The Badd Rapper: Pink Elephants & Black Republicans, Why There Will Never Be A Gay Rapper
Published: Tuesday - April 10, 2007
Words by Tika Milan
At the dawn of democracy in America, the republicans were the ones who fought for freedom, change and an overhaul of the political landscape. They were the envelope pusher, activist, shit kickers and riot starters. Now it's all soccer moms, suburban yuppies and Bible thumpers, completely disengaged from the diversity of reality, safe in their homogenous world driven by big business and conflicting morals.
They don't like to rock the boat if it may interfere with profit gains or steps outside of their idea of moral decency. All of this got me to thinking that if hip-hop, the giant in the hillside, were a political party it would be a Republican.
So when a progressive or intimidating idea of an openly gay rapper starts to get thrown around, the giant cringes at the notion. A gay rapper wouldn't have room to breathe amongst platinum selling crack murder music and 2 stepping teenagers. In the same vain that lyricists like Talib Kweli and MF Doom are bench-warming for the majors and MCs like Remy Ma and Jean Grae, who are just as good as your favorite rapper, are debased to borderline whoring oneself and marginal barely there marketing, respectively, because they're women. Hip-hop has gone from groundbreaking, rebellious art to run of the mill conservative pop. The industry is an incestuous circle of a handful of producers and a bevy of MCs that are all replicas of each other. Everybody looks the same, everyone sounds the same, and everyone is singing the same song. Everyone is vehemently aligned to the crap that comes out of their mouths and is more financially motivated than artistically.
It's the Good 'Ol Boys Club remixed and revisited. They're all blunt smoking killers with matching outfits and I can't figure out who to blame. Is it the fact that hip-hop has gotten in bed with corporate America? Or is it the artist who will stick to the same 'ol beaten down formula, not offering any innovation, if it should not be profitable? I'm not sure, but progress is limited and the culture is tainted. Being progressive is not creating a bigger more obnoxious medallion for your chain (Lil' Jon). But a diamond encrusted mold of your penis flapping around a neck would definitely be upping the ante.
Anyway, my point is that the Good 'Ol Boys Club is under lock and key, no room for growth and suffocating under its own lack of foresight. Don't get me wrong. There are a few shining stars in the game -- T.I, Lil' Wayne, Nas, Kanye, Jay. But shouldn't it be the other way around? Shouldn't it be a few lames in a sea of talent? I'm really sick of the one hit wonders and songs about killing each other, worshipping money or car tires, rims, whatever the fuck. The shit is outrageous. I see love her though, despite her pitfalls.
Features Lil Josh & Ernest : We Just Jigg'n Lil Josh & Ernest has infiltrated the music scene in Louisiana with their Jigga Juice Movement. Although their talent ... full story
Beyond Hip-Hop Game Review: Madden NFL 09 It's hard to believe that the Madden series has been around for twenty years now, transforming from a simple football ... full story
Digg It
Del.icio.us
