[Sahara]

I agree with you, Bamboozled. I've pretty much stopped listening to a lot of the hip hop that comes out today because it just doesn't compare to what I listened to growing up.
The sad thing I've experienced is, when someone who doesn't understand tries to reject another for not subscribing to the lastest and newest thing.
Like you said, the people who really eat this stuff up are suburban white kids who enjoy the capitalization of the urban culture. Now, music and movies are made to cater to these audiences. There's little to no authenticity in what's produced. It doesn't "say" anything.
I've been trying to listen to and learn more about jazz, but even that is full of the comercialized "smooth jazz".