Growing up in a culture where hip-hop is present, this specific genre has always been my personal gateway to tune out and listen to beats that are aesthetically pleasing. I remember always bopping my head along to the beats in hip-hop music, sometimes I would sing lyrics out-loud, however, did I know what they meant at the time? What is it with hip-hop specifically, that makes it so attracting? Although I was a child, music to me was being able to be in my own zone, it was my own relaxation. However, as I grew older, I began to realize that there must be some alternate reasoning or ulterior meaning behind it.
Having a stereo in the bathroom to jam out to music always allowed me to listen to music even while I was showering; and in return, this fed into my own embarrassment because my mom could also hear the music that was playing (the music at the time may not have been intended for an audience such as myself). I thought this to be true because that is what others would tell me; in this instance, without even knowing, this was me appealing to the hasty generalization fallacy because I was making a generalization based on what a few individuals have told me. As a result, I myself have never taken the time to research much about hip-hop because I had already created generalizations on hip-hop based on my own opinions and what other individuals have argued.
Furthermore, individuals may argue different ideas because there may not be a simple black or white answer to the questions that arise when thinking about hip-hop. To properly create an informed opinion on hip-hop and what it truly represents and its meaning behind it, asking questions and conducting research based on the questions asked is an important part of the process. What is the history behind hip-hop? What is the controversy? What does hip-hop represent? Is hip-hop good or bad overall? Though there are different perspectives necessary to be recognized, each one is important to consider as everyone has their own perspectives (I say, everyone, because we are not all the same person). Coming from someone as myself who has not conducted much research on hip-hop, it will overall be easier to form a proper opinion. In a way, think of you, the reader, going on a journey with me, the author; in this instance, we go on a journey together this time into the unknown.
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Firstly, my research process begins by understanding hip-hop, and the culture in which it was created and its ultimate purpose. According to the writers of “Hip Hop: Music and Cultural Movement” who are Alan Light and Greg Tate, hip-hop was first established by the African American Culture in which had been economically challenged in the Bronx, New York City, near the late 1970s. When reading this, I had half expected hip-hop to had been around for far longer. Wanting to know more, reading farther into research, I began to realize and acknowledge that hip-hop was more than it is just music. Had I really understood truly what hip-hop was? Was the information I had been fed throughout my life inaccurate?
Under opinion, it seemed obvious that hip-hop was a genre of music, but after reading the following: “The beginnings of the dancing, rapping, and deejaying components of hip-hop were bound together by the shared environment in which these art forms evolved” (Light and Tate par. 4), I was convinced against this otherwise. Under the assumption now that hip-hop is a component of art, I began to wonder which famous individuals were able to make this possible. Backtracking ever so slightly, both Light and Tate express, “Graffiti and breakdancing, the aspects of the culture that first caught public attention, had the least lasting effect” (par. 3). This meant that graffiti and breakdancing were the first arts of hip-hop implemented. Adding into more depth, Patrick Wamaguru from TEDx Talks in the video, “Hip Hop Is a Culture” interviews Octopizzo about the hip-hop and what his opinion is on the topic. According to Octopizzo, his belief in hip-hop music is the means of changing lives, by expressing through music, rather than getting involved in reckless behavior. We will, however, later investigate more about what Patrick Wamaguru has to say about this as well. This had seemingly become what had led to the later development of hip-hop. Now that there is a bit of backstory established based on hip-hop, the next step towards my research began.
Secondly, comparing the difference between the early years of hip-hop being developed, and modern hip-hop, much more discoveries happened towards the beginning of hip-hop when the culture had been established; as a result, many achievements, such as Kurtis Blow being the first rapper to appear on national TV in 1980, according to PBS. Another achievement in 1984 also occurred when “KDAY Los Angeles becomes the nation’s first rap-only radio station” (PBS). To enumerate the modern day hip-hop, it can be described as vulgar, as in 2000, “Dr. Dre file[d] a lawsuit against music download tool Napster for copyright infringement” (PBS), as well as Eminem beginning to “spark controversy for its misogynistic and homophobic lyrics” (PBS), and in 2001, Jay-z and Nas both outlined hip-hop in a negative direction as they release music attacking one another. While the 2000s began to spark diversity in the arts of music, for this reason, controversy and vocal attacks began. During the time of 2008-2011, personally, it felt as though the style in the genre had even changed. Throughout time progressing as hip-hop began to grow, diversity in beats, sounds, and techniques began to grow. Consequently, the way artists illustrate themselves in music began to adjust.
