Is mainstream hip-hop actually more positive than we give it credit for?!
Question: Is mainstream hip-hop actually more positive than we give it credit for!?
I got the new issue of Rock & Rap Confidential, and they say that it is!. There's all sorts of rather minor examples, but I'm not sure if I'm buying that 50 Cent and Lil Wayne are "positive" ( http://metalabel!.com/static/Positive_Mai!.!.!. )!. Don't get me wrong--I like Lil Wayne, but social awareness is not his strong suit!.Www@Enter-QA@Com
Answers:
I tend to agree with your more skeptical sentiment!. It seems that the more obscure hip-hop groups are concerned with relaying either a positive message or at least a constructive one!. I can't see how perpetuating the stereotypes of oversexed black males and black females as sex objects is positive!. The problem is, it sells!. Dead Prez, who has their share of positive and negative, at least wanted to break the mold and increase political awareness (whether or not you agree with their inflammatory language and redefining "gangsta" to mean revolutionary)!. It doesn't seem that they have been blowing up the charts lately, does it!? Saul Williams, known for his poetic spoken word acts, hasn't really blown up in the hip-hop scene either (although a rock aesthetic may have something to do with it also)!.
Rebellion, misogyny, crime, materialism!.!.!. all of these things just sell better to teenagers, who are the real consumers and promoters of all new pop music!. It probably helps that it irritates their parents including all of these themes because it only makes the kids want to listen to it more!.
When hip-hop becomes positive will only be when the language changes for positive social reform!. These things will only happen:
-when "pimp" is seen as parasitic and exploitative, not glamorous and spectacular
-when women are treated with respect and not as sex objects or gold-diggers
-when an abundance of wealth and material objects are held less valuable than being informed and well-cultured
-when crime is not glorified or excused
There are plenty of great non-mainstream hip-hop artists who fit the above bill, but will it ever be popular!? That's up to the artists, our youth, and our media!.Www@Enter-QA@Com
Rebellion, misogyny, crime, materialism!.!.!. all of these things just sell better to teenagers, who are the real consumers and promoters of all new pop music!. It probably helps that it irritates their parents including all of these themes because it only makes the kids want to listen to it more!.
When hip-hop becomes positive will only be when the language changes for positive social reform!. These things will only happen:
-when "pimp" is seen as parasitic and exploitative, not glamorous and spectacular
-when women are treated with respect and not as sex objects or gold-diggers
-when an abundance of wealth and material objects are held less valuable than being informed and well-cultured
-when crime is not glorified or excused
There are plenty of great non-mainstream hip-hop artists who fit the above bill, but will it ever be popular!? That's up to the artists, our youth, and our media!.Www@Enter-QA@Com
I dont have a problem with 50 cent or Lil Wayne like many hip hop purists seem to!. I definitely wouldnt look to them for intellectual stimulation but i dont think people should demonize mainstream rap the way that they do!. Mainstream rap seems to fit better into "just entertainment"; where indie rap seems to reflect social awareness, personal opinions and whanot!.
DAMN! I THOUGHT I GAVE A LONG ANSWER! You give him best answer just for going so hard!. That dude wrote an essay!.
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DAMN! I THOUGHT I GAVE A LONG ANSWER! You give him best answer just for going so hard!. That dude wrote an essay!.
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VWww@Enter-QA@Com
if only we still had 2pacWww@Enter-QA@Com