In 2006 Nas dropped the album “hip hop is dead” at the time plenty of people were saying rap was at its lowest in terms of dominance and the power the artist held within the genre.

Fast forward 17 years and rap has dropped in 40% in sales with dominance clearly dropping within other genres.

Why has this happened again?

No rapper has taken over the “big 3” of J Cole drake and Kendrick. They’ve been the top dogs of the industry since 09/10 and not a single rapper has come close to them in terms of quality/impact/success.

In 09/10 we had Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Jay Z, Eminem, Lupe fiasco, TI, Young Jeezy, Q Tip and many others pushing each other and bringing out quality product.

Streaming - more songs, more listens, more money. You don’t see an album with fewer than 15 songs on an album. Throw 20 plus tracks on there will get you more money but the quality of the album also dips. And speaking of albums…

No one makes albums anymore, they are essentially playlists, no structure, throw anything on there.

Social media. You make one bad song or an okay album you’re seen as ‘mid’. Jack Harlow had the genre on lock and release the kids miss you and now he’s a ghost. Happened to chance the rapper to.

This genre NEEDS a new artist to push the genre or make the bigger artist step there game up. There is no competition which is what rap has always needed.

Very cool op very brave

Yeah it's a combination of a lot of things. That mid 2000s era can also be considered one of the worst too. Same with today

I think it won't be confirmed until a few more years pass. It could just fix itself again

There isn't a source for rap being down 40%

it happened again because all the rappers realized that pee is stored in the balls

rap reigns supreme at the end of decades, wait till 2026, it'll start to blow up again

Juicy J

she's our last hope

Tyler the Creator? Brockhampton? Jpegmafia?

All of these artists have put out amazing albums.

There’s still some great artists out there making quality albums. Whether or not they reach the heights of popularity of 2009 Lil Wayne is a separate ”issue”.

I personally don’t care what’s popular or culturally prevalent.

I agree with your points about streaming numbers and social media being bad for artistry though.
But that’s a reflection on the artists themselves.
Real ones won’t compromise their artistic vision.

"artists" only in it for monetary gain
the new big 3 dying before their explosion into the mainstream
other genres pushing the boundaries while hip hop stays stagnant

there you go

The new 'Hip Hop is dead' agenda only started after Ye went at the powers that be.

Terrible artists

But if that’s the case why is hip hop in its current state?

wack albums