Hip Hop music used to be a major delivery method used by artist to try and make people aware of the issues in society that occur in urban neighborhoods, the legal system, and other places here and abroad. But over the years the genre changed and artist like Public Enemy are a thing of the past. The genre became more party music or music that really just doesn't have any sort of message pertaining to activism. Now artist that make music mostly about the ills of society and wish to enact change take the back seat to artist that keep the crowd "turnt up". This is not one regions fault...one station...one artist...one label...or movement. Its the collective and systematic dumbing down and marketing of mindless music and the acceptance of that music by the listeners.
The emphasis on partying and looking good became more profitable and less controversial, and it made $ense to the powers that be. Instead of artist labels and DJs making a stand and saying we are going to release and promote socially conscious songs at least ONCE off each major release, they play it safe and go with the "club banger". We are all in the music business to make money, the bottom line is always going to be the "BOTTOM LINE" to most executives. They are giving the people what they want, right? From African medallions to half million dollar jewelry is where hip hop has managed to "progress" into. The lingering question is, does the genre owe it to the people to TEACH and encourage ACTIVISM, or should profit be the driving force behind the music?
We discussed in on K-100 Radio. Catch the replay if you like at the link below
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/k100radio/2012/03/28/episode-277-hiphops-declining-power-on-social-issues
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3 comments:
Well how I look at it is each one teach one, if you have the influence to make a difference then you should. Let's put it into this perspective, if I know children or young adults could be influenced, by the music I make then I will have a message for them. Everybody's not gifted with the word of speech. Plus everybody didn't grow up in the hood, glorifying carrying a strap and selling dope is not the way to encourage someone to make it. Let them know that this is your job and that's how you take care of you family. Even if you did the things you rap about that is not what you doing now. See with the majority of the listeners being young children that are growing up in a single parent household. The single parent is trying to provide, and these children listening to this music, and all they want is a big car, a lot of racks, and a gun to keep a nigga in line. But the reality is that either they will be dead or in prison. Because this rapper said he will kill this dude if he try to take his, or if he disrespect this. When it is not worth it. Ask the rapper what is going on in the economy, what issues do we face as a race of people and he really don't know, because he is blinded by the almighty dollar.
Great Post...it's hard to make intelligent music when the $ is the bottom line..it's up to the listeners to change what they want to buy/hear
Great comment William
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