“If rap is to stand as not only the most significant cultural movement of our time but one of history’s most salient, and I believe it will, hip hop generationers both inside and outside of the rap music industry must rise to the challenge. All the components for a mass political movement in our lifetime are in place and functioning—but… return to article
-
subscribe to print magazine
-
email this article to a friend
-
Reader Comments (12)Page 1 of 1 pagesI like the article, it explain some steps which need to be taken in a mature way and its a releif from much of what the mainstream tv presents as so called hip hop.
One problem I do see which needs changing is the domination of the screen time by Eminem & crew.
I do not blame him for this but this must change for hip hop to been seen realistically, as a black rooted culture.Alexander.
Posted by alexander on May 31, 2003 at 6:22 PM Hip Hop sucks and the c in rap is silent. It’s got nothing to do with me being white. Eminem is the white poster boy for rap music… Which from that perspective is ironic that he seems more successful than the black men who invented it..... Which goes to show who is really in power in america at the moment. I am not anti black either since I don’t live in america with their racist views. In fact there is much black music in the past that was good purely from the fact that blacks generally make better singers and athletes than white people. But rap is a dumb fad that will fade in time and really requires no talent at all it is poetry set to 4/4. How anyone can really take it seriously as music especially white people when black people are capble of much better music thru last century is beyond me..... The only thing I could indentify with in rap music is the lyrics of rebellion against “the man” and “the system” as I am a proud metalhead who hates rap hybrids… As a metalhead I owe the black people the blues from which came rock. But as a proud hard rocker (c)rap is way overrated and within 5 years it will die along with grunge all MTV fads.... As far as complaining about a lack of power I dare say you rappers (of all races) have too much power already and should go away. Rock and metal have been marginalized by MTV in the US. Therefore I don’t listen to the radio, mtv or commercial TV.... Vive the mp3 revolution send those record companies and mtv broke unless they playdecent music.. As for me I can get whatever is online if I can’t find it elsewhere.... To me rap doesn’t exist and there is too much of that shit being shoved down our throats....
Posted by Cam Aradian on Jun 2, 2003 at 4:20 AM This article was poorly written. I’m not sure what it was trying to say. There was no argument, no new ideas put forth. It seemed as if it were a written weblog, a disjointed combination of of a lot of other articles, magazines, etc.
I’d hoped for a lot more. Hip Hip is a movement that wasn’t.
Posted by Carl Anderson on Jun 2, 2003 at 8:33 AM Cam, thank you for taking this rare opportunity to let the world know that rap-metal “hybrid” flat-out SUCKS. What the hell happened to hard rock? You know things have gone haywire when Metallica goes pop, Sabbath’s old frontman gets a TV show (and an invitation to the White House), and every new “metal” band you hear of has some prick scratching records and rapping. Limp Bizkit, Linkin Part, et al have really outstayed their welcome and I hate to admit it, but they’re almost enough to make you say that rap is making its mark on real music--rock and roll.
Posted by Rap sucks on Jun 2, 2003 at 9:33 PM Rap hasn’t been articulate, intelligent or political for over a decade. While it is arguable that early rap artists like Public Enemy and the Disposable Heroes of Hypocracy had clearly defined political identities and ideologies, they were quickly pushed aside by the commercialization of rap music and the misanthropy of gangsta rap.
If there is to be any shift in the political and social consciousness of today’s media-dependent teenagers it can only come through a rejection of mass produced, lowest common denominator music and pop culture.
To suggest that Sean Combs has the potential for political activism and influence is wishful thinking. His declared intention is self-enrichment. He’s just another capitalist with no agenda beyond “me, me, me”.
Rap isn’t part of the solution to the apathy, self-involvement and political ignorance of modern soceity. It’s symptomatic.
Posted by David on Jun 3, 2003 at 4:08 AM The article is a good one. It clearly illustrates the oppurtunity these political groups and artists have to make an impact with their audience and provoke some change.
The only thing that bothered me is many of these groups sound like they are aimed specifically at black youth. While it is important that black youth become more politically motivated in these times where they are still underrepresented, like the civil rights movement, nothing will be accomplished without a unified people, of any and all races.
