Chuck D stood on the podium of the Cleveland State University's WaertjenAuditorium| on Saturday, delivering a vitriolic indictment of an industrythat cannibalized its two brightest stars, Tupac and Biggie. He wasequally harsh on the fans that eagerly consumed the nihilism.

The speech was part of a groundbreaking three-day conference sponsored bythe Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Cleveland State, which honored hip-hopand it's South Bronx roots. The "industry" caught a lot of flak during thesummit, which ran from Friday to Sunday, especially from pioneers such asGrandmixer DSt. who echoed Chuck's sentiment.

Respect seemed to be a major concern for the veterans. "We come from theapprenticeship era where you don't even pick up a microphone until you'vebeen approved by your teacher," KRS-One said. At a performance on Fridaynight, X-ecutioner Roc Raida was officially given the title of Grandmasterby Kool Herc.

KRS-One educated the crowd telling them the history of hip-hop up until 1979when "Rapper's Delight" came out speaking about mid-70's park jams, whichfeatured people such as Afrika Bambaataa and DJ Hollywood as well as otherswho have not been honored. "I'd like to dispel some of the myths andincrease your overstanding," he said.

Cold Crush Brothers MC Grandmaster Caz broke down the science behind"Rapper's Delight," which is credited with being the first looped hip-hoprecord - The Fat Back Band's "King Tim III (Personality Jock)" was releasedin 1978. Caz said that Big Bank Hank's verse from "Rapper's Delight" wasstolen from him. As proof he cited the lyrics "I'm the Grandmaster with thethree MCs," which he claims referenced his role as leader of The Cold CrushBrothers.

KRS-One, as expected, was critical of the mainstream media's history ofhip-hop coverage: "most [journalists] cared more about the money being made[and not the progression of the culture]. Hip-hop is not [a] materialthing. Hip-hop emanates from what many call the divine mind."

Journalists were also pushing each other, at the conference Kevin Powellchallenged Source Music Editor Smokey Fontaine on his assertion that hip-hophad never been at a better place. Freelance journalist Charlie Braxtonencouraged writers to recognize their responsibility. "We are not just hypemasters," he said, "we're historians."

KRS also told the crowd to remember the genre's activist roots. "Hip-hop isvery concerned with society," he said. "We look at ourselves as socialarchitects, we just haven't been recognized as such. When Public Enemyspeaks and 2 Million white kids listen, that, my friends, is therevolution."

All told, the conference was a success, especially the Friday showcase atThe Rock and Roll Hall of Fame which featured Rahiem of The Furious Five whosurprised the crowd with his poignant lyrics and contemporary flow. Theevening also included showcases from the X-ecutioners and Kuttin' Kandi.

This is not the last time that the Rock Hall will honor hip-hop, they willdebut their travelling exhibit, Roots, Rhymes & Rage: The Hip-HopStory, on October 11. - Adam Matthews