Today many people perceive Hip Hop & Rap as being the same. The "Hip Hop vs Rap" online presentation and e-book aims to give readers a better understanding of the two superpowers by explaining in detail what Hip Hop is and what Rap is.
a presentation to highlight the basic differences between Hip Hop & Rap. Somewhere in the mist of my project, I turned on the TV to find out Hip Hop had been murdered and Rap declared legally insane. And while George Bush was held responsible for the war in Iraq and a weak economy, everything else wrong with America was being linked to Hip Hop. Drugs, teen pregnancy, violence, the high school drop-
and abuse), the reason racism existed in American, cop killings, pornography, did I leave out global warming. Okay maybe not global warming, but there was a serious witch hunt taking place. Later I saw David Banner and Masta P in front of a committee in Washington, DC defending their music. It was all surreal as I watched America’s corporate media do what they do best, sensationalize a story
University shooting, one media outlet went so far as to place a picture of 50 Cent next to the shooter’s picture, claiming that 50 Cent’s music was responsible for influencing the killer to commit violence.
Hop vs. America”, Paula Zahn’s “Hip Hop: Art or Poison” allowed out of touch black leaders, right- winged whites, and angry women groups to all scream “Hip Hop”. They screamed “Hip Hop negatively influences youth to do this...”, “Hip Hop promotes that...., “Hip Hop is the source of all society’s ills”. To make matters worse the people on these panels who were invited to speak for hip hop were mostly
D & Nelson George (Hip Hop vs. America), and a couple of others. Hip Hop wasn’t giving a fair opportunity to articulate to America, that what was actually being pumped out on major radio waves and on the Viacom machine (MTV, BET, and VH1) was not Hip Hop but a commercialized version called Rap. And as people continued
totally out of control with the statement of the year “Hip Hop Is Dead”. This declaration was first made by Nas when he released the self- titled single, for his 2007 album, “Hip Hop Is Dead”. Did he really believed the statement or was he using it as a clever way to create a buzz and draw attention to his album release? His response to the controversy bother me even more, saying he was referring to, not just hip
as far as creativity was concerned. Though I agreed with him 100% about the lack of creativity, I could not believe that he perceived hip hop as being a once active member of the mainstream that, after being exposed to a disease called commercialism, fell victim and died. R.I.P.IP HOP Luckily, hip hop had major medias to represent and defend it against the assault...it... wait...
magazine started trixin’ with Rap, the love affair was over and hip hop got kicked to the curb. And hip hop lived at Hot 97 FM, in the beginning, but after they attracted enough listeners off that claim, they raised the rent so high it downgraded hip hop from the penthouse apartment, to a one room studio in the basement, finally back to the streets. That’s when I decided to expand my presentation to do
culture of Hip Hop & commercial mainstream rap. I also had to prove that Hip Hop was still alive. I decided the best way to do this was to present a clearer and more detailed description of what Hip Hop was. I had to go deeper than just identifying the 5 elements, which is what my original idea was, but to explain why people love hip hop, what it means to live hip hop, and what other than the 5 elements
not only did I create a 3 part presentation, I developed what I feel is the most important part to this presentation, what I call the “Essence of the Culture”. Hip Hop has a soul, an essence that is made up of 3 main factors: Creativity, Originality, and Skill Development. These are the main factors that fuel hip hop culture. It is the force that governs it and the foundation for which it’s built. It dictates the art,
music industry attempted to bring the music element of hip hop culture to the mainstream, it failed to include (or purposely excluded) the essence, leaving them with nothing more than a product called Rap music. Once an element (or person) of hip hop culture is separated from its essence, it becomes disconnected and no longer part of the culture.