Keeping in mind some of the histories of how hip-hop had been developed, the next step is analyzing some others thought processes and experiences based around hip-hop. Now being under the impression that hip-hop is more than just a style of music, I can get a better understanding of it. The next portion of research comes from “Can Hip-Hop Inspire A New Generation of Architects?” which in this case, further understanding both the positives and negatives to hip-hop is essential. While reading through this article, it appeared to me that the focus of this article is to advocate for those who are interested in an architecture camp which Michael Ford, who is an architect, explains:
It’s a one-week intensive that challenges youth to explore architecture and the implications of architecture using rap lyrics as a way to diagnose some of the failures of architecture in black and brown communities across the country. We then challenge the youth to conceive and generate new architecture, once again, that’s based on some of those same rap lyrics. (par. 5)
This came across as interesting to me because I was not sure of the actual context quite yet. Architecture? What are the failures? Ford later emphasizes his view on rap music in hip-hop and how “[He] often describe[s] rap music as the post-occupancy evaluation of modernism…So I look at rap music as that unsolicited evaluation of architecture” (par. 5). In addition, Nikki Jean advocated for the architecture camps. In addition, it was in her personal belief that both building houses and building rap music both contain a certain structure to them. What strikes me as interesting in this, however, is that there does not appear to be anything regarding how the children who are participating in the architecture camps feel while participating. How do the children feel about being sent to learn about the arts of hip-hop? Is a one-week intensive training truly enough to teach the arts of hip-hop enough? Maybe not all the questions I have proposed can be answered but having perhaps interviews from younger children who are exposed to hip-hop at an early can help determine what type of impressions hip-hop is leaving upon others; in this instance, this has potential if the incorporation of other opinions can be added.
In view of a better look at the modern-day hip-hop, it led me to my next question. What is hip-hop used for specifically? In what ways does this perhaps, help society, if it does at all? Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino, introduces a controversial song, “This is America” which exaggerates the controversy going on in the United States today. For example, at the very beginning, Childish Gambino walks towards an individual who is sitting in a chair unable to see or move, followed by Gambino shooting the individual in the head. Immediately afterward, he sings, “This is America” (0:00-0:55). This almost immediately has a strong impact on individuals already as this song appears to speak out about the controversy in America; in this instance, Gambino expresses his concern for the African American culture in the United States through the art of hip-hop, he is excerpting his emotions and thoughts. Some may even argue that the gun is being cared for more so than the African Americans bodies, who “don’t get the same dignity” (Shamsian sect. 7). Further demonstration of these lyrics re-cited on Genius is shown in the following:
This is America Don’t catch you slippin’ now Look how I’m livin’ now Police be trippin’ now Yeah, this is America Guns in my area I got the strap I gotta carry ‘em (Gambino sect. 4).
This goes to show that as far as music is concerned, artists may use hip-hop as an art. Childish Gambino’s song represents those of the African American culture who are underrepresented and treated poorly. His lyrics emphasize the story that can be told behind lyrics, “police be trippin’ now” for instance, representing the society we live in today. “This is America” expressing and exaggerating that this is the world we live in, a world where gun laws appear to remain the same, despite what is happening to those today. Shamsian also notes that when the gun is taken away twice in Gambino’s video, the gun is taken away from an individual who carries a red cloth, as according to Shamsian, Alana Yzola from Insider believes the red cloth represents the republicans “[who] often value guns over black lives” (Shamsian sect. 8).
This leads me to the conclusion that music can perhaps be used as an art of expression, an art to emphasize an experience or tell a story. Hip-hop which was much more than just a music genre appeared to have a foundation, supporters in high positions of fame like Donald Glover, who can create a positive light on hip-hop. However, even though some may believe this, not everyone is on the same page. Emphasizing the idea that others may not believe that hip-hop represents itself positively, Wynton Marsalis who is an African American that composes jazz music expresses his opinion on hip-hop in “Jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis calls rap music ‘more damaging than a statue of Robert E. Lee’” as, “[a loss in] our grip on our morality in the black community… using pornography and profanity and addressing ourselves in the lowest, most disrespectful form” (par. 2).
Looking back, as mentioned previously, at the time of me being younger, my mind was not aware of the music I had been listening to contained such foul language, as shown in the song lyrics on Genius to the song, “The Spiteful Chant” by Kendrick Lamar, Featuring ScHoolBoy Q, raps “Too many niggas, not enough hoes…And some of you niggas, acting like hoes” (sect. 2). Comparing Kendrick Lamar’s music to Donald Glover’s music, both appeared to have different intent to them. One artist raises awareness towards the racial prejudice against African Americans, while another raises the stereotype against African Americans, therefore causing misunderstandings of what hip-hop is supposed to be; in other words, it seemed to me as though the regions of where hip-hop suddenly changed and none of this mattered anymore. This in return led me to my next portion in my research.
