For people who have fully immersed themselves in hip hop, this topic has been discussed ad nauseam; however, for the general layperson this culture is unfortunately stereotyped as kitsch and vacuous.

Music is a powerful medium in modern society, but one genre stands as the persuasive and defiant voice of many – hip hop. The birthplace of hip hop is in New York, and it has its roots in Jamaican toasting and West African griots. Throughout the late 70’s and early 80’s, hip hop music was characterized by uplifting social commentary, braggadocios raps, nonchalant party records, and rhythmically empowering Afrocentric verses, all accompanied by sampled loops. The evolution of hip hop has been very punctuated, and at times it has deviated from its roots, albeit still retaining its codifications. Not only has hip hop enhanced society, but it is also responsible for degrading society by perpetuating ignorance, misogyny, and juvenile delinquency. It seems that the antithesis of intellectualism is dominating most hip hop oriented mediums, and herein lies the problem - the bad parts of hip hop are clearly overrepresented and overvalued.

Hip hop is more far reaching in its efforts, than to just simply degrade society and glorify delinquent behavior. A myriad of artists, such as Illogic, Saul Williams, Gift of Gab, Sage Francis, Eyedea, Busdriver and Pharaohe Monch incorporate consciously-driven themes into their songs with "lyrical acrobatics”, literary devices and verbal dexterity while showcasing a mastery of the English language. This is the epitome of modernized poetry, which unfortunately is submerged underneath a thick blanket of songs drenched in homophobia, obscene language, materialism, misogyny and violence. For example, let me compare these two verses:

Gucci Mane - Anytime You Ready

Well, it take money to make money
That's why I make money
Need some today so I'mma go take they money
Flip money, I weigh money
Hundred grand, that's play money
Counterfeit, that's fake money
Law city, that's Blake money
Cash money, that's Drake money
Broke niggas, they hate money
Rappers they get slave money
Gucci Mane, I say money
Gucci Mane, I say money
Kimberly in your face money
Brick squad we taste money
Gold diggers they chase money
Rich niggas we waste money!

Illogic - 1,000 Whispers

If a picture's worth a thousand words I'll paint a thousand pictures
To symbolize the decibel levels bred of a thousand whispers
To mummify useless unknown poems spit a shower with gold glitter
Pressure increase unleash the catacomb splitters
And for some reason you wonder why your puzzle is a jigsaw
When you fail to decipher the Morse code to simply avoid the pitfalls
If need be I can get raw - just pocket the latex
But that's like asking why the man with no legs crawls to see the apex
Or why the young planet's seeds won't blossom into a garden
Parallel to your search for stardom where you leave breadcrumbs and jargon
That you can't even feel. So how's that for surface tension?
Every step shows you're a worthless henchman itching to meet your maker
I'd rather finger-paint than take a tainted pen and curse the paper
Voice box turns cauldron, saliva boils, then thoughts are vapor

The differences in penmanship are blatantly obvious, two polarized verses that deliver diametrically opposed messages. Language is a powerful tool of communication and hip hop is saturated with euphemisms, African American vernacular, colloquialisms, slang and literary devices.

In another example, the New York rapper Cam'ron says, “Sometime y’all get crimey crimey, grimy grimy/But those with a tiny hiney they get whiny whiny,” in the song 5 Boroughs. To some this verse may seem outrageously stupid, devoid of anything intellectually stimulating (including the entire song), but does it have to be? Is it safe to assume that regular club goers do not want an artist like Aesop Rock or MF DOOM to be played, but rather recite ad-libs like, “Yahhh, trick, Yahhh!” (Soulja Boy coined this phrase). Is music that is preposterously nonsensical appropriate for certain milieus, or is this type of music sending a bad message to prepubescent teens and adolescents? "Retards Attempting Poetry" is a witty remark that people like to use and it might apply to the aforementioned rap lyrics, but using it as an umbrella term to describe hip hop in its entirety is inaccurate. Most consciously-driven rap music is underrepresented and undervalued in today’s society.

