Interesting Article about Hip-Hop (VARY LONG)

Ajran · Post by **Ajran** » August 7, 2003, 1:27 pm

Thought this was a very interesting article..

As someone who grew up in Brooklyn, New York in the 70's and then jr. High and some of my High School in the early 80's in L.A. I found it an interesting read at the least.. it is VERY long though. I'm not sure i agree fully with some of the opinions presented but a godo read nonetheless.

http://www.city-journal.org/html/13_3_how_hip_hop.html

Adelrune Argenti · Post by **Adelrune Argenti** » August 7, 2003, 1:55 pm

I actually agree with a lot of his theories he is presenting here. I think there has been a fundamental breakdown within all of society, not just the black community, directly tied to the pervasiveness and message of the media.

Music has always had an impact on the teen years. Many get their identities during these years by emulating the stars of the day. They also will subscribe to whatever ideas are communicated through that music. The difficult part is that for the most part, there is no counterbalance to the message received through hardcore rap. This goes beyond a teen wanting to shock by using language or whatever else. This goes to, in effect, indoctrinating an entire generation with hate and contempt. It clearly doesn't unite but destroys communities.

Skogen · Post by **Skogen** » August 7, 2003, 1:58 pm

I really want to read all of this, but don't have the time atm. From what I have read so far, I totally agree. In a nutshell, our kids, especially inner city kids, are listening to these lyrics, watching these videos full of chicks with big titties, pimp rods, dope pads, and a " I don't give a fuck about anyone else" attitudes, and taking it as what life is about. It's fucked up.

Sionistic · Post by **Sionistic** » August 7, 2003, 2:21 pm

probably my favorite part of the article

On a deeper level, there is something truly unsettling and tragic about the fact that blacks have become the main agents in disseminating debilitating—dare I say racist—images of themselves. Rap guru Russell Simmons claims that “the coolest stuff about American culture—be it language, dress, or attitude—comes from the underclass. Always has and always will.” Yet back in the bad old days, blacks often complained—with some justification—that the media too often depicted blacks simply as uncivilized. Today, even as television and films depict blacks at all levels of success, hip-hop sends the message that blacks are . . . uncivilized. I find it striking that the cry-racism crowd doesn’t condemn it.

Krimson Klaw · Post by **Krimson Klaw** » August 7, 2003, 3:36 pm

I have not read the article, but agree with its basic premise. It's not Hip Hop music that I think brings our youth down, it's trying to live the lifestyle. Perfect example is Busta Rhymes. He is arguably a patriarc of the genre, but at the end of the day, he goes home to his wife and kids, does not get involved in the tension, bitterness, and violence that others do. He even says this. He's a man that collects a paycheck for making music, then goes home at the end of the day. To quote him "I just make music, I'm not going to die for this stuff". His lyrics are generally uplifting and have positive messages even (imagine that). Our youth trying to live this hip hop lifestyle is what brings them down. There is more to life than platinum teef, fornication, and spinners....I love uplifting hip hop, but when a song comes on that's nothing but bling bling, benz, chicks and chips, I just change the station. I don't like the fact that well known artists encourage our youth to live the lifestyle either. There are dreams and there is reality, not everyone in the ghetto will be rappers or hip hop artists, but they sure send the message that THAT should be one of your goals if you want to be down.

Truant · Post by **Truant** » August 7, 2003, 3:48 pm

Krimson Klaw wrote:I have not read the article, but agree with its basic premise. It's not Hip Hop music that I think brings our youth down, it's trying to live the lifestyle. Perfect example is Busta Rhymes. He is arguably a patriarc of the genre, but at the end of the day, he goes home to his wife and kids, does not get involved in the tension, bitterness, and violence that others do. He even says this. He's a man that collects a paycheck for making music, then goes home at the end of the day. To quote him "I just make music, I'm not going to die for this stuff". His lyrics are generally uplifting and have positive messages even (imagine that). Our youth trying to live this hip hop lifestyle is what brings them down. There is more to life than platinum teef, fornication, and spinners....I love uplifting hip hop, but when a song comes on that's nothing but bling bling, benz, chicks and chips, I just change the station. I don't like the fact that well known artists encourage our youth to live the lifestyle either. There are dreams and there is reality, not everyone in the ghetto will be rappers or hip hop artists, but they sure send the message that THAT should be one of your goals if you want to be down.

very well said

There are a few others besides Busta...but they are few and far between for sure.