The document reflects on the evolution of hip hop from its roots of political and social messages to its current focus on materialism and conspicuous consumption. It discusses how hip hop now promotes the lavish lifestyle through music rather than addressing issues, and questions where hip hop can go from here as the focus has shifted away from collective empowerment to individual wealth and extravagance. The author expresses disappointment that hip hop no longer provides value or virtue through its messages and images, but instead encourages followers to spend beyond their means chasing status symbols.

1. What’s mine is mineIncluding my musicDown to the hook / beat / melody / mediumBut never mind the messageIgnoring it like we do the other issuesBecause this is feel good musicNo time for that eco / environmental / energy efficient(Privileged) stuffOh, hip hop, how I loved you earlyBut we were both new / And young / And brokeSo I let you get away with that smooth talkThat political talkThat how do I make my sistas and brothas lives better talkBut now

2. I’m in control thoughAware of my avariceBut I prefer to say my preferencePreferring the finer things / the shiny things / the disposable thingsOh, hip hop, they thought you would be thrown away tooBut you stuck around teaching ghetto economic lessonsAnd I was an attentive studentSo now …

3. Oh, hip hopThere’s a thin line between love and hateBut the line began to blurSomewhere between bottle poppin and buyin out the clubIt’s getting harder for me to tell what’s realSo I’ll just take it all as worthyWorthy of imitation / reiteration / duplication / amplificationYou see,

4. And I accept thisTorn between knowing betterAnd just not really giving a damnBecause the lifestyle you leadLooks far better than what I have going onProblematic?Maybe.Constantly comparing characteristics of your life to mineBecause what you have I don’t haveBut I can buy itPlease just tell me where to buy itBorderline masochismMaking, no forcing, me to be aware of my “lack of”

5. And I cannot be asked to stunt softerI’m a hustler baby, I just want you to knowIt’s not about my brain / but just spending this doughBut don’t look at me with those judging eyesLike poor little hip hop girlIsn’t this just the dreamOur dreamThe American dreamThis ain’tnothin but success

6. Get moneyGet attentionGet recognitionGet validationGet more moneyOh hip hop, we’re stuck in this never ending loopRemixing and remediating selfish consumptionTo people (by choice or by circumstance) without abilityTo discern borrowed chains and rented mansionsBut what do I expect when

7. Money as the root of all evilMight be far too simpleWhat are we doing with our checks?Oh, hip hopMaking it rain at the strip clubOnly creates thunderstorms of missed opportunity(And paper cuts in unmentionable places)Can’t afford milk and eggsBut I identity with Jacob the jeweler

8. Maybe if this is only a he thingThen this materialism thingIs a man thingNot a woman thingA you thingNot a me thingBut in our quest to be independentWe just acquired more and more thingsOn budgets made of shoe stringWho cares! Got me a certified VBS diamond ring

9. Oh hip hop, to be one of the boysI just have to shop like themCan’t talk like themWalk like themOr have sex like themBut there’s equality in exploitationEconomically speakingTaking care of school / work / householdIs goodBut not good enoughSo instead ill get my hair didMy nails didFeet did tooAnd this makes me

10. Unfortunately this is not a him versus herOr what is versus what wereBecause time moves alongPropelling us to be progressiveIn how we buyAnd shareAnd saveAnd interactOh hip hop, don’t fall behindLike the guy that wears cornrows past his primeHesitation in your resignation of gettingMoney / paper / cheese / cheddar / scrilla or guapAffects your followers’ ability to live and live well You see,

11. I don’t know where we went astrayWhat once was about collective thought / group action / communal bondingTurned staleHappy for your commercial successSelling out arenas / selling out records / selling out the landOh, hip hop I’ve loved you and followed youAnd you reciprocate with images of decadenceThat cost more than my few paltry centsSo it seems that what we have been sharingHas been of no real value or virtueSo, where do we go from here because