The youth culture of this country, for the most part, stand on an interesting crossroads: white music and black music are becoming interchangeable. They are like no youth culture in history. Color lines are starting to blur and with them old barriers that once blocked the idea of a true united populace in the US.
It is good that the hip-hop community is becoming motivated politically. It will be better when they try to reach kids of all races. Then something will get accomplished.
Posted by john on Jun 3, 2003 at 10:28 AM You can really here the activist in P.Diddy’s soul when he repeats the chorus over and over and over, “it’s all about the Benjamins”. Who except the ignorant and deprived would listen to most of the mainstream music, not only hip hop. Anybody past there 22 birthday who would still consider that stuff viable enjoying music should be put out of there misery. The underground hip hop scene and indie rock scene is full of intelligent and fresh groups.
Posted by re on Jun 6, 2003 at 8:40 AM Rap as the most significant cultural movement of our time? What about the rise of the neo-cons in our culture. The rise of Islam in most every other culture. The rising return of predatory capitalism in China.
Please.Tell me that you are not African Amercian, Damien Jackson.
Most Sincerely,
I remain,
James Strauss
Posted by jamesstrauss on Jun 7, 2003 at 12:48 PM Mr.Strauss,
i will tell you that you misapprehend the meaning of the terms “cultural movement”. The author plainly states that rap is a cultural movement, that could[should] become a"mass political movement”.
You have compared this cultural movement to political, religious and economic movements. The author’s intent was not that cultural movements (such as abstract expressionism or rap) be compared in significance to political or religios movements.
When you say the “rise of Islam in most every other culture”, I take it you actually mean in some other cultures, less than a majority though?
I am maligned for seeking to define the terms we use when we write. i am sure you can see from your own writing that my idea of actually meaning what you say and saying what you mean has its value.
Posted by Nus on Jun 16, 2003 at 2:48 PM Rap has allways sent positive messages. Just like you dont watch CNN for the honest news, dont watch MTV for the honest hiphop artists. The artists on MTV rap about bling bling and nice cars with chrome rims, of course you know they would censor rap. Even eminems song white america got censored. There are hundreds of great hiphop artists giving a positive message out there, you just have to care to look for it. Mostly underground hiphop. You can say mainstream hiphop has been hijacked by corporations and shallow hiphop artists. Im a hiphop fan myself and even though i will listen to any music, hiphop is usually in my CD player. Do you think that article is suggesting puffy combs ? Get real. Whoever wrote that article is aware of the world of underground hiphop, positive poetry against war, Graffiti art with positive messages*(there are areas designated for Graf art around the world :legal:) Rap is powerful! Its poetry, its direct to the listener. No screeching thats hard for a person to understand, or opera vocals. Its direct and to the point. PEACE
Posted by Suat on Nov 28, 2003 at 8:10 PM Rock is just as horrible as rap with its over drunk, screaming vocalists mad at the world, long haired groupie, anti rap, immature, and uneducated lyrics. If rap dies hopefully rocks immaturity will go with it. I get tired of seeing the ozzbournes on tv, and other rock groupie uneducated fools with no goal in life except to be antisocial and piss on the world.
Posted by Chris on Nov 28, 2003 at 8:19 PM Page 1 of 1 pages -
register a new account »Posting Security
Also by Damien Jackson
- Grant’s Tomb
The USDA and the dying black farmer - The Next Chapter
- Here Comes the Neighborhood
Charlotte and the resegregation of America's public schools.
Popular Discussions
- The 9/11 Faith Movement
Many Americans believe 9/11 was a conspiracy by the U.S. government
1972 posts since Jul 11 06 - What’s the 411 on 9/11?
891 posts since Dec 21 05 - Democrats: It’s the War
659 posts since Nov 1 05 - Was the Presidential Election Stolen?
462 posts since Jun 19 06 - A Fundamental History Lesson
The rise of National Socialism proved politics and religion don't mix
426 posts since Oct 10 05
© 2003 In These Times | Reprint Policy | Privacy Policy | Powered by Expression Engine | RSS Feeds
