Pete Rock has shared his perspective on the present state of Hip Hop culture, highlighting his belief that the genre has succumbed to greed. The influential producer posted an Instagram clip featuring Erick Sermon discussing the unrecognizable transformation of Hip Hop from its origins and its current stagnation.
In his post, the 53-year-old New Yorker suggested renaming the music to “WTF [facepalm emoji],” expressing frustration at what he perceives as an unsuccessful attempt to create a narrative. He criticized the contemporary focus on money, stating that the pursuit of the “bag” has eroded the culture’s integrity, making it appear insincere. Pete Rock emphasized that today’s Hip Hop lacks the historical and authentic essence that was once its hallmark.
Referencing an interview with Erick Sermon on the Say Word! Podcast from mid-November, Pete Rock echoed Sermon’s sentiments about the current state of the genre. Sermon, a co-founder of EPMD, bluntly asserted that what is now labeled as Hip Hop does not align with his understanding of the craft he helped pioneer. He advocated for a change in the name of the genre, emphasizing that true evolution involves the progression seen from artists like Melle Mel to Rakim, Wu-Tang Clan, Murder Inc., DMX, Cam’ron, Dipset, and others.
While acknowledging artists like Ludacris, Migos, and Soulja Boy for their originality, Sermon expressed concern that contemporary music is stuck in a singular place, hindering its true evolution. Both Pete Rock and Erick Sermon lamented the shift in focus from artistic expression to commercial success, expressing a desire for a return to the authenticity and diversity that characterized the earlier days of Hip Hop.
