Why does Hip Hop (Rap) get a bad rap from many non-listeners? It is as if they believe everything they hear about the genre. Oh it’s misogynistic views towards women mean that’s what all those so called “artists” speak about. The lyrical content is only about drugs they have sold or have smoked. Oh no talks of drugs then it’s the women. Wait women…let me rephrase that, the bitches, hoes(whores), skeezers, jumpoffs, breezys, tricks, sluts, run thoughts, etc. The only other thing they talk about is their “bling bling,” lifestyle. You know those hundred thousand dollar cars, their new mansions and the jewelry that could snap the neck of a small child. These arguments though valid to some, to others including hip hop scholars like myself, that is far from the truth.
Many don’t realize that there is more depth within the lines of these songs. Yes, songs about killing yourself (Suicidal Thoughts), hustling to make ends meat (Grindin). The phrase “Deeper than Rap,” is going to be the definition to many of these songs. These lyrics and countless more paint vivid pictures to showcase their struggles as musicians. Sometime the face value of a song is only the gateway to the truth meaning.
Now the main topic that those against hip hop haters is the treatment of women. Groups have said that all the males do is degrade women. Noting some of the worst artists as, Too $hort, (Uncle) Luke, Notorious B.I.G, Three 6 Mafia and countless more. Now yes things may have been said or videos shot but even those songs are party songs. Not saying that is the reason why they are okay to do what they have done or said. Yet, we do not discuss other genres that have done or artists who have mistreated women. It is as though their genre gives them a free pass. When Jordan Knight came out with his song (Give it to You), Everyone loved that song, making it on chart after chart. Even though the song itself was filled with hypersexual lyrics, and innuendos throughout. Oh it is just a harmless pop song that the kids wont catch. So is the song “Make it Clap".” Yet the rap communities lyrics are always under a microscope. Same premise just because the genre is different they treated the Busta Rhymes as though his song was the worst. Why is it that the microscope of hip hop is ten times stronger than any other style of music? We focus on how every song is misogynistic towards women. Songs like Dear Momma prove a point. Look at 2Pac, people deemed him as the worst yet when Dear Momma cam out everything was okay. Then you have his song, “I get around.” That instantly made him a misogynistic person.
This is Part 1…
O.C
