Hip - Hop is by far the closet genre of music to my
soul. When I was young I would look to the music for guidance. Spending most of
my time in the streets of my city I yearned for a guide or at least something
that could help me make sense of what was happening around me. Rap music
provided that for me. It laid out the rules to the street in a direct and raw
manner. Rap helped me to understand the mind state of the individuals around
me. It taught me what to look out for so that I might have a better chance at
protecting myself. I even found hope in the music. Through the colorful lyrics
of artist like Slick Rick I saw the future in a little more depth. Nas taught
me to be cautious and always mindful of my surroundings. Tupac showed me a
deeper meaning of the word brotherhood. Scarface demonstrated what is to be a
man in the street culture.
I am afraid that the reason adults don't like today's Hip - Hop music is
because of the lack of growth in the music. They don't get anything out of it.
The music no longer helps an adult to survive. It merely allows for children to
play. There are no stress relievers in music for those of us who don't already
have money in large amounts. They are encouraged to do all the drugs and
alcohol they can by large percent of their modern Hip-Hop music. Although,
earlier versions of Hip-Hop had less than ideal topics and content in them,
they always had a message to want more, hope for more, or excepting things for
what they are. Even rappers like Nas
and Scarface
have verbalized similar concerns in this area. Pain, love, drugs, sex,
violence, happiness, and bad decision-making will always be a part of our
world. This is the reason why it is so important that these issues not be made
light of; since these are the topics being relayed to our youth and or the
older generations.
