As we all know hip hop got its start in the Bronx by the creative minds who paved the way for all MCs today. As it stands the state of hip hop has been somewhat questionable considering the technological advances of our soceity. Record sales have been droping over the last few years due to file sharing and illegal downloading. With all the changes going on in the industry, MCs from the south have managed to capture a victory by introducing a new style and swag to the game. While the south continues to buzz the industry northern MCs particularly those in NEw York have considered hip hop to be dead. According to the veterin MC Nas, hip hop as a whole is not dead, however, hip hop as New Yorkers know it is dead. I take this to mean the south has changed the game in such a way that the northern style of hip hop seems not to work anymore.
In out rage of this statement northern MCs are trying to resurect the game. Record companies are backing them by puting out older artist with hopes to awaken the fans of hip hop. With that said, New York style hip hop is back on the rise. Over the past months we have seen rappers from each Boro compete with each other to be the sole called king of New York. From Queens we have 50 cent and the G unit, from Brooklyn we have Jay-z and rocafella, and from Harlem we have Camron and the Dip set. All this is good but where is the Bronx?
When looking at the history of hip hop one may think the Bronx would hold the tittle. After all its where hip hop started. The last time the Bronx had a strong force that cammanded a roll in hip hop was when Big Pun was introduced to the game by fat joe and the terror squad. The punisher was a rising star with his true to life lyrics combined with his genius and terrorising style. Since his passing it has felt as if the Bronx has been in a state of murning. No male MC has been able to pick up his torch and carry it to the finish line. Many attemps have been made but time will be the only thing that will tell.
Recently a female MC from the Bronx has sparked some interest. Remy Martin was introduced to the game by the punisher on his second album titled "yeah Baby"and has since stoped the bleeding. She calls her self shesus christ in her newest track tittled just that, shesus christ. She gives reference to her being the Bronx savior. The question still stands. Is she one?
Lately a new MC from the Bronx that goes by the name of Jay Star has begun to rise and this time its with a vengence. In a recent interview when asked what he thinks about the state of hip hop as it relates to the Bronx he answers, " I think Hip Hop has been suffering because its been away from home to long. I think the game ows something to the Bronx and things will not change until it rest its head back in its original bed." Jay Star has been writing songs since he was 12 and is now competing in the loud.com competition to secure a record contract with SRC and 100k.
Whats interest me is Remy Martin is an artist who is already signed by SRC and when it comes to Jay Star that might be a conflict of interest. But is it really? It seems as if Remy has been going at it alone for a while. I think Jay Star might be just what the doctor ordered.
