A lot of people are unaware of the depth of the hip hop culture. The origin of hip hop was based on more than just demeaning women, the selling of narcotics, and clothes that don’t quite fit. Hip hop has always been a form of true expression. In the rough Bronx neighborhoods, men and women vocalized their struggles and oppression through beat boxing, rapping, poetry, and more. Hip hop was a way for the community to solve problems without the use of violence.
It’s very unfortunate that today hip hop and rap are contributed to other things, and rappers say whatever they can just to be popular. The worst part is that the negative aspects of the hip hop culture have become broadcast onto the air more so than the positive aspects. Not only does this give a bad impression of the hip- hop community, but also, on the originators of hip hop culture, African Americans.
I agree with Watts when he says that the makers of the movie, 8 mile, produce a negative image of life in the ghetto. The movie, 8 mile, gives the idea that you either fit in with the “dirty” African American people or you don’t survive socially. But the most disturbing idea that the movie portrays is that you never leave. Rabbit finally reached his pinnacle of stardom within his community and then the story ends, giving the people who live in environments similar to 8 mile the idea that there is a glass ceiling to which you cannot break. It is truly all unfair, but we bite the unrealistic image that the producers feed us.
In conclusion, I present to you rap and hip hop that is both enjoyable and socially relevant. Just in case you believed rap and hip hop were only about b*tches and getting money.
Kanye West- All Falls Down is a all about the struggles of black people trying to "find themselves" and succeed in a materialistic, slightly oppressive society ran by white America.
Lupe Fiasco- The Show Goes On is a story that preaches that no matter the circumstance anything can be overcome.
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