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Busta and Ozzy, DMX and Marilyn

© Steve Juon

It seems that hip-hop meets rock is now back in vogue again.

Not since the release of the collaborative "Judgment Night" soundtrack has such a wealth of hip-hop meets rock combos been seen on the musical scene. Both Busta Rhymes and DMX have collaborated on their new album with well known stars of metal and hard rock; and word has it that up and coming rap star Eminem will as well.

What invokes the sudden surge? At least one well known rock band, Monster Magnet, has been quoted in interviews as saying that hip-hop is "the last true rock'n'roll", the only place where heedless abandon and true high living are the marks of the attitude. Their lead singer was quoted as saying that rappers do all the things rockers don't anymore: drive fast expensive cars and get high.

This is a partial answer, but it doesn't cover the full picture. What's equally obvious is that rock'n'roll feels it's fan base is waning and they want to attract some crossover pull from rap. After all, Busta Rhymes and DMX are both recognized as multi platinum artists who get as much or more airplay on MTV than their rock compatriots of equal status do.

I'm not being intentionally cynical - I applaud rock artists who genuinely want to cross the boundaries of their own genre and expand the musical possibilities for all artists. But I think it also bears watching what their intentions are and whether or not the music industry wants to "co-opt" hip-hop instead of giving rap artists their own due. Given how rock was originally black music but became a white dominated art form after it was co-opted by major labels, this bears watching.

Peace, Flash

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