There's alot of talk about who's holding down the hip-hop game. From conducting a small study, Lil Wayne and many other southern artists are still controlling the reigns of this "hip-hop" band-wagon we're all on. It shouldn't come as to much of a suprise for many "head-nodders" as t.v. and radio can tell us the truth to that. I've read dozens of VIBE mags, The Source and even down to the "relic" mag known as "Word-Up." No matter where I've looked, what I've watched or read, a Hip-Hop buzz is definitely vibing throughout the world. I'm talking places you wouldn't think even had a radio signal! Ukraine, Belgrade and Germany even. From a quote off of his website; www.daveyd.com/germany.html; entitled "HIP-HOP IN GERMANY" written by: Boris Heimberger in c. 1996april/may (bomb hip hop magazine #46); even in the mid-'80's, hip hop was making its ascent into the realm it owns currently. In brief the article talks of a european kid in the mid 80's leaving his country to come visit America. While on vacation he visited some record shops and was privy to certain artists, at the time, who were on top of the game. Artists like Melle Mel, KRS-One, Run DMC and even Sugar Hill. He then ultimately reflects back to his own country where hiphop is brewing and branching off into a different direction than that of it's counterpart distant cousin, the US. But above all, hip hop music has influenced millions, if not billions of people. Young kids growing up in broken homes hear the words and rythmic tunes of their favorite artists and find something to cling on to. A string of hope for the destitute. Or the infamous "white guy" bka "the wigga" in some cities. The du-rag, stocking cap, bandana wearing, pants sagging brother from the white mother, to even the CEO's of a reputable company (fortune 500) maybe....naaaaah. But the rank is definitely noted. Many top Execs have driven past me bumpin' Snoop Dogg's "Gin & Juice" , Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" or even Ice Cube's "West Side Connection!" No exaggeration! Hip hop is evolving and many of us are changing right along with it. Fashions are recycling from the 1970s just with a lil twist of the 21st Century. One thing I'd like to address folks is the explicit materials of these artists though. On a serious note, the music industry has got to figure a way for the little ones not to be able to have any kind of access to explicit material. As they do, we all see the labels. These are only warning the young'n's and nothing else. Most parents are away from the child when they listen to such music and it's important to raise our children without the bad languages. What do you guys think?