In 2004 Comedian Chris Rock performed his hit HBO Comedy
Special “Never Scared”. During this
comedy special, Chris Rock performs one of his most memorable monologues about
defending Rap Music (I’ve provided the link below).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU8O4tKc-2E
“In the old days, it was easy to
defend rap music. It was easy to defend it on an intellectual level. You could
break it down, intellectually, why Grandmaster Flash was art, why Run-D.M.C was
art, why Whodini was art in music. […]And I love Rap Music, but its hard to
defend this shit-its hard to defend ‘I’ve got Hoes in different Area Codes.
It’s hard to defend ‘Move Bitch, get out the way.”
Although he discusses the issue in a humorous and light way,
he is speaking on a topic in which thousands of people feel torn about-the
Purpose of Hip Hop. An ongoing discussion on the purpose of Hip-Hop has been
going on since its rise in the late 80s-early 90s, and especially in the rise
of Gangsta Rap. As the reading told us “There has never been a consensus within
hip hop about its purpose, identity, or destiny”. No one can deny the
overwhelming influence that Hip Hop has had in our culture and society, nor the
way Hip Hop has influenced the politics of our country- but the purpose of hip
hop can often seem lost in the obscene amounts of bling, money, drugs and
women. But as hip hop icon Darryl “DMC” McDaniel’s, of the pioneering hip hop
group Run DMC, once told a crowd “What you see on television in music videos is
“show business” and not a true reflection of what hip hop represents”
(finalcall.com) Behind the bling, money, cars and women lies a movement that is
over forty years old, that continues to be a vital source of creativity and
industry for urban youth.
“Hip Hops claim to fame is the claim of
authenticity in its undaunted portrayals of ghetto reality.” So whether it is
the graphic imagery of gang activity and drug hustling like that of NWA or the
raunchy sexual lyrics of Lil-Kim, rappers know how to keep true to where they
came from, and also keep the public talking. Whether you love it, or hate it,
it is the lyrics in some of the most controversial songs that not only brought Hip-Hop
to the mainstream, but also brought several important issues to light. One of
the prime examples of this would be the classic NWA song “Fuck the Police”.
Produced by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella, this song would catapult both the group and
the reality of police brutality into the public spotlight. Lyrics such as “A
young nigga got it bad cause I’m brown”, “They have the authority to kill a
minority”, “Searching my car, looking for the product-thinking every nigga is
selling narcotics” showcased the dark and militant side of the LAPD that was concealed
from America.
That is, until March 3, 1991 when an amateur videographer got
video of Rodney King being brutally beaten by a group of LAPD cops. When a jury
acquitted all four cops of all charges, tensions were at an all time high.
People had enough of the injustice within their own community, and the anger
and frustration boiled over into the streets. What ensued were the Rodney King
Riots, which would last six days across Southern Los Angeles and cost over a
billion dollars in damage. The battle cry that was heard throughout was “Fuck
the Police”. I doubt that the purpose of the song was to make people riot in
the streets and loot businesses but the energy and lyrics of the song perfectly
captured the mood and anger of the time. Another important record during that
era came after the riots were over; Dr. Dre’s “The Day the Niggaz Took Over”
tells the daunting story of what occurred during the six-day riot. Unfiltered
and unapologetic, the song vividly tells of the riots that occurred. Like a
fossil or artifact, these two songs now serve as a way for the new generation
to understand the events that were occurring during that time. If anything good
came out of the LA Riots, it is that it elevated hip-hop to a new level of
importance and forced people to recognize the struggles that were occurring in
the inner city. Rappers were no longer just rappers; they become voices of
their community.
What the general public forgets
about Hip-Hop is the way it has transformed lives-taking people from the rough
streets of the ghetto to the cover of Forbes magazine. The classic “Rags to Riches” story in Hip Hop
would be the life of Shawn Corey Carter, or Jay-Z. Jay Z was a prominent dope
boy from the rough Marcy Projects. It was because of Hip Hop that he was able
to become one of the most recognizable and well-respected artists in music
today. His prominence even earned him better seats than Al Sharpton at the
Obama inauguration (http://www.huffingtonpost.com).
