American political, poet, writer and entrepreneur Kevin Powell said it best in his TIME interview; "You can always tell where a people are at by the music they make...hip-hop is no different. It has evolved with the times. Now whether or not the evolution has been progressive [or degressive] is another discussion entirely".
In my last article I promised to explain the downplaying of hip-hop and why it is happening. However, I can not keep that promise. As I did more research I found hip-hop isn't just downplayed, it is being exploited. To understand its exploitation you must first understand what hip-hop is and where it came from.
Hip-hop music is considered to have been pioneered in New York's south Bronx in the 1970s, on the brink of the Civil Rights amongst African Americans, but with some influence from the Latin American population as well. The four traditional pillars are DJ'ing, rapping, break-dancing, and graffiti art. However these elements are simply forms of art designed to express a deeper meaning. Hip-hop is more than art and entertainment, it is the constantly evolving spirit and consciousness of urban youth that keeps repeating itself in a never-ending cycle. It is everything from joy to sorrow, life to death, to dreams and nightmares. This genre of music is the spirit that connects the past to the present and lays a path towards the future. It is the same spirit that African people throughout the Diapsora have introduced into the world: Jazz, Reggae, Blues, Doo-Wop, Be-Bop and many more. Because of this hip hop can never truly die as a spirit is eternal.
If this is to be held true than why is there such controversy about hip-hop being dead? It is because of its exploitation. There is an over representation of the criminal aspects of the black youth culture. America was built on violence. Once gangsta rap groups such as Public Enemy and NWA surfaced, bringing in the representation of what the "streets" where like, there was increase in sales. People, especially white people, were fascinated. Corporations saw dollar signs. But even NWA said "it's not all about a salary, its about reality". That statement hold no truth to it anymore. Corporations send labels out looking for artist talking about drugs, money, guns and b's and ho's. These artists are typically black people living in or a paycheck away from poverty. As hip-hop transition from an underground genre to a mainstream billion dollar business, a lot of youth saw and still see hip-hop as a way out. They are going to rap about whatever it is that the industry wants them to. If their lyrics were to positive Industries wouldn't release their music. They would tell the artist to come up with something more "marketable". If you take into consideration where these artist came from, they will do whatever it takes to not go back and to keep their families from going back as well. The labels understood this very well.
As hip hop becomes more main stream it creates a barrier between old school and new school. Its not the style of music and content but the knowledge and history of hip-hop. There as always been the negative aspect of music. (Even though if you actually dissect the song, which you must do in rap, you will find the true message of the song.) However today's artist tend to rap blindly without reflecting on why it is they are choosing those specific lyrics. They do it for money; it's all about the Benjamin.
Hip hop has been divided into the selfish and the unselfish. The unselfish are the underground, socially concious rappers who thrive to keep the essence of hip hop alive. The selfish are the mainstream artists who entertain for a check and to keep their families out of poverty. But who can completely blame them. Hip-hop, like everything else black people create, is so easily exploited because of the conditions they face and live in everyday.
Hip-hop has evolved from socially awakening the mass, to motivating the mass to make money for the individual. Yet, I sense a movement taking place. A few underground, socially conscious artists are making an appearance in the Industry. Artists like J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, and Schoolboy Q. There is a merging taking place.
This rises the question, if artist like J. Cole are capable of making hit music that bring in a lot of revenue, why are corporations still highly marketing artist like Young Thug? Why aren't they giving these socially conscious rappers the same platform if the market is out there?
The answer to these questions may or may not surprise you. To find out stop by next week. Love and Peace.
