Why is hip-hop since the mid 90’s terrible, and how has it affected society? 2
Mar23
guess asked:
My take… The problem is that at some point rap stopped being a reflection of the streets and became a parody of itself. Worse, it became a “lifestyle” that has been perpetuated by the few who can profit from it and suffered by those who are still in poverty. It was one thing for NWA to say “F–k the Police” years ago out of frustration, it’s another to say not to snitch so criminals can walk free.
My take… The problem is that at some point rap stopped being a reflection of the streets and became a parody of itself. Worse, it became a “lifestyle” that has been perpetuated by the few who can profit from it and suffered by those who are still in poverty. It was one thing for NWA to say “F–k the Police” years ago out of frustration, it’s another to say not to snitch so criminals can walk free.
There were some artistic tours de force (Gangsta’s Paradise, anyone?) but like anything so overwhelmingly successful it generated a lot of copycats, as well as perpetuating an inner city stereotype that neighborhood activists had been trying to shed since the civil rights movement. Rather than using their success to move past it, a lot of the gangsta rappers used their money to wallow in the world that any normal person with their money would have tried to improve or outright left.
That all points to how the creative juices have ceased flowing in hip-hop.
You are underestimating the corporatization of hip hop over the last decade.
When hip hip first broke, in the 80s and 90s, it was all independent, or on small labels.
Soon, large corporate interrests determined that they could take some kid off the street, put him in some gold teeth, and pimp his ass for millions of dollars, using MTV as the medium of promotion.
Soon, instead of talented artists who rose to stardom, it was “American Idol” hip hip, we’ll make you a slick video, and you’ll make a million guaranteed.
I hate hip hip these days. Hasnt been good in ten years or more.
Well in my experience…there seems to be an image that hip hop promotes. That girls HAVE to be hoochies in order to be something…that men have to be players in order to be real men…and that life is superficial….meaning that the only thing that matters is sex (most importantly), cash, and how many things u have. Hip hop seems to objectify a lot of things, not just women but life in general.
The effects it has on society? Well people, especially teens, buy into it. They feel that that’s what they need to be in order to be respected. The reason why these type of music continues to be put out is because people continue to buy it. If people stop buying into it, then artists will stop dishing it out.
Unfortunately since young people are so impressionable, and they buy into the IMAGE that hip hop portrays now…then they are gonna continue to buy it.
I think that people like that image because it is a SURFACE life. Its easy. Sex, drugs, drinking, partying, all that stuff…its easy. It’s living a surface life…and people simply don’t like hearing about that hard stuff that really matters in life…not just hearing about it (like in music)…but LIVING it.
Its a culture change too…and in my opinion, its an unfortunate culture change.