Due to the opposing opinions, I began to continue my research regarding Marsalis’ thoughts on hip-hop. Ben Kaye posts on Consequence of Sound, “Jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis calls rap music ‘more damaging than a statue of Robert E. Lee’” summarizing Jonathan Capehart’s news article in which Wynton Marsalis expresses, “Now all this ‘nigga’ this, ‘bitch’ that, ‘ho’ that, it’s just a fact at this point” (par. 3). Quite frankly, he led me to believe that Marsalis’ thought process was true. But why? Why do individuals, such as Kendrick Lamar, use such foul language their music? Wynton Marsalis also later follows up with a Facebook post regarding his interview with Jonathan Capehart posted on The Washington Post. His original commentary in the interview hits some key points, one of which is about Donald Glover and how he “[acknowledges and] applaud[s] his creativity and what he’s doing…From a social standpoint, it’s hard to decry a thing that you depict. That’s difficult” (Marsalis par. 7).
Coming from a standpoint in which excerpts negative emotion from the beginning, to admiring Donald Glover’s “This is America” song and music video defends Marsalis because he is not completely against hip-hop overall. Moreover, when Marsalis posted on Facebook, he made it very clear that he was not making a general statement that all musicians or artists in hip-hop are bad. He even recognizes and slightly counterargues that not all hip-hop artists make the music the way they necessarily wanted it to be; due to the industry and marketplace, artists may be applauded for adding vulgar or violent verses into their music. Marsalis presents decent counterarguments as illustrated: Human beings are creative in everything we do regardless of form (be it hip hop or any other form of art). There are, by the nature of how we are endowed, many many creative people in the world. To dismiss an entire form would indicate ignorance and refusal to accept fact. To question the mainstreaming of explicit adult content should not be considered irrational, prejudiced, close minded or high minded. It is a normal question that anyone with kids or who is just concerned about the general cultural atmosphere is forced to ask. (par. 8)
This in summary, counterargues against Marsalis’ argument earlier which stated that we are losing “our morality in the black community,” which was contradicting on its own. We should accept every form of art, but our morality is being lost. Is this a good thing, or is this bad? Nonetheless, getting back on track, in addition to this argument, John H. McWhorter wrote an article in a magazine named “How Hip-Hop Holds Blacks Back” and he strongly disagrees with the idea that there is a possibility of architecture or some sort of structure being built behind hip-hop as he argues strongly, “Many writers and thinkers see a kind of informed political engagement, even a revolutionary potential, in rap and hip-hop. They couldn’t be more wrong” (par. 4).
I found this statement to be an opinion, rather than a fact. While McWhorter began his article with the explanation as to why he believed that hip-hop was more so a danger. He believes it to be dangerous due to the reinforcement based on the stereotypes in which so believe to hurt the African American culture. McWhorter, of course, understood just as well as Wynton Marsalis did, that “not all hip-hop is belligerent or profane—entire CD’s of gang-bangin’, police-baiting, woman-bashing, invective would get old fast to most listeners” (par. 16). McWhorter’s excerpt from the Magazine argues about the tragedy it is that hip-hop nowadays has seemed to change. This in mind, I needed to ask a friend of mine, Leah, what she believed about hip-hop because I was interested in inquiring information on what someone from my inner circle may have thought.
After all, what better opinions are there to get than the ones of those around you? I asked her what her opinion on hip-hop was, and whether she believes it is good or bad for African Americans overall, with an immediate response of hers being: I do feel it helped a lot of African American men get off the streets to support their craft… Back then I saw a lot of the older black artists adopt music to stay out of trouble. They expressed more so how they felt. But over time I felt like it got worse because the lyrics started to become more violent, more sexual, and it started affecting and making black people have this certain image that we [are] always ready to start [drama] based off song lyrics (Leah, personal communication, Oct. 10, 2018).
This was strikingly odd because part of me could almost believe this as if it is completely true. As much of an “I feel” statement this is, the idea that hip-hop music started to appeal to mature audiences only as the lyrics contained violence and sexual innuendos, this was true as demonstrated in the previous paragraphs. I wanted to be sure that this was true before believing this though because otherwise, I might as well apply “ignorance” (in terms to the appeal of ignorance fallacy) to my research. After having taken some time to think about what my friend mentioned, as a result, this led me to think critically about the differences between opinions. To further realize that hip-hop is not completely harmful is to be open-minded.
Furthermore, examining “The Hip Hop Architecture Camp – Los Angeles, California” which is a music video based on the architecture camp that was mentioned earlier in research, created by Michael Ford. The song illustrated in this video represents the idea that hip-hop music can be used to inspire children and young adults with the power of words by using them to express themselves with music. Each singer in this video integrates a story into the lyrics being sung, all equally important. In this case, the singers establish a tone. As rapped by some of the children in the architecture camps of Los Angeles, California, “But instead they shooting up the streets running from the police, it’s our job to bring peace to our communities” which is later proposed with a solution, “Using architecture building gardens, parks, recreational centers—this can keep kids from becoming gang members, jobs, churches, and even bakeries can help the homeless and keep them off the street…” (Urban Arts Collective 0:33-1:04).
