Things are broken. The industry is failing. The current business model is simply not working. The artists the media are forced to write about are exceedingly mediocre. Remember when awards shows used to be looking forward to because it was a showcase for the best and most talented artists to perform alongside the most popular artists of the day? Well, awards show nowadays have completely lost their allure. Guess why?

We’re stuck right now. This phenomenon is not exclusive to the music industry, either. 2010 was one of the worst years for quality films in recent memory as well (this includes the indie film industry even though the majority of films worth watching this past year were independent ones). Mediocrity is the order of the day and the current status quo. It’s been that way for years so why is this still a subject of a post? What new insight do I offer in regards to this problem? Let’s get to that.

Rap Radar is posting up it’s end of year lists and everyone’s in an uproar over them. Actually, every site and magazine that puts out a list has people in uproar over them. Back in the days, these lists would spark debate and water cooler talks but now they just seem like a cheap device to get “buzz” or “get people talking”.

In some cases, some selections made on these lists are so ridiculous I begin to wonder if they’re just made on purpose in order to spark controversy and create more traffic. It doesn’t even matter if it’s hate traffic. All that matters is that it’s increased site traffic and you can look at those Alexa numbers and brag about it later.

Amalgam Digital recently announced the signing of Lil’ B. It’s no secret that I hate Lil’ B’s entire DNA double helix. He has limited talent & lyrical ability but he uses shock tactics to create his buzz through social networking sites such as Twitter. When the guys at Amalgam Digital were criticized over signing him their attitude was more or less “whatever keeps people talking about us or gets our name hot”.

Provided Lil’ B’s album was dropping within two weeks of the announcement of his signing that position is understandable but is that the bottom line nowadays? “At least people are talking about us” translates into units sold or respect gained? I don’t think it does, personally.

That being the case this is how things work in the present day. It’s about everything but talent and the quality of the music. The more ridiculous or ignorant something is, the more it will grab headlines in the present tabloid media driven world. Fuck that. It’s time someone actually stands up and says enough. I’m not talking about me, though. I’ve been saying the same shit since 2002, damn near. Someone else in a position of power has to be willing to say enough is enough.

The homie Reggie Osse otherwise known as Combat Jack announced that he took over the digital & print managing editor job @ The Source Magazine a few days ago. Whereas we’ve had a gang of people in the media that have fought to keep the status quo, CJ has already vowed to take full responsibility for the Source Mics rating system that’s lost it’s meaning and luster tremendously in the past decade. That’s a step in the right direction, at least.

The bottom line is that the underwhelming quality of music and mediocre artists getting shine will continue to happen as long as those with any kind of authority or say so allow it to happen. Everytime a wack record gets played 20 times daily and a DJ who knows it’s wack says absolutely nothing so they can keep their job we all suffer for it.

Anytime a wack rapper gets the cover of a major magazine we’re instantly cosigning mediocrity and cult of personality over talent. Each time a veteran Hip Hop journalist who knows quality Hip Hop when they hear it makes allowances for a new artist who claims they’re “not trying to be lyrical” and doesn’t take them to task over that fact we all suffer for it. We’re already 15 years into the post Telecommunications Act Era. Things aren’t going to get any better for the mainstream music industry. Deal with it.

At some point, someone BESIDES the “angry” “underground” “Hip Hop purists” “backpackers” or “haters” need to address what’s going on and grow some balls. I been saying “Fuck you” to the status quo and mainstream since 1996. I been at this for the past 15 years fighting the wack and trying to put people on to new artists and music they don’t even know exists that the mainstream media steady ignores. I picked my side a long time ago. This isn’t even about me any more.

Those already in the music media are more than comfortable to report on the watered down game. They have no problem with making lists including garbage talent and convince themselves that because these so called “artists” are on the radio, covers of magazines or outdated charts that they’re “relevant” or “hot” they deserve to be witten about. They don’t want change. If they did instead of dredging through bullshit, they’d push to shine light on artists or music that are largely ignored or make for better subjects. No dice.

Whatever, as long as they know that when they have discussions about why mediocre music is “winning” nowadays and why the quality of artists has dropped off significantly in the past decade they can recognize it’s partly their fault for allow it to happen and not speaking up about it. My conscience is clear so I can sleep at night. Provided I actually slept at night, that is.

One.