Rap: What's the problem with mainstream rap??

So, I have this BIG issue with mainstream music constantly being criticized! Radio stations are criticized for playing mainstream rap; mainstream artists are criticized because of their content and lack of lyricism; supporters of mainstream music are criticized for listening to it. Why? Because all mainstream rap talks about is hoes, bitches, drugs, shooting people etc. It perpetuates negative images and stereotypes of the Black community. Keeps us down as a race...yada yada.

Now, the content of mainstream rap, for the most part, is misogynistic, degrading, and very materialistic and superficial. I can agree! But soooo what? What does that mean? I understand that music has a great impact on the masses and the way people think. I understand! But shouldn't our REAL quibble be with the parents?? I mean, why do we want to criticize artists for saying what they know? Why do we want to criticize artists for making music that CONSUMERS buy? Being a rapper is a JOB, just like McDonalds. You get paid to do a job, and the better you do it, the more you get paid. Now whats the point of getting a job people?? To get PAID right? Now how do you increase your revenue? Acquire a larger audience! How do you do that?? Make music that the masses will purchase and support!!

Now, you may not agree, but that's what makes us so unique! We are individuals with individual opinions and ideas. If you don't like it, don't listen. Now, I used to be extremely close minded about what I listened to. But we all value music in different ways: some for lyrics, some for beats, some love artists, some love dancers WHATEVER. I listen to 2 Chainz when I wanna go out, not Nas. I'm bumpin Lauryn Hill when I'm ready to write, not Travis Porter.

Now as I stated above, the REAL quibble should be with the parents! Parents have a responsibility for teaching a child to distinguish between music and reality, right and wrong etc. Now I know ppl are like "Well there's so many single parent homes, and young mothers who don't know" blah blah blah. That's true AND..... So the solution is to bypass the REAL PROBLEM, which would be lack of knowledge and responsibility amongst parents, and blame mainstream music.....That ain't right!

Now, I do believe people in positions of influence do have a great responsibility to the masses. But, rappers are merely puppets, and many come from the same streets and broken homes as the lost consumers. They have come from a life of drugs, violence, and promiscuous hood chicks. That is the reality of many rappers! Its a lifestyle that many young black men live and relate to, as well as women. These people idolize money and fame; are not of a higher consciousness; they're gettin dicked too!! They just want their money--- now its not right, BUT, when the roots of the problem are unaddressed, this attitude is perpetuated.

So maybe if you people want rappers to stop talking about "nonsense", you same people should be concerned about bettering communities and the education system so as these individuals grow up, they will have a better understanding of how the music industry works, the effect of their songs on the Black community, and the images they perpetuate. I love a lot of mainstream artists  for various reasons! I may not agree with the things they say, but I don't have to for me to like their song. Radio stations are businesses. They are going to play what 80% of people want to hear, not the 20%.

Mainstream is mainstream because WE buy the music. If we didn't buy it, it wouldn't be mainstream, plain and simple. Hip hop was not always about spreading a message. In the late 70s and early 80s, mainstream hip hop music was just what it is now (in a less vulgar way though): Music to make you dance! Music to get your adrenaline going! Music to party to! That's exactly what it is now!! Content has changed and the culture has evolved. Hip Hop was exploited, just as most great Black things are.

So I guess what I'm saying is if you don't like mainstream rap, that's fine. You don't have to listen or support because billions of other people are. Opening your mind can be good though :) If you don't like the messages being portrayed through mainstream rap, I don't think your real quibble is with mainstream rap. Think a little deeper and harder to the root issues and stop making my precious rap music your scapegoat!

Race: Being Pro-Black vs Anti-White

I would definitely consider myself Pro-Black. I love being Black. I love Black people. I strive to uplift the Black community. I have a passion for rectifying issues that plague the Black community specifically and incessantly. I am not Anti-White though. I love all people. I want equality, justice, liberation, and peace for all mankind. However, this is a FINE line to walk, especially out in the public.

On one hand, many people will criticize me and my other Pro-Black brethren about this concept of race being a divisive factor and by focusing on Black issues, I am "a generation behind"; it is no longer Black issues or Black vs White but rather rich vs poor. Now, I agree with both of these above statements: race is a man-made tool meant to divide people and the rich are serving to oppress the poor. However, the issues of the Black community are unlike any other issues faced by any other group of people in America. Whether or not I as an individual believe in this thing called "race", people in America undoubtedly can be (and are) classified by race and the basis of many prejeudices and discrimination is the concept of race. With that being said, we have to recognize the issues that plague and affect the Black community in a unique way and address these issues specifically in relation to our race.

The Black experience in America is unlike the White, Hispanic, Native American, or Asian experience. Our race and culture was constructed from slavery, creating a multitude of psychological, social, economic, and mental issues for the descendants of slaves. Issues such as poor self-concept, lack of education, generational poverty, family dysfunction, disunity, etc plague our community severely as a result of slavery. Furthermore, racism has been institutionalized and Black people still comprise the majority of individuals in America who are impoverished and incarcerated. Innercity communities remain to be primarily Black and Brown, and in these communities, schools remain to be inadequate, and negative images and values are reinforced (i.e violence, chauvinism, materialism, false idolization etc).

