Race and Identity
Hip hop, while being one of the most changing and progressive musical genres, also has deep rooted attachment to the race of not only the artist, but the listener as well. On one side of the argument, there is a desire to respect and transcend race barriers; this viewpoint is shared by the "color blind" Americans. The opposing viewpoint believes in the continued segregation of the genre, maintaining an ugly history; these people believe that only people of their same race can listen to and identify with hip hop. This can be exemplified in Wale's "The Kramer"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp05cNnsR3I. The song starts with a sample of an angry man repeatedly shouting the n-word, showing the still-existent racism in America today. Wale comes in with the line "The color of my skin, content of my character", he perfectly describes how his race is his main identifier of personality. The song ends with the same man who opened, but he is apologizing for his words at the beginning of the song; this shows that through Wale's words and message he converted the racist to judge people based on their actions and character, not appearance. This song can be drawn to parallel the progressive evolution of black suppression in America and how it can affect all of the people who come into contact with racism.
Hip hop started at a very racial genre, but has since made progress towards becoming universally accepting. Originally, hip hop was a strictly black genre where rappers would convey their messages and struggles to an audience not much different from themselves. The progression of the hip hop "battles" is as follows: East and West Coast, Underground and Commercial, and now white and black. But, as time went on and the genre expanded and prospered, there became a much more balanced listening audience. The phenomena of people listening to artists of their own race and subsequently being more harsh when listening to other artists exists today; this is not necessarily a bad thing. Although race can be a factor which can have negative connotation, it is still a part of our identity and who we are. It is important that we properly embrace our race and heritage in order to make the world a better place for everyone who is in it today and in the future.
Below is a video of a documentary which discusses hip hop's mix of race and identity
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I enjoyed reading your blog post. I checked out Wale's song from the hyperlink you provided. He is very direct on the topic of how the N word shapes the game. I appreciate your optimistic outlook on how race should be embraces in order to make the world a better place for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI liked this blog post very much because the issue addressed is one that I believe is very important to hip hop today. I completely agree that in the beginning, hip hop was a predominantly black genre, but more modern hip hop has definitely become more accepting of several other races, not only just whites. Hopefully, this trend will continue until hip hop is no longer fixed to one specific race.
ReplyDeleteThis post was interesting because while hip hop was mostly a black genre and was listened to mostly by blacks it has now transformed into a genre where people from every background can listen to it. Hip hop now has no barriers. Hispanics, whites, etc. all listen to hip hop and now hip hop can be related to a wider variety of people.
ReplyDeleteI found this post every interesting. This topic is important when it comes to the hip-hop genre. Today hip-hip is more accepting of other races. Hip-hop fans have grown from mostly blacks to being very diverse. More and more people can relate to the messages displayed in the songs hip-hip artist put out.
ReplyDeleteKuddos unlike the society we live hip hop does not have a color to it. this is one of the main reason why I love the hip hop atmosphere. It has a sense of diversity that most things in life do not have.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog! It is true that hip hop used to be strictly listened to by one race but as you said in your post, it is now universal. Hip hop becoming popular in all race groups shows the diversity and connection that all humans have.
ReplyDeleteThis post was very well written. The song was a good choice to demonstrate how race is influenced through hip hop. It is true that the genre is slowly evolving into a universal art form, not solely listened to by one race.
ReplyDeleteI really liked ur blog post. I especially like how you chose a song by an artist that fits the racial profile given to hip-hop, but proves it wrong, as your example. It shows how hip-hop has grown and changed during out lifetime.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post. It is interesting how hip hop originated as a predominately black genre. Today we can see how racial discrimination is dissolving in hip hop and becoming a more universal genre.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed you post because it says that hip-hop is accepting of all races. I think this is important and what makes hip-hop different from most genres because it is so diverse. like you said hip-hop started off as an one race culture but it has made its way to becoming more open which is why I think more people are drawn to hip-hop than any other genre.
ReplyDeletethis post was very interesting because race is a really big issue in hip hop. I also like the picture that you used at the beginning. And the documentary that you attached was really interesting. Wale is one of my favorite rappers.
ReplyDeleteI like your post, and see where your coming from with both sides. while it may seem easier to identify with those of the same race it boils down to upbringing and life experiences. I do believe that the genre is growing in a multicultural direction, however i also believe that "color blind" americans are also wrong. i believe that we need to acknowledge race recognize effect that will have on the artist and accept it.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post because race is a very prominent issue in hip hop today. The racial walls that have been built appear, in my opinion, to be coming down. Hip hop is a genre that can speak to so many types of people and shouldn't just be assigned to a certain group. Oh, and nice picture of riff raff.
ReplyDeleteI found this blog post very interesting to read. I agree that hip hop started out predominately African American, but it has grown into a genre that many people, of any race or ethnicity, can listen to, relate to, and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteOk just throwing that out there, you snapped with the Riff Raff picture! But I can definitely agree that hip hop has branched out. It is now much more than just black and white.
ReplyDeleteI hate the fact that people think that just because hip hop is a genre that mostly black people listen to that other races and ethnicity's can't listen to it.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed the post especially the examples. Hip hop really should be a color blind genre and I agree even though it was originated by black people it has been made so racially diverse
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