Talk of the Town: Beats and Hooks

Beats and Hooks.  Which are most important in music to draw in the interest of the listener?  We all know that some Beats are more memorable that the actual song itself.  Also we know that the "Hook" is something a 2 year old can pick on and remember. 

- Why is the music industry so hook driven now?

-What makes a hook more memorable?

-Are beats more important than hooks?

-Are hooks more important than beats?

-Are hooks more important than lyrics?

- Is lyricism a lost art?

-Have hook driven songs hurt the quality of music that's out now? (R&B and rap)