Rap and/or Hip-Hop are often times generalized and characterized as a genre of music dedicated to the degradation of women, the high praise of money, and the inundation of profanity in the lyrics. Too many times have I heard members of the older generation slam the entire genre, calling it a “disgraceful addition” to music as they reminisce about the days when “cats used to harmonize on the block…”
“They say hip-hop is dead…” but the artists that refuse to see it go have done a good job of bringing back the reasons why people loved hip hop in the first place.
Those that kept up the feel of the old-school rappers and their flow include artists and groups like Dead Prez, A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, and even Nas or Common. These rappers have floated around since the days of old-school, and have stayed true to the hip-hop they once knew. They keep the issues and lives of black people the focus of their flow.
New age rappers like Kanye West and Lupe Fiasco have come onto the scene and done the same thing to a mainstream crowd. Many fall into this category, and I call them the blessing in disguise. They have joined Nas, Common and the others above in the “Talented Tenth” of the rap world- if you will. They speak about issues that are not categorized into the three above stated classifications of rap songs, but still draw the same huge crowds.
I like to read the poetry of Tupac Shakur. There was a rapper that gained respect as both an artist and an educator/author. Tupac was a lyrical genius, with a story to tell in every single one of his songs and poems. Others like Lupe follow that path, and David Banner is somewhat close to being in the same boat- as he often discusses and exemplifies the roles of black men in America.
I respect a lot of artists. Method Man, Redman, Ice T, DMX, Snoop Dogg (although I don’t really like his music), Big Boi/Andre 3000, T-Pain, and many others are exploring their other talents as actors, businessmen and community activists. For all of these reasons, these artists deserve their fame and fortune.
I respect Lil’ Wayne for having the ability to command crowds, and come up with such creative and colorful lyrics. However, I have my reserves about his lifestyle and contributions to the world. Call me crazy, but I think a man with his power should do more with it than just sip syrup and count money.
The unfortunate thing is that rappers who only feel the need to talk about big booty hoes, makin’ it rain, crankin’ that [fill in the blank] and anything else of the sort…still are able to make money. This is where hip-hop and rap becomes almost laughable. How can the world take the genre seriously, if some of its own members don’t take it seriously.
I say hip-hop is not dead, it is just at a crossroads. The smartest rappers are educators, businessmen, and multi-talented people. Those who don’t have the super status of men like Jay-Z, Kanye West, 50 Cent, or P.Diddy need to ask themselves and decide whether or not they are capable of taking on the responsibility, and doing their assumed jobs as contributors to upholding the integrity of black music and the black community.
