What Is Hip Hop?

So… Is It really Hip Hop?

Everybody has a different perception of what Hip-Hop is and should be. When this question pops up, it is guaranteed to create a debate.  This discussion has been had countless times and depending upon who you ask, the answer always changes.  We all know where Hip-Hop started and with whom but the question still remains, when we hear certain songs… Can we really call that Hip-Hop? 

For the longest time, rappers were judged on their lyrical skill and content.  As time went on, the genre changed and different factors started to come into play.  Nowadays, there is a lot of music in the Hip Hop culture that incorporates catchy hooks, auto-tune, and other things that for me, give it a borderline “Hip Hop” status.  I recently had this conversation with someone over the new Drake tune “Find Your Love”.  A friend of mine tried to tell me that this was a “Hip Hop” song.  I disagreed completely.  This was a Hip Hop artist singing a song.  I want to call it R&B Hop, if you will.  But that’s just my opinion.  I mean, it is a great song but where are the “Hip Hop” characteristics to it?  It sounds like an up-beat RNB tune.  It is a signature “Drake” tune, well written and the beat is catchy.