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Hip-Hop, Music News

Are Rappers Ashamed of College?

I don’t have much time to post about this, but I came across this blog post on XXL from Naledge (of the major label Rawkus’ Kidz In The Hall) about the “taboo” of higher education in hip-hop.

If you listen to the words that I write and the songs that we make, I don’t think that you’ll find them any more political than Common, any less cocky that the Clipse, nor any less danceable than anything on 106 and Park, but somehow I guess the fact that I could possibly give my resume to a corporation and get a job outside of music must confuse people who think that hip-hop can only come from “the hood.”

What offends me more than anything is that labels and rap fans alike take artists who talk about dealing crack in our community as commonplace and “real” and make them the archetype for what a rapper should be. To think or accept that one style of rap is the only kind that is authentic, to me, is saying that we aren’t smart enough to digest anything else. As members of the hip-hop community, we should all be offended by it. And it’s an even bigger slap in the face to a rap listener that a lot of artists glorify this life even though they have never lived it. We need to open our eyes and accept that it is a new day.

Interesting points. I don’t have time to add my thoughts, but I would love to hear what y’all have to say on this. Think. Discuss.

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2 Comments

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Rob Fields on November 3rd, 2006 12:43 am

This is part of a larger issue that I’m attempting to articulate. See what you think:

http://www.marketingpopculture.com/the_spark/2006/11/michael_was_rig.html

Illtek on November 10th, 2006 12:07 am

Well, to be honest I’m offended by damn near every song I hear on the radio or tv. lol. It’s an idea that is ass backwards and i believe it will always be present as long as people are uneducated about Hip Hop. But there are some “educated Mc’s” that have done ok; Little Brother for instance just to name one. Even though they haven’t gone platinum they are well respected in the game. It is shitty though, that many MCs dont get a fair shot to shine because of the state Hip Hop is in at this point in time. But the only answer is the victim of this problem.

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