Microcosms of Hip-hop

With the releasing of the new Nas album i felt it appropriate to open discussion on two of my favorie emcees and why i consider them to be great. I find that whether you hate Nas or Jay-Z you have to respect them. They both show what hip-hop is about and that makes them real artist. Many rappers wash out in the industry because they build themselves as a brand and conform to a style and try to market that for an entire career. But as with most stagnet things, people often become tired and discard them with the news of yester years. However these two have evolved infront of our eyes. Their styles changing from "oochie wally" and "big pimpin" to "One mic" and "Beach Chair". Their work and endurance in the industry speaks for itself, that these two have never created a facade and when they matured it was reflected in their music nothing forced. For all those including Nas himself critiquing hip hop and claiming it is no longer relavent should remember at one point in time even he made work that wasnt the most inspiring and just like he has, hip hop shall move in it's cycles and grow and mature. ~R. Esquire