From the ashes, a Phoenix shall rise

History is full of martyrs. Individuals who sacrificed themselves for a greater good, a strong belief. History is also full of individuals with a less respectable role than martyrs- folks who took one for the team, fall guys. Again, they generally took the fall for a greater good; they just earned a much less storied place in the books. It is my belief that that we have reached a particular junction within Hip Hop culture that will require a sacrificial lamb of sorts. A slaying of the largest beast that will allow for the rebirth of an art form that not only were we all raised on, but one we thrive on.

I’d like to propose what is more than likely a rather controversial thought on a rather tired issue. As we all know, September 11 is fast approaching, and within Hip Hop, this year it is not looked at as an anniversary of the Twin Towers falling, but a different clash of two titans. I’m speaking of course of the same day releases of both the new Kanye West and Curtis Jackson CDs. Seething how Curtsy Boo Boo hasn’t really made anything I found aurally pleasing since he was on mixtapes, I considering buying extra copies of Kanye’s CD just because the schadenfreude in me wanted to see Curtsy Boo Boo fall.

I thought of all that was wrong with Hip Hop: the commercialized hollowness, the homogenize ringtones, the snap and crackle of the pop hits, the petty beef, the grandiose ego stroking, and the lack of authentic talent.

I thought of G-Unit and Curtsy Boo Boo and what they represented: commercialized hollowness, the homogenize ringtones, the snap and crackle of the pop hits, the petty beef, the grandiose ego stroking, and the lack of authentic talent.

And then I thought, perhaps a colossal failure of Curtis would indeed be just what is needed to save Hip Hop. Just think-if the man who has shaped himself into the image and representative of Hip Hop in corporate and mainstream America were to fail, it would be a huge indicator that true fans are in fact over the party and bullshit, and would allow the true heads an opportunity to regroup, reform, rebuild.

To save Hip Hop, the 9.11.07 showdown couldn’t be between two more appropriate candidates. Sure Curtis could have gone against Hov, but at this point, they are both too much of corporate shills, albeit shills for their own corporations, to represent the true grimey, street, revolutionary spirit of Hip Hop. However, despite the ego and Bush tirade, Kanye has managed to establish himself quite well within corporate, mainstream and true hip hop communities. Kanye, at least against Curtsy Boo Boo (and despite the wardrobe), represents the everyman. The David to Curtis’ Goliath. The true musician against the pop tart.

September 11^th might again represent the fall of a great power. If orchestrated correctly it could also prove to be the rebirth as well. Much like the phoenix that rose from the ashes, both hip hop and Curtis could both be resurrected, emerging stronger, smarted, more focus and authentic. By killing 50, we might be able to take Hip Hop back.