COMPARISON: Hip-Hop is like Beer.

(Or is it the other way around...either way, it's an interesting way to think about two things so prevalent in our culture.) There are pretty much two kinds: The First The generally accessible and accepted. Generally watered down. You're not expecting art, you're expecting a good time. And it never disappoints. When it's at a party, people understand instantly what they can expect. It makes no apologies for the stereotypes it so efficiently upholds. The Second This is craft. This is genre challenging exploration into the depths of what is known. A richness worth searching for. It requires either a knowledge of personal taste or an open mind (and hopefully both). It also carries with it an understanding of itself, but one representing passion. And it's fans are just as passionate (and snobby). I am not saying one is better than another. Both have their good and bad qualities. I just put this out there as a way of relating one thing to another. It is interesting to note though that the hip-hop of the first category is generally present with it's corresponding beer. The same with the second. So there's that, hip-hop is to beer as beer is to hip-hop. It's no life changing revelation but it could help you work out your next playlist and 6-pack choice.