It has even gotten to the point where hip hop has been split into two categories: “fake” and “real”. "Fake hip hop" is rap primarily concerned with talking about how much money you have, what type of car you drive, how many females you had intercourse with last night and other trivial occurrences. "Real hip hop" encapsulates the true essence of hip hop culture, untarnished by impurities such as rapacious record labels and vapid, materialistic subject matter. This is a false dichotomy, and the people who adhere to it are mostly fans who vehemently oppose mainstream rap music. They contend that real hip hop is embodied by underground/alternative or independent artists who are not contributing to the wholesale destruction of a culture.

Also, the internet has been a breeding ground for producing a plethora of pastiches and carbon copies of extant rappers, with no hint of creativity or originality. Becoming a rapper, albeit not necessarily famous, is relatively easy now in this day and age due to technology. One can simply upload a video onto YouTube, wisely advertise their song via word of mouth, and voilà, in no time their views will skyrocket. This constant influx of internet rappers is inundating hip hop with more rappers than it needs. Not only has technology inhibited hip hop to an extent, the commercialization of hip hop music has put revenue and sales ahead of the advancement of this genre - catering to the consumer is the industry’s raison d’être.

This genre has been transformed into, what Michael Eric Dyson refers to as a commodity fetish! The primary function of rap is to sell music, but its secondary function is also remarkably effective at selling other products. For instance, in many rap videos, brand name alcoholic beverages, the most expensive automobiles, the latest outfits and other hot commodities are conspicuously shown in order to attract attention to what is popular. If a rapper is adorned in the latest outfits and other miscellaneous items, the viewer may start to confuse his/her wants with his/her needs. Popular figureheads such as Lil’ Wayne, Jay-Z, Eminem, Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Gucci Mane have gained notoriety through BET, MTV, VH1, the radio and other mass media outlets. These aforementioned figureheads are marketable enough to promote superficiality, materialism and all things negative.

The transition from songs about the hardships in poverty-stricken areas (while not glorifying this stigma) to lyrics embellished with the lavish lifestyles of multi-millionaires directly shows the presence of ulterior motives. In turn, this reinforces stereotypes about minorities and bastardizes a subculture, while successfully misleading the impressionable and malleable minds of the youth. This blatantly obvious corruption, although not solely responsible, can cause juvenile behavior which might possibly lead to incarceration or dysfunctional lives.

Reptillian Assisted Propoganda

I was driving the other day and some rap music was so loud it overpowered my alternative-electro(ish) indie track, which I enjoy during drives. At first I thought it had to be a lowered, 10 year old car with a speaker system worth 5x its value, until a mini-van pulled up next to me. Contrary to my first assumptions, the music wasn't coming from inside the vehicle, but outside via loudspeakers.

It was rap with a christian theme, rapping about finding Jesus and changing the way you lived.

I'm not a fan of religion, and not a die hard fan of rap and hip hop (although I listen to it on occasion). I was a little miffed though, because the beat wasn't bad and the artists clearly had talent. So during my short stop at the red light, I turned off the latest iTunes fed track my stereo was playing and just enjoyed a little Jesus rap.

I doubt it will ever see the "cool" factor, but it's not to say something in between can't.

-

Two days after this I went to see RZA's version of a Chinese Hollywood influenced Spaghetti Western, (A genre that only Taratino knows how to make (because he basically invented it)... And here we are with hip hop culture being injected into an East Asian/1970's Clint Eastwood staple, where different cultures can reflect on it in different ways.

I bet the movie will get terrible reviews. But what I saw was a few cultures being slammed together in a mash of "what the hell is going on?" and to be honest... I liked it.

I hope I keep seeing more Jesus rap and American-Asian-Hip Hop(esque) films. And throw some more cultures together while you are at it, invent some new ones that aren't so stereotypical...

That's the first step in making changes..

Great post. You exlained this really well.
When I read the headline my answer was 'both'. Glad to see you touched on both sides.
It does seem to me to be either really bad and off-putting or seriously profound, enlightening and inspiring. Not much middle ground.
Also, it has been argued that the shift was no accident or natural progression; that it was a deliberate attempt, which seems to have worked, to change the message from one of empowerment, knowledge, insight, strength, working together to change the status quo, etc to materialism, greed, selfishness and violence.

You make a really good point here and I think it can be applied to most genres.

