Conscious vs. Asleep Rap

So I figured I would use today's blog to sound off on some hip-hop culture issues I read about this week. After all, what's the point in having a blog if we can't talk some barbershop shit every now and then?

We start with a favorite of mine. A Mr. Talib Kweli. Now Talib (lyrics stick to your ribs) has seen fit to do a collab with Gucci Mane. The same Gucci that is a bane to all that is intellectual and thought-provoking. I'll give you the fact that I too enjoy listening to music that is (shall we say) devoid of any type of substance. However, it's hard to look at Kweli's decision as anything but a stunt for dollars. Does that make someone who has been a champion for the positive no better than a Jersey Shore extra? Who's to say?

I do know that the current situation in rap music business has forced even the most established artists to think outside the box. While some attempts translate to amazingly creative music, other moves leave us scratching our heads.

This brings us to exhibit B.

Dr. Dre will be producing beats for Justin Bieber.

Let me put it in caps so you understand: DR. DRE IS PRODUCING BEATS FOR JUSTIN BIEBER.

I should have known the world went mad when we elected Obama. But conservatives figured out what happened and have been attacking him non-stop ever since. You can't fix this.

But let me put this another way: Dr. Dre - whose legend is cemented in the stone; who was a part of one of the most influential rap groups of all time; who has discovered or signed the greatest rappers of the past two decades; whose new album has sparked debate that could set cities on fire, has taken time out of his busy schedule to write beats for a kid whose balls haven't dropped yet.

Now in both cases, is that business savvy or blatant disregard for the fans that supported them in the first place? And exactly how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? The world may never know...