In 1992, the Rodney King Riots took place in Los Angeles, CA as a reaction to 4 police officers being aqcuited of charges of "police brutality" where they beat Rodney King after a high-speed chase. Many rappers took this as a chance to reflect on the events and possibly cash in on the times. Rappers such as Dr. Dre, The Game, and Redman wrote songs or even albums dedicated to the riots. Below is actually a 38 second skit Redman included on his album in regards to the riots.
But besides national events such as this, violence and Hip Hop has gone hand in hand since Grand Master Flash's "The Message." Violence has been internalized on a personal and local level for thousands of Hip Hop artists. Millionaire rappers down to backpack rappers rap about feuds with neighboring rappers, gangs, labels, etc. quite possibly because violence and feuds sell records.
Often times rappers are not seen as real unless they practice what they preach. Rappers such as DMX are seen as "real" due to their very real rap sheets. Rick Ross is criticized as a rapper because he reportedly wanted to be a corrections officer. So why is violence considered a good thing in Hip Hop? Why is settling differences and making peace a bad thing in regards to this genre of music?
NWA was a definite catalyst in the promotion of violence and war of the streets. Whether serious songs, or party songs, many contain the concept of violence towards competing rappers, anonymous people, or the police. AS songs such as these became popular, so did the theory of violence as a necessary evil of Hip Hop.
The question is: Is violence necessary in Hip Hop? how many songs would be out if you eliminated the theme of violence? I personally don't find fault in storytelling, therefore the rapper has the freedom to discuss what he pleases. Other's find the violence discussed to be negatively affecting our culture.
The Rodney King police brutality incident definitely brought national attention to the issue. Other rappers like IceT and, as you mentioned, NWA & Redman added fuel to the fire bringing the issues into mainstream rap music. However, I agree with you about the story telling aspect. Each rapper has a right to tell their story no matter how violent other think it is. Rap is a form of expression and to silence them is to take away their freedom of speech
ReplyDeleteI think rap is characterized by violence. It sounds odd, but without talks of AKs and ARs, without threats, and without "bustin' heads," hip hop would not be the same genre. To answer your question, yes, violence is necessary in hip hop.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Josh, hip hop is sort of the voice for violence that occurs on the streets. Overall I think violence is just a part of human nature and just because some music is excessive, it does not mean everyone should have to stop listening to it. Before the television was invented, the Romans would go to the Coliseum just to watch the gory duels for entertainment. Violence is a necessary part of humanity.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Josh that violence is necessary and rap would sound weird without it. Storytelling is huge in hip hop and that's what they are usually doing when they talk about violence.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Josh. A lot of rappers grew up around violence so it doesn't seem "bad" to them because it was such a huge part of their lives. Just because a song mentions violence doesn't mean it's promoting it, which is something many critics fail to realize.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with you, hip hop and violence do go hand in hand. I hate when people say that hip hop causes violence though, I think people that grow up around violence also happen to grow up around hip hop.
ReplyDeleteViolence in hip hop is necessary. It's a part of life and these rappers are just telling us what they experience. I also agree with Alex and Allegra that just because hip hop is violent it doesn't mean violence happens because of the lyrics of some hip hop songs.
ReplyDeleteI think that talking about violence in hip hop is fine, its real. However, I agree that rappers are unreal if they don't practice what they preach. I honestly don't see the problem with violence in hip hop, I love a lot of songs that talk about violence. It reminds me of Tupac because he always yells violent threats, and I love Tupac so there's that.
ReplyDeleteI agreed with this article and many of the comments. Violence in society itself is a common thread that binds everyone in the world together. Hip hop music incorporates violence just like duels and violent plays of the past glorified violent behavior. Without violence, hip hop music wouldn't be what it is today because it is the telling of a violent past that is the foundation of hip hop music.
ReplyDeleteI definitely don't think violence is necessary to hip hop for me, but for others i think it is. A lot of rappers rap about where they're from and what crimes they've committed and it gets them a certain credibility. It's sad, but its very true. Like Rick Ross, his songs about violence are fictional, but it boosts his persona as a gangsta rapper that sold cocaine in the streets of Miami. Thats what his fanbase likes and thats what he's going to continue to rap about.
ReplyDeleteHip hop and violence definitely go hand in hand and feed off of each other. It unfortunately is a reality as you should above but I feel as if it will never change due to what the artists constantly rap about. Rappers influence their audience more than they can imagine and it can be displayed through violence
ReplyDeleteI thought the blog was good; hip hop is all about the violence despite its roots not being violence related. "Straight out of Compton" is one of the best songs and is all about violence. I don't even know where hip-hop would be without violence in it, the songs wouldn't be as hard and raw.
ReplyDeleteYou made a good point on how rappers are not seen as real. They magnify such violent lifestyles and if not portrayed in their daily lives, they are deemed as fake.
ReplyDeleteHip hop does definitely have deep roots in violence, but it does not necessarily promote it. A lot of songs with violence in them are just telling stories for what they are, not saying do this that or the other.
ReplyDeleteViolence has long been apart of Hip Hope culture. It's necessary because it was one of the key components that helped kickstart it! It's almost synonymous with how sex was a large part of rock n roll and how it was criticized for going against traditional values
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DeleteA lot of rappers talk about violence because they lived through it. It's a part of the culture because most rappers didn't grow up living the American dream. Some rappers are just speaking and letting the listener in on their experiences growing up wherever they did.
ReplyDeleteI think it is just as you said. The violence that hip hop promotes and causes are definitely a way for hip hop artist to make money. Although there are successful hip hop artist that do without the violence it is not very likely you hear them talked about. So the controversial violence also gets them attention albiet negative attention. Hip hop artist want money and attention, and promoting violence seem like a way to attain it.
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