why someone would destroy their own masterpiece. Even as crazy as Van Gogh was, he would never purposely destroy any of his artworks. Did the graffiti artist not appreciate his work enough to preserve it? How could he be sure the new art would be as good as the one he was destroying? I remember asking myself these questions. What I didn’t understand was, this thing called hip hop is an
that all obstacles attempting to restrict its creative nature must be destroyed. In this case, the artist had limited space to paint, so he was forced to make a choice, let his beautiful work remain or continue to create. Of course, if he could have created a new work and preserved the previous he would have. Since I was failing to recognize the nature of hip hop, I was unable to see it from the artist’s
From the graff n’ to the sampling / From the beatboxin’ to the freestylin’ / Their all expressions / Reflections of the inner spirit” Excerpt from the song “Expressions” by Mohammed Yahya .
a beat, droppin’ lyrics accapella, instructing the crowd to yell out a word or sayin’, to make noise, clap hands to a beat, etc ... “Eric B. easy on the cut and no mistakes allowed/ ‘Cuz to me, ‘MC’ means ‘move the crowd’ “ Excerpt from the song “My Melody” by Eric B & Rakim
Different poses, and/or moves performed on the floor like back spins, head spins, power moves, the spider, etc... “B-Boyin’ is like the ultimate body manifestation of hip hop. Not only do you have your feet movin’ your hands movin’ your using every single part of your body, your head, your neck, and also your character.”
youth in the inner cities of New York.” True 222 (Formerly known as Phase 2) “Graffiti art has a function of not only communicating to others, but it also beautifies the community by appearing on areas that normally would be eyesores, such as a wall in a vacant lot or an abandoned building.”
out there who believe these (graffiti artworks) are actually eyesores and nuisances. But there are so many people who believe these are creative works of art that express emotion, tell a story, and show the heart and soul of the city. Just like Van Gogh and Monet these people will never be truly understood.”
`art’ because it was born to operate outside the system, and art has a system. So when you put graffiti in a gallery, you are taking an outsider inside. It’s like putting an animal in a cage.” Graffiti artist Haze “Graffiti Art’s free for all to come and view, no one can own it, it belongs to all of us.” Graffiti artist Eskae
percussion which primarily involves the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one’s mouth, lips, tongue, voice, and more. It may also involve singing, vocal imitation of turntablism, the simulation of horns, strings, and other musical instruments.” Excerpt from Wikipedia
and throat / Use your teeth and your nose for a mysterious high note.” Excerpt from the song “Make the Music with Your Mouth” by Biz Markie “On the streets, beatboxers serve as human beat- machines, often providing the rhythmic backbones on which MCs lay their flows.”
Badu to describe the difference between a DJ who just plays records, and one who performs by touching and moving the records, stylus and mixer to manipulate sound. (Excerpt from Wikipedia ) “Somehow, after 400 years of displacement out of Africa, the true hip-hop DJ can still feel the rhythm of the drums of Africa.” DXT aka Grandmixer DST
people’s viewpoints, I do not recognize hip hop as any of the following. Movement This is a cool way to describe it, but I feel it’s inaccurate. I do, however, recognize that there are movements within hip hop, such as, hip hop’s black conscious movement in the late 80’s & early 90’s. But as a
Yes, it’s as large as a nation but it’s not organized in such away. We do not have a process to elect leaders & officials. Even if there were those who volunteered for the positions, we presently do not have an actual, agreed upon, agenda for them to push. We also do not have a flag, official anthem...I could go onand on, but I think
not fit into the frameworks of a nation or have a system that allows it to operate as one. Religion There are aspects of hip hop that can be compared to religions such as looking at New York as the Mecca or the universal law that “thou shall not bite” as some type of commandment. But overall it’s not a religion. People are not hip hop because they follow
on how to live, rather it’s the mind state they possess. “Hip-Hop It’s bigger than religion Hip-Hop It’s bigger than my niggas Hip-Hop It’s bigger than the government” Excerpt from the song “The Healer” by Erykah Badu
the music of Hip Hop culture. Rap is not the music of Hip Hop culture, the music of Hip Hop culture is Hip Hop music. Rap is the commercialized version of hip hop music and culture. The term rap was chosen by the
hip hop community accepted the term “Rap” as alternative name for hip hop music. But as rap music became more popular, the hip hop community gradually began to distances itself from it, as not to be confused with what rap represented and it’s lack of respect for the art of hip hop. Slashes were added (Hip Hop / Rap) to highlight the difference and emcees ask not to be referred to as rappers. And for
