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Monday, May 4, 2020

"What is Rap? " by Sesha H R


      We all enjoy different forms of music whether it's classical, r&b, or indie. We all  search for something to move us. Rap isn’t any different. If we look at how rappers like Tupac or J Cole are perceived, they were seen as wrong when they first released music. Most older people and some young people put Tupac in a box and lump him in with all the other rappers. They have a misconception that all rap is “vulgar” and “inappropriate” because white america has commercialized rap as a way to make money off of young black men or women. Although in some ways rap can be vulgar, especially commercialized rap, in many instances vulgarity and profanity is needed to spread messages across when a calm demeanor doesn’t get you far. Society can try to deny the genius of Tupac but they will never succeed, he superseded expectations and sought to bring awareness and action into the minds and hearts of american society about police brutality, the war on drugs, and the disproportionate amount of mass incarceration of black men.
      Why Did Tupac try to create a narrative about all the injustices of capitalist America when in many ways he benefited from it? The answer is simple: he cared about the poor and the other, rather than spend all his money and forget his troubled upbringing he chose to give back and fight back. In many of his writings like “ Government Assistance or my Soul” he spoke blatantly that he wasn’t going to allow the government to attempt to silence him or buy him, this sentiment clearly depicted the feelings of the many of the black community. With the advent of the Civil RIghts and Black Panther Era Tupac found strength in the voices of his predecessors who chose to fight against oppression and continue their mission to fight for the black community. He understood that with the War on Drugs it was another attempt of american society to criminalize the black community and back track their success. Songs like “ So many tears” bring reality to the fact that in black neighborhoods children were forced to endure harsh realities such as police weren’t there to protect but to kill, crack would take your loved ones away, and you can either be killed or kill in that you can either speak and expose this society or succumb to what white america has laid out for you.
      “​All eyez on me ... bet you got it twisted, you don't know who to trust So many player-hatin' n***s tryna sound like us Say they ready for the funk, but I don't think they knowin' Straight to the depths of Hell is where those cowards goin. ​ ’” Tupac was right all eyez were on him to be the savior, to be the fuck up, or to be the massive thug everyone wanted him to be. In his later years being signed to Death Row records he became in many ways the man he loathed and rapped about. Perhaps it was the image of Death Row that changed him since they were known for using violence and using their gang affiliation to get their way. Because, as he stayed with them his lyrics were increasingly more violent and that vulnerability that many loved him for became harder to find.

13 comments:

  1. Yes Sesha!! Queen!!! You tell them what rap really is! I also really hate how society always places a prejudicial judgement on certain groups/categories, etc. It is true that for many people in our world, there is a stigma attached to the idea of "rap," and that, like all other generalizations, tend to be inaccurate. Rap can and is a lot more than being "vulgar" or "inappropriate"; they often tell really important stories about society. Great work!

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  2. This is everything!!!! I love how you expressed how Tupac used the power of music to break societal expectations and speak upon ongoing, critical matters.

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  3. This was great! It was very interesting for me to read because I love music. I loved how you brought to light a very interesting and unique style of music as well. I can definitely confirm that many people think that rap is usually vulgar or inappropriate but it's not true! Thank you for your research and facts. :)

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  4. I love the examples that you used and thought this was really well said. It is true most people look at rap and think it is inappropriate or vulgar but if you take to time to listen to the lyrics of some songs you would find that within them are a deeper meaning and not just some vulgar language here and there. Great job Sesha!

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  5. You better speak on it, Sesha! I loved how you brought a new perspective to rap, bringing a positive light to something a lot people negatively view. You made a great point about how sometimes vulgarity is needed because calmly addressing an issue doesn't always get the point across. Impeccable job!

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  6. This honestly was amazing to read, and for speaking up for the rap culture. I like how you included how all eyes were on Tupac, either expecting him to respond as a thug, a fuck up, or actually speaking up for an entire community.

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  7. I love your perspective on rap! Just because there is profanity does not mean it should be stigmatized. Rap often does carry a message from the artist but I can understand that the pressure of the music industry can change the message to something that no longer serves its original intent. Thank you for this input on an issue many people don't address; I truly enjoyed reading this!

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  8. Hi! I love that you took the time to explain the meaning behind rap. I agree that many times, the lyrics contain hidden meaning. Thank you!

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  9. Glad that you're trying to tackle a blatant prejudice towards an art form due to the way the messages within are delivered. While there are often vulgar themes hidden or embedded within rap music, the music is often to showcase the lifestyle or surroundings of the artist and also often depicts the struggles or injustices that occur around them.

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  10. I loved how you brought up the war on drugs! it was an important event in the making of hip hop and rap. it allowed for the oppressed to begin to express themselves through these musical outlets. i also appreciate how you fought to show people that rap is not a thug language but a musical victims of profiling and the privilege agenda!

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  11. Your piece is really great because it invokes conversation over things like messages and groups. Based on how you described rap, it's really clear that this genre and other music genres have the ability to spread powerful messages and stand as a symbol. I also thought it was great how you addressed the misconceptions of rap. I personally don't listen to rap and listen more to indie but I definitely agree that not all rap is vulgar and I have indeed listen to great pieces in the rap genre. Great work!

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  12. I really enjoyed reading your piece Sesha. It really got me thinking what my definition of rap is because there’s so many perceptions of it. I also like how you used “All Eyez on Me” to showcase how rap can be used to highlight the injustices in America. Good Job!


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  13. Adrian WaterhouseMay 14, 2020 at 3:11 PM

    I couldn't agree more. Many times the genre of rap is given a bad wrap when in reality it was started to bring awareness to the social injustices in America, including things like the War on drugs. Great job.

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