For Hip hop to survive the next era, the independent market must become a valid, bankable option for all artists, not just those who are local and lesser known. With major record labels like Def Jam and Interscope seeing less than stellar returns on their projects, more and more artists are being put on the back burner.These major labels will probaly go bankrupt very soon or restructure to ringtone releases only. Artists like the Lox, Beanie Siegel, Freeway, Wu Tang Clan and all of its members, G-Unit and all of its members, anyone who has been foolhardy enough to sign to Bad Boy, and a host of others are being dropped and/or traded between labels like rookie NBA picks. There is little to no stability in the industry. The best bet for artists, whether known or unknown, is to build local support from their area of origin, and then fly out on their own independently.There is no guarantee for artists on major labels, which are not in the business of making careers, as much as they are for making hit records. Recently, the growing success of individuals who choose to go independent is starting to become a temptation for artists starving in the majors. The independent route isn’t a new road. Many artists such as 50 Cent and Soulja Boy have taken to handling their own business to create a buzz. But now, what individuals would do to get the attention of major labels, they may have to do as a final result. Ice Cube for example, independently released his album “Laugh Now, Cry Later” to incredible sells, moving approximately 144,000 copies in its first week.Okay, Papoose is a bust, Saigon is apparently throwing a temper tantrum, ring tone rap is dying down, southern rap and all of its sub genres are losing steam; there is no one else. If you are a fan then support independent artists do not buy 1 single cd from a major label. Find a indie artist and support him. Play his music and share it with your friends. Music sharing and free music is a reality that will not go away. The major labels realized this to late, the major labels are finished. Independent Hip Hop is the future.