FREE ESSAY ON HIP HOP

HIP HOP

Is Hip-Hop Really That Hip?
The music genre defined as hip-hop, or rap, has been gaining a lot of attention over the
past twenty years. In their articles, J. Victoria Sanders (Horizon), Allison Samuels,
N'Gai Croal, David Gates( Newsweek), and an unknown author (Time), discuss the changing
faces of hip-hop and its effects on today's society. One specific aspect of hip-hop music
that all of the writers agree on is that the references to sex, violence, and the bad
attitudes towards the female species are getting worse and something needs to be
done...quickly. 
In her article discussing the effects of hip-hop on women in today's society, J. Victoria
Sanders states that the black community searches for leadership and a voice. The only
leadership found today is the voice heard booming above all other noises: that of the
gangster rapper, singing of pimping, violence, sex, and the defamation of women. Although
many female hip-hop artists protest against this portrayal, ultimately, most of them
succumb to the stereotypical image of a black female hip-hop artist: tight fitting,
sexually flaunting, name-brand clothing and large, expensive jewelry, but the saddest
thing is that they do it willingly. Being in love with the artistic aspects of hip-hop
does not mean that Sanders agrees with some of its forms of expression.
Harris 2
Hip-hop's fire is often fueled by drawing on the black community's history of resistance
to oppression. This quote is from an article found in Time, written by and unknown
author, explaining his views on the direction of hip-hop. He states that although hip-hop
has been considered a more African-American form of expression, these days all that
matters is catchy lyrics and a tough persona that is attractive to the younger
generation. As long as a rapper is resisting something, then it is acceptable, whether it
be a law or a friend. He uses Eminem as an example quite a few times. Eminem's lyrics
bash homosexuals, his own mother, and he even discusses killing his wife, but he is also
one of hip-hop's (rap's) top artists. The author tends to dislike Eminem and all that he
stands for, but he also acknowledges the fact that guys like Eminem know what they are
doing and ...they're working it for all it's worth.
As well as many writers and regular people believing that hip-hop is going to far, many
of hip-hops own artists share the sentiment. Allison Samuels and company, reveal in their
article that many major rappers feel that the future of hip-hop is doomed if a change is
not made. Mos Def, Eve, and D.M.C., to name a few, are against the sexually explicit
lyrics and poor treatment and portrayal of women in music and are very outspoken about
it. Not only is this depiction of hip-hop bad for the children, but for the black rappers
as well. The endorsement of thugs is white people's fantasy of what they want us to be.
The blame is everywhere.
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Bibliography
Works Cited
A Whiter Shade of Pale. Time 29 May 2000. Online. 10 Oct. 2000.
Croal, N'Gai, David Gates, and Allison Samuels. Battle for the Soul of Hip-Hop. 
Newsweek Oct. 2000. Online. 10 Oct. 2000.
Sanders, J. Victoria. The Black Princess? Horizon 1998. Online. 10 Oct. 2000.