You gotta dig deep to find the real good stuff. This is were the best musicians, most rythmically original, and best lyrisct are found. Usually found far from radio play. (discovering this turned me into a metal head)

Hip hop can be blatantly genius, it's just not usually the stuff you hear on your local rap station. I know a few but Aesop rock is a pretty intellectually stimulating hip hop group that comes to the top of my head.

S&F

rap has done so much harm to the american youth, its kinda sickening...the cultural shock of this movement has dumbed down more teens than we may ever know...now there is some good in a real sense of the word rap/hiphop out there, but it still pushes the annoying gangster and or woe is me image...speaking of rap, anyone remember that "my president is black" song from 2008? that one seriously got me annoyed constantly when everyone was so happy (white or black) and they were singing aloud and cheering of the beginning to the end

Modern pop music isn't much better. Here's a lyric from a song that's on the radio all the time:

Kesha - Die Young
"I feel your heart beat to the beat of the drum, oh what a shame that you came here with someone"

Then it goes into a catchy, bubble-gum pop song about doing drugs, breaking the law and acting slutty -- all whille sounding upbeat.

I hate these "women-empowering-let-be-sluts-happy-feeling-break-the-law" type songs.

Here's some more of that same Kesha song:

Young hunks, taking shots
Stripping down to dirty socks
Music up, gettin' hot
Kiss me, give me all you've got
It's pretty obvious that you've got a crush (you know)
That magic in your pants, it's making me blush (for sure)

Looking for some trouble tonight
Take my hand i'll show you the wild side
Like it's the last night of our lives
We'll keep dancing till we die

I don't have any kids -- but If I did they would not be allowed to listen to this before age 15 (and I'm pretty open minded and not religious at all!)

I got money
I make money
A lot of money
Mansions, rims, cars hoes and clothes
I got money im so throw
Money money money
bitches bitches
tits and ass
Smokng grass
Skipin class
Im so gangsta

I AM going be so big one day. Right now im on lil Wayne's level but in a week or two after i practice 10min a day I will be twice as good as lil wayne.


The masses do not understand music. They just want to fell like bad asses because they are told to up hold a image because they care to much about what people think about them. It SEEMS safer to buy into a fad that you know every one likes instead of just being you but really your just suppressing who you really are witch can cause a lot of confusion and stress.

I really admire your ability to write poster. I wish i was more articulate and had a larger vocabulary.
I am going to use your post's as a guide to improve my English skills.

Word to your mother !

everyone should know that rap is the music , Hiphop is the lifestyle /culture

the 4 elements of hiphop

rap (MC) , turntablism (DJ) , Breakin (bboy) , Graffiti (writers )

and HipHop is strong even though Rap music has been abused the other 4 elements have also been touched by corporate media and the government and mainstream poisoning !

The big record companies will not promote or produce hip hop artists that have positive messages. Wish I remembered the name of it, but there was a great documentary that aired on PBS several years ago that talked about the hip hop industry. The vast majority of profits from hip hop come from white middle class America.

I used to listen to Rap and only Rap in my teens, never immersed myself in to the Hip Hop culture though, as a working class English white boy, I felt that I would have been a total fraud and loser if I did.

I think Rap has had some fantastic talent, I remember listening to Rap in the early 90's and it was great, really gritty and a great insight in to life in American ghettos. By the late 90's, I had got bored with it, the genre to me is very limited and does not have enough variation. I somewhat demanded more from my music. I now listen to primarily Heavy Metal, but also old Delta Blues, Jazz, Dance, Country, Classical, Celtic, Reggae, all kinds of folk music from around the world and occassionally Rap.

Having listened to so many forms of music over the last ten or so years, for me Rap is one of the weakest genres. I applaud the skills needed to proficiently rap, but its a genre that I just can't listen to for more than ten minutes. When I listen to music from around the world, I hear emotion, I hear talent, I hear musicianship, I hear music. Some of the most beautifully poetic lyrics are lyrics that many will never hear. I can't say the same for Rap. It's grit and exposure to life at ground level in some of the most impoverished areas of America comes across as boring to those that still rap of such issues. The ones that don't just sound like they couldn't string a coherent rhyme together if someone was aiming an Ak at their head.

I enjoyed Rap in my teens, but grew out of it, each to their own, it's just my taste and my opinion.