Sounds of the Nation

SOUNDS OF THE NATIONS

Katwana Coleman

University of Phoenix Online

COMM/215

Instructor: Cinder Cooper

7/31/05

RAP AND POLITICS: "SOUNDS OF THE NATIONS"

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this paper is to examine two different musical commentaries on American Politics. Music has always been a reflection of the times. Music has always given the American people a clear view of the era in which it was made. I will argue in this paper that certain rap songs have shown accurate descriptions of the politics that have been responsible for keeping the poor and the minorities of this country down for many years. My two selections will be Jay-Z's Dead Presidents and the late Tupac Shakur's Hellrazor. Both selections give information about the political system that drives and shapes the United States. Dead Presidents shows the power that money holds over many aspects of American life. Money has been an important part of all political careers. Tupac's Hellrazor explains the violence that has occurred because of the governments poor judicial systems. Shakur also shows in Hellrazor that those with wealth hold all the power in American society.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

One main reason for politics in Jay-Z's songs is to explain the reasons for his illegal actions. The reason for politics in Tupac's songs is to bring attention to the problems facing the African American race. The first reason is visualized in Dead Presidents. Jay-Z talks about the power of many and lack of it in the African American community. He goes into in-depth explanation of the illegal actions he takes insure his success in the world. Jay-Z also explains the reasons for his illegal methods. The chances for good legal employment in this country are slim in Jay-Z's eyes. He believed drugs were the only alternative to being broke. The second reason is visualized by Tupac's Hellrazor. Tupac talks about the judicial system and the many problems that exist within it. He mentions the death of a young girl as the result of cop negligence. This death is due to the failing judicial system in the United States. Shakur blamed the government for the way minorities were treated in today's society. Tupac and Jay-Z both felt the government was responsible for the negative things happening in the African American community.

ANALYSIS

Jay-Z's Dead Presidents is a rhyme that is directed towards money and power. In politics money is power just like in Jay-Z's song. Politicians have always been influenced by people who have the proper finances. In Dead Presidents, Jay-Z uses the phrase "enough dollars make sense". This phrase is used to show the ability of money to make anyone come around to a certain person's viewpoint. In politics, money is a very important commodity. Money is a necessity in any campaign. If money is desperately needed then the right backer can convince a politician to see anything his way. Dead Presidents