Hip Hop Where is it Going?

Many questions are being formed concerning the state of hip-hop. Some have declared it Dead,some surprisingly are satisfied with its current predictament.
Recently there has been a tidal wave of overwhelming tension, a see-saw battle between the north and the south.The Forefathers and the current Southern Chart toppers. A hip hop civil war one would say.
One side argues the point of hip-hop being a medium to promote fun. They Say they are ambassadors to the youth. Even though most of there lyrics are vulgar,demoralizing audio excerpts of inner self hatred.They confidently tell you that's its only music enjoy.What confuses me more than anything is enjoy we have.The other side argues that Hip Hop is Dead, some still holding on to some invisible life line strongly believe that Hip Hop isn't Dead yet But it's certainly
lays on its death bed preparing its last words.
Even more puzzling is the fact that the majority of urban music consumers don't even have a view point. It seems as if the masses have settled for watered down lyrics, stripper themed anthems and stereotypical mannerism.In short most of Hip-Hop as turned into the Minstrel show of the New Millennium. I am convinced that Spike Lee is a Genius he saw it all coming.
What has caught my attention is the lack of leadership portrayed by these rap titans. All of these rappers handle microphones on a daily basis, but none of the devices are being used to there full potential.
They haven't the slightest idea of how much power they hold when there clutching that mic.
You would think that if you take a brother out of the urban battle zones of what is known to main stream America as the Inner City,that that brother would have something positive to say. A message that would deter the youth from the wiles of the street life. But what comes out is just the opposite.What you get is a brother telling you to idolize all the things that has made his life a living hell.
We are at a point where artist take 50 cent for example,Can get shot up multiple times and turn it into a marketing scheme.and we the American public has bought into it.These are the people we choose as role models.And its not all there fault they simply give us what we want.A while back Kanye West made what will probably be the Most controversial statement a Mc will ever make,When he Proclaimed "George Bush Doesn't Care About Black People". Immediately his comment set America a blaze.While most of black America agreed. The Blacks in the public eye played it safe. Saying that because Kanye is a entertainer and not a Politician he had no right to say such a thing about the president.But today i ask you,Why not? Why aren't more Hip Hop artist using their power and right to freedom of speech.Frankly put why are there so many Uncle Toms in hip-hop.
My answer is because it pays.In the midst of Hip Hop growing to the most sought after genre of music.Its has lost its political edge.It has lost its Social Awareness.Its has lost its quality.and most Importantly Hip Hop has Lost its Life.Please post your views all comments are welcomed.