the rap scene, most were shut out. Trying to describe what hip hop sound like is a little tricky? It’s usually centered around beats and / or rhymes. But there are no boundaries when it comes to creating the music or any structure for how it should be performed. This is why, unlike rap music, hip hop music can’t be put in a box. The various ways that hip hop music can be performed and the styles that
the suburbs and the rest of the world, and the mainstream.. it’s just another song on the radio. But for people who really live in those situations, this music is their stream of information.” Talib Kweli (Flow TV)
hear a lot of people using these terms when describing hip hop in comparison to what’s seen and heard in the mainstream. These terms would only be valid if Rap were a true extension of Hip Hop, but it is not. Instead of giving hip hop a new name, like the one’s listed above, just call it hip hop music and identify the commercialized version as rap. The terms Conscious Hip Hop &
fall under the banner of hip hop. The term Positive Rap once again falls in a category. Hip Hop artists are not required to choose between positive or negative, smooth or raw, polite or rude, clean or explicit, when expressing themselves and creating new material. There are hip hop songs that are just as violent, raunchy, and explicit as rap songs. Like Q-Tip said in the documentary “5 Sides of The
lot of things”. The difference is, hip hop artists present their songs in a more creative, more original, and more skillful way. And their songs are true expressions / observations and / or intended as creative art. “What happens is that music is put in a box and these A&R’s and these labels have one way and one train of thought when it
fit within that box, or within that train of thought they are challenged as to how to sell it and they are challenged to be creative and um, you know and it f**ks em’ up a little bit. That’s the reason, that’s part, ...that’s the big reason why you don’t hear a lot of artists, that make the type of music I make,...don’t go mainstream is because the record labels don’t know how to promote it.” Talib Kweli
lives within hip hop is a healthy one. You’re always pushed to be your best and to try to outperform the rest. The ultimate way to measure your skills and test your abilities, in
resulted from a battle or from competing to claim a spot on the stage of hip hop, many of hip hop’s best works are the direct results of its spirit. “Hip-hop teaches you to be yourself, be assertive, stand up for yourself, believe in your ability to overcome any obstacle.” KRS ONE on Tavis Smiley
line. Add seven more brothers who think they can rhyme. It’ll take seven more before I go for mine, And that’s 21 emcees ate up at the same time.” Excerpt from the song “My Melody” by Eric B. & Rakim
one can’t admit to losing a battle. Truth is, in a battle one person has to lose and if it’s you, make the best of it. Go home, get in the lab, and come back stronger!” Bboy Alieness
In sound clash I’m the fi rst and last MC It’s sort of like Jim Carrey throwin’ that Mask to me I black out and wake up to catastrophe” Excerpt from the song “The MC” by KRS One
You can’t call yourself an MC if you know that you’re soft Aggressive...is how the stage is approached. I burn MCs like toast cuz I’m the host with the most.” Excerpt from the song “Word Play” by Phife
Mad Max Lyrics like hype tattoos go over the dope tracks We booby-traps, all our inventions We know the intentions of MC kleptomaniacs Rap brainiacs have cardiacs soon after the attack When it comes to ryhmin I slam harder than Shaq“ Excerpt from the song “My Mind Spray” by Jeru The Damaja
worldwide community made up of different nationalities and backgrounds. The community exists because of the mind state of the individuals within it, combined with the respect they have for the culture. Hip Hop group “The Roots” front man, Black Thought , said that after his first encounter with hip hop “I (knew I) was going to be dealing with hip hop whether I
forced marriage, it was predetermined”. Better put, the people and mindset were in existence before the culture was born. Once the culture came into existence and began to spread, a community automatically grew around it. “(Hip Hop) has been able to transcend ethnic and cultural communities, in a way the Black and Latino and Asians come
shedding who I am culturally. So I stepping to the table as a black man or as a Latino woman or Latino man, but what brings us together is the fact that we love Jay-Z, the fact that I believe Biggie was better then Tupac, the fact that my graffiti is almost as ill and sick as your, the fact that when we’re dancing together we’re creating something that didn’t existed before. And what your bringing to it is something
your able to pull from something, from your Asian culture that I don’t have as an African American, that adds the value that ultimately becomes ours collectively.” Jeffrey Johnson aka Cousin Jeff (B.E.T.)
