Is Hip Hop perpetuating the black American stereotype?

I think the stereotype on HipHop relating to black american has also some positive implications

WraithStrider
http://www.wraithstrider.com

Maybe you and I aren't listening to the same hip hop artists or aren't thinking about many of the hip hop artists out today, but I think there are a lot of positives that can be taken out of the hip hop generation, too.

You talk about music that makes things like drugs, prison, crime etc. Sure, there are some artists that do that. But you, like many other people, seem to take that and pigeonhold that to the genre or the cultural movement. The fact remains that there are so many people using this way of life, this music, this lifestyle, to better their own lives and the lives of the community. People talk about bad lyrics, but do we talk about David Banner, the rapper from Mississippi, who openly and freely works to help victims of Hurricane Katrina in his own homestate after the tragedy? How about New York artists like Jay-Z, the Dip-Set, Diddy, Nas, etc, all speaking about the strength and resolve of their city and our country after the famous 9-11 attacks? What happened to telling a story about their lives? We don't get on rock artists, but many of them talk about drinking, getting drunk, taking drugs, violence, suicide, all those kinds of issues. But for some reason people take people from the hip-hop culture as the only people who do this.

Unlike what you may think, those who are positive are not a CHOSEN FEW like you would say. Have you ever heard the names KRS-ONE? Nas, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Atmosphere, MIMS, Public Enemy, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Blackstar... hell, we can go back to people like Tupac, Notorious B.I.G., classic groups like Boogie Down Productions, Beastie Boys, Tribe Called Quest. It was a movement; bettering the ghetto, bettering the areas of their lives, and giving back to their communities. KRS-One is one of the most active hip-hop activists in the world. They tell the stories of their lives; many times, they aren't glorifying those lifestyles, they're telling their stories. People want to say that they are glorifying all of those, but no one talks about "Jesus Walks" by Kanye West, "If I Ruled the World" by Nas... those are just mainstream rappers. What about young men who are rapping to get out of those lifestyles, to transcend above it? It might be that the majority of hip hop is positive and gives you an accurate depiction of life; people like you choose to just highlight the negatives, which unfortunately oftentimes tends to be the most commercial. LISTEN to the music... try "Where I'm From" by Jay-Z. Classis track, talking about where he came from, what he had to go through. Nothing about glorifying it, telling everyone to do it... he's telling his life story. Akon, an R&B singer talks about changing his life, rehabilitating his life from being a convict to a successful music artist and getting out of that gutter. Songs like "Ghetto" and "Don't Let Up" depict a much different view than what you say is being perpetuated by "hip-hop artists." TO be technical, most commercial hip hop has just become an avenue for dance music and club hits anyways, not this "grimy" slang ridden and dirty music like you claim.

What is this Black stereotype that you speak of? Let it go, what is it that you think it is? I can tell you this, I think that people have the wrong concepts of the steereotypes that people have about us. I wear fitted hats to the side, big glasses and big chains, nice sneakers... am I the "African-American stereotype?" It might not be funny to talk about someone being refused a job by an employer, but IT HAPPENS. A lot of times people aren't making light of that situation, but telling the story. Have you ever had that happen to you because of a stereotype? I went to a college that was, oh... predominately a different cultural and ethnic background than myself. I seen it first hand, I worked to make strides to affect change.

These "genuises" as you call them, are nothing of the sort. No disrespect, but they are music artists. Are we to expect anything more from them? I think it's upto ALL people to break it once and for all, why should it be limited to hip hop artists, especially with all the positive things that African Americans have done for society lately. Are we to ignore the various organizations that Oprah contributes to because T.I. talks about drug slanging? Or do we forget NBA player Diekembe Mutumbo working to build hospitals in Africa just because some two-bit rapper is trying to make a few bucks to get off the streets? Many artists use it as motivation. Who's to say someone doesn't see that Jay-Z went from selling drugs to a multi-million dollar music exec who does his business the right way as CEO of Def Jam?

do some reading, then get back to us about the "black American stereotype" and the hip hop culture.

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?ItemID=10365
http://usinfo.state.gov/scv/Archive/2006/May/12-522164.html

It's definitely true that some rappers are pretty much degrading the African American community, especially the women. I agree that it does feed into stereotype, since they often rap about all their hustler pasts, the girls and just put out an image that reflects negatively.

Some rappers are trying to change the game though - guys like Common, Talib Kweli, Kanye West (though he's a bit inbetween) The Roots, Nas, Lupe Fiasco...there are rappers out there who are using their talent for a good use, unlike most of these bubblegum rappers. It's sad though, because commercial rap hardly ever has any meaningful lyrical content - while the conscious rappers with something to say take a back seat. Quite a shame.

Thank you for starting a very interesting discussion. I agree with you that Hip Hop and rap are not helping the young black people to lose the stereotype, in fact they are re-inforcing it. It would be great if these people would begin to use their talents to break the stereotypes but they probably wouldn't make as much money. These people have no-ones interests but their own in mind when they promote these images.

I don't listen to enough of it to give a fair answer. A couple of my daughters favor this kind of music. Some of it is actually really fine...find myself really enjoying it. I have however heard some very disturbing words ....violence and disrespect toward women in general and black women as well. I agree...they could creatively and collectively do so much toward breaking the sterotype.

Overall, I would say yes. I realize their are exceptions, but for the most part I would say that they do. There's not much you can do though if people keep buying their music.

Well the Hip Hop music was invented by the Black Americans. I mean, most would say and it pretty much is said that the Sugarhill Gang invented hip hop. Of course there are some that preceeded them, but most will say that "Rappers Delight" was the first hip hop single Ever.

Also, Stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason. Not all may fit the stereotypes, but a lot of them do, hence it being a stereotype.

White people fall into stereotypes. Heck White Males are more likely to be serial killers than anyone else.
All cultures and ethnicities fall into stereotypes because the stereotypes were based on realities.

Also, All Hip Hop isn't bad... and I don't think that just by getting rid of hip hop you'd get rid of the stereotypes. People are who they are. Cultures do what they do. Not a lot is going to change.

the hiphop think used to be for the black americans alone but now a lot of the white race have accepted it and its getting more universal, if you say it is portraying the black stereotype thing you are right but a lot of white people have accepted it

You must really don't listen to music or their lyrics because theres a lot of song out that is geared to what is going on in Black America genre. Especially the one with ludi and mary j about our young youth and the troubles that is going with WOMEN and that song isn't geared to any 1 race because we all as people are facing some of the pain and troubles that these rappers mouth about. YES WE ALL AS PEOPLE IN GENERAL SEEN AND HAVE FACED OR KNOW SOMEONE THAT HAVE FACES SOME OF THESE ISSUES GOOD OR BAD. And if you want to be music correct ROC N ROLL singers sing about the same thing.

PS There is Gospel rappers also and rappers that focus on on the way of society. The think you might want to do somemore research. Rappers from then to now.

There's people sending a bad message in EVERY genre. Hip-hop has its share of drug promoters, but there's artists like Lupe, Kanye, Blue Scholars, etc. who all have lyrics that don't promote a bad lifestyle.