Hip-Hop Stand Up!
Lately I’ve been completely repulsed by the state of hip-hop. When hip hop was first recognized as a mainstream genre, rappers served as journalists by writing and broadcasting candid exposés on their plights and struggles. Even the profanity-laden rap group, NWA, expressed the anger that young black men from the inner city had with institutions that they felt worked against them. Through similes, metaphors, and puns hip-hop created a culture that became a fixture in America and throughout the world. Unfortunately, I think that culture has devolved into sophomoric buffoonery that has been embraced by too many people. As a hip hop aficionado it pains me to see little kids reciting songs like “Half a Brick” by Gucci Mane or “Becky” by Plies. Both of these songs glorify drug dealing, promiscuity, and flat out stupidity.
What bothers me even more is that whenever I think I’ve found an artist who eschews all of the negative things plaguing hip hop, they end up reducing themselves to the same nonsense. For instance, when Kanye West released his debut album “College Dropout” I was ecstatic. His hits “Through the Wire” and “All Falls Down” were the types of social commentary we needed to resuscitate a genre of music that was on life support. Slowly but surely, the self proclaimed “Louie Vuitton Don” has slipped into the same trap as all the other rappers who’ve achieved great commercial success. He has from time to time devoted a track to discussing the size of his genitalia or his ostentatious lifestyle. His songs “Last Call” and “Celebration” are examples of this. And let’s not forget Kanye’s Workout Plan, which was extremely witty yet misogynistic. As much as I give Kanye props for his music production skills, dynamic social commentaries, and avant-garde fashion, I have to give him a thumbs down for some of his lyrics. The sad thing is that many people put Kanye in the “conscious rap” sub-group. Even Common, another “conscious rapper”, has had his slip-ups. In his new hit “I Poke Her Face” with Kanye West and Kid Cudi, Common has some choice words for people who say he’s on a conscious tip. Maybe I’m being too critical. Nonetheless, it’s disheartening when the “thinkers” in the game stoop to the same level as many other rappers.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9ppzFVjI0Y
However, I do believe there is hope and it resides in a young man from Chicago name Lupe Fiasco. At one point Lupe subscribes to the same gangster-pose culture that is so pervasive in rap today. However, Lupe had an epiphany and ultimately switched up his style. His song “Dumb it Down” is representative of the struggle that many intelligent Black kids face everyday. “Hip Hop Saved My Life” tells the story of a young rapper who gave up selling drugs to pursue his dream of being a musical artist. And his ode to skateboarding, “Kick Push”, showed mainstream America that you don’t have to be a white kid from suburbia to enjoy skating. Lupe continues to abstain from using profanity while telling stories of inspiration, trial, and triumph. There are many more rappers like Lupe out there. Unfortunately, most haven’t reached commercial success. It is hard to reach commercial success in a game that is so saturated with nonsense that happens to sell well. But I still have faith, and in the words of Tupac Shakur “I aint mad at cha” hip-hop.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQB_22rAD1Y
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bj2_ZmwCoU
Good post. What’s interesting about Hip Hop Heads is that they clamor for the good ole days of hip hip as if it was pristine and something that was accessible to all. But, if we are honest about the beginnings and origins of Hip Hop we would mention that from the very beginning is has been male centered and not entirely socially conscious on all issues unless they dealt with the lives of young men of color. I say this not to “dis” Hip Hop because people like Afrika Bambaataa did amazing work in the 80s, but it is to say that perhaps if we are honest about its beginnings we can see why its where it is today–degrades women; few if any Fem Mcs; values materialistic things; values violence; and values sex.
Good post. What’s interesting about Hip Hop Heads is that they clamor for the good ole days of hip hip as if it was pristine and something that was accessible to all. But, if we are honest about the beginnings and origins of Hip Hop we would mention that from the very beginning is has been male centered and not entirely socially conscious on all issues unless they dealt with the lives of young men of color. I say this not to “dis” Hip Hop because people like Afrika Bambaataa did amazing work in the 80s, but it is to say that perhaps if we are honest about its beginnings we can see why its where it is today–degrades women; few if any Fem Mcs; values materialistic things; values violence; and values sex.
I concur with Fallon.
I concur with Fallon.
ed,
i do like a couple of lupe tracks, esp. “dumb it down.” but i pretty much never forgave him for messing up atcq and not really caring. that moment (at the vh1 hip hop honors) and his glib response to it (essentially, “so what? i never listen to thme.”) showed another issue with current hip hop: a lack of appreciation for the craft and for (rap) history. f’real, on that stunt alone, i just can’t take dude seriously. and though hip hop might’ve saved his life, i don’t think he can save hip hop.
and common? well, common used to be one of my favorite emcees. i think he plays the sensitive, buttery rap dude b/c it gets him more attention–and gap commercials. i don’t think it’s earnest. i wasn’t surprised by his appearance on the track you mentioned. he did write “heidi hoe.” but the crunchies either don’t remember, don’t know or don’t care.
ed,
i do like a couple of lupe tracks, esp. “dumb it down.” but i pretty much never forgave him for messing up atcq and not really caring. that moment (at the vh1 hip hop honors) and his glib response to it (essentially, “so what? i never listen to thme.”) showed another issue with current hip hop: a lack of appreciation for the craft and for (rap) history. f’real, on that stunt alone, i just can’t take dude seriously. and though hip hop might’ve saved his life, i don’t think he can save hip hop.
and common? well, common used to be one of my favorite emcees. i think he plays the sensitive, buttery rap dude b/c it gets him more attention–and gap commercials. i don’t think it’s earnest. i wasn’t surprised by his appearance on the track you mentioned. he did write “heidi hoe.” but the crunchies either don’t remember, don’t know or don’t care.
Wow! Summer I was completely unaware of the whole “fiascogate” incident. It’s crazy when rappers gloat about being the best when they are unaware of the patriarchs and matriarchs whose shoulders they stand upon.
Fallon I agree with you 100%. Hip hop has always espoused faux masculinity and heteronormativity. However, people like Queen Latifah and MC Lyte did have respect even back in the day. Obviously the caliber of respect they had in comparison to male rappers can be brought in question.
Wow! Summer I was completely unaware of the whole “fiascogate” incident. It’s crazy when rappers gloat about being the best when they are unaware of the patriarchs and matriarchs whose shoulders they stand upon.
Fallon I agree with you 100%. Hip hop has always espoused faux masculinity and heteronormativity. However, people like Queen Latifah and MC Lyte did have respect even back in the day. Obviously the caliber of respect they had in comparison to male rappers can be brought in question.
info for the ages
info for the ages