Benjamin Sendrey Professor Moreno English 1 21 April 2023 Socially Conscious Music: Kendrick Lamar For a long time, hip-hop as a genre has been controversial and the impact of rap music has been debated. This music has been criticized for many things such as its explicit language and its emphasis on drugs and violence. However, there is a side of rap with positive aspects including a focus on social change. Known for his poetic and thought-provoking lyrics, American rapper and songwriter Kendrick Lamar is an example of this side of hip-hop.
Richard, Kyle. “Hip-hop” Teen solutions, 17 Sept. 2014. Web. 30 Mar. 2015. Richard’s “Hip-hop” Article are known for informing people about the history of hip-hop, the background of the society of hip-hop and how far hip-hop has came from that day to present day. Toward the middle of his article he states “through lyrics they raised social consciousness by speaking out real issues affecting them, such as racism”(Kyle).
Hip Hop is seen as something inspiring, but most people see it as a way to speak out the truth about a problem. As in “Hip Hop planet” being able say the truth can sometimes worsen any situation because sometimes what we say can promote violence and whatever happens after is not in our control. The essay is about how hip hop has changed into speaking out the issues that need to be taken care of in order to maintain a proper society. McBride talked about how rappers use violent lyrics to degrade women and gays and because of this it shows how the music has evolved into something entirely different that no one would have ever expected to have changed. In James McBride's essay “Hip Hop Planet,” he argues that hip hop has a negative influence on American Culture despite people thinking of it as inspirational and how people live through different experiences in life despite of your race.
Hip-hop has changed a lot since its first introduction into the world; Hip-hop was once looked at as an art form, nowadays some say it’s just a get rich quick scheme. When you look back at the history of it you would see how before people who rap had something to talk about either it was a current events or a life changing experience, But now people talk about the money they have and the thing they can buy and what not. If you ask me the art form is Gone. I think an artist like “Joey Badass” or “nas” still hold the trust essence of the art form Joey some say has brought a Sub-genres known as “Boom Bap” to the for front.
The first reason is because rappers can use their style of writing to write children’s books. According to the NY times, “Now that the music has gone mainstream, LL Cool J... and Doug E. Fresh… are hard at work at a different kind of rhyming. They are writing children’s books” (Lynette 2). This is showing that while LL Cool J and Doug E. Fresh are “Gangster Rappers”, they are using their writing style and abilities to teach children about language, which, while it isn’t very “gangster” of them, is doing something good. The second reason is that gifted children are turning towards rap because of the writing style of many rappers.
Rap is an American music style that happened in the 1970’s, and over the year the style of rap changes. Music has the power to shape change people’s mind. Over time music has changed and it still does every day. Throughout history it has been strongly noticed that this favored type entertainment has changed with the passing times. The development of music is freedom of showing emotions.
Although his message is different from many in the rap game, he still provides that boastful and truthful type of rap that this genre of music’s foundation was set on. This in return shows how the use of rappers’ popularity can be used in a positive way while still keeping the inner essence of what makes rap music different than any
Through introspective storytelling and sharp critiques, conscious rap paved the way for a new wave of socially conscious artists. rap quickly gained popularity due to its ability to resonate with audiences on a deeper level. Its insightful lyrics and engaging beats attracted a diverse fan base, transcending traditional rap stereotypes. Through their music, conscious rap artists connected with listeners and fostered a sense of unity, inspiring individuals to critically examine the world around them. Furthermore, rap influenced other forms of artistic expression, including poetry,
There’s been violence, drugs, profanity, and sexual conduct in previous and current rap music, The rap music has became more distinctive over the few decades. There’s been drugs, violence, profanity and sexual conduct in previous and current rap. Rap music and hip-hop is good for parties and other functions.
If more rap artists like Kendrick Lamar, Macklemore and Frank Ocean received more radio air time, then perhaps the levels of positive rap and negative rap can reach an equilibrium. Overall, hip-hop culture is one that encompasses the authenticity and creative beginnings that started from a state of
It discusses how rap music might have a different effect than what is commonly believed. It is argued that rap might have a therapeutic effect on its listeners rather than inspire to violence and undesirable behavior. It also speaks of the emergence of rap culture as a reaction to gang culture and violence in marginalized areas. It is explained as a reaction to “daily experiences of poverty, racism, exclusion, crime, violence, and neglect” and that rap culture, in its core, “is built on values of social justice, peace, respect, self-worth, community, and having fun.” The article do not neglect that rap often glorifies drug use and violence and misogynistic ideals.
Since it started developing in the late 1970s rap music has collected more and more fans. People have started liking this type of music because it felt like it spoke to them. It came from the undergrounds of certain neighborhoods in USA and it became one of the most popular genres of music of all time. It became so popular because it tackled with different social, economic and political problems which the country has dealt with. Rap music has caught on a lot of popularity and soon it started to appear in countries all over the world.
Gangsta Rap’s Popularity in the United States The rise of “gangsta rap” in the late 1980s and early 1990s is the result of many different factors. The reasons for its popularity are obvious in urban, mostly black areas. It is hard to understand the attraction to this hard rap style by the inhabitants of middle-class, suburban neighborhoods; yet, these places are where most of the young consumers of rap live (Gold). This is nothing new; non-black people have appreciated and appropriated black culture and music for hundreds of years.
Nevertheless, the music has always been misunderstood. But, Rap is more that, it’s a part of music that confronts the struggles that society hides under the rug. That’s where Hip-Hop/Rap comes in to unveil the truth. Throughout history, Hip-Hop/Rap made acclaim through its generic storytelling, unapologetic rhymes, and explosive sound. The music took the world by storm with an urge to party in the Bronx.
In the 2006, not a single rap album was in the top 10, for the first time in five years. The meteoric rise of Pop and the overall decline of lyrical quality was heavily seen as factors for this decline. Many say Soulja Boy’s song “Crank That” was the single event that destroyed the reputation of rap music for the decade. The lack of Sampling was also seen as a factor, sampling had begun to decline during this era and sampling was widely seen as a major part of rap music. The decline of Rap did not last that long, by 2009 rap had changed yet again.
