Editor’s note: The
views expressed inside this editorial aren’t necessarily the views of
AllHipHop.com or its employees.
Do you remember when it was cool to be intelligent? If you do, then you may also recall a
time when our music reflected that coolness. For too many years now, people have
referenced the lack of stylistic articulation and subpar content subject matter
as dumbing down our music. Granted,
it would not be hard to argue that today’s rap music isn’t the same as the music
we listened to in the seventies, eighties or nineties; however, with that being
said, would it not be difficult to point out that our community isn’t the same
as it was then either? Rap music
has always been a reflection of our community. Whether intentionally or un, it always
displayed our good, bad or ugly, sometimes even simultaneously. So I ask, is our music really dumbed
down, or is it just a reflection of a harsh reality of our community?
Whether it’s systematically planned or institutionally
constructed, our educational systems that service our communities are failing
us. In my hometown, a few years
ago, a D which is a grade equivalent to a 60-69 (once considered failing), was
implemented as passing in the Baltimore City Public
School system.
In Baltimore City alone, we have enough facility space
to service 125,000 students, but currently service over thirty thousand
less. Just as the case in most
metropolitan areas with predominantly black residents, our high school drop out
rate is over fifty percent. As an
Educator myself, I’d argue that one of the reasons our communities drop out rate
is ridiculously high is simply because our youth do not equate succeeding in
school with succeeding in life. So
what do they do? Most with limited
knowledge and information, try to interpret and define success for themselves
and pursue it, at any cost.
It’s a fact that our communities are not the same as they
used to be. Unfortunately, we don’t
value the same things that we once valued.
Education was pivotal to us at one time. Our morals and principles didn’t allow
certain activities or actions in our community or to extend from our
community. The fabric of our
community has become strained (I refuse to say broken) and could it be that our
music is a reflection of that?
What’s prevalent in our communities nowadays? Many of us live in communities that are
prone to drug dealing, substance abuse, violent crimes, gang activity, excessive
vulgarity, and multitudes of disrespect, as well as a lack of strong male
leadership that models appropriate behaviors for those he should be
leading. And I ask, what does our
music entail?
Many young people who find themselves in position of
influence in our community are there by default. Yes, biblical text does state that the
young shall lead, but it doesn’t negate the fact that they should have been
properly influenced by those who came before them. If they are not properly educated,
trained and prepared what should we expect to hear from them?True indeed, as a kid, we witnessed many of the same
things that today’s youth encounter, but to our advantage, the fabric of our
community was a lot different, which allowed us to view it from a whole
different perspective, which effected our decision making as well.
Case in point, during the eighties, there were not as
many young people involved in selling drugs as there are now, which means, there
were not as many young people involved in violent crimes as there are now. We always defended our neighborhoods,
but outside of California, we weren’t fighting and killing
each other over colors. Now we
are. Unfortunately, too many of our
men suffered and are still suffering from heroin addictions acquired during the
seventies and eighties, but case studies show that that addiction pales in
comparison to that of crack, and its influence of catastrophic proportions which
was introduced to our communities in the eighties and still prevails. Proudly, I can attest that we did not
bear witness to as much vulgarity or disrespect in our community when I was a
child, simply because it was not tolerated. I remember as a child accidentally
cursing within earshot of an adult and swiftly apologizing to him or her and
then asking God to forgive me.
Simply put, it was how we were raised back then. It was a certain level of expectations
that our community had for us, based on what they’d invested in us. Even those of us who didn’t seek higher
institutionalized learning, still thirsted for knowledge. So we joined organizations and/or knelt
at the feet of our elders, receptive to the information that they willingly
shared with us. We were raised
differently and given a foundation to stand upright on. So we were prepared by our community,
before creating the opportunity to grab the microphone and simply move the
crowd. Our lyrics were infused by
strict principles taught to us
(emphasized) by those who came before us, be it family members or neighbors in
the community concerned about our well being and concerned about the well being
of our community. Our lyrics were
once infused by the teachings of great leaders such as, the Honorable Elijah
Muhammad, Minister Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, and Clarence 13X. Thoughts and ideas were strengthened
through dialogue, executed with intent and purpose, skills were honed with
rehearsal and the responsibility of speaking on behalf of our community was not
taken lightly. Then what
happened?
I liken today’s rap music, our music, to that of an angry
misguided child, who lacks direction.
I don’t fault the child, instead it’s us who need to be held
accountable. To put it blunt, we
dropped the ball. And certainly I’m
not just talking about with the music, I’m referencing our community which
influences the music. Today’s music
is still a reflection of what’s going on in our communities. Instead of getting mad at those who rap
about the “trap,” how about investing that same energy and time and direct it
towards those who are actually trapping, in our neighborhoods, feeling like
there are no other means to make a dollar.
Instead of getting mad at those who rap about “gangbanging,” how about
investing that same energy and time and direct it towards those who are actually
gangbanging, in our neighborhoods, feeling like they’re only loved by the
gang. Instead of getting mad at
those who rap about material possessions and wealth as if obtaining them are
great accomplishments, how about investing time in the youth in our community
and teaching them right from wrong, like we were taught. Is it not our responsibility? I challenge you to ask a young person
between the ages of 17 and 25, possibly the most influential demographic in our
music “who raised you?” Then don’t
be surprised how often you’ll hear the response, “I raised myself!”
The only way we can speak about something different is to
be exposed to something different.
And the only way we’ll learn something different is to be receptive to a
different experience. Then maybe,
just maybe (wishful thinking on my part, I am a dreamer), our youth could be
encouraged to rap about something else.
We can’t ask our children to have thought provoking lyrics without
teaching them how to think.
Change in our community, will change the content of our
music!
