My Hip Hop vs America Summary
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
From: www.myspace.com/smcclintonjr5
As I indicated in my last blog, I did mention that I will be commenting on BET's Hip Hop vs America Special that aired last week. I have watched both shows, actually there was a third show online, and I think I have my own summary in mind that I am willing to provide. The issue between Hip Hop and society goes on, but the question is can they coexist? And like my last blog, I'll let this out, either right or wrong, it's just how I feel about it. But, I wont let the story concept get the best of me.
OK. Back to the matter at hand: Hip Hop vs America. What I got out of the show is the fact I think BET tried to summarize the legality of the genre. There were talks mostly about the generational gap between hip hop/civil rights era, starting right in the home, Tip Drill, and a question that involves hip hop being the culprit or in this case, a victim. Some said that hip-hop despite of it's high successes since Jazz has indeed kept a steady rate of confidence, but like other genres, there is always a dark side. Lord knows about the dark side of hip hop involving , the language, lack of history, mentoring, all about the money, and a lost cause or objective of it's creativity. On the show, there were a couple of columnists, famed reporters, professors, and rappers Chuck D, T.I. ,Mike Jones, and Nelly.
Flat out, the town meeting was really in my estimation, of a quick jab more than a wake up call. On one front, Nelly commented a situation about his late sister, who was battling a deadly disease like bone marrow, and defending his stature of one his videos, Tip Drill. Yes that video was in most estimation, that put Nelly on the map. This was the video that had a credit card and well....... I would not say. You have to see the video on the internet for that one. And I think this was this same video made him an unwanted person of not going to lectures at Spellman College.(It's in Atlanta, if you must know) But getting back, Nelly was using helping his sister as an example of helping out those in need, despite of the "haters" that constantly bring him down in this manner. Clearly, I would define that as a way of getting away too quick than having a chance to sit and listen.
On the another front, T.I. partially commented about responsibility. For one I think I can agree on him that artists can and must take responsibility of what they say and express in their music. They have too. Just like the parents in watching their kids. And he also commented that before he became a rap artist, he was involved in certain things that almost made him go to jail or in the cemetery. But I think T.I. uses his music to summarize the bad situations in neighborhoods in which he experienced, and tries to explain to his audience of what to look out for. I know that he has explicit labels on his albums, but partially he probably, like Mike Jones explains the dangers that doesn't hardly picks up on the evening news. To ask a better question, what's really going on?
Also, Master P was on the panel, in the discussion. He commented that at one time when he had his "No Limit" label out, he got praise from those who can relate to the struggles from the streets. Along with an explicit aggressive manner. But here is a twist a decade later. He unveils a new record label, and a new CD that he did with his son, and receives a backlash from those who once cheered for him. But he took another direction in which he wanted to think about living that dying in the streets. Such as no more using profane words. Plus that same influence is putting his son (formally called Lil Romeo) on a basketball scholarship at one of the top universities in the country.
How many of you heard of Dr. Michael Eric Dyson? Yes he was on the show. Dr. Dyson is also a professor at Georgetown University. In spite of his love for the Hip-Hop, he also added an example when it comes to the responsibility of black women. He knows about those who uses derogatory terms, and thinking more about the appeal than the appearance, and the moral dreams and aspirations that she carries. She might look like someone from a dance club, or a video, but in a sense she might be in line for a manager's job in the music business.
There were prominent discussions of how the creativity, and history is not there in Hip Hop. I think that is what draining the energy and causing the question of Hip Hop going into the crypt. Yes, I know about what Nas said last year. Technically, in order to revive, or restart Hip Hop I think is knowing the history. Just like all forms of history, this is a must. Some of today's listeners probably never heard of a Sugarhill Gang or Grandmaster Flash. Neither Salt N Pepa, or MC Lyte. To me, these groups started the genre. Way before 2Pac, Nelly, T.I. and Biggie Smalls ever tapped into the music. Other than that it's all about learning about where the music came from and started. Plus Hip Hop opened doors for a new generation of businesses in fashion. From the special, Russell Simmons, who once owned PhatFarm, had others who didn't believe that blacks couldn't operate, support nor start a jeans line. But now it's has been proven they can. And it continues today. Next, comes the support. I don't mean going to the internet and downloading one song. Go get the CD from Best Buy or Walmart and buy it. Think back to the late 80's and early 90's. It was focused more on talent and spirit.
Plus comes the requests to radio stations in order to generate buzz for the single or artist, and labels. Which leads me to this: creativity needs to drive Hip Hop back. Nowadays, it's all about the money. All about the image lifestyle of the "bling bling", car rims, throwback jerseys, goblets, and others. That doesn't have a drive for the genre. None at all. It needs a makeover of what it supposed to be. Yes I do admire what Kanye West, The Roots, Common, Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, and even KRS-One are doing. Even Lauryn Hill. And yes, Will Smith in relating to the phenomenon. Nothing wrong with that. If it's to maintain the spirit of creativity that's fine.
I just hope the other artists that are peaking in, can somewhat get an example to have a creativity, longevity, and fun aspect of Hip Hop, not about corporate greed and trying to get deal on the spot, and hoping to be a legend quickly. I know that now there is a split between Hip Hop, and the acceptance from society. But in order for that to happen, I think, hip hop has to contradict change for the good, while at the same time society, I think must be not judgmental and going to conclusions of a tail-spin at times. Then maybe, the sides could be best to coexist.
