Friday, September 25, 2009
Bigger Than Hip Hop?
Hip Hop mogul Jay-Z recently appeared on the Oprah show seemingly ending the ban of rappers on her program. But don't be so quick to believe the embargo on Hip Hop has been reascended by the queen of day time T.V. When Oprah had the cast of Barbershop on her show, Ice Cube, the star of the movie, was mysteriously missing. She later had the cast of Crash on her show to tackle issues of racism that the film brought forth, but initially did not extend an invite to Ludacris. Luda did end up on the episode with the rest of the cast, but was attacked by Oprah for his lyrics and use of the the words "Nigga", "Bitch", and "Ho". Oprah later admitted that she doesn't like having rappers on her show because she feels it empowers them. Yet somehow, Jay-Z managed to transcend Oprah negative imagery of Hip Hop, and appear on the program in an one on one interview. Don't applaud Oprah for finally allowing a rapper to grace her presence, no need to give credence to that gesture; she was just going along with the general consensus that Jay-Z is somehow above Hip Hop.
Jay-Z is constantly talked about like he is on an island all by himself, like his intellect is on an a level that no other rapper can ever achieve. Hip Hop writers and journalist regularly shower him with praises towards his wit and creativity. From Bill Maher to the President himself, its seems that the world just can't get enough of Mr. Carter. But is Jay-Z really that different from any other rapper?
I will admit that Jay does have a lyrical ability and style that not many can match, but it's not the style that seems to attract so many outside of Hip Hop culture to embrace him. Remember, Oprah berated Luda for his lyrics, yet Jay-Z has had songs that with very similar content to Ludacris. The difference is that Jay-Z is more clever in how he talks about his content. Instead of blatantly saying "Kill that Nigga", he'll instead use lyrics asking what size suit you wear before he unloads a clip on you. That's still murder rap no matter how its expressed. Supporters ignore the fact that American Gangster was considered "concept" album, yet the material was what we've come to expect from Jay-Z. It was nothing more than an excuse to return to what he knew best.
Jay-Z worshippers will probably label me a hater, that's fine, I expect you to get defensive. But I'm no hater; I just don't believe that Jay-Z is any more qualified to represent Hip Hop than Ice Cube or Ludacris. What about Chuck D? Krs-1? Nas? Common? Mos Def? or Kweli? There are a number of rappers who don't represent the negativity that is associated with Hip Hop. These same MCs have music that even takes more of a stand on social issues and also includes commentary that identifies with Oprah's sentiments about rap music. I watched the show and it wasn't bad at all. Jay is smart brotha and is a deserving delegate of Hip Hop culture; I'm just not one to get on my knees and pray to him, even if he calls himself "Hova".
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I totally agree with you Mansa, on all of what you said in this blog. I really get sick of hearing people talk about the negative images that rap puts out, but then they jump right in their cars and listen to some Jay-Z. I found the same to be the case back when the whole East Coast/West Coast beef was going on between Biggie and Tupac. Biggie and Puffy were everywhere, with Lil Kim and Jr. Mafia in tow, talking all the gangsta/drug dealer shit in the world, and the mainstream media just seemed to glaze over that and praise Puff's style and charisma and Biggie's wit and flow. Meanwhile, Tupac, Snoop, The Dogg Pound and anyone else who associated themselves with West Coast gangsta rap was being villified by the press. Snoop has since broken through the negative stigma and has become a well-liked icon in music, though he has not really left his gangsta roots behind lyrically, but Daz, arguably the most talented one in that crew, still doesn't share the popularity of some of his contemporaries. I understand that the reasons for this are not solely some conspiracy to keep the west down, or anything like that. Clearly Daz, Quik, Kurupt or anyone else of that stature could have hired a good publicist to clean their images up without changing too much of what they actually do. Perception is a trip. Jay-Z's on Oprah, but not Ice Cube, Mr. family movie man. I realize Jay is probably way more personable than Cube, but to invite the entire cast and not the star and director/writer is really a slap in the face. I wrote a blog a while ago called "quit bashin Oprah" because I felt like too many rappers were jumping on the Oprah-bashing bandwagon, and there was no need. After all it is her show, and no rappers nor the rap music audience or generation put her where she is. So I don't feel like she "owes it to them" or anything like that. In fact, the Barbershop incident was the only thing I felt like was just outright disrespectful, and it was the first time I heard anything about Oprah and her alleged issue with rappers.
ReplyDeleteTruth be told though, even though you nor I will be kneeling to Jay, he has definitely transcended hip hop. If you think about Oprah's audience demographic, Jay-Z is really the only rapper that her audience would possibly be interested in seeing. Not Kanye, not even Snoop. Snoop has the popularity, but what's there to really talk about with him? Pop warner football? Doggystyle records? Jay does keep himself in a shirt and tie, clean shaven, lined up, and he's married to the most popular female performer in the world right now. Considering her audience, as I said, he's about the only one that would interest them.
I do however, dislike the hipocrisy in her not talking about the disparaging lyrics and things that she chose to talk about with Luda, who wasn't even there to promote or discuss music. I feel like she dropped the baton on that one. If you've got a lot of questions and you don't understand rap, ask the "King", ask the "God", stop asking his disciples, lol. Anyway, good points bruh.
Okay, I just watched the interview....I think Jay hit that. She's a little too touchy feely. Big O is sprung.
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