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