Hip - Hop Is Dead/what I have learned

I just got done writing a paper over Nas CD 'Hip-Hop Is Dead.' When I first skimmed through the songs I was like oh my gosh I really need this extra credit, and I have no idea what he is saying. However, after I set down and listened to it again and talked with Scooby about what I thought it was saying and I felt a little better. My overall opinion was that the cd was really good. He talked a lot about how the music today is not the same as it was back when it began. Not only from this cd, but from class I have learned that people are not singing about hip - hop for the love of it, but now more for the money. This love for the money is also causing the wars between the East and West coast, they are all trying to be the best and are not just singing because they love what they do. He also talked about in one song called 'Not Going Back,' about how in his last cd he talked a lot about his life in Brooklyn, and how he was not going back to those days, but in this cd he was going to move forward.
I have not had a lot of experience in the background of hip - hop, but through our dicussions in class, and having to review the music I have learned a lot about the music and what it means. I just want to say that I really appreciate all the help the people in this class have done for me that know about hip - hop. Thanks so much because I know you have helped me more than you know. I have learned that not only is hip - hop about music, but it is also about life in general. The way you act, what you wear, ( I know this doesn't define you as hip - hop), and how you live your life.
I have really enjoyed this class though, at times it was really hard for me. I think that it has also made me dig a little deeper into the history and meaning of hip - hop, and through that I have made the first step in becoming a more knowlegeable person. It has been a lot of fun and I am kind of sad it is over.

Links:
http://www.nobodysmiling.com/hiphop/news/86206.php
http://www.rundmcmusic.com/
http://www.murderdog.com/archives/nas/Nas-1.jpg