Hip Hop Wired ran down 10 tech advances (that we take for granted) and explains how they 'ruined' hip hop. Here's my top 5....and of course I had to add my 2 cents.

 MP3

Record labels have been moaning about MP3s since their invention, mostly because it put a dent in their pockets. Our riff with them, and gmail's generous attachment size limit, is that it makes it too easy for a struggle rapper to e-mail their atrocious tracks to everyone in their contact list.

Just reading this reminded me that my gmail is over the limit RAT NAH.

Serato

If you put in work carrying crates, Serato was and is a God's send. However, it also means everyone and their momma is now a DJ. Trust us, your selection is usually hella suspect.

As a dj, who carried crates, and now LOVES Serato...this is is pure gospel-more ranting on this at the bottom.

FruitLoops

E-mu SP1200s, Akai S950s and even MPC2000s cost thousands of dollars, so you had to be serious about your production craft if you invested in one. However the ease of acquiring the FruityLoops (now known as FL Studios) program made for a gang of bedroom producers who too often made ridiculously wack beats. Yes, 9th Wonder used the program. You are not 9th Wonder

I remember talking to a producer/rapper and I asked him how long did it take him to make a certain beat (which was a hit)...he said 15 minutes. Kinda broke my heart, lol.

Flipcams/Cellphone Video

Ever been to a concert and notice tons of people too busy taping the show to actually, ya know, watch it?

Seriously, does anyone ever really re-watch whatever concert they taped? The video is shaking and undoubetly sounds like crap-and you missed a real moment by looking at a screen for hours...I don't get it.

Tumblr, WordPress, Blogger, etc.

thanks to the relative ease with which programs like Tumblr and WordPress can be used, their are legions of wack sites and suspect rap journalists to comb through on a daily. Put the keyboard down b

Meh...I can't co-sign this one, I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and social media has given artists immediate feedback that wasn't readily available just a few years ago. 

Quite honestly I don't think hip hop has been ruined, any piece of technology in uneducated hands is going to produce garbage results. I'm a big fan of using whatever tools you have access to, to improve your skill set and make a career/life for yourself.