Does Hip-Hop Culture Promote a Culture of Death?

Now that Three 6 Mafia joins the list of Oscar Winners it appears like many critics of Hip-Hop Culture are using this time to point to the 'culture of death' they believe Hip-Hop Culture promotes.

In the Pacific News Service, a publication that provides an alternative view of news media, David Muhammad criticizes Three Six Mafia's song, "It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp" of promoting a culture of death.

He continues:

Many rappers are forced to promote a culture of death in order to make money in the industry. This is why my friend and colleague calls rappers the new age "sell outs," but somehow I might get that label for writing this article.

He even quotes Jay-Z's comment in The Black Album:

There is still a large segment of talented rap artists who promote positive images but are not given radio time and aren't signed to major labels. Even one of my favorite rappers, Jay-Z, had said on his last album, "I dumb down for my audience and double my dollars." He would rather rap with more consciousness, he said, but it wouldn't make him as much money. Jay Z is now President of one of the largest music companies in the country.

Although the author never seems to clearly state, what culture of death is, it appeared to me to be the image of pimps, drug dealers, hoes and such that are promoted throughout

[via Pacific News Service]

Smithsonian starts Hip-Hop Collection

The Smithsonian Institute is looking to collect Hip-Hop artifacts to exhibit in the National Museum of American History. Although the exhibit is not planned to open for another 3-4 years, the Smithsonian has already collected a pair of turntables used by disc jockey Grand Master Flash and a boombox owned by Fab Five Freddy.

The museum, based in Washington, receives more than 80 percent of its money from the federal government and aims to represent the breadth of American culture. Its collections range from the early American flag which inspired the national anthem, to costumes and props from popular television shows.

Look back for more information.

[via Yahoo]