This little hip-hop related debate caught my attention today. Last week, the NY times published a crossword puzzle with one clue reading, “Wack, in hip-hop.” The author, Will Shortz, supplied the answer as “illin’” but as most of know the most common and up-to-date definition of “ill” is the opposite of “wack.” Hip-hop fans (including Julieanne Smolinski) took notice and spoke out against the error. This topic was even debated enough to make on the Colbert Report, where Beastie Boys’ Mike D helped bring more clarity to the issue.

What do you think?

Read what Shortz has to say in defense of his definition of “wack” after the jump…

Related: New York Times Crossword Puzzlemaster Schooled on Definition of ‘Illin’
The Puzzle Master ‘Throws Down’ on ILLIN’