Is Hip-Hop Being Irresponsible?

~~[MERIT]~~ · 07-13-2011, 09:12 PM

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.

Sparky · 07-13-2011, 09:33 PM

who are you, my mom?

Mrd00d · 07-13-2011, 09:38 PM

That's why I don't listen to rappers like Vinnie Paz, Eminem, etc.

~~[MERIT]~~ · 07-13-2011, 09:43 PM

I'm all for free speech, don't get me wrong. I just think that we should be responsible and not abuse that right by promoting drugs, guns, violence, etc. I'm really not trying to generalize, I was more referring to the specific example of "Purple Drank" that I initially talked about. It just pissed me off to hear that type of music being so blatantly promoted by someone that I respect.

Sparky · 07-13-2011, 09:48 PM

I think it's a ridiculous standard to hold artists to.

Are you going to exclude all other mediums if they promote unsafe or unhealthy activities?

When these artists rap about this certain subject matter it just makes them fall trap to a stereotype.

I think people are impressionable, but also very choosey in how they connect stuff they absorb into their life.

Paedantic Basterd · 07-13-2011, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matious

For example when weezy raps "bitch gave me brain like a so and so" it doesn't inspire me to want and go rape a girls face,it makes me think of a nice girl i once knew or some corney ****. It's all the images you want to see, ya know?

That's almost twisted in and of itself.

~~[MERIT]~~ · 07-13-2011, 09:52 PM

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.

Sparky · 07-13-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedestrian

That's almost twisted in and of itself.

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.

**Janszoon** · 07-13-2011, 10:53 PM

Hip-hip?

~~[MERIT]~~ · 07-13-2011, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Hip-hip?

Hmmm. Did you mods change that, or was it a typo on my part? Reminds me of Rob Schneider's character on Big Daddy.

"Hip. Hip hop. Hip-hop-opotamus?"

07-13-2011, 09:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
~~[MERIT]~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 4,814	Is Hip-Hop Being Irresponsible? 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.

07-13-2011, 09:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mrd00d Stoned and Jammin' Out Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Northern California; Eugene, OR; mobile Posts: 1,602	That's why I don't listen to rappers like Vinnie Paz, Eminem, etc. __________________ Mrd00d's Last.fm

07-13-2011, 09:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sparky not really Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,223	I think it's a ridiculous standard to hold artists to. Are you going to exclude all other mediums if they promote unsafe or unhealthy activities? When these artists rap about this certain subject matter it just makes them fall trap to a stereotype. I think people are impressionable, but also very choosey in how they connect stuff they absorb into their life. Last edited by Sparky; 07-13-2011 at 11:18 PM.

07-13-2011, 10:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	Hip-hip? __________________ 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

07-13-2011, 09:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sparky not really Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,223	who are you, my mom?

07-13-2011, 09:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
~~[MERIT]~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 4,814	I'm all for free speech, don't get me wrong. I just think that we should be responsible and not abuse that right by promoting drugs, guns, violence, etc. I'm really not trying to generalize, I was more referring to the specific example of "Purple Drank" that I initially talked about. It just pissed me off to hear that type of music being so blatantly promoted by someone that I respect.

07-13-2011, 09:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
~~[MERIT]~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 4,814	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.