Freeway said recently, ‘I feel like Hip Hop is coming back…’. He went on to mention Nas’ ‘Life Is Good’ and Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music project as inspirations for his statement. That got me thinking: is hip hop back?

The death of hip hop is a common and popular theme. Even Nas released an album debating the point. However, the recent windfall of ground-breaking releases seem to suggest that we are heading in a new direction. Hip hop’s hottest property, Kendrick Lamar, changed the game with ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city’ but he isn’t the only one. The aforementioned G.O.O.D Music album, along with Slaughterhouse, have announced an exciting trend for uniting heavyweight talent. Other artists like Frank Ocean, Solange (Knowles), Meek Mill, Cassidy and many others are demonstrating the strength of a style often mired in nostalgia.

Some artists have used electro stylings to create new soundscapes and textures, paving the way for a true evolution of ideas. When I say electro I don’t mean an MC rapping over a dance beat to break into the pop charts. I’m talking about a deeper, more creative use of traditionally electronic instruments and arrangements, moulded with classic hip hop themes to produce a new style.

So, where has it all come from? Personally, I take Kanye’s ’808s and Heartbreak’ as an inspiration for the advancement of the genre. When a big name goes in a different direction it can show the way to others. I don’t know whether any artists would cite that album as a reference but it certainly turned my head. Of course, I’m not suggesting that Kanye is solely responsible for this change but he definitely started something.

In other hip hop strongholds, like Britain and France, there seems to be a similar regeneration. Artists like Mystro (Britain) and Sexion D’Assaut (France) are moving things forward with critically acclaimed albums. After all, the US isn’t the only place to hear good hip hop!

Finally, we have to look at the pop world’s acceptance of the genre. Truly creative hip hop has been neglected a little of late. This could be down to the fact that indie and electro have taken the lion’s share of the headlines recently, lead by a predominantly rock-based press corps. It could also be because a new and more open approach to collaboration, with artists from different genres, has helped to keep things fresh. This new generation simply cannot be ignored, and the reviews have steadily become more and more glowing. The credibility of hip hop within the mainstream press had suffered but that seems to be changing.

In the end, great music demands respect and some of the best releases of 2012 came from artists within the wider world of hip hop. Kendrick and Frank Ocean have topped many ‘Best of 2012′ lists and the next year could be even better. Releases are expected from the likes of Azealia Banks, A$ap Rocky, J.Cole and Kid Cudi along with potential new albums from Eminem, G.O.O.D Music, and Jay-Z and Kanye West (who are both looking at releasing new solo albums, as well as a follow up to their universally successful ‘Watch The Throne’). So, Is hip hop back? Absolutely!