Posted Aug. 13, 2008 -- Before the premiere of "Hip Hop vs. America," Part I, BET.com had a chat with Jeff Johnson about the current state of Hip Hop. He had a lot to say about what Hip Hop is, why it's blamed for so many of society's problems, and what we can do to change its image.

Below are excerpts from the interview.

BET.com: The title "Hip Hop vs. America" suggests there’s a competitive relationship between Hip Hop and our nation as a whole. Explain.

Jeff: Hip Hop speaks the loudest and Hip Hop speaks the most raw on its best and worst days. Because of that it becomes the antagonist. The antagonist is always under attack more than anybody else. Because Hip Hop has always been the antagonist there will be a volatile relationship between it and the nation. In this case, “Hip Hop vs. America” speaks to the reality that there is an attack on Hip Hop right now.

BET.com: What’s your take on the current condition of Hip Hop?

Jeff: Hip Hop is in a state of evolution. There are people that may get angry with this comparison. Hip Hop is like the Black community. If we looked 30 years ago, the community was monolithic and was a reflection of what we were able to do. So, teachers, doctors and garbage men lived next door ‘cause that’s what they were able to do. It encouraged cooperation. The moment we got to integrate, that community became diverse. There were those that were less concerned with continuing the fight for civil rights and social justice.

Hip Hop has gone through the same evolution. There was a period of time when it was connected to social movement and to the culture of the African-American community. Once it became commodified, it became more diverse. There are still conscious and relevant emcees. However, we do a disservice by oversimplifying Hip Hop to mean what you’re seeing on the radio and TV.

BET.com: How do we expose people to rap other than what's on the airwaves?

Jeff: I think it's about continuing to expose people to what is the foundation for what they now like. That way they'll have a better appreciation, as opposed to us telling them that what they listen to now is garbage. That’s not how you reach them. I’m not telling a young person not to like Young Joc. I’m saying, as you like Joc, let me introduce you to Rakim.

BET.com: Why does hip hop get blamed for all that’s wrong with Black culture? There were drugs and mysogyny before the Sugar Hill Gang.

Jeff:  It’s the issue of Hip Hop being the loudest voice. It becomes the scapegoat. Hip Hop can’t be let off the hook, but it can’t be blamed for creating it. Have more sophisticated discussion. Let’s not blame Hip Hop for every single societal wrong that involves young people. It goes beyond demonizing Hip Hop. That just demonizes the young people who embrace it, and that’s inaccurate.

BET.com: What's the solution? How do we improve things?

Jeff: Talk. You have to communicate to have community. We have cell phones, text messages and e-mail. We have to talk to each other. That is the beginning of the solution process. People can utilize churches, community centers and programs to encourage intergenerational dialogue.