All of these characteristics have been giving to African American males throughout society and the media just advertises these portrayals defeating the black males character. This source is strong but at the same time contains some weak spots. The weak spots are present without being present. What I mean by this is that instead of just stating what society negatively characterizes the black male as, there should of have been more references to the positive traits that many black men sustain as well. This argument would be better recognized having two sides of the party to differentiate
Rapping came from a long list of artists starting from Afrika Bambaataa “the Godfather” and Clive Campbell “DJ Kool Herc” to Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. “Lil Wayne.” Yet these hip hop artists are affecting the way people perceive African Americans as a “lower class group of people” in many ways. From the music they sing to the way that they dress and political influence, more people are looking over African Americans and finding another missing link to success. More African Americans are missing opportunities to succeed in life, because of what rappers sing, and majority of it is degrading to African Americans by heavily focusing on sex and abusive behaviors. These kind of stereotypes the African American group as being a lower than Caucasians. Lil Wayne is the best musician in our era, but his music shows no respect and consistency for young girls, including other rappers as well.
Stapleton tells us that many believe the concern over sexual violence is not as big a concern of racial problems. Stapleton throws us the idea that many hip-hop artists felt that hip-hop was being considered objectionable because white youth were consuming it. Stapleton uses this to reveal where a large amount of criticism is coming from in both racial and genre issues. Stapleton brings up a gathering of hip-hop artists and rappers showing us that serious discussions were being had about the genre and the changes in it. We see in Stapleton’s words how hip-hop has become a dangerous genre and how responsibility lies in the artists, managers, record companies, and parents when it comes to the music.
The sexual prowess of African American males is still exaggerated by black and white Americans alike” (Smith 15). With this comes “a deep-rooted insecurity in African American men as a result of sexual stereotyping,” which results in negative carry-overs into other aspects of black men’s lives. (Smith 16) This, of course, affects the black man’s entire life; thereby, affecting black women, children, and all American’s lives. The beauties of black men are being covered over by white owned entertainment industry conglomerates that continue to promote these negative stereotypes via the images and styles of its artists. For example, rap lyrics[4] repeatedly chant about “hoes,” “bitches,” “niggas,” “pimps,” “playaz,” “blunts,” “gangstas,” ad infintium, and continue to perpetuate black role models who epitomize these negative stereotypes of black men.
As the shift in hip-hop turned more and more towards the “Gangster Rap” of the West Coast, Malcolm X continued to symbolize upcoming artist’s cultural identity. However, this new cultural identity was often that of misogynistic and homophobic violence. Commercially, Malcolm X began a staple of success. A 1992 biofilm entitled, “X” was released and Malcolm X continued to be incorporated in increasing proportions as part of the hip-hop generation. He now was on the same pedestal of other civil rights legends such as Frederick Douglass, W.E.B Du Bois, and of course, his counterpart Martin Luther King.
It seems that the more crimes a rapper commits, the more he is held up as a true thug which allows him to sell even more CDs(because he has proven his hardness to the streets). But just think of the message this is sending to our society. Not only does it promote vanity, but it sends the message that if you commit illegal crimes, then that proves you are a thug and that you are "hard" just like the rappers. This is a very dangerous way of thinking because it not only puts the person in danger, but it also puts many other innocent people in danger of being murdered, beaten down, robbed, or even rapped. Any music that sends this kind of message should not be allowed, even if it is an expression of "free speech."
Back then, when I hear “Hip Hop”, I associated it with egoistic rappers and gang violence. It was my least favorite music genre because rap artists only rap about their shopping list and other meaningless topics. It came to the point where I asked, “What is Hip Hop?” I was so curious that I decided to use it as an English research topic. From that point on, my opinion on Hip Hop changed completely due to the fact that there’s more to it. As I researched on what Hip Hop is, I found out that it isn’t just a music genre, but a massive culture that originated within the Bronx during the 1970s.
The lyrics of hardcore and gangsta rap often contains dubious themes, but the author derives his theory from the general attitude of this style of music by saying: “Gangsta and hardcore rap is the product of a society that has historically objectified and demeaned women, and commercialized sex”. His idea is well supported by familiar
This collective group of men that fought so hard to maintain their dignity somehow has evolved to a common hoodlum without any sense of reason. Films such as Menace to Society, Boyz N Da Hood, and South Central are there to give a description of how life is in the Ghetto. Producers such as the Hughes Brothers and John Singleton were given a graphic description to raise awareness in minority communities. Somehow it has since been glorified into a way of life. Music videos have contributed to the depiction as well.
The documentary "Hip Hop Beyond Beats and Rhymes" by Byron Hurt seeks to broaden the perspectives and understanding on cultural issues such as masculinity, sexism, violence and homophobia which pervade throughout hip hop music and culture. Interviews with artists as well as fans of hip hop music are presented in an effort to explore popular attitudes and beliefs which pervade throughout the culture. The music can be seen as a reflection of the larger social issues impacting the community, while at the same time the music may in fact shape the culture and further perpetuate negative attitudes and misconceptions. Hip Hop music itself is often categorized as violent, homophobic, and misogynistic. This is implied as these themes are not only repeated