So here we are. Ten years later. It’s hard to believe another decade has gone by. A lot can happen in ten years; much can change. Hip Hop underwent some major changes and turns between 2000-2009. Aside from the Y2K scare throughout the ’99 year and the ensuing mini-panic from people on New Years Eve 1999, Hip Hop saw a lot of growth, set back, and just plain old “mess” during this 10-year period. What I do here is give you the top ten major events and shifts in Hip Hop during this last decade. So let’s get this thing going.

10) The Virtual Hip Hopper: Hip Hop and rap embrace the internet as a newborn loves to be swaddled. At the end of the 90’s and 20th century, most Hip Hoppers barely knew of ring-tones, I-Tunes downloads, and the latest videos sent to your phone. This decade saw a phenomenal increase in the use of internet related media and Hip Hop. It’s almost an oxymoron to not have a website, Facebook, or MySpace page if you are a rapper. Moreover, it is almost insane if you are not having your videos and or songs shown somewhere on the internet as an artist. The internet revolution has opened up the doors for a lot of cats to get their name out there without the “middle man” of a major label.

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