CNN’s Paula Zahn: Is Hip Hop An Art Form Or Poison?
Update: Given my position on hip hop and rap, I removed the contextual Google AdSense ads for this article as I was mortified by the results. For those who aren’t aware, Google matches ads with the content of a web page, and I don’t want to be accused of being a ‘hypocrite’ — the ad system is automated and before any problems arise with my views on this matter, I’d rather squash any potential issues ahead of time
I caught a glimpse last night of Paula Zahn’s upcoming show where she will be discussing hip hop and its impact on American culture. The question she poses is whether this genre of music is an art form or poison.
I vote for the latter. Today’s rap and hip hop is something entirely different. Most people consuming this form of music consistently make excuses for its content: “It’s the beat … it doesn’t define who I am … I’m not any of the things they say.” I have to say it’s quite disheartening to hear these things, because people don’t realize the subconscious impact of the content. While there are some great rap and hip hop artists out there, it’s the ugly side of this medium which has society at its mercy.
As human beings, we are highly suspect to emulating things we see and hear. For many, “emulation” is a reality for millions of people. Young teens and adults are idolizing and mimicking the likes of 50 Cent and others — even at a young age. It’s also evident in one’s dialect, attire, mannerisms and body language. It’s also safe to correlate the alarming rate of teen promiscuity to this music as well, for it teaches teens to engage in demoralizing behavior (although this medium isn’t the primary cause alone.)
I think parents have failed at doing their part. They haven’t the slightest idea of the destruction they’re allowing to take place within their own homes. Expect this problem to get worse over time, not better.
The mind is indeed a terrible thing to waste.
Comments
3 Responses to “CNN’s Paula Zahn: Is Hip Hop An Art Form Or Poison?”
Leave a Reply
I think it’s a pretty brazen thing to outright declare an entire genre of music as poison.
There’s a lot of hip hop artists that focus on socially conscious issues or even less violent ones even downright nerdy issues. Can I direct you to MF DOOM, Del The Funkee Homosapien, MC Frontalot or Aesop Rock.
I wouldn’t be some opinionated about this, but I too hated hip hop about a year ago. I’ve been listening to artists like those above and it’s now one of my favorites.
The radio doesn’t represent all of a genre, you’re a podcaster you should know all about indie.
Some great hip hop podcasts:
In Over Your Head - http://www.inoveryourhead.net
IndieFeed Hip Hop - http://blindingflashes.blogs.com/indiefeed_hiphop_rap/
Brent,
I’m not slamming the entire genre that is hip hop and rap, but the negative side of it. As I mentioned in my post, there are some good rap and hip hop artists.
A lot of the newer hip hop groups are nothing more then record label inventions. They have absolutely no skill and spout negative lyrics that the labels believe will sell records; which unfortunately they do.
I’ve been listening to hip hop since the 1980’s and there has definitely been a decline in the quality of the music.
Some good examples of the old style of hip hop and the positive messages they used to broadcast to the masses would be.
Dead Prez
http://www.yourcertified.com/category/music/hip-hop/dead-prez/
or Heavy D’s Don’t curse video
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7iztp036z54
Now it’s all about the almighty buck.
I really wish the old style of hip hop would come back.