I’ve often felt my share of disillusionment with hip-hop. For as much quality material is coming out, it’s hard to not feel that it’s getting lost under the crushing weight of a bunch of crap. Our local scene is certainly doing it’s part to right the ship, and I give props to everyone more involved with that scene than myself, but I’m still left reminiscing over the Golden Era, the late 80s early 90s period when bragging was respected not expected, when doing something different could get you more than just haterade from the “heads.” I’m not sure if that period will ever be matched again.

This month’s issue of the Utne Reader features an open letter with someone else’s thoughts on hip-hop. While at times reading a bit like spoken word (it is the Utne Reader), I found it to be a good read. Recommended listening: The Roots’ “Act Too…The Love of My Life,” one of my favorite anthems to hip-hop.

Yeah, you coulda been a leader for a people who will lead themselves, a real synonym for black power, the anti-nigga machine, the Moses for the massive, the true king (and better) of New York. Man, you was beautiful, full of innovation and inspiration, rebellion and redemption, energy and possibility, but never beyond belief. Because you were something to believe in, in a world with nothing left to believe in.