But with the once fringe hip-hop market becoming the mainstream now, it seems as if rock finally seems to be showing signs of weakening it’s four decade hold on the music industry. And the better question is: Does anyone care?

I recently read an article from a major entertainment magazine, describing major cities in America losing their rock stations, and not providing an outlet to their rock fans. It described the culture shift of America; switching away from rock, and gearing their interests more towards Latin music and hip-hop/R&B. Well, in certain pockets of the country, that may be true, but here in Detroit, rock leaving the airwaves seems as about as likely as Michael Jackson getting acquitted in his child molestation trial.

After reading this article; I wasn’t sure what to think about the state of rock and its future. I remember reading an immortal quote, now stuck forever in my mind, in Spin Magazine, said by Missy Elliott in 1998, “Rock is Dead; hip-hop is here to stay.” Normally, I wouldn’t think twice about anything she says, but after reading that; should I finally start to believe her?

I am sorry, I won’t let Missy Elliott or anybody that arrogant get the best of me… But it did make wonder why rock seems to be about the 12th most popular genre in music right now. Why is rock reaching fewer and fewer people; and why do stations feel it is becoming a smaller cash cow.

Here are the questions I am currently pondering:

Question: Are groups like the Killers & Modest Mouse really the saviors to rock?:

Answer: Simply put, NO. Even though both groups and subsequent groups are interesting and fun to listen to, they do not provide the across the board success that grunge and nu-metal groups did prior to them. These groups are selling around a million copies apiece; which is a far cry from the several of millions Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains sold ten years prior. Plus, many people see these groups as fourth-generation Duran Duran and Talking Heads disciples, and provide no real originality to the lineage of rock.

Question: Are groups like Good Charlotte good ambassadors for the rock scene?

Answer: Another HELL NO. These groups are pop-punk formula; which probably makes granddaddies Green Day puke upon watching them get rich off MTV. Try getting some bands with substance, and play them sparingly. Hell, Hootie and the Blowfish appealed to many groups of people, but after the 17 trillionith time listening to them, you even cringe watching the lead singer (Darius Rucker) do a Burger King ad now.

Question: Is MTV to blame?

Answer: Yes, and No. MTV built its now tarnished legacy off rock bands, but now there isn’t much difference between MTV and many hip-hop video networks. Three years ago, MTV launched a series of different video-only channels; and within six months; MTV X (the rock station) vanished, never to come back. MTV stations cover Spanish, Top 40, but no rock. The lack of variety, and the way they dictate to the kids what they think should be popular, makes you feel like MTV is the once good friend that is now stabbing you in the back over some girl. But, kids today have grown up with hip-hop from birth, and they know it as well, if not better, than rock music. And it leads to me to my next question…

Question: Who looks like the biggest stars, today: Rappers or Rockers?

Answer: Hands down, rappers. Rock stars today either seem like carbon copies of some bad 80s flashback or want to sound and act like Kurt Cobain’s great-great-great-great grandchildren. Even a group like the Darkness, which comes out of left field, feels like Queen at times. At any particular time, young kids are watching videos with people who look like they were having the most fun with their videos. The hair metal guys looked like fun singing about the 85th girl they slept with this week. The nu-metal guys looked somber, but they still looked like they were having fun as they grunted and moaned their way to the bank. Rappers today are the guys with the expensive cars and boats, the big houses, the girls shaking their asses in the videos. They are the ones showing off their presumed wealth. Kids can relate to that, so they will flock to that more than a Seether or Crossfade video. Rock can be dangerous, but some of the popular stuff comes off like rockers are just bored.

Question: Say it isn’t so, was the nu-metal phase the last big rock trend?

Answer: I doubt it, but at the surface, it looks like it. The music media wannabe gods have tried a series of “next big things” in rock that would carry it, and folks, all have failed. Remember the “electronica” hype, with Chemical Brothers and Prodigy? It didn’t last more than a year. Swing music? You have to be kidding me… Garage rock with the Strokes and White Stripes? Not entertaining enough to take kids away from Eminem and fill arenas. And this new wave of alternative music? It’s gaining ground, but it’s got a long way to go before it gets a foothold back.

Question: Is there a hip-hop backlash coming?

Answer: As a genre becomes mainstream, eventually there comes the inevitable backlash of that music. It happened with every single form of music that has become popular. I am sure that certain forms of hip-hop will face a backlash within the next few years. But with the extent of its popularity, to actually dictate how deep the backlash will be, your guess is as good as mine.

Question: What is the future of rock?

Answer: I wish I knew. I thought maybe things would go in an old school, Guns n Roses-esque direction, and that didn’t happen. Meta, as it always has been, is strong, but too many people are afraid to tune in to it. I hate to say it, I am struggling to think what can be the next great trend that sends rock back into the mainstream. Who is the next Nirvana? I agree with people that say the next Nirvana will sound nothing like Nirvana, so one can only hope and imagine that it’s something good.

So, do I believe Missy Elliott’s attempt at Nostradamus-like predictions? Not a freakin’ chance I do. I think there is such a mish-mash of different groups trying to be the next big thing and believing the hype different magazines put on them, that fans do not know what to think at this point. There are a lot of good, new groups to listen to, but no one pledges allegiance to one sound or another. Let’s be honest here; there will always be rock bands that have hit singles and sell a decent amount of records. But it is going to take something special and refreshing to kick the entire genre back into gear.

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Art can be reached at arthatesyou@detroitbuzz.com.