Yay or Nay Hip Hop?

In the 1920s, jazz music donned its bright and sassy syncopations in America to a populous of both speculative and appreciative ears. The 1950s wrought with them hard hitting rock ‘n roll along with its share of disapproval from the experienced people of the time. 

Since music became a source of entertainment, each genre in its infancy is under speculation until people eventually accept the music. However, when hip hop burgeoned from the depths of the music industry via the riveting beats of Clive Campbell, it has never left the eye of speculation.

Hip hop music is an agent of storytelling and, naturally, hip hop culture follows hip hop music’s lyric. The story of a rapper’s life, encompassing life on the streets, gang violence, jail time, fighting “the man,” and sundry other inauspicious bouts with the intimidating side of life, although heartbreaking and eye opening, are the most influential aspects of hip hop culture for the spectrum of youth today.

In its present state, hip hop culture and music are bad for black American youth. The affect that hip hop has had on black American youth was unintentional, however, it is prevalent. Man has always felt comfortable with his “own kind” and it complements man’s innate need to fit in. The two combined unconsciously compel black American youth to lavish in the lifestyle of a gangster. A vast majority of black American youth see black hip hop artists who have defined themselves and, consequently, absorb their lifestyle. 

As black Americans we need to realize that the hip hop lyric and lifestyle trivialize the struggle for blacks in the age of the “superior white race.” White men, women, and children marked us as animals, appointing us our own species – nigger, a name we now coin as brotherly in the black community. Hip hop has given us the “privilege” to degrade our predecessors as well as ourselves just as racists did and still do. It was during the dark period of racial inequality that “the man” attributed any ill act to black men. Sadly, based on the lyrics of hip hop music, it appears as though “the man” might have had his eye on the future.

Modern hip hop music, however unintentional it may be, not only trivializes the struggle for blacks. Hip hop lifestyle and lyric belittles women and the relentless fight women gave to prove themselves equal to males. According to hip hop lyric, women are dogs, showpieces, and the lowest common denominator. One music video featured a hip hop artist swiping a credit card in a sacred place on a woman’s body. Although the video was immediately withdrawn, the scene gives a legitimate reason for the controversy facing hip hop culture. It may have been only one extreme instance. However, the more diluted displays that are allotted airtime influence black females.

The gravitation toward hip hop is understandable. Its old school, full bass, cadenced beat to its contemporary, power packed, rhythmic vibe can easily make anyone “lean back” or “rock wit it.” But not if it means that the hip hop lifestyle and lyric degrades or offends anything or anyone.