HipHopSite, which was once the leading online source for hip-hop news, reviews and music sales has been forced to close up shop…well, kinda. It turns out that they’ve been forced to rethink their strategy for selling music online and have decided to shut down their retail operation. In the next few weeks they’ll be unveiling their new design / business model. This is yet another indication of just how seriously the rap music industry is reeling right now. Personally, this strikes a chord with me because it was the first hip-hop crack spot that I found online. I remember listening to previews of new joints that they had available for download when exclusives were still…excluesive. I’ve also purchased quite a few rare items from their online store. While their switch to digital downloads may be best for their future, this change just underscores another major issue that we’ve created as hip-hop consumers. We don’t go out and support the music that we love. Grassroots spots like HipHopSite used to be a welcome alternative to music mega-stores like Virgin and Tower Records (which also ended up crumbling). Now, everyone’s making the move to digital. Although it is surely more convenient, there’s something to be said for going out and purchasing a CD, reading the liner notes, and seeing the imagery that accompanies the music. Not to mention the fact that the artists don’t eat and the labels lose faith in that particular brand of music based on week sales. Long story short, we need to continue to support places like hiphopsite and put our money where our mouth is. That’s one of the first steps towards righting this sinking ship we call hip-hop…