Jacob O’Neill
Prof. Emerson
Lets Talk about Art
Rap and Hip-Hop despite being a relatively new form of art has taken the world by storm and created a revolutionary way to express the issues that plague our cities. Following raps introduction into media in the 1970’s artists have jumped at the opportunity to get their hands in the Rap world. Rap is a form of art that uses a new form of poetry as a means for human expression.
The flood of interest in the art of rap sparked a rebirth in the interest among young adults and children in the fields of poetry and lyricism. When interviewing my friend Jordan for this assignment I asked him if he would consider rap a form of art, his response, “Rap is a form of art in the sense that it shares important issues through human expression”. Rap has effectively generated a way for young americans to voice the gruesome issues in their communities and has given the artist the power to create a change through the power of their verses. Rap, like many other forms of art uses juxtaposition in order to create a link between the emotional and logical aspects of human connection using lyrics. With growing tension regarded the racial discrimination and abuse of power by law enforcement many argue that rap is the cause of cultural violence when in fact rap is the product of our cultural violence. Rappers such as J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar have created a new wave of change by using their fame and skills as an artist to create an awareness for the struggles of growing up in oppression and the significance of the pressure that society has placed upon its individuals. In J. Coles song, “Crooked Smile” he voices his opinion on the issue of appearance shaming in american media. In his lyrics,
“Love yourself, girl, or nobody will
Oh, you a woman? I don’t know how you deal
With all the pressure to look impressive and go out in heels
I feel for you
Killing yourself to find a man that’ll kill for you
You wake up, put makeup on
Stare in the mirror but its clear that you can’t face what’s wrong
No need to fix what God already put his paint brush on
Your roommate yelling, “Why you gotta take so long?”
What it’s like to have a crooked smile”
Cole’s lyrics strike home to many listeners as he uses his lyrics to paint a vivid picture of the influence society on our mental health. By spreading awareness through his music J. Cole prevents important issues from going unnoticed.
Rap is being used as a form of communication for the critical issues holding our less fortunate from reaching a common ground of respect and equality. For many lower class citizens the systematic, economic, political oppression has stripped them of their voice, but through rap the oppressed have been able to take the mic back. The vulgar nature of rap and hip hop is exactly what makes it such an effective mode for expressing the harsh and concerning issues in our culture. Rap uses its powerful messages to raise awareness and prevent the dismissal of the real news that affects the lives of american citizens daily. Logic’s “Soul Food” contains one of my favorite verses:
Little Bobby, just a youngin’, skating was my hobby
Tryna stay out of trouble, my homie in jail for robbery
Welfare, food stamps, and stealing from the store
Come home and see an eviction notice taped to my door
Can’t take no more, momma on drugs, daddy M.I.A
What can I say? I just wanted to be a kid and play
I appreciate this verse because I feel the way this verse illustrates the oppression that lower class citizens face from an early age. His ability to express how individuals are set up to fail before they have begun provides an interesting perspective and a powerful message that resonates with the listener and influences a reform to the ways of our society. I asked Jordan what he believes has made rap such a successful method to remodel social issues, his response was interesting, “It has proven to be an effective way to display the issues that upper class individuals may not be exposed to.” The ability of the artist to share their experience allows the listener to form empathy towards the artist help them understand what it is like to walk in their shoes.
Rap has had an impact in the short time that it has been incorporated in our society which is what makes me believe it is an important form of art in american culture. As Jordan stated, “Rap is beneficial for culture, it allows the connection of experiences through a diverse audience.” A common understanding of the struggles of societal issues is vital to our recognition and resolve of issues preventing our progression as a whole.
