| Now Playing: RUKUS - Sell My Soul Does hip-hop have a soul? Beyond the bootie thumping, drug-selling, gang banging music that floods the airwaves is there any kind of substance? If hip-hop was a man would hip-hop be a hell-bound pimp with his chains draped from his neck, women on each arm, and a gucci holster for the gun swinging from his hip? Maybe I think hip-hop would be a conflicted man...oh, there is substance, character, and a bit of a conscience. The mos def's, talib kweli's, common's, and kanye west's provide much needed reason to a body full of lust, greed, selfishness, and unabashed self-agrandizement. However, with the constant face of hiphop smiling through an iced out grill, it begs the question has hip-hop sold its soul? Has this media of expression for misguided, oppressed youth become the chosen choice of expression for accomplished drug dealers, pimps, and gang members to further perpetuate stereotypes of African-Americans? Hip-hop has sold its soul and its youth....with the messages coming across in rap today, kids are learning that its ok to sell drugs and carry firearms. They turn on BET and MTV and young black men are beginning to believe that the women they associate with need to fit the unreal stereotypes created by music videos and their "video hoes". If a woman is unwilling to dress in skimpy clothing and dance up on a man, then she is considered bourgeouis (sp?). Marijuana is the drug of choice, selling crack is the occupation of choice, and being a college dropout is the "in" thing. Remind me not to sell my soul.... |
