Hip Hop's Top Artists example essay topic
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 quit 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. Harris 3 "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.