life support and vaccine that Hip hop needs to recover.