know it, it’s has a feel that’s tangible and cannot be mistaken for anything else.” Russell Simmons “Hip hop is more than just a music form; it’s also a state of being, a form of expression, spoken words, a lifestyle, a mind set. It’s also a way to express oneself by way of dress,
at mysistahs.com) The Essence of Hip Hop I have determined that there are three main factors that fuel hip hop culture. They are the forces that governs it and the foundation for which it’s built. They dictates the art, fashion, and media of hip hop.
rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.. 2. ORIGINALITY The quality or condition of being original Preceding all others in time; fi rst. Not derived from something else.
one’s knowledge, practice, aptitude. Development= act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining. Skill Development= Improving one abilities / talent through practice and / or experience.
intelligent.” KRS One “Developing your own style is key in making your mark in the culture. “ by DXT rockhall.com “I’m forever learning and that’s why I’m always able to create new styles and new dimensions of hip-hop.” Doug E. Fresh
kind handcrafted furniture made with sturdy materials that going last forever. Rap is the simple design that’s easy to duplicate and made with cheap material so to allow for a higher profit margin.
right song, by the right artist can increase its sales. From $5 white t-shirts to $100 bottle of Cristal. Even more astounding is that rappers, today, are able to use their fame to create powerful brand names. While rock music stars usually seem limited to selling small merchandise items like band T-shirts, posters, and buttons. Rappers, on the other hand, are pushing their own exclusive products lines, selling
Cologne Shawn Carter Sneakers Nelly Pimp Juice 50 Cent Video Game Emenim Shady Apparel Todd Smith Clothing Eve Fetish Clothing Tupac Makaveli Aparrel Romeo Rap Snacks Russell Phat Farm
becoming owners of their own exclusive establishments. Prime example, Jay Z’s 40/40 Ultra Sport Bar & Lounge has locations in New York, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Chicago, Tokyo, and Macau.
Atlanta Restaurant “Justin’s” T.I.’s Atlanta Nightclub “Club Cruial “ Rick Ross’s Miami Restaurant “Hip Hop Grub Spot” Jermaine Dupri’s Atlanta Nightclub “Studio 72” Ludracris’s Atlanta Restaurant “Straits Atlanta”
most rappers is to land a T.V. or movie deal. The big screen equals big money and today rappers are looking to cash in. Welcome to Hollywood...or should I say “Holly...hood”.
on a flat bed (truck)” Excerpt from the song “Freak It” by Will Smith The list of names of rappers who are making appearances in movies today is long and growing. Here’s a short list of rappers who are having the most success on the big screen. Will Smith formerly the Fresh Prince (I Am Legend, Seven Pounds, Bad Boys)
50 Cent (Righteous Kill, Get Rich or Die Tryin, Home of The Brave) LL Cool J (Any Given Sunday, S.W.A.T., Deliver Us from Eva) Ice Cube (Barbershop, Are We There Yet, Boyz in The Hood, Friday) DMX (Romeo Must Die, Cradle 2 the Grave, Exit Wounds) Eve (Barbershop, The Cookout)
Andre 2000 (Idlewild, Be Cool, Semi-Pro) Ice T (New Jack City, Trespass, Surviving the Game) Ludacris (Fast & Furious, Hustler Flow, Fred Claus) The Game (Waist Deep, Street Kings) Q-Tip (She Hates Me, Prison Song) Method Man (Meet the Spartans, Belly, How High
One Roof) Queen Latifah (Living Single) Eve (Eve) Ice T (Law and Order) Will Smith (Fresh Prince of Beliare) Coolio (Coolio - O Rules) Lil Romeo (Romeo)
the Rap Industry generally they only think of record labels, but actually it’s more complexed then that. The Rap Industry is made up of Record Companies, Radio Stations, Video Channels, Record Stores, Publicity Companies, Publications, Music Related Websites, etc.., working in conjunction with one another to push rap products to the
from the rappers works then the rappers themselves. They’re usually involved in every aspect of the artist and his/her works. They design their image, create their name, determine the release date of their album, postpone release dates, have influence on what their finish product will sound like, the style of the music, the lyrical content, and play a major role in the products success and rappers
little power rappers really have within the industry. Unless they’re a Jay- Z, Diddy, or Masta P, artists usually have very little control over their careers.
