When I think about the globalization
of anything, it seems amazing to me that one cultural phenomena can
be attractive to people despite such huge differences of physical
location and culture. Framing hip hop on Monday in its history was
really helpful to me, because I see now that hip-hop is a cultural
manifestation of a very human experience. Hip hop originated out of
dissatisfaction as a means of creatively expressing societal
discontent. Hip hop actually began as an intercultural activity.
Hip hop has been associated with African American culture, but, as we
discussed Monday, Latinos had a large role in beginning and
continuing hip hop. Hip hop was developing in South and Central
America almost at the same rate as in the United States
(1970's-1980's). Since that time, hip hop has also attracted
listeners in Europe, Africa, and Asia (beginning in the 1990's). Hip
hop truly is a global cultural experience, because social movement as
a reaction to tensions and discontent is a human experience.
Music, as a form of art, reflects
life, and vice versa. However, many critics claim the deterioration
of hip hop. Artists like the Black Eyed Peas (arguably more pop than
hip hop), Asher Roth, Lil Wayne, Timbaland, Gucci Mane, and Rick Ross
get a lot of bad press for what they produce. Not only do they
produce low-quality music and writing, their lyrics represent the
sex, partying, and drugs of fame almost exclusively. For a genre
that started as a movement of creative expression as an alternative
to violence.... that's taking a pretty hard dive downward. There are
still good hip-hop and rap artists out there, but what are the
standards now if these artists I just mentioned are the radio
standard?
I'm also really curious about how race
comes into play in hip-hop. I have heard many times that Eminem is
not a “real” hip-hop/rap artist. I don't personally appreciate
Eminem's music, so that doesn't bother me. However, if hip-hop
started as a way to make statements about societal discontent, I
think Macklemore does a great job of continuing those sentiments.
Of course he has some silly tracks, but he also has some really deep
and meaningful statements to make about our world. His tracks such
as Same Love, Ten Thousand Hours, Otherside, and Starting Over
essentially make problem statements and recommendation for societal
ills. But he often is overlooked as an artist …. is that because
he is white? Is hip-hop race exclusive at all?
I think race can definitely be a factor in the popular opinion of what it means to be a "true" hip hop/rap artist. I mean, Eminem's whole image is built off the fact that no one ever took him seriously as a rapper when he began due to the fact that he is white. And undoubtedly many people probably still do not today. But with the amount of Grammy's he has won and popularity he has gained he is one of the best-selling rap artists of all time. While his music can be somewhat crazy at times, I really enjoy it because of how provocative it is and how he is not afraid to be extremely controversial and straightforward about his opinions. He is not worried about hurting people's feelings, he just chooses to be honest. I kind of think of his as the ultimate contradiction in a way because he defies many social barriers and breaks through the way our society categorizes groups of people. I have a lot of respect for how far he has come to be where he is. But, I have so much respect for Macklemore as an artist because of the way he, like many other hip hop/rap artists, confronts the social issues that are so relevant in our society today. But what is unique to him is that he confronts the topics that are more "hush hush" that people don't really like to bring up. And he does it with such pride and confidence that I think he truly has an impact on those who listen to his music. I think it is stupid to say that simply because they are white that they aren't technically "legit" hip hop/rap artists. While we cannot forget the origin of this drama and the group of people it came from, it would be very hypocritical and un-evolved for it to be an exclusive genre. People will criticize musicians for anything, regardless of their race. So I really don’t see it as an exclusive genre cause I feel like that would be completely contradictory to the movement it originated from.
ReplyDeleteArguably, the Black Eyed Peas began as a socially conscious group. Perhaps my favorite song of theirs is called "Where is the Love?" Its chorus rings: "People killing; people dying. Children hurt and you hear them crying. Can you practice what you preach and would you turn the other cheek?" The song seems to speak out against violence and poverty. Even a few years ago, Lil' Wayne released "How to Love" that addresses self-worth and relationships.
ReplyDeleteI agree that race is factor influencing hip-hop, but is one of many. Over the years, music has become more than just a form of artistic expression. Music is a business now and to sell albums, artists have to be marketed a certain way to be received. Yes, Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, and Lil’ Wayne make music that includes a dialogue of violence, sex, drugs and luxury, but that is also the type of music that sells. Macklemore and Eminem fall into the same image trap. Both are cross-over artists I would argue because for one, the “gangster white rapper” does not sell albums. Macklemore has a fan base that identifies with mostly everything that he talks about for the same reason that Rick Ross does. For Macklemore, that fan base is probably small, which is why he appears to be overlooked. Why is he overlooked? Maybe the world that he storytells about is not the same that hip-hop fans live in. Maybe those are not the messages that fans want to hear.
Pitbull, FloRida, and Paul Wall have all gained popularity in America despite their ethnicities. Pitbull is Cuban and began as street rapper; now he is a pop/club music artist. FloRida is an African-American that was a pop/hip-hop artist from the beginning. Paul Wall is Caucasian and has achieved success through Houston, TX bred hip-hop.
Rock music (psychedelic, punk, glam rock, heavy metal, grunge, etc.) was revolutionary in the 1960s through the 1990s for its discussion for sex, drugs and parties. Much of it is not regarded as low quality at all. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Montley Crue, Black Sabbath, Skid Row, and the list goes on, are examples of bands that sang and represented those “negative” traits. Jimi Hendrix and Darius Rucker are the first rock stars of color that come to mind. These thoughts provoke the question: Is rock racially exclusive at all?