The main process of this architecture camp for these children is to influence them to create a better community for themselves by educating themselves and expressing themselves in a healthy manner, using the arts of rap lyrics. Attempting to tie this to own personal experience, it is hard to compare this to my own experience because I have never visited an architecture camp, or have I ever heard of one. If these architecture camps exist, how come they are not everywhere? As this being the first time of hearing of these, it made me realize I needed to do more research because my opinion may be slightly biased at this present time. After having previously mentioned Patrick Wamaguru speaking on behalf of the hip-hop culture in the video “Hip Hop Is a Culture,” he exaggerates that hip-hop has a positive influence on younger generations perhaps because hip-hop allows these children to develop talents in areas such as graffiti, dancing, singing, becoming a DJ, and more. He also proposes a question: How can we maximize the impact of the solutions? Some solutions provided by him included, “Positive and educated content into the art of the different groups of the youth that I have been able to interact with over the past few weeks” (Wamaguru 4:30-4:38).
Wamaguru argues against the negativity in hip-hop because he believes after conducting his own research on the topic that hip-hop can be implemented to educate others. In summary, Patrick uses all ways of persuasion to allow others to acknowledge the positives in hip-hop, in which it helps youth express themselves freely. Integrating facts in the beginning and interviewing Octopizzo, as well as excerpting his own thought process in shows both the analytical and emotional side, which conducts a proper argument. At this moment, my thoughts on hip-hop began to change. This constructs slight confusion, however, as I began to wonder what exactly “educated content” entailed. Could this perhaps include music about drugs, alcohol, and violence?
Are the rappers that create lyrics based on those terms simply expressing themselves, or are they using hip-hop to stereotype themselves and others? Patrick Wamaguru challenges not only his audience but also challenges me. Finally, I had to completely analyze my research and compare sources with one another to recognize the different perspectives of truth in each. There is undoubtedly an enormous amount of research based on hip-hop. If I take the thought process of Wynton Marsalis and John H. McWhorter, for example, although they both are on the same spectrum of leaning towards the negative outlooks in hip-hop, Wynton Marsalis does extend that even though there are negative outlooks to hip-hop, not everyone in the hip-hop industry is solely interested in slandering it.
On the contrary, McWhorter asserts his position on hip-hop as mainly negative because he believes that the “nastiest rap” is what hits the charts. He even concludes an argument with a negative view, stating that hip-hop is practically destructive and creates nothing useful. They both differ from each other because Marsalis exemplifies a tone of neutrality and acceptance, while McWhorter exacerbates his argument by questioning how hip-hop is supposed to help the future with vulgar language. In another instance, while Kendrick Lamar may use music to express vulgarity and sexual innuendos, Donald Glover utilizes music to tell a story, to illustrate the controversy between the African American culture and how they are often treated poorly.
Between staying neutral, thinking positively or negatively against hip-hop, my opinion was now a much more informed one. While Ford and Jean claim that hip-hop music can help build structure, McWhorter claims that hip-hop is holding people back. If hip-hop can be implemented in a healthy and educational way, while still using expression, would it still hold people back? While some may argue negatively against hip-hop, some will also advocate for it. What had I really learned? So many questions asked, and not all of them answered. This is because, well, there is much more to hip-hop than thought out to be.
Hip-hop is more than music, it is more than education, it is more than dance, singing, graffiti, it is a culture that first started out to represent the African American culture in a pure form to express. Although artists may express themselves differently, that does not make it any less than what it is; hip-hop is an art. To truly grasp and understand hip-hop, extensive research on the African American culture and the stereotypes that come along with it is required. One is unable to make an opinion about hip-hop without truly informing themselves about it. I for one, quickly realized that hip-hop was more than music, I thought it was merely a genre of music. Despite the hidden language and behaviors behind each art style (graffiti, dancing, singing), individuals express themselves differently as we all are not the same.
As the idea of perspectivism comes in, I can now advocate that hip-hop can be used to express not just education, but can be used to express emotions, tell stories, or even write a story of its own. Whether hip-hop is good or bad for society today is not the question to be asked now; as can be seen, hip-hop is neither good or bad because both there are going to be both positives and negatives to hip-hop due to the variety of opinions and perspectives. Without delay, the conclusion in which I wanted to receive has changed. I came into this research expecting myself to have a straight answer, whether hip-hop is influential in a good way, or bad way… up until now, my opinion was based on expressions of other thoughts in which was slight ignorance.
The answer is simple, hip-hop is neither in the spectrum of good or bad. Perspectives from individuals are different, and in this case, particularly, the solution is education. The solution is more than education though, it is also acceptance; in acceptance, the hip-hop culture can manifest and sprout itself into a beautiful butterfly, if today’s society, in general, can accept and acknowledge that there are more than positive expressions, there are also negative expressions. In acknowledging, we can learn to accept.
