Hip-Hop and Rap have come a long way since the 1990’s. I would personally say the modern rap industry has taken a turn for the worse. This is not without saying there are many good rappers in 2018. For example Kanye West, Chief Keef, and Mac Miller are all amazing artists.

The main reason I prefer 90s rap, though, is that these artists were all authentic. They all grew out of lives of poverty and truly created art with those experiences. Many of these rappers grew up in the ghetto and had to deal with many deep-rooted experiences. These experiences gave them a gift, so when singing, they could relate themselves to the audience.

Another important part of 90s rap was that there was little to no autotuning. Every major artist such as Ice Cube, Tupac, and The Notorious B.I.G. could perform live with little equipment. They were true musicians in which they themselves were the instrument. I feel that most rappers typically sound the same in 2018. But in the 90s there was a clearly defined difference between someone like Ice Cube vs. someone like Snoop Dogg.

The true reason rap has gotten so bad is because in 2018 it worships the cult of me. Rap now worships me, myself, and I. Artists now merely use others for self gain, and to further their own career. Albums are filled to the brim with featured artists, and artists rarely stick together permanently. They hardly do it for fun as much as they used to. Rap has grown more corporate through this. Artists only rely on themselves and their manager. Back in the 90s groups such as the Geto Boys, N.W.A, and Wu Tang Clan were prominent. These groups worked amazingly because each member had a different style. In N.W.A’s case, Dr. Dre made the beats, Ice Cube was a lyrical genius, and Eazy E rapped quickly.

All of this is to say that if rap returns to its roots and seeks more talent, the golden age of rap could come back.