Now, America wants us to essentially disregard the strife we face due to our race and take personal responisbility for our prosperity, or lack thereof. Now, I agree that we do have to take personal responsibility for the choices we make and the consequences that result. We are afforded opportunities in this day and age to be "successful" ( by American standards). However, as a Black person, the obstacles that we face are unmatched by any other race- they are so unique to our people because (1) society has policies and laws set in place that oppress Blacks (directly and indirectly) and (2) the psychological/social issues that have been ingrained into Black individuals, Black culture, and Black communities remain unaddressed and continually detrimental. I think that the latter is most important to focus on reforming because  society will not be changed so readily; however our behaviors can simply be unlearned, once we have the knowledge to do so.

I think if as individuals, if we can see the errors in our ways, we can work to correct them. I think many times, such as with the Occupy Movement, revolution and change is the desired outcome, however gathering a mass of uninformed, unaware individuals will not bring about the desired results. It will not bring about permanent, lasting change either.

If the Black community continues to disregard our African origins and disregard the effects of slavery, we will never truly understand the problems that plague us today and therefore can not work to correct these problems. I think its important for someone to stand up and say "I love my Black People and what is happening to my brothers and sisters isn't right and I want to make a change." I read something earlier that said Black children are expendable (in reference to the Trayvon Martin incident). Society obviously doesn't care about the astronomical rates of unemployment, violence, incarceration, AIDS, and single parent families that have been plaguing the Black community for decades. Somebody has to care.

Its not about separating us--- its about empowerment. An oppressed community needs to be empowered in order to prosper. We are individually and collectively suffering physically and spiritually. Its not about "hating them", just about loving us. Our past is apart of us. It can never be changed or forgotten, and shouldn't be. It has made our race and culture into what it is today, both negative and positive. Unfortunately, society works to highlight and accentuate the negatives and shun the positive and the beautiful. Even if as a Black woman in America I will never be afforded a truly equal opportunity, I think it is important that we be prepared to take on the injustices of society by being strong in mind, body, and spirit, and by being aware of our past and the present state of our race and the attitudes of the people. This awareness and education will uplift our people and as a result revolutionize America and our society.

Rihanna and Breezy's Relationship Just Aint Right

I was listening to the radio this morning and they were talking about Rihanna and Chris Brown on their remix to "Birthday Cake". I really was feeling a way! Normally, I like to separate the artist from the individual--- like R. Kelly and MJ. They make great music despite their personal issues. I usually don't even pay it any mind. But listening to this Rihanna and Chris Brown issue, I just didn't like the entire situation since she got fu**ed up in the 1st place. First, I just didn't like how 1 minute the world hates Chris Brown, doing all these domestic violence specials then the next minute they're doing album release specials. First he was portrayed as a monster, then as a fricking idol. Media had people never ready to support him again then back to #TeamBreezy.

I really think we shouldn't be acting like Rihanna's behavior is in anyway healthy or should be condoned, supported, or neglected. This is the domestic violence cycle:

So we all seen the pics....Rihanna looked pretty bad. Its very well likely that next time she will look worse, could have some broken bones, then the next time she will be dead. This is what happens in domestic violence instances!!! People want to say, "its not our business", or "she's dumb" or "if thats what she wants to do its her life". This is #1 a blaming the victim mentality and #2 shows no compassion or concern for our women or humankind as a whole. Women involved in abusive relationships many times remain in this vicious cycle. In unorthodox circumstances, the obvious and practical decision (to leave) is not always easy or feasible. In this instance, I can only imagine the other burdens faced by Rihanna as she tries to make sense of the situation while the media paints all sorts of pictures and she faces immense criticism.

Domestic violence cases are kind of like rape cases....the woman can be physically, mentally, and emotionally traumatized, clouding the woman's judgement, decision making abilities, making them vulnerable, lowering feelings of self- worth and esteem etc. I just feel as if Rih should have an ear telling her to be weary of forming any sort of relationship with Chris Brown. Also, what kind of message is that sending to all of her female fans?? That it's ok to reconcile an abusive relationship. Some stats right quick:

• Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten.
• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women—more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.
• Based on reports from 10 countries, between 55 percent and 95 percent of women who had been physically abused by their partners had never contacted non-governmental organizations, shelters, or the police for help.
• Women of all ages are at risk for domestic and sexual violence, and those age 20 to 24 are at the greatest risk of experiencing nonfatal intimate partner violence
• Of the total domestic violence homicides, about 75% of the victims were killed as they attempted to leave the relationship or after the relationship had ended. 
• About 4,000 women die each year due to domestic violence. 
• On average, a woman will leave an abusive relationship seven times before she leaves for good.

Domestic violence is another issue that women face at an alarming rate that society would like us to believe "isn't really happening" or "isn't that bad". We've become desensitized just like with rape!!! These instances present enormous emotional and mental barriers for women that may last a lifetime. As a result, many women do not report these instances because they blame themselves, or feel ashamed or scared. These populations of women need support systems and need to know that they will be ok and the behavior of their significant other is not normal or healthy!! Let's not keep brushing everything under the rug just because it isn't happening in your household. It is still affecting you and your daughters and sons and the entire community.