Hip Hop is Thriving Part 2

As we approach the end of 2010, the evidence for Hip Hop's Vitality is still stronger.the past year has produced a string of quailty albums- from groups like talib kweli, the roots,nas &damian marley, and Rick Ross. A new crew of stars, most notable Nicki Minaj and drake, has released wildly successful debut albums, Eminem just garnered 10 grammys nominations, Kanye West's latest is earning critical raves and tearing up the charts.

President Obama proudly confesses to having a lil wayne album in his iPod

By all accounts, hip hop is as strong as ever. And that might be the real Problem.

Since it's beginnings, Hip hop has thrived as both a reflection of the frustrations of minority youth and as a source of power for those very same young people. While it's life has also been partially shaped by Voyeuristic white teens and corporate lonchos, hip hop has sustained it's cultural integrity by lingering on the margins of society and articulating the aspirations, vision and desires of our most vulnerable populations.