What makes a good song so appealing to the people who buy CDs and MP3 files? Is it the background beats or the guitar riffs played? Is it the voice of the lead singer or how high he or she can take his vocals to? The truth is that the most important part of most songs, techno possibly being an exception, is the lyrics, or the words of the song. The lyrics are the meat of any song, and are usually the part that is most recognizable from any song. They are an integral part of any music tune and it would be a mistake for any artist to take them lightly.

As mentioned before, the most recognizable part of any song is usually the lyrics. What this means is that when someone is looking for a song they heard on the radio, they will probably remember some key lines from the chorus. They are not, however, likely to remember a well-done guitar solo or something of that sort. While instrumental play is important as well, people usually link songs with the words inside the music. This is because words are not only much easier to remember than instrument music is, they are also easy to translate to someone else. For example, it would be much easier to find a CD if you know the words to a song than if you knew the drum beats from a song.

Lyrics are often commonly considered to be the single artistic part of music as well. While this is certainly not true from a musicians standpoint, as guitars and drums take a lot of practice and time to master, it doesn’t change the fact that many people feel that a good song must have quality lyrics. Good lyrics will relate to a person’s life and make them feel better about a bad situation. Bad lyrics will focus on trivial parts of life that really don’t matter and will have no deeper meaning to them after the song is over. Artists will find that after a while people tire of hearing the same old stuff about showing off gold chains and shaking behinds. Many music fans are looking for songs that have meanings, and this in turn means that artists need to spend more time on their lyrics.

Remember that before it was stated that lyrics are important because of how they can be recognized. This is double-fold when you consider that good lyrics in one song can sometimes single-handedly assure an artists legacy. Journey is one good example of this, as their biggest hit in “Don’t Stop Believing” is a pop culture hit that has never lost fans throughout the decades since it’s release. On the other hand, artists without a standout lyrical song will often find themselves fade out of the picture as their era in music ends.

All in all, lyrics are an important part of any song and the words are the part fans look to the most for inspiration and meaning. Artists who come up with great lyrics are usually the ones most revered long past their prime, so it is important that they focus on this part of a song!

The emergence of hip-hop in the early 70's produced four elements, which continue to be mainstays of the genre: disc jockeying or a DJ, break dancing, emceeing or an MC, and graffiti art. How prominent are these elements today and how were they represented during BET's first annual hip-hop awards in Atlanta? Upon acceptance of the "I Am Hip-Hop Icon Award," rap pioneer, Grandmaster Flash paid homage to a host of DJs. According to Flash, DJ's were once the gatekeepers between the record labels and the streets. In 1996, thriving regional radio stations that reflected a community's heart and soul were replaced by media conglomerates with syndicated play lists. Followed by a myriad of changes in music distribution and leadership at radio stations and record labels, the fire that fueled hip-hop's reputation began to fade. To maintain integrity, Flash encouraged a shifting to the way things use to be--where new music was received and circulated by the DJs. Knowing that DJs spend all of their time in tune with the streets via clubs and parties, Flash commented, "It makes sense that [DJs] break a record." Flash also admonished MCs to allow DJs to perform on stage. "The template was designed for DJs to play a part," he said. Embodying the original template, Atlanta's DJ Drama, was among several DJs who held it down on stage alongside notable MCs. Even though break dancing and poppin' are nostalgic forms of hip-hop both are visible in varying forms of dances including the Bay Area's hyphy. Newer dances that help hip-hop maintain its hype include snap, shoulder lean, motorcycle, and chicken noodle soup. DJ Unk and the Big Oomp Camp showed attendees just how easy it was to walk-it-out in sync. While MCs abound in every corner of the globe, talent comparable to the innovators who dominated the 80's and 90's is hard to come by. As hip-hop aficionados anticipate "the new," music executives search desperately for the one or ones who will carry the hip-hop torch to the next phase. Invariably, advances in technology and a shortage of lyricists who have solid albums have caused a noticeable erosion of hip-hop's staying power.

For the past six years, hip-hop was the top-selling genre over R&B and country music and was second only to rock music. This year's lack-luster Billboard ratings are a warning sign of the genre's potential to slow to a lull until new life respires. Pending change, BET Hip-Hop award recipient, Common is the current standard for aspiring lyricists. Busta Rhymes, Lil Wayne, Lupe Fiasco, and T.I. are among his peers. Graffiti art was once an economic menace to society. For years, buildings, buses, trains, sidewalks, etc., were regular targets for unwanted and unappreciated artist tags. Today, graffiti art is perhaps the most embraced aspect of the hip-hop culture. New canvases of the profitable, permanent, and mobile enterprise now include skin (by way of tattoos), clothing, and vehicle wraps. Among the many artists profiling their "tag" or some else's during the awards were The Game, Nelly, Jim Jones, Chamillionaire, T.I., and Juelz Santana. As it relates to the four elements of hip-hop, BET's hip-hop award show recognized exceptional work and contribution to the hip-hop genre by acknowledging the Producer of the Year, Lyricist of the Year, Hip-Hop Dance of the Year, and Director of the Year. For a complete listing of award winners, visit: www.bet.com/Music/hiphopawardswin ners.htm?wbc_purpose=Basic& ;WBCMODE=PresentationUnpu blished