Hip Hop Isamerica

Hip Hop / Rap as the music is called in essence focuses on the depression and good feelings and times of urban America. It also engages racism, sexism, violence, materialism, and aggression that blacks have towards each other and other races. Hip Hop now in it’s present form is a business an commercial industry that makes billions of dollars every day and employs convicts, drug dealers, even children. Although it’s America’s most profitable profession it is still controlled by white America as a whole. The network Black Entertainment Television (BET) once owned by Bob Johnson a black, was bought out and now owned by Viacom a white majority owned company.

Depression in music is always something you will hear in any type of music, in Hip Hop though it sends a different message to the ears. “F*** The Police”, “187 on an undercover cop” speak for themselves as to show blacks feelings towards police oppression. On the other hand hooks like “I need love”, and “When I Cry We Cry Together” show how artists starve for affection from the opposite sex. Some artists put their hearts in their music and some just say what others write. Any way it is put on wax shows that these artists have troubles in their lives that they talk about in their music.

Racism in this music is expressed these days in raps but it showed at its peak in the 90’s with such groups like N.W.A. (niggas with attitudes) and the former Death Row Records. The topic in my opinion will never be addressed at its full potential because of the market these records actually sell in and because of who really owns these rappers, white executives in the record industry. To go as far and make the statement that most of the Hip Hop records that are bought are purchased by Whites is not an understatement at all. With all of the download outlets and the quality of music these days blacks in my opinion do not have the need to actually go out and purchase these records.

Sexism is a strong subject in this music with videos of half naked girls in heavy rotation every day of Black, White, Hispanic, and any other race you can think of you will probably find a video girl to go with a song that is in rotation now. The sad thing about the situation these girls do not commit these acts against their will, half of the time they are paid generous amounts just to stand their and look cute. Violence and materialism in this in this type of music is heavy in its entirety all rappers talk about these days is guns and drugs as if it is their second profession. Which is not entirely false in some contexts that are talking from personal experience from some of my family members who are in the industry now. On the topic of materialism diamonds and other precious metals are something you will find around a lot of rappers necks, arms, fingers, ears, and any other body part you can think of.

Connecting the two is easy if you want to have large number of units sold of your album if you are a rapper. After all, that’s what the people want to hear so that is what you must give them “Give the people what they want”. The International aspect of Hip Hop is not a too far-gone subject, rappers tour the whole country even out of the country drawing big crowds and reaching the hearts of the masses. The commercialism is a big topic now contracts such as 50 Cent’s endorsement deal with Vitamin Water, Jay Z’s deal with Reebok, Phat Farm, G- Unit Clothing, Sean John just to name a few. Are all endeavors rappers have went into to earn money from their names not their rapping talents. 50 even had a Vitamin Water ad in his album booklet that shows you the direct influence external companies have on these rappers gross income. “Women Lie Men Lie but Numbers Don’t” is a famous quote from rapper Jay- Z showing you is commitment to money in the business. Which comes from endorsements, and movie deals that these rappers receive from big businesses.

Every body knows the way to