But hip-hop was increasingly attracting large audiences and its supporters were ready to fight the censors who they believed were taking away their constitutional right of freedom of speech, and the freedom of the urban black culture to express itself. What critics of rap music don't comprehend is that rap music is a part of our culture, which is impossible to ignore. Although it may be untraditional, it is a very eloquent form of expression that illustrates the conditions and feeling of a vibrant African -American young culture Hip-hop is constantly attacked in the music world. Many music critics argue that rap is not a valid form of music. This attack on rap music isn't only restricted to critics, many people of older generations have similar attitudes regarding this style of music.
The particular title of the song sparked major debates within not only the African-American community thus the Caucasian communities as well. Debates included topics such as the significance and worth of freedom of speech compared with the need to take a stand against messages that denigrate African-Americans. This specific label turned into an outrage and came to the point where conservative white individuals stood in front of the record label expressing their feelings. These individuals made a point that it is because artists like Nas that there is an increase in gang and street violence within communities. Rap and hip-hop music only depicts a simple-minded image of black men as sex crazed, criminals, or “gangsters”.
It seems that our American culture has always had a problem with misogyny in the rap music industry. But is our culture, introducing a new level of misogyny? Where rappers objectify and reduce women in a more unsettling and brutal way. Are rappers taking the once positive music pass the limit? Recently, in the past few months, rappers have released new singles about raping women and mishandling them.
These articles depict the controversies of the hip hop industry and how that makes it difficult for one to succeed. Many of these complications and disputes may be invisible to the population, but these articles take the time to reveal them. Even when one becomes an artist in the industry, there are many troubles that go along with the tag of being a recording artist in the urban division. One example is seen in the article, “The Business of Rap: Between the Street and the Executive Suite” by Keith Negus, where columnist, J.R. Reynolds, mentions the closing of the urban division at Capitol Records in 1996, calling it “the systematic extermination of black music at Capitol Records”, saying that it did not make any sense because the genre was doing well in the market (528). The black music division is often subject to this kind of cutting compared to others.
Despite heavy criticism over the years rap music painted a picture of the harsh realities and oppression of individuals in inner city areas in the United States and served as effective means of resistance. In “Criteria of Negro Art”, W.E.B Du bois claims that all art is propaganda and is created to convey a message. In addition, Du Bois believed art can be used for the purpose of racial uplift, especially in the African-American community. He also ponders how art produced by African-Americans will be perceived by society. African-Americans or oppressed groups in general have been dehumanized in society, therefore, it would appear difficult for the groups that are higher in power to take their work in consideration.
this? my beloved, lets get down to business mental self-defensive fitness, yo! bum rush the show, you gotta go for what you know make everybody see, in order to fight the powers that be.” Through these lyrics the artist attempted to ignite a feeling of action in the listeners to continue to fight for equality in the African American culture and also to voice the struggles of the neglected people who lived in inner cities. “Rap music, notwithstanding its modern–day origins as pure entertainment, has always been challenged to shoulder the social responsibilities of the communities from which it emerged” (Rap Music). Therefore, initially the audience of the rap music culture viewed rap as a vehicle of resistance.
Hip hop has become an important figure to mainly the African Americans turning into African American “English” relating to the culture because of the singing culture/tradition. Many agree that people do look for ways to find accustoms towards the culture or tradition. “Rap is the verbal-musical element of hip-hop which society mostly associates.” (Stewart) Many songs relate through some sort of expression, describing the way the hardships of people may have gone through, such as mother or father passing, being involved in gang related crimes; murdering people, selling drugs having friends/family being killed. Also going through parents lacking care to the child, having to see many inhumane things out in the “ghetto” has lead to many people going through lyrical expression. To let the world hear the cry for help the society felt against the world’s problems.
In Fire Squadz, J.Cole emphasis that the system placed in our country not only limit our black youth but forces them into a category making it hard for them to rise for expectations. J.Cole is interviewed by columnist Nia Porter from saintheron.com, about the stories behind singers and rappers like J.Cole, and states in the interview, “The video is really more of a commentary on the need for unity and togetherness more so than it is a comment on racism, because [the black community] knows—we all know about oppression. We’re all aware of that. What we’re not aware of is the dysfunction within our own community. You know what I mean?
However, as popular as it was then and it is now, the lyrics of many rap songs have caused controversy. Many believe and have charged that these lyrics promote racism and violence and show contempt for women. Those in the mainstream have long considered rap music controversial. However its controversy escalated to a whole new level when the world was introduced to “Gangsta Rap,” where violent acts and suggestions are graphically portrayed (yale). The notorious rap group responsible for the introduction of gangsta rap was NWA (bomp).
Not only in music but in everything, movies, housewives and more. Almost all music makes assumptions about people. Rap music makes the worst versions of men and women. Rap music stereotypes men in a way that makes them seem careless and almost numb. The lyrics of rap music almost always includes something about drugs.