The iconic West Coast gangsta rapper Xzibit has revealed that, in his opinion, rap music has degenerated and that “Hip-hop has become a mockery of itself.” During a recent interview, the emcee blasted the current state of hip-hop but also provided some solutions that could get the culture “out of the toilet.”
The Black Jewish Entertainment Alliance recently hosted a panel at the Recording Academy in Santa Monica, California, where Xzibit was one of the speakers. Alongside Bone Thugs-n-Harmony emcee Layzie Bone, Loud Records’ Steve Rifkind, and other important figures, the Pimp My Ride star spoke about the evolution of hip-hop over its 50 years and some strong words concerning its current state.
Speaking on the likes of Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and Sexyy Red, Xzibit (real name Alvin Joiner) commenced by addressing female rap, reflecting, “When we were crushing it, Lady of Rage was the only reference point that we have for females. There is room for different female rap. I think the shock value and the sexualized way that females are presenting Hip-Hop right now is like one note. We’ve heard that note. We’ve seen it.”
Joiner’s fellow speaker, Layzie Bone, also chipped in, telling the women, “As a lady, be a lady. Like, I’m not even impressed with these bitches on the internet. Have respect for yourself, and you will make the world respect you.”
However, Joiner admitted that after 50 years, hip-hop has become such a money-making machine that it has an allure that attracts talentless kids who are just in it to get a cheque. Elaborating on this, the LA musician explained, “Hip Hop is huge, and it [has] made so many people so much money, they think anybody can do it. Everyone feels that hip-hop is so accessible that anybody can do it.”
He continued, “It’s become a mockery of itself. It’s become too accessible. There was a time when there was somebody that you had to go into their office and get an investment into your career. Now, if you just have a laptop and WiFi, you can be an artist … People do themselves a disservice by trying to participate in that.”
Offering some advice to the community about how hip-hop can salvage what was a respectable culture of quality, Joiner concluded, “Until we own it, until we control it, until we have a say who gets to fuckin’ call themselves this and call themselves that — like everybody else — it’s gonna continue to spiral out of control.”
