Is this a tired question? Is there even any point talking about it? Does this question fill you with strong views, passion and opinions? This question was posed just recently on the forum. I’ve been involved with the ‘industry’ for the best part of 6 years. I have seen how it works first hand. I’ve had my fair share of success and failure. Although, I’m less involved than I used to be my ear is still relatively near the ground.

Do you even care? I guess if you have ever been involved in UKHH, bought a CD, been to a gig had this discussion then the answer is no. The fact that people are still passionate about it enough to voice their opinions must be a positive thing for the genre. Healthy debate has to be a good look doesn’t it?

When we started the Hiphopalypse nights back in 2002, we made a point of being a ‘UK Hiphop’ night. I was proud to be part of a vibrant, up-and-coming music scene with a shitload of talented people involved. Back when the likes of Jehst, Phi Life, Task Force, Out Da Ville, Buttercuts (I could go on), played at our nights the scene seemed alive and well. We always made a point of representing other genres of music at the night. Doing this not only allowed us to make the nights more more fun we also used it as a way of introducing UKHH to people that wouldn’t go to a strictly UKHH night.

Things have changed since the heady days of Hiphopalypse. I was of the opinion till recently, that I was just my being nostalgic, “Oh things were much better then” & “they don’t make UK Hiphop like they used to” but questions like this make me think maybe I’m right. There doesn’t seem to be the same buzz around the music like there was.

I know some would argue that there are still artists/acts out there making good UK Hiphop. I think I have also maybe become a little older/tired/sceptical of it all. I do think it’s a lot harder for the UK Hiphop to survive in the age of free digital music. Artists were never going to make a living (well maybe a very select few) from UKHH. Instead, they made enough from bookings, selling their CDs & Vinyl at gigs and through online store like Suspect and Scenario to keep the scene healthy.

My main source for hearing what’s new is through the internet. It seems that these days it’s difficult for ‘underground’ artists with no record deals to get noticed. The amount of spam emails and add requests I receive (and ignore) means I may have well missed out on some decent tunes. I don’t check all my spam messages and don’t add everyone on our Myspace.

Anyway, it’s a debate I think is worth having. I for one hope this is just a small lull in the bigger picture. If there’s any young passionate UKHH heads out there, my advice is - get involved! Put on a night, organise a cypher, record a mix, write a review, whatever! You wont make huge sums of money but you’ll have a lot of fun…