girls is being siphoned off by lyrics that bleed to feed insatiable corporate greed; by sisters who move and shake for a money machine that takes and takes.” Al Sharpton “It’s run by corporate entities and labels and they want things to sell. And that’s what’s selling, you know, is the rapper with
Bentley and the girls in the bikini and the Cristal in the videos. So people just keep doing that, they keep copying it because people want to make money from it, and it’s like a money-making venture now.” Erica Kennedy (author of “Bling”) interview with Tavis Smiley
that it takes for you to be creative is often tainted by having to be successful.” David Banner interview with Flow TV “Why sell in the stores what you can sell in the streets Why I say the hottest sh*t but we sellin’ the least” Excerpt from the song “Why” by Jadakiss
fundamental value in our nation, but corporate rap that uses violence to hype record sales is polluting young American minds with the idea that this is the key to success.” Al Sharpton
formula for rap is ingenious. It is why rap has had its success. While the birth of hip hop was more of a natural process, the rap formula is something created by the minds of business people (who many in the hip hop community refer to as the “Vultures of the Culture”) who engineered and tested it to make a better product to market to a mass audience. The
of hip hop, they neglected to include the essence. Without the essences of hip hop, the element becomes disconnected from the culture. Examples of Rap Formulas Using popular R&B artists to sing the song’s hook....Formula Use a catchy hook.... Formula Sampling music from an early top 40 hit song...Formula
into specific categories. This is why most rap music that’s released sounds a like and their videos look alike. It is formatted to appeal to the rap audience.
pop, typically consists of relatively brief (not over 3 1/2 minutes) songs ..... with a very strong catchy chorus, or hook. Art is not a concern.” Bill Lamb excerpt from ”What Is Pop Music? A Definition” “Middle America has gotten a watered-down version of everything
toward, and that’s what sells records.” Pete Nice of 3rd Bass “How are the kids going to be inspired to create something innovative when they’re being infl uenced by some of the s**t that’s happening now, which is about just copying and turning it into a business? “ Nas interview with Pitchfork.com
who copies others is a copy for whom I will never have respect.” German hip hop artist MC René “These record companies are like “We want you to sound like Fabulous...No we want you to be 50 Cent...you got to get shot 8 times...Yeah! Shoot yourself 8 times and you can get a (record) deal.”
