Rap is Dead?

I've pretty much become a believer that rap is dead... at least the gangsta/thug/slapaho/ice version that the labels, radio and all those stupid award shows try to cram down buyers' throats. It's totally like what happened to 80s hair metal. While the first 2 Van Halen records were great, Warrant's Cherry Pie, White Lion's Wait and Whitesnake's Is This Love, not great.

Like all trends, people get sick of getting force-fed Crap, and that's what's happening once again with Black Eyed Peas, Young Jeezy and whatever else is blasting from the ear buds of pizzafaced teenagers in Omaha (I suppose).

To make (or not to make) my point. Check out this badass Ratatat remix of a Notorious B.I.G.'s Party and Bullshit [Click here, listen to song] It's a great example of why rap is dead -- because the new stuff can't hold its ground next to the old stuff.

Here's their awesome mix of Devin Da Dude's The Mule to round it off. Anyone else think Rap is dead? Or at least will be forced back to its roots?