Is Hip-Hop Being Irresponsible?

ThePhanastasio · 07-13-2011, 11:08 PM

I've no problem with the subject matter.

Abuse of substances is horribly prevalent in everyday life, so why would one completely disregard an individual who praises a certain substance?

It seems to me that its current prevalence in life in general would make it relevant, but that's just me.

Lord Dweedle · 07-13-2011, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matious

yeah i realize that, but it's not like i can control my subconscious you know.

The advertising for drugs, especially weed is really one of the most predominant subjects in hip hop. Cypress hill was getting airplay on mtv, it's nothing new.

I'm not gonna lie, i get weirded out when i see 13 year old kids worshippin wiz khalifa. but I don't think it's going to convince them to do anything their not already comfortable with.

aint he that guy who made a song that kept saying Black & Yellow over and over?

Nosferatu Man · 07-13-2011, 11:27 PM

I think I probably agree with oojay in a slightly different way. I personally have no problem with the content, I think musicians have to be able to sing about anything. What I have a problem with is 'artists' who write lyrics about certain themes not for a artistic purposes but commercial.

I reckon there are plenty of rappers like the one in question who sing about marijuana, drink and bitches so that teenagers of a certain age will listen to them for the shock value and cause mom would disapprove.

djchameleon · 07-14-2011, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oojay

Does anyone else think that it is irresponsible to sing or rap about certain subjects?

I was listening to a hip-hop radio show today. The hosts are normally quite socially aware and on point, but they proceeded to give praise to a new artist based on his song being a "banger," yet completely disregarding the fact that nearly every line was referencing "sipping on sizzurp" or "smokin' trees." After multiple notable deaths in the rap community (DJ Screw, Big Moe, Pimp C, etc.) which were related to or directly caused by the recreational use of prescription cough medicine, one would think that the hip-hop world would become more aware of the dangers of such irresponsible promotion.

It is by no means lost on me that many rappers also reference other drug use ("pushing weight," "popping pills," etc), as well as violence, guns and gang life. Many of my favorite rappers are guilty of this, so in a way I am perpetuating the cycle myself.

I think it would behove many rappers (and musicians in general) to think about the impact that their music may have on their listeners.

No, it's not irresponsible to rap about a subject that the rapper can relate to and this can be opened up wider to more genres, other musicians write about drugs as well or varying different types but you don't hear people running behind them saying "oh they should be more responsible about the lyrics that they write"

classic examples, Lucy in the sky with diamonds, puff the magic dragon and mojo pin

Ben Butler · 07-14-2011, 08:22 AM

Top post from Oojay, I've said it all along. Rap artists promote drugs, for instance Eminem and his Recovery album, sex (any mainstream music video), gun crime and general violence. They should be more careful, especially when they have commercial sponsors/advertisers to consider and a lot of young fans.

Roll It Up B · 07-14-2011, 09:56 AM

Yo let the playas preach their ways, after all it's where they came from, and all they know, it's why they became what they are today; so just listen to them spit and represent.

bad ass quote OOJay (killa,lol couldn't resist on that one man)

**Janszoon** · 07-14-2011, 10:18 AM

Is Francis Ford Coppola irresponsible for making movies about the mafia?

TockTockTock · 07-14-2011, 10:20 AM

The Velvet Underground released a song titled "Sister Ray" on their second album White Light/White Heat. It lasted about seventeen minutes long, and its subject matter dealt with a story about a few drag queens having a massive orgy and shooting themselves up with heroin (Sister Ray being a transvestite drug dealer who I think gets killed by them). This was in 1968. People have been doing this for a long time... it's nothing new, and honestly, I don't have much of a problem with it. However, what I have a problem with is is how easily accessible the music is in terms of being able to find it. All you have to do is turn on the radio... that's all children have to do, too. Yes, its the parents' job to prevent their kids from being exposed to it, but they can't be around 24/7.

djchameleon · 07-14-2011, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Pat

Yes, its the parents' job to prevent their kids from being exposed to it, but they can't be around 24/7.

That's when parents do their job of raising their children with the morals to know what's right and wrong and not to buy into the hype of the media around them.

pourmeanother · 07-14-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oojay

I'm just surprised that after Pimp C died that the mainstream rap community didn't stop and take a look at the impact that Purple Drank can have. I remember when drug talk in music was more about how crack rocks would ruin your life, not about how it's cool to smoke weed and drink cough syrup.

Both takes are out there in the rap world.

07-13-2011, 11:08 PM	#11 (permalink)
ThePhanastasio Killed Laura Palmer Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Ashland, KY Posts: 1,679	I've no problem with the subject matter. Abuse of substances is horribly prevalent in everyday life, so why would one completely disregard an individual who praises a certain substance? It seems to me that its current prevalence in life in general would make it relevant, but that's just me. __________________ Phish: Studio Discography Reviewed 100 Albums I Heartily Recommend My last.fm It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken Perhaps they're better left unsung

07-13-2011, 11:27 PM	#13 (permalink)
Nosferatu Man Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 264	I think I probably agree with oojay in a slightly different way. I personally have no problem with the content, I think musicians have to be able to sing about anything. What I have a problem with is 'artists' who write lyrics about certain themes not for a artistic purposes but commercial. I reckon there are plenty of rappers like the one in question who sing about marijuana, drink and bitches so that teenagers of a certain age will listen to them for the shock value and cause mom would disapprove. __________________ Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night.

07-14-2011, 09:56 AM	#16 (permalink)
Roll It Up B Groupie Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2	Yo let the playas preach their ways, after all it's where they came from, and all they know, it's why they became what they are today; so just listen to them spit and represent. bad ass quote OOJay (killa,lol couldn't resist on that one man) __________________ blow kisses from the sky- let them fall on the ones who walk by- they will continue through life wonder who did it until the day they die. -Roll It Up(and smoke it)B

07-14-2011, 10:18 AM	#17 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	Is Francis Ford Coppola irresponsible for making movies about the mafia? __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

07-14-2011, 08:22 AM	#15 (permalink)
Ben Butler Music Addict Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Rudheath Posts: 393	Top post from Oojay, I've said it all along. Rap artists promote drugs, for instance Eminem and his Recovery album, sex (any mainstream music video), gun crime and general violence. They should be more careful, especially when they have commercial sponsors/advertisers to consider and a lot of young fans.

07-14-2011, 10:20 AM	#18 (permalink)
TockTockTock They/Them Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,914	The Velvet Underground released a song titled "Sister Ray" on their second album White Light/White Heat. It lasted about seventeen minutes long, and its subject matter dealt with a story about a few drag queens having a massive orgy and shooting themselves up with heroin (Sister Ray being a transvestite drug dealer who I think gets killed by them). This was in 1968. People have been doing this for a long time... it's nothing new, and honestly, I don't have much of a problem with it. However, what I have a problem with is is how easily accessible the music is in terms of being able to find it. All you have to do is turn on the radio... that's all children have to do, too. Yes, its the parents' job to prevent their kids from being exposed to it, but they can't be around 24/7.