DVD “In the old days it was easy to defend rap music...you could break it down intellectually why Grandmaster Flash was art, why Run DMC was art, why Whodini was art and music... I love all the rappers today but it’s hard to defend this sh*t.” Excerpt from Chris Rock’s “Never Scared” (HBO Comedy)
vehicle to carbon copy images within urban America and sell urban imagery to the rest of the world.” Jeffrey Johnson aka Cousin Jeff (B.E.T.) Image is very important in rap and plays a big role in a rappers record sales and longevity in the game. In the 2nd season of
just the cherry on the cake”. In the show, instead of looking for the most talented artists, Diddy was looking to create an image that was marketable, revealing the key to success in the rap industry. Today’s popular images in rap are the one’s that are Thug, Gangsta, Baller, or Sexy. It seem as if today’s rap industry has transformed the
Rap format. “I rather have the one kid who brought the one album... the album that only one copy (sold) to the one kid who chose not to be the gangsta, the hustler and the drug dealer and chose to be the professor, the philosopher, and the lawyer.” Lupe Fiasco (Black in America CNN)
plans To make us think it’s all about party and dancin’ And Yo! It might sound good when you spittin’ your rap But in reality, don’t nobody live like that” Dead Prez’s [M-1] lyric excerpt from “Radio Freq“
music business People they lose they brain just to get up in this Let’s be a star for day, everything in life is just ok People say things they don’t really wanna say Hey but it’s ok cause you’re a star for the day” Slum Village lyric excerpt from “Tainted Love”
whole of Hip Hop culture, many of our world’s youth are mistaken in thinking that activities such as: smoking blunts, drinking 40’s, wearing a designer label plastered across their chest, carrying a gun, or going to strip clubs, are “Hip Hop”. Statement from “Universal Zulu Nation” organization
record sells or reinforce their image rappers will go to some crazy length. Doing everything from altering their criminal records, announcing their retirement from the rap game, two rappers releasing their albums on the same day and predicting their album will outsell the others. Remember the scene from the movie “Brown Sugar” where
costumes and pitching the idea to market themselves as the “Hip Hop Puppies”. ”Rap is a gimmick, but I’m for the hip-hop, the culture. “ Method Man “Sometime I’m listen to the radio and I’m like is this comedy rap, is this serious...I’m like this is crazy.” B.O.B (Flow TV)
pull gats, and pimps in fancy clothes slappin’ they b*tches…WHY? Cause they don’t love them hoes. It’s the land where crime pays and p*ssy is power. And when it comes to respect, it’s all about the
and The Dealers are back Baby!!! More ignorant, more ghetto and more sex crazed then ever. In the Industry’s new film “R.A.P.”. RIGHT ON!!! “R.A.P.” playing on a T.V. screens everywhere. Check out the “R.A.P.” soundtrack, playing 24/7, on commercial radio.
“X” Rating, “R.A.P.” will be made available to children of all ages. Rap Is Props If your talent and image need reinforcement, don’t worry the industry has tools for that. I call these tools “Props”. Now there are two meanings for the term Props in both hip hop and rap. One is short for giving someone “proper respect”. Example:
an emcee cause his white, but he deserves props”. The other term refers to the tools the rap industry uses to help sell their products. Attention: Major recording label looking for people to add to their roster. No talent needed, we have the tools to make you a star. We’ve been doing this for decades. Our track record speaks for itself. Check out
you covered. SPECIAL EFFECTS: Whether on stage or in music videos. The industry spend big money on flashing lights, explosions, flying strings, etc... EXPENSIVE VIDEOS: Featuring big name celebrities, yachts helicopters, and all the
video reportedly costed $1 millions.) Sexy Women: Lacking sex appeal. We’ll hire the most beautiful models to surround you in your music videos and maybe even on your album cover to make you look like the man.
Tools AutoTune What are you waiting for? GET SIGNED TODAY!!! “It’s not about the videos. It’s not about the records. And it’s not about the celebrities, they are just byproducts of the hip hop culture.” DMC from the group “Run DMC” (Associated Press)
with hip hop battles. Battling is two parties pitting their skills against one another. Beefs, on the other hand, are two parties in conflict with each another for personal reasons unrelated to hip hop.
hop culture, but you can’t mix them together in regards to why these guys are getting killed and getting shot and going to jail.” DJ Premier The most well-known rap beef was between Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G... The widespread media coverage of the beef only intensified matters, leading to what
Coast Beef”. “First off, f**k your b*tch and the clique you claim West Side when we ride, come equipped with game You claim to be a playa but I f**ked your wife We bust on Bad Boys niggas f**ked for life” Tupac lyric excerpt from “Hit Em Up” (dissing Notorious B.I.G.)
