the golden age of hiphop?

You're far too cynical, Adam. Though the idea of Mos Def taking the style of "Rock'n'Roll" further is not something I want to imagine.

Very *very* good analogy, Tom.

tom, how does a scene with 'no conflict' ('huge unchanging block party') affect the quality of the music? are you implying that there should be conflict (or PAIN) for music to be good or interesting? isn't this a bit close to all the defenders of music because it has 'soul', unlike all 'the britneys of the world'? eh?

Sorry, 'no conflict' was a reference to how the Greeks conceptualised the golden age, being as their own one involved much local warring, internecine strife, low life expectancy etc. etc. Clearly the idea of a time with no conflict is a fantasy, albeit an appealing one: the point was to underscore the impossibility of the 'golden age' and to remind ppl that the term originated as a reference to something placid and event-free.

Ethan, are you trying to say that there's isn't conflict between Britney and Christina? What would you call it?

well, just as much conflict as there was between tribe and wreckx-n-effect. they fucked up q-tip's eye, man!