| Congress wants to talk about Hip-Hop; well so | | | | Self Destruction. The set featured Public |
| do I… | | | | Enemy, MC Lyte, Just Ice, Stetasonic, KRS-One |
| | | | and Daddy-O. Self Destruction had the focus |
| "I said a hip hop, Hippie to the hippie, The | | | | of helping to end gang violence. The song's |
| hip, hip a hop, and you don't stop, a rock it | | | | message was felt heavily throughout hip-hop. |
| To the bang bang boogie, say, up jump the | | | | It was able to express a meaning of unity and |
| boogie, To the rhythm of the boogie, the | | | | optimism while depicting the negative images |
| beat." Bar none, the most famous rap lyric of | | | | connected with inner city violence. This |
| all time. From hip-hop heads to novices, the | | | | approach was one of success and one of |
| Sugar Hill Gang's Rappers Delight still holds | | | | warning. The song gave caution that if this |
| the crown as the most renowned rap song, | | | | type of behavior does not cease; our society |
| unparalleled. Hip-hop started as a voice of | | | | is deemed for failure. It was also able to |
| the streets; a voice of frustration coming | | | | show that the hip-hop culture is able to come |
| from the inner city. Grand Master Flash and | | | | together for the common good of a just cause. |
| the Furious Five's The Message served as | | | | |
| "news from the ghetto" to show America what | | | | Rappers in today's hip-hop culture are |
| was really going on in our neighborhoods. We | | | | controlled by capital. We cannot blame all |
| then entered the world of Paul Revere and My | | | | rappers for their lyrical content as most are |
| Addidas. From the Beastie Boys to Run-DMC; | | | | under contractual obligations through their |
| hip-hop was beginning to make a world wide | | | | record companies. Some rappers are bound by |
| impact. With the early nineties came a new | | | | their agreements to release 2 - 3 songs |
| style of hip-hop; gangster rap. Bursting on | | | | extolling their love for jewelry and |
| the scene was a group of angry black males | | | | admiration for women. If Congress wants to |
| that were ready to voice their fury through | | | | truly have a discussion on the issue of |
| music. NWA (N***** with attitudes) was able | | | | lyrics within hip-hop; it is only fair to |
| to showcase their rage and aggravation with a | | | | invite the record companies to the |
| style not seen before. Spewing curse words | | | | conversation as well. Major music labels such |
| with lyrics like F*** the police; NWA made | | | | as Interscope and Universal records make |
| such an impression on American society that | | | | billions of dollars off these types of |
| former Vice President Dan Quayle attempted to | | | | records. One of the most popular rap records |
| have their records pulled from shelves and | | | | of all time entitled Bling Bling was created |
| their concerts cancelled. As the nineties | | | | strictly to flaunt rappers love of jewelry. |
| progressed; so did hip-hop. The genre of rap | | | | Some rappers spend upwards of $500,000 on |
| music and the culture of hip-hop became so | | | | rings, watches, necklaces and diamonds in |
| massive that it eventually grew into a | | | | their teeth. This type of music does not |
| multi-billion dollar industry. But with all | | | | resonate well with most parents as it sends |
| of its popularity hip-hop has never been able | | | | the wrong message to kids. Instead of placing |
| to shake negativity. Hip-hop has attempted to | | | | a value on matters that will instill a sense |
| portray itself as an art form that is simply | | | | of self worth in children; the music is only |
| a voice of the African-American community. | | | | meant to attract children and teenagers to |
| Unfortunately, America is not buying what | | | | purchase the record |
| they are selling. So how do we begin to | | | | |
| convince America that what we have to say | | | | Rappers also have to take on a more |
| constitutes a valid argument? By changing our | | | | responsible role in this battle. Those that |
| approach. | | | | have achieved a status of affluence through |
| | | | rap music have a responsibility to give back |
| Kanye West's latest release, Graduation, was | | | | to the culture they took so much away from. |
| skillfully crafted as an album full of | | | | Starting a foundation or chartable |
| anthems with a positive message. However, | | | | organization is not enough to satisfy the |
| Kanye has always been portrayed as a positive | | | | appetite for change within the hip-hop |
| hip-hop artist. He is the latest example of | | | | community. Rappers with riches must help |
| how rap music can make an impact without | | | | promote artist that want to change the status |
| being viewed as desecrating to American | | | | quo and challenge record labels that continue |
| society. As mentioned earlier; the song The | | | | to release negative music. |
| Message was one of the first examples of how | | | | |
| hip-hop can serve as a positive stimulate to | | | | While my opinion is strictly that of a person |
| enact social change within American society. | | | | on the outside looking into a very complex |
| Unfortunately, rappers can become victims of | | | | situation; it's important that we question |
| the violence that is depicted in their music. | | | | what we deem as un-fit or un-worthy. While I |
| When Boogie Down Productions DJ Scott La Rock | | | | am a hip-hop head to the fullest degree; I do |
| was gunned down because of gang violence; | | | | not like the direction in which my culture is |
| KRS-One helped to organize an all-star | | | | headed. That culture being of |
| ensemble of rappers to construct the song | | | | course…..is hip-hop. |