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!
