An OpEd
With the endless stream of activism stemming from the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement, it is quite saddening to see, that aside from a few coordinated cameos……today’s band of mainstream hip-hop idols have had no bona fide presence in the OWS campaign for social and economic equality.
Previous generation of hip-hop artists commonly used their music to chronicle events of their lives and communities. What was also notable, were those who used music as a tool to promote awareness and enrich peoples’ lives. Present day hip-hop is quite different from earlier times and there are rarely any substantive messages in music nowadays. Today, the airwaves are filled with songs that mostly refer to getting rich, partying, dancing or some other inglorious act. Not only are these songs strikingly opposite to those of past times, but it’s also opposite to the attitude of the OWS campaign. Unlike the earlier pioneers who did do the right thing, artists like Public Enemy, Krs-1, X Clan, Nas, Mos Def, Wyclef, Poor Righteous Teachers, etc., promoted awareness unlike what we see from today’s mainstream rap artists who have not hit the airwaves yet to address the politics and issues of the moment.
… isnt it odd having millionaires protesting alongside the occupiers?
The hypocrisy stemming from the rallies surrounds the intentions of a few of the bigwig protestors. Moreover, you have to consider, isnt it odd having millionaires protesting alongside the occupiers? It seems to contradict the very basis of the protest; and exactly how do millionaires rappers relate to the economic hardship felt by those whom identify with the 99%?
Although it is positive to see a few notable figureheads take part in the protests, their presence begs the question; how are they there supporting the demonstrations? Could they captured by the sensation of the movement? Perhaps, they are there to promote one of their own capitalistic endeavors.
Rocawear, the clothing line started by hip-hop’s biggest artist and mogul Jay Z, recently decided to pull the plug on one of its own OWS inspired tee shirts given that the public learned that the company had no intentions to financially support the movement, even though they were clearly profiting from it. Moreover, even though fans and occupiers expressed their dissatisfaction with Rocawear, Russell Simmons defiantly defended the company’s unpopular business decision.
As ambiguous as this movement is shaping out to be, what is undeniable is, cash rules everything and for better or worse, capitalist (including today’s hip-hop artist) will get involved, given some financial incentive, much faster than they would for a worthy cause.
Thank goodness, for artists like Harlem’s Immortal Technique, Lupe Fiasco, Raheem DaVaugh, Jasir X, and other independent artists who have actively, financially, and musically contributed to the movement, and continue to carry the torch.
By Ernesto Johnson, find out more at www.nessdigi.podomatic.com.
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Hip/Hop and/or rap music has evolved from it’s earlier days. Every Genre has the same thing. Jazz enthusiast say Jazz isn’t the same. Evolution is the mother of invention.
African American, lationo, or any minority gravitated to rap in it’s early days because it spoke to where they were at.
Obama is the president, hip hop cultre is now pop culture, there are African american and Latino millionaires and billionaires.
When rap fist started in the bronx it was party music, then it evolved to social commentary, and now it’s big business.
Is hip hop suppose to be the voice for social change?
If so how will that artist make a living making social music?
Is there a market for it and are today’s generation of hip hop heads supporting social change content or an artist that speaks to this place?
You might be able to say Mos Def and Talib fit this mold of an artist.
In your research for your article did you see the article from Hip Hop DX that says Jay Z and Russel are planning a concert for the movement.
Immortal Technique, David Banner, Talib, Kwali, Jasari X, and most noticeably Kanye West have all come to support the movement.
Say what you will Kanye has always stood up for justice (Katrina telethon). People might not like his antics but he’s always spoken from the heart and he doesn’t need the publicity.
Jewish People marched right alongside blacks in the civil right’s movement. So seeing millionaires alongside other isn’t new.
Bottom line Hip Hop is supporting the movement it may not be the support that we think it should give but there is a presence.
Eminem, Jay Z, and Kanye West all make music that has social under tones but there not like Public Enemy, KRS 1 because times have changed.
Kanye West is probably the most vulnerable artist that will say and do what he feels in spite of what it may cost him.
Here’s the link to the Jay Z concert http://hiphopwired.com/2011/11/22/russell-simmons-jay-z-planning-occupy-wall-street-concert/
Hey Seth, thanks for your comments…
But in your message, you mention that Black and Latinos gravitated to hip hop because it spoke to where they were at back then… yet, although things have evolved, things are pretty much the same… there’s still a lot of unbalance and bias, and overall, the pinch from past times still exists, especially in urban settings.
You also seem to suggest that because of a few progressives, such as a black president and a few millionaires that things have improved for Latinos & people of African descent, but it hasn’t really. The unemployment rate for Blacks is a whopping 15% and 11% for Latinos… That percentage is exceptionally high.
Proudly so, many Blacks and Latinos have prospered, but countless more could have prospered if many more institutions and organizations practiced capitalism with a different business ethic.
It is important for hip-hop to lend a voice to the movement because with an anthem, the movement can reach, inform and encourage a much wider audience. In addition to turning profits, hip-hop music must edu-tain, that’s the true history of our song.
And to your point about the purported concert, nothing has been scheduled nor promised…
And although Kanye did show up, that doesn’t necessarily mean he supports the movement, perhaps he was just scoping things out…
Kanye needs no one to speak on his behalf. When someone supports a cause, they express that by calling attention to that particular issue.
Jewish people did partake in the Civil Right marches, but that’s not to imply that they were millionaires. More apparently, the Jewish communities participated because they shared similar ethics and compassion, stirred perhaps by the conditions their ancestors experienced during the Holocaust.
From the outside looking in, you may think that there has been some evolution… but take a walk in someone shoes who is feeling that economical pinch and I’ll bet you’d change your Rap too.
Respectfully.