The Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am has hit out at the current state of hip-hop music, calling it “the lowest-hanging fruit”.

Over the weekend, we asked the rather controversial question; why do people continue to listening to hip-hop when the genre is at it’s most ignorant and stupid?

With artists such as Tekashi 6ix9ine and Lil Pump proving that lyricism isn’t the most important aspect to become popular in hip-hop anymore, it seems that we’re a long way from the days of lyrical devastation with Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, N.W.A, and Run-D.M.C.

Now, will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas has weighed in on the topic, explaining that hip-hop has become so stale that “anyone” could do it.

“What’s the number-one sport on the planet? Soccer, because anyone can play it,” will.i.am mused in an interview with Rolling Stone. “The problem with hip-hop is everybody could do it.”

“It doesn’t take much fucking skill right now to make hip-hop. It’s become the lowest-hanging fruit. It’s no longer about Rakim-level, Nas-level, not the deep, metaphorical simile shit. Out of respect for the Nases of the world, let’s not call it hip-hop. Let’s say that’s rap. But instrumental music is going to be the next biggest shit.”

Check out The Black Eyed Peas’ ‘Karma’:

“The John Coltranes, the Stan Getzes, the Jimi Hendrixes, the musicianship,” will.i.am continued, “That’s the only way to prove intelligence or taste: demonstrating your artistry.”

“Right now we’re competing human on human, and eventually we’ll be competing human on machine – the moment there’s a fucking AI mumble rapper [laughs] . . . it’s inevitable, bro! Like, the reason why Star Wars is Star Wars is because the Jedis kept the machines in check.”

Of course, while many casual listeners of music would undoubtedly agree with this mindset, it’s worth noting that there are still plenty of amazing musicians out there who still showcase raw talent when it comes to hip-hop.

With the likes of Vince Staples, Earl Sweatshirt, Kendrick Lamar, and Aesop Rock showing off brilliant lyricism in their work, there’s no doubt that hip-hop still takes talent, however popularity is currently dominated by some of the more divisive artists out there.

Check out The Black Eyed Peas’ ‘Joints & Jam’: