We live in an era where the quality of music is subject of much debate. One of these debates is the impact of modern rap music on American youth culture. In an era where many popular rappers choose to rap about topics ranging from their extravagant lifestyle to lives in crime, many people can’t help but ask the question, “is this a good thing?”
Maybe the biggest reason that mainstream rappers enjoy so much success is because they appeal to a crowd that struggles through disparaging conditions, or to people that commiserate with people in those conditions. They give them hope that they might enjoy that lifestyle as well one day. The unfortunate part is that rappers don’t seem to imply that there is any reason to stop at anything to gain fame and fortune, a goal that within itself bares questionable origins.
Surfing Youtube, it isn’t uncommon to stumble on some sort of debate that brings racial tensions into full view. The Youtube community continues arguments that last for years after initial controversial videos are posted. One such example is “The Ill Mind of Hopsin 5,” which was posted nearly two years ago.
The video brings to light a viewpoint that is rarely heard by many people without a deeper knowledge of the hip-hop culture. In the video, Hopsin speaks of mainstream rap and some of its toxic effects on the American culture. He spares no one in his ruthless rampage on drugs, sex, and racial stereotypes. The comments on the video range from “Hopsin is the greatest rapper ever,” to “This is the tackiest rapping I ever heard,” but a clear rift is opened between different styles of rap.
Personally, I like Hopsin because he speaks passionately and truthfully without any wax coating. He lets it all out and he does it with a clear talent. One problem with most mainstream music in general, is that a façade is created that gives regular people the idea that pop stars are beyond normal people when they are not. It gives people a fuzzy idea of a way to be, instead of just telling them the way it is. The interesting thing is mainstream rap has essentially become the anti-Disney. The same censoring that Disney does to keep things ‘clean,’ the rap industry seems to do to keep things ‘dirty.’ Either way leaves the artist impaired in expressing the true nature of reality.
Both mainstream rap and artists like Hopsin are a response to certain ideals (or lack thereof) in American culture. Mainstream rap plays into those ideals, and underground hip-hop generally rejects them. Although there are many things to love about America, the fact that our society is plagued by poverty, crime, and racism just goes to show that there are flaws in our system. Until those flaws are rectified, hip-hop will continue to comment on them.
Youtube comments aside, it is important to remember that if you want to see a change in society, it is counterintuitive to go after the music industry. Trying to tell people what they can or can’t say only irritates the issue. Seeing the core of the issue requires stepping out of focus of the music industry and looking at everything in its totality. Don’t go trying to change other people, try to understand them. Then, as Gandhi once said, be the change you want to see in the world.
I can think of no better model of this in music than Janelle Monae. She provides her comments on the world in a sophisticated and classy way. She stands strong in her ideals and just in her delivery. I can only hope that more people will follow her example in the future. Here is a great music video by her called “Cold War.”
Blog By Isaiah Kuhle