Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Hip Hop Hierarchy.
When you think of hip-hop songs, what comes to mind? You think of men rapping about drug dealing, violence, sex, money, and fast cars. These are the images that the media exposes us to constantly. These images, in both song and video, are rewarded by our society.
Of course, with every rule comes the exception. Allow me to introduce you to Mr. Jacob Izrael. Scantily clothed women and drugs sold separately. A rapper, producer, and street minister who shines a new light on the hip hop genre. Now you're probably thinking ,"WHO?!", but Izrael has been producing music on a large scale since 2004.
Inspired since adolescence by rap artists such as Rakim, Biz-Markie, and L.L. Cool J Jacob made his mind up about what he wanted to do in life. The only difference? He had a different story to tell. With his own personal struggles Izrael makes music that makes you think about life in it's fullness. No glorifying sex, getting money, illegal drugs, and violence. Just pure truth about life.
How refreshing, right? Here's a talented lyricist who is finally using their passion to pull society out of their rugged ways. You think an inspiration, such as Izrael, would be sure to top charts.
No not exactly. In fact, four full CDs and other miscellaneous songs and videos into the music industry, Izrael does not get recognized on a national level. Thank you, Hip hop hierarchy.
With hip-hop, and most media, there is only one accepted option. Hip-hop does not want these 'against-the-grain' ideas getting out on a mainstream scale. We as a society can not be exposed to another idea about the life we live.
Hip-hop is set in its ways and projects a certain set of messages. While many songs encourage you to follow your dreams they really mean for you to follow the dreams their entertainers have set for you.
That is not to say that you will not have any voice in the industry, like I said, Izrael has produced four CDs that you could find in any local music store. It would cause problems if the industry didn't seem to be giving equal opportunities to all hip-hop. So herein lies the hierarchy. You're voice can only be recognized to a degree that the industry deems appropriate.
Take a look at the video posted, titled "Kill Ur TV". A new track from 2010, Izrael makes very accurate observations about our media consumption.
After watching the video, let me know your thoughts. What did you think of the song itself? And do you think this hip-hop hierarchy is necessary? Why do we limit ourselves to appreciating a very small collection of hip hop music and why is it these particular messages that we reward and enjoy hearing?
It's a knot in my chain, needless to say. I'd love to hear other thoughts on the industry and Jacob Izrael.
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I agree with you that the typical content in rap and rap videos is rewarded. I'm not sure why this is, but it definitely perpetuates the continuance of even more tasteless music being made. I think Will Smith might be another example of a rapper who tried to use respect in his lyrics and ommited dirty language- however his music didn't sell as well. I really like Jacob Izrael, and hopefully he can begin a new trend.
ReplyDeleteHip Hop is such a bad way to distribute music these days. Everything on television seems to send such a bad message to our generation. As for me I have giving up television there are days when I do watch or listen to music but it's not an everyday thing for me anymore. I don't like the messages that hip hop broadcast about being successful from illegal actions and downfalls. There are other ways at being successful and for me as a college student a feel as though hip hop sends out the signal it's alright to be illiterate and rich. Really it's not all about money life means more to me than being street smart.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree hip hop is hving a bad influence on children because whatever the lyrics are saying children think it's ok to act like a singer. I mean if you look at it you have artists writing songs about killing people, drugs, beating people up, and sex. Those are the basic categories for songs in todays society. Someone should not be allowing them to air this on the radio edited or unedited well still know what their are interpreting too.
ReplyDeleteI disagree, I don't agree that all hip hop has a bad affect on children. The current hip hop that's lyrics make absolutely no sense. That only refers to money, bitches,sex, drugs,cars and materialistic things does however have a bad influence. It's teaching kids that that's the only way to go and what life is all about and it's absolutely not. There's a whole wide world out there that's not related to what some hip hop represents. However certain hip hop artists such as common, nas, lauryn hill and even will smith had real lyrics that actually stood for something and were sending positive messages out about the real world. Not this faux world that the rappers in hip hop today are all wrapped up in.
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