With the growing success of the Jay-Z/Mary J. Blige tour, there has been some media attention focused on the art of hip-hop performance. In an article printed in the Detroit Free Press, it stated that hip-hop concert sales have always lagged behind that of its rock and pop counterparts. While acts like the Rolling Stones can rock stadiums and collect a pension check at the same time, many rap artists fail to fill small clubs and other performance venues. As stated in the article, there were NO hip-hop artists listed in the top 100 grossing tours of 2007. Let’s examine the reason for this, what can be done, and if it’s even possible for hip-hop artists to tour as big as their diamond necklaces and rings.The article talks about hip-hop tours back in the day and how they were underfunded, promoted and undersupported by corporate entities. Honestly, that’s really a shame, because that’s when hip-hop was more of a performance art and your live performance mattered as much, if not more than what you spit on wax. If Run-DMC, Beastie Boys, Fat Boys, etc. toured together as they back then now during their prime, they would be caking. Their performance was their thing more than the record because hip hop wasn’t selling as much back then. Also, their love meant that their energy and passion for their music showed when they got on stage. That’s not the case anymore.Most rappers don’t care about their onstage performance. Most of them don’t go beyond grabbing their crotch, pointing and waving at the crowd to do things. At best, their performance skills are mediocre and it shows that they have no practice performing in front of people. Hip-Hop has always been about the performance and the crowd could be rocked without a bomb light show and pyrotechnics. Not anymore. I go to alot of shows and 90% of the Hiphop shows have alot of empty seats and are half full. There are 2 reasons, money is tight these days, and hip hop artists have no gimmicks,no lights,no stage personality except grabbing there crotch and pacing back and forth across the stage. How played out is that!!So what can be done? Artists need to focus more on their overall package. Honestly, there is more money in touring than there ever could be in CD sales, nobody buys music anymore, it is all free download.Hip hop performance can definitely improve. However, the collection of artists that we have nowadays don’t really care about performing or being their best at the artform. It’s all about the money. And as long as it continues to be that way, then we’re going to keep going down the same road. Stale ass live shows that nobody goes to!!