It’s been a little over ten years since I was first introduced to hip hop. Sure I’ve gone through all sorts of phases with it, even flirted with the idea that hip hop was dead at one point but have never agreed with the statement that this type of music was a bad influence.
Back in the 70’s and 80’s (just after the crack and heroine epidemic may I say), hip hop was seen as this new exciting addition to the music world. Then the likes of NWA, Tupac, Biggie and Snoop rocked up, that’s the moment that hip hop became the bad guy. Then came the rise in gang activity and violent crime; Guess who took the wrap? Increase on drug usage; Hip hop again had to take the fall. More specifically Young Jeezy was suspect number one when cocaine usage was on the increase because of his Snowman t-shirts. Really? Are people dumb enough to take a rapper’s lyrics that seriously but smart enough to figure out the ‘Snowman’ concept.
Hip hop: Is it that influential on a people to convince them to lead a life of violence and drugs? Is it capable to that extent to have much of a negative effect? As a fan of hip hop, it’s a bit insulting that it’s assumed that my actions and reactions will go according to what an MC said in one of his records. That if he talks about blowing up someone’s house, I’d take that as advice and act on it the next time someone rubs me up the wrong way (tempting, isn’t it). Eminem put it best when he stated: ‘They say music can alter moods and talk to you, well can it load a gun up for you and cock it too…’. How dare these hypocrites try to pin social ills on my beautiful hip-hop? Drugs and black on black violence were around long before hip-hop. The Beatles used to sing about their coke “trips” all the time, Marvin Gaye was a crack head and their ever so precious Miles Davis was a cokehead. In fact, Hip-Hop arose because of societal ills. Since when did we blame the flu on a blocked and runny nose?
Hip hop for me is the music I turn to, to blow off some steam, let loose, think critically and most of all, self motivation. It doesn’t mean I’ll go on a cussing marathon and bang people’s heads in; thoughts have crossed my mind though. It has also opened my eyes on how fucked up the system is, how we as black people need to rise and defeat the oppressing hand of the system. They’re not saying “fuck the police” for the fun of it. There’s a story behind it, there always is. Hip hop has clarified that talk is just that- Talk. I bet Rick Ross himself can testify to that.
So after a long day, I’ll throw in a rap record and vibe to the beats of Dj Premier and lyrics of Guru and patiently await the release of Detox. Peace out!
By Lindelwa Khwini