Jay-Z is just one of hundreds of stories of people who came from nothing and
were able to transform their lives all from behind a microphone. Snoop Dogg went
from serving time in prison for selling Crack Cocaine to now become a
multi-million dollar artist, and now coaches an inner-city football league.
(Planet-Rock: The Story of Hip Hop and the Crack Generation). It is easy to
poke fun at Hip Hop and claim that it no longer serves a purpose or that it is
lost its meaning. Lupe Fiasco was
onto something when he eloquently said, "hip-hop has saved my life."
As long as someone can look to hip-hop as a way to get out of the projects,
become a voice for the voiceless and bring to light issues affecting their
community-then Hip Hop will always have a significant place in society.
Sources:
VH1 Rock Docs + UPRISING: Hip Hop & The LA
Riots + VH1-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQG1CQULmHQ-Planet Rock: The Story of Hip- Hop and the Crack Generation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWKo8CLL3ks
What Ever Happened to Hip Hop: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CH6af90Ig0
Planet Rock Movie Review -http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bene-viera/planet-rock-movie-review_b_980016.html
~http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_4270.shtml
This was a really good post. I feel that Hip Hop and other forms of music are a good outlet for people to "make it out the hood." Although they might not make it big like Jay-Z, Snoop Lion, or Lupe, I feel that the fact that an effort to make something of themselves is all that matters. I remember reading up on the Rodney King riots and although the initial cause was disturbing and quite controversial, I believe everything happened for a reason. That is how, like you said, Hip Hop came out of such an event as holding more meaning and being seen as a path to something greater.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I think that Hip Hop as a whole has changed and will continue to change the lives of many people in both big and small ways. However, I don't believe that Hip Hop even has to be defended in the first place. Whether the lyrics are intellectual or raunchy doesn't make a difference, it is a creative process that is unique to every individual just like any other art form.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. Hip Hop doesn't need defending. The lyrics defend itself. There is a reason for every phrase, every punch line. Though Hip Hop know-a-days belittle other people, Have people every took in consideration that "Hoes" or other derogatory terms may be a metaphor?
DeleteI believe that since Rap/ Hip Hop is an art form that it should not have to be defended. It should fall under the whole freedom of expression category. I do believe that some people listen to rap and only hear curse words and crude expressions, but I believe that rap is deeper than the music and lyrics, and that it is someone expressing his or her own voice and emotions.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this blog as a whole. Like when you said 'rappers were no longer just rappers, they became voices of their community.' Hip hop artists have a huge influence on the youth of America and it's enlightening when they see this and send a good message to their fans and the youth of this country.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Jake and Elan ^^ when you say that hip hop should not have to be defended. Just because some hip hop is explicit, does not mean it has to be defended. Every song has it's own message, and own way of expressing it. There is so much variety and creativity in hip hop and that's why its so hard to categorize what it is even though we know it when we hear it.
Hip-hop is definitely an outlet for those who need to express their strife and hardships. I really appreciate the quote you put about Chris Rock. His statement could not be more true. Hip-hop is very blurred nowadays in what kind of message they are trying to send. The days of telling a meaningful story or giving awareness to a huge issue is slim to none in the hip-hop industry. Sure there are a few oddballs, like "Same Love" by Macklemore, but over all it is a lost cause. Very good blog post!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post. I like the examples that you used because, eventhough I was already familiar with the song examples and the events that you used in your post, I liked the way that you added detail. Your detail made me think of the songs and situation in a deeper manner.
ReplyDeleteI think Chris Rock is a great comedian however as othrs before me stated Hip-Hop is not a music genre that needs for someone to try and understand it. Hip-hop was never meant for others to interpret or put their over biased views on it. Just like how Rock, metal, and country are never defended so should hip-hop. You stated something very insightful when you said that hip-hop is a way of telling history and it truly is; however the fact that rappers say that the life style they show on video is not what really reflects them is where they go wrong. The upcoming artists have the wrong perception based on what the media showcases and when the artists get there they realize its not all glitz and glam. On the other hand, rappers now a days give a very materialistic message to the youths of todays generation and it certainly does not put black people in the best light.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post. I think that hip-hop has been a great medium to reflect the way people are feeling and the issues that are going on in society. However, I feel like most of the hip-hop that is currently playing on the radio is very meaningless. It is like artist are more interested in making music that sells rather than meaningful music. That does not mean that there aren’t any artists making meaningful music. I just feel like there are more songs out there with catchy hooks and good beats rather than songs with substance.
