In short, there are (comparatively) few of the accusations of selling out that accompanied a similarly oxymoronic co-opting phenomenon in late-’60s protest rock. Which if you think about it is passing strange. The white mainstream Other against which serious rap aligns and defines itself makes the ’60s ‘Establishment’ look downright benign. Apparently the devil’s credit is solid, downtown. Maybe it’s impossible to sell souls you don’t believe anyone has anymore?