man, Punch him in the face the crowd was like oh man, Four months ago I was yellin’ G- Unit, Till I found out the nigga 5-0 is a snitch” Game freestyle (G-Unit diss)
yours Send us to the hospital, I’ll send yours to the morgue I’m like Jesus to the hood, and God to the industry All 50’s enemies are all of my enemies” Tony Yayo lyric excerpt from “I’m leavin” (dissing Fat Joe)
you’se a fag, ya next rhyme should be on a Sisquo beat And I hate Beans but f**k it, Kiss gon eat It’s me and you, f**k the labels, let’s go streets” Jadakisss lyric excerpt from “Fuck Beanie” (dissing Beanie Segal)
hop, rap does not have a community. Instead it has an audience. A large portion of today’s rap audience is made up of young whites and young females, basically the pop and R&B audience. They
They both like catchy hooks. The pop audience generally prefers formatted songs centered on sex, drugs, or violence. While the R&B audience generally prefers formatted songs with an R&B sound or that speaks on topics of love and relationships. Trends and name brands influence they’re purchase decisions when buying products like clothing, footwear, jewelry, etc... Mainstream radio, T.V.,
music, fashion, dances, and the latest celebrity news. They also use mainstream media as a barometer to determine what’s hot and what’s not. “Suburban teenagers (love rap) because rap is saturated with sex, violence, drugs and other aspects of crime, all of which are exotic to suburban whites..” David Samuels “The Rap on Rap”
to black music as their default pop music.” Tom Breihan “Wiggerstock” “How you going to make a club song and your marketing campaign is aimed at a 14-year- old? Why? A 14-year-old can’t get into the goddamn club; and not only is it a club, it’s a strip club.” Chuck D from the group “Public Enemy”
term used by rappers to describe the way that the music industry operates. In this game, artists and the members of their team function more like politicians than athletes. And those who play the game the best rise to the top. Common ways to play the game are Know the right people,
become bi-coastal, seduce the press with things like free tickets and V.I.P. privilege to events, pay for play or position (better known as Payola), etc… What’s Payola? Payola, in the American music industry, is the illegal practice of payment or other inducement by record companies for the broadcast of recordings on music radio, in which the song
day’s broadcast. Under US law, 47 U.S.C. 317, a radio station can play a specific song in exchange for money, but this must be disclosed on the air as being sponsored airtime, and that play of the song should not be counted as a “regular airplay .” The term has come to refer to any secret payment made to cast a product in a positive light (such as obtaining positive reviews). (Excerpt from Wikipedia.)
be used to summaries the following: Culture vs. Industry Emcee vs. Rapper Creativity vs. Formula Originality vs. Format Skills vs. Props Respect vs. Money
neither defending nor condemning rap; I’m just making some points that I feel need to be made. I agree with those who say that youth are infl uenced by rap. And rap music does have an impact on society. But the truth is all popular culture, not just rap music, has an influence on youth. This includes video games, movies, rock music,
surroundings, images of corporate corruption (such as Erron), police brutality, political corruption etc... all these things have just as much negative impact, when it comes to molding the minds of the youth. And let’s also not forget advertisements, most notably, the disproportionate amount of liquor and cigarette billboards that exist in lower income communities.
and videos seem to glamorize negative lifestyles. It’s true, there are many rappers saying whatever they think will sell records. But I also believe there are some rappers who are really attempting to represent a certain segment of society. They speak for and to those dealing with poverty, ignorant, and violence on a daily basis. It’s usually their life story. And to many of them, their perception is that some people only have
a negative situation / environment or get out of that negative situation / environment by taking a negative pathway to a more positive situation / environment. I agree rappers have a responsibility. Though, I do feel rappers should share some of the responsibility for how their music affects society, I feel the majority of the responsibility belongs to the rap industry. As well as the consumers who
their kids that money and material items is how you measure success... realize that it is that type of teachings that’s causing so many of today’s youth to idolize popular entertainers. I agree that lyrics of most rap songs are explicit. But I strongly disagree with those who believe in censoring rappers. I feel even artists as raunchy as the 2 Live Crew should be able to express
problem is an unregulated music industry serving adult content through popular medias that reach a young, impressionable audience. I feel the industry should be more regulated on how and who they distribute their music to.
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