ReplyDeleteI agree that rap is a great way for some to go from "rags to riches" to see what some of these guys go from, to what they are today is pretty amazing. Jay-Z was a great example of this, he is not only a rapper today, he is a sports agent, he has a clothing line, along with many other labels in drinks and stuff. I don't think anyone really has the right to criticize an artist's lyrics by saying it provokes different things, rap is an art and everyone has the freedom to basically do whatever, it's the individuals choice to listen to it.
ReplyDeleteWow! Great post in all honesty. It can be tough for people that are less fortunate and born into the projects to escape their troubles. Hip Hop is not always the answer, but most certainly can be. It gives young men and woman a legal opportunity to make enough money to "leave the hood". Yes, lyrics may have become less relevant and dumber, to put it bluntly, but that doesn't take away from the hard work and effort people put into it to live a better life.
ReplyDeleteDoes hip hop need a purpose beyond allowing people to say things they want to say? I doubt that hip hop will ever be truely unified in intent or message. Hip hop is more of a paint brush than it is paint, meaning that it can be used as a means to communicate any message the author wants and is not bound by any obligation to a certain subject matter or ideological stance.
ReplyDeleteThis post makes a really good point! I agree with everyone that says hip hop is a great way for people to get out of their bad environments. It is also a great way for people to have an outlet to express their opinions on the way their environment shaped their culture.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your article. I think hip-hop is a great way for people to express themselves and their feelings, as well as the current issues in society. However, over time as it has become a more popular genre of music, I think the lyrics are starting to lack deep meaning. For example, in a lot of the songs today, the lyrics talk about materialistic items, drugs, and sex.
ReplyDeleteIt is important that we recognize this issue with today's hip-hop. I often find myself unable to defend my love for hip-hop, mostly because the lyrics are rather vulgar for most peoples tastes. Classic hip-hop did have meaning and awoke most of america up to the darker world of the hoods around the country. Today's hip-hop is centralized around drugs, sex and money; yet there is still an underlying theme of making it out of the "gutter" and becoming "a somebody." This is what gives me hope for future hip-hop because aside from modern hip-hop's roots in classic hip-hop... I have a difficult time defending it. My defense of last resort being: I love the beats, I don't focus on the lyrics too much.
ReplyDeletePREACHH! This blog was everything. I agree. While critics view hip-hop as something serving no purpose, it has an influence on both rap artist themselves as well as their audience . Hip Hop are most artist way out or in Jay-Z's case "on top". People have many ways to express themselves and in rapper's case it's through lyrics. Hip Hop serves as entertainment but it also assist with passing along significant messages and issues that most people aren't really aware of until listening to a rapper's song. Hip Hop has a right to be defended just as well as any other type of art does. The way a person expresses themselves, orally shouldn't be a problem, when we clearly have freedom of speech. What may not be influencing for one person could be influencing to others.
ReplyDeletePREACHH! This blog was everything. I agree. While critics view hip-hop as something serving no purpose, it has an influence on both rap artist themselves as well as their audience . Hip Hop are most artist way out or in Jay-Z's case "on top". People have many ways to express themselves and in rapper's case it's through lyrics. Hip Hop serves as entertainment but it also assist with passing along significant messages and issues that most people aren't really aware of until listening to a rapper's song. Hip Hop has a right to be defended just as well as any other type of art does. The way a person expresses themselves, orally shouldn't be a problem, when we clearly have freedom of speech. What may not be influencing for one person could be influencing to others.
ReplyDeletegreat post! Hip hop is different today than how it used to be but there is some older hip hop that is just as meaningless as "hoes in different area codes." There are different types of hip hop. You can find political raps throughout the history of hip hop, even today. Hip hop shouldn't need to be defended, if you do not like it, do not listen to it. They do have impact on their fans and their community but it is only one voice, people can have different opinions. Also people must keep in mind that they might just be playing the game to get on top. The rappers may do, say and wear what their label wants them too or what the people want to see.
ReplyDelete