Introducing The Next Generation Of Leaders And Thinkers

How America Views Hip Hop

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Written by Brandon Smith

When Kendrick Lamar’s second major label album, “To Pimp A Butterfly,” was released, it was immediately hailed as a modern classic. The main focus for the praise around the LP was Kendrick’s ability to portray social issues affecting African Americans, through the use of storytelling. The release of the album came in the midst of troublesome times for the United States. Kendrick Lamar’s messages, especially his lyrics commenting on police brutality in the song Alright, “And we hate [police], wanna kill us dead in the street for sure, n*gga,” have served as a backdrop since TPAB’s release in March for the new Civil Rights movement that first arose in the wake of Trayvon Martin’s murder.

These lyrics have been shouted in the face of police officers at several protests against police brutality.

While Kendrick has been adjusting to his role as the new voice for our generation, not all reception to his music has been positive. When Kendrick performed at the BET Awards, he performed his song, “Alright” on top of a police car, much to the enjoyment of the crowd. While his fans and numerous music outlets lauded his performance, Geraldo Rivera of FOX News declared Kendrick Lamar “has done more damage to young African Americans than racism.” This made me wonder what he was listening to. In my opinion, Kendrick Lamar is one of few hip-hop artists in this generation creating art that addresses the issues that need to be discussed most. It is very true that Kendrick doesn’t mince words, but this is what makes him so intriguing and essential as an artist. This lead me to wonder, how out of touch is White America with Hip-Hop?

NWA is perhaps one of the most influential and greatest hip-hop acts of all time. The album “Straight Outta Compton” gave the country a first person look into life in Compton, CA. The music was critically acclaimed, and commercially successful, selling over three million copies, with 80% of sales coming from suburban neighborhoods. However, the spillage of this black music, condemning police brutality, into white households, caused major controversy. The song “F*ck That Police” lead to condemnation from various agencies including the FBI due to its strong messages of violence towards police officers, especially black officers (who were generally seen as worse than white officers). But while the group’s music was being referred to as gangsta rap, NWA dismissed this, while referring to their music as “reality rap” and “street knowledge” due to their genuine portrayal of life in Compton.

While there has been negative feedback from those opposed to the subject matter of artists such as Kendrick Lamar, NWA, Public Enemy, etc., the music of these artists have served important messages to their generations. Whether it be NWA, and their music being played during the 1992 Los Angeles riots after the police officers involved in the brutal assault of Rodney King were acquitted, Kendrick Lamar’s lyrics being shouted during the protests of Sandra Bland’s death, or the way Public Enemy’s songs served as anthems for those who protested the growing crack problem, AIDS, and Reaganomics, Hip Hop has served as an important tool for releasing a political and social message to young minorities, and influencing and coercing the mind state of suburban youth, a very possible reason for the music becoming a sort of enemy to the establishment.

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