Lack of Inspiration

Is it just me, or does the hip hop (or what we have expanded the genre to encompass these days) not inspire and motivate like it used to? I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks because I really haven't felt passionately about anything lately in music other than Kanye's new album. I was pretty occupied with my last project, but now that I have free time and find myself not only exhausted, but with nothing new worth really listening to. I used to live for the "new shit," and did what I needed to have it first. But lately, I just don't have that same feeling. I need someone I value as credible to put me on before I even listen to most new music.

When I used to work for Irie, I would go through hundreds of emails a day of Mp3s from labels and artists to just hear more BS after BS. It gets really discouraging. I don't really know who is to blame. Can't blame people for wanting to be heard, but is anyone out there regulating the quality of these records lately, or are they just putting this shit out there. It's getting to the point where there is so much music out there now, I don't know what to listen to, or even want to take that chance. I would rather sit here and listen to my Biggie albums, and Jay's Reasonable Doubt, and most music produced prior to 2001.

Anytime I'm frustrated or discourage, nothing does my soul better than that "back in the day." I'm young, but I remember being in middle school dubbing tapes off the radio or burning cds and bringing them to my music class and trying to sneak them on the boom box to put people on. I though to myself today, damn I used to make a mix cd every couple days in the Napster era. I had hundreds of mixes filling my cases. I was so THIRSTY for the new stuff, and it was all good. Now I skip through other people's mixes looking for SOMETHING to relate to or catch my ear.

So, I'm asking you as a reader, to PUT ME ON to some REAL legitimate shit!!!
Where is the longevity with today's artists? How long will they really be around? Do labels even care, or is it all about singles and one hit wonders?

Are we in a transition period where the best is yet to come, or is this as good as it gets? Don't let me down....