Rakim Blames 'Noo Yawk', not the South for Hip Hop's Downfall

From All Hip Hop Rakim, one of the legends of Hip-Hop, has attributed the lack of balance and possible death on Hip-Hop to his hometown of New York. Rakim made the proclamation about New York in an interview with Jenny Boom Boom of Hot 93.7 in Hartford, Connecticut.

“There is a certain realm of Hip-Hop [that is missing] and you might have to blame that on New York,” Rakim said. “New York is responsible for bringing that raw, that real gritty Hip-Hop, because we originated it.” He said there was hope, if the region got back to the staple sound that hit its zenith in the 80’s and 90’s.
“New York and the East Coast, we gotta represent and do our part. And it’s OK for everybody else to do what they do. Then it will be a balance and everybody’ll be happy.” Read more>> Hear the interview>>