Nah, its both. Hip hop has an ego-driven work ethic embedded in its ways. Its kind of taken over how some people act. On top of that, fans feel like their opinions are worth more than what they are. You can look a lot of hip hop message boards and see these kids trash a lot of artists because they feel they can and most of them can hide their faces when doing so. Too much ego, not enough people being humble.
Well, I do agree on the fact that there is a problem within Rap (Not hip-hop, the culture itself is not at fault) when it comes to those who create the art and those who judge it. I also understand your point on people talking bad about artist via the internet and feel safe due to anonymity, but that's the option you as an artist open yourself up to when you put your art on display for critics to critique, Because lets be honest.... What is the deference between a "Fan" and a "Hater"
The answer is truly, nothing. because when you get down to the basics of it, Both individuals are Critiquing an artist work. be it, for the good or for the bad. So I do not think that trash talking should be an issue, I have YET to find 1 artist that EVERYONE loves, it's natural to have haters and fans. Fan's opinion's are alot more valuable then the artist in which they are being opinionated about. and to prove this, take this into account.....
Today's "Rap Game", is centered around alot of negative lyric's, instrumentals that are high-paced and energetic, and a entire aura of "fast life". Back in the late 80's and early 90's it was "Conscious Rap" which was selling, record labels were booking and signing "Conscious Emcee's" but now it isn't about "Consciousness" no more, and the fan's are the dictators of that. If fan's stop today, and NEVER purchased another Lil Wayne Album I can put my bottom dollar on the line that 1 of 2 things may happen.
1). He just stop's rapping
2). He switches his style up, and start rapping the way the fan's want him to.
So on your view of fan opinions, they are very powerful with their words and their likes/dislikes. Fan's can either make or break you.
Now as far as the ego aspect, that's a tough one. All aspect's of human life, Especially within American Society is based on some dealings with one's Ego rather it be a Direct correlation or an Indirect one. When dealing with music (not just Rap) people display their ego's, some are more honest and genuine but for the most part (when rap is concerned) artist tend to boost their ego by painting their own histories, stories, plights, etc. in a brighter light then it should be in, or was in. If No rapper had Ego, then I doubt they would be interesting to listen to, and this not only goes for rappers but any musician as well.
This DMV 2011 Fight incident was an unfortunate one. because it paints DC-MD-VA in a negative light, and the crazy thing is that no one cared for a 2011 DMV awards until a fight broke out. Now alot of major publications are picking up on it and running with it, which says alot about how news publications make their name within the reporting/publication business. Negativity sells, and this is CLEARLY evident with the story of this event, and it is subtly shown (but also clearly evident) within main-stream rap music.
Fan's need to change to enforce a change on record producers, rappers and labels.
