Hip-Hop, a Synthesis: Over the Years.
Introduction: To start out, I am an avid listener to the genre. I have written several papers, attended a mixture of events relating to the genre, and even attempted to make music for the genre. *disclaimer* THIS NOT A REAL THESIS.
Abstract: This composition is to help the listener understand that the genre of music known as, âHip-Hopâ is more than just that. While using anecdotal evidence along with factual evidence I will help give the listener of the genre reason to believe Hip-Hop is a movement, and not just something you have to be accepted into. This is also a somewhat review on a rapper named Upchurch.
What we know as âHip-Hopâ is often times confused with 'Rapâ, but Rap is not a genre of Hip-Hop. Rap is a lyrical style used in Hip-hop. Most people that arenât with the culture try to validate this, and often times are willing to try to justify the idea that Rap is a sub-genre of Hip-Hop.Â
There was an instance at work where I had to explain this to a coworker because they did not understand the difference. Now this man is three things the culture isnât, white, older, and uncultured. His idea of Hip-Hop composed of these âlegends of the industryâ just to quote him, The Beastie Boys, Vanilla Ice, and Upchurch. Though these artists are considered to be Hip-Hop artists/rappers they are gar-baj. When we sat down for lunch that day he decided to try to âput me on.â I am familiar with the Beastie Boys and Vanilla Ice, so he showed me âOutlawâ and âHillbillyâ by Upchurch. Both songs are gar-baj. His reasoning for the continued listening to Upchurch is the idea that what he raps about is different than the, âsex, drugs, and rock and rollâ most rappers in Hip-Hop rap about. In addition to this, he makes the claim, âUpchurch has the best beats of 2017 hands down.â
However, if we annotate the lyrics of both songs, and watch the music videos of this guy we can obviously see that my coworker has a stigma held against black people. Also, the idea that a white guy can create a âbetterâ beat than Metro Boominâ, Knxwledge, or even Kanye just to name a few is absurd. The beats to all of Upchurchâs music in the Hip-Hop genre does not even make up for what the artist stands for. To make the case that this artist should be deemed as the greatest of all time is disrespectful to the culture.
In both music videos we see the artist, and other members of his somewhat collective, are wearing the confederate flag, and rap lyrics about coming from nothing. Aside from being a culture vulture Upchurch comes off as a closeted racist.
My coworker saw I wasnât paying attention anymore after his attempts to âput me onâ and said, âOkay, so what do you listen to?â I put this man onto Kendrick Lamar, Vince Staples, and Earl Sweatshirt. Just to name a few. This man had the audacity to say, âThey are okay, but theyâre no Upchurch.â As if Upchurch is a legend of today.
All in all, to finish this article Iâm just going to make the statement that Upchurch is not anyone special. He uses his white privilege along with his internet platform to gain popularity, and attempts to captivate listeners of the genre, but ultimately fails. Real recognizes real. Real eyes; realize, the real lies I was told that day. Get ya clout up, boy.
2087
kianamaiart
romaincrisis
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blakekathryn
