Saturday, February 28, 2009
Hip-Hop and Rap from the 'Hood to Malibu
Myer and Kleck's conclusion that Rap and Hip-Hop lyrics changed after indie labels were swallowed up by four dominant corporate media conglomerates is correct. However, their belief that Rap and Hip-Hop music suffers when lyrics featuring profanity, violence, and the glorification of criminal elements in the 'Hood are cleaned up for mass consumption is more complicated. Suggesting yet another example of the corporatization of culture, Myer and Kleck voice disappointment that Rap artists such as 50, Kanye, and Diddy are no longer Rapping obsenities and degrading women in their lyrics, but is this really the genre to be waging war against the evils of capitalism? What about the impact of Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton on the music industry - the former on music in general and the latter on anyone with ears, including animals? While it is true that censorship and its effects on civil liberties in a democracy are of great concern, the implications for corporate Rap and Hip-Hop moguls and their massified lyrics, on the contrary, appear only positive. Consider the economic spinoffs from Diddy's new cologne "I Am King", or Rapper T.I.'s contribution to gun control awareness, having recently missed the BET Awards Show after being arrested on machine gun charges. Ludacris, between downing bottles of champagne and chasing it with cognac at the MTV Music Awards after-party, was quoted as saying "if it wasn't for white people, I wouldn't be selling 2-3 million records."
The commercial success of Diddy inspired a generation of Rap and Hip-Hop artists, many of who were fortunate enough to make the successful transition to corporate mogul as well. Myer and Kleck may also have included the fact that the industry has experienced an influx of new Rappers inspired by the corporate successes of Diddy, 50, and Kayne. The fans who abandoned the new Rap and Hip-Hop moguls for losing street cred only open up space for struggling artists desparate to follow Diddy's path and escape life in the 'Hood. In fact, guys like Diddy have inspired far more Rap artists to dawn shades, a backward ball cap, and some bling for a shot at a corporate record deal. The fact that less than 1% will ever make it still leaves an influx of Rap and Hip-Hop artists into the genre that may never see the inside of an EMI corporate office, but will nonetheless more than satisfy fans seeking songs banned from airplanes and elevators.
However, the issue is not only Rap and Hip-Hop lyrics, but also society as a whole. While it is unlikely that Myer and Kleck reside in the 'Hood, the opportunity for Rap and Hip-Hop artists to be successful any way possible can literally be a matter of life and death. Signing with a corporate music label and cleaning up their lyrics may be for many the only option to not only escape the ghetto, but also for some, a revolving door of crime and incarceration. Every Rapper in the 'Hood has already decided the path they would like to take if given the opportunity. Cleaning up a few nasty lyrics is also a gift to the parents, who can now blast their son's or daughter's music for friends and neighbors. However, the real motivation is collecting a corporate windfall and living the American Dream, not in the 'Hood but in Malibu.
The commercial success of Diddy inspired a generation of Rap and Hip-Hop artists, many of who were fortunate enough to make the successful transition to corporate mogul as well. Myer and Kleck may also have included the fact that the industry has experienced an influx of new Rappers inspired by the corporate successes of Diddy, 50, and Kayne. The fans who abandoned the new Rap and Hip-Hop moguls for losing street cred only open up space for struggling artists desparate to follow Diddy's path and escape life in the 'Hood. In fact, guys like Diddy have inspired far more Rap artists to dawn shades, a backward ball cap, and some bling for a shot at a corporate record deal. The fact that less than 1% will ever make it still leaves an influx of Rap and Hip-Hop artists into the genre that may never see the inside of an EMI corporate office, but will nonetheless more than satisfy fans seeking songs banned from airplanes and elevators.
However, the issue is not only Rap and Hip-Hop lyrics, but also society as a whole. While it is unlikely that Myer and Kleck reside in the 'Hood, the opportunity for Rap and Hip-Hop artists to be successful any way possible can literally be a matter of life and death. Signing with a corporate music label and cleaning up their lyrics may be for many the only option to not only escape the ghetto, but also for some, a revolving door of crime and incarceration. Every Rapper in the 'Hood has already decided the path they would like to take if given the opportunity. Cleaning up a few nasty lyrics is also a gift to the parents, who can now blast their son's or daughter's music for friends and neighbors. However, the real motivation is collecting a corporate windfall and living the American Dream, not in the 'Hood but in Malibu.
# posted by Daniel Hartman @ 11:27 AM 
