Rappers, Hip Hop Artists, and Responsibility to the Community
Well, with the recent remarks of Don Imus about the Rutgers women’s basketball team, it has brought the spotlight on rappers and hip hop artists as well. As much as I love hip hop and rap, I feel that their lyrics are filled with negativity about their own people – which is why I listen to about 10% of their music nowadays.
Oprah has been shunned by some rap artists because she won’t have any of them on her show, but she has a valid reason. I completely side with Oprah on this one. However, that did change yesterday when Oprah brought on a panel of some of the leading figures in the hip hop community: Russell Simmons, Kevin Liles, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, and Grammy-award winner, Common. I only saw a small clip of the show, but it was enough to know that changes will start to be made. I know it.
I’ve heard the argument before – rappers are just expressing what they see in their neighborhoods, but if that’s all you are going to focus on then nothing is going to change. What about creating lyrics that inspire people in the ‘hood to want to make a better life? After all, these are the people who are listening to your music. Music affects people in many ways. As an music artist in the spotlight, you have a responsibility to the community. Don’t you want to take things to the next level?
One Response to “Rappers, Hip Hop Artists, and Responsibility to the Community”
By TMNK on Apr 19, 2007 | Reply
Asking rappers to play the role of community leaders, and clean up their lyrics because of its negative influence. Is a bit like taking pain medication to treat cancer, it might make you feel better, but it doesnt cure the problem.
Hip-Hop’s violent centric, and profane lyrics are not the disease, its a symptom of the disease. It’s like acusing a child born with AIDS for being HIV positive. The Disease is the neglected inner-cities, urban centers, and impoverished communities that birthed hip hop.
And given the afluency of America, the wealth that is paraded by our athletes, entertainers, and leaders why isn’t their positive influence as noticeable and notable as these negative influences? Why aren’t our best and brightest (and wealthiest) not visible teaching, mentoring, investing in the minds of the youth we blame hip hop for destroying?
Yes, It’s nice to see “Us” on tv protesting, marching, and debating about whats wrong in our communities. But how about less talk, and more walk. Instead of looking to our rappers as role models, lets look to those who have escaped economic slavery behaving more like Harriet Tubman. And lets, keep in mind Ms. Tubman didn’t simply donate money to the “Free a Slave” foundation. Once she got hers, she actively went back to free others.
Here’s a list of a few items, Id like to see in Brooklyn, NY ,Newark, NJ, Washingtod, DC, Oakland, CA, and cities like them:
1. Oprah center for Film and Television Arts
2. Bill Cosby – Video New Media Training Centers
3. Micheal Jordan – Interactive Arts Computer Centers
4. Robert Johnson Day-Care centers for single mothers
and how about Medical mentoring programs by our successful doctors.
And instead of our Lawyers having our young men as clients after they get into trouble, invite some to work for them, invest in them the way drug dealers, and gangs recruit our children.
-TMNK