In the wake of Pop Smoke’s murder earlier this week, many artists have provided their various takes on the tragedy.

On Wednesday (February 19) – only hours after the news broke — dead prez MC stic headed to Instagram with his own “RIP” post alongside a unique perspective on the state of Hip Hop culture. The veteran artist suggested Hip Hop is no longer recognizable in its original form.

Instead, he said it’s become a culture where negativity is consistently celebrated, a stark contrast from the early days when Hip Hop was intended to uplift and inspire.

“As a culture in Hip Hop, broadly speaking, we seem addicted to glorifying supporting perpetuating and celebrating negativity,” he began. “We support and celebrate misogyny, self hate, fratricide, homicide and genocide, and we do it with pure arrogance and ego, in almost everywhere you turn in mainstream and social media. Rappers have become the joke of the culture, spitting out nonsense in flashy and catchy ways for the chance of fame and financial gain. Every major radio channel amplifies it.

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