Since this fandom doesn't have any events going on for Black History Month I figured I'd try and get something started!
Please spread the word, would love to se as much of the fandom taking part as possible :) thanks to @mexicancat-girl for their ideas for prompts!
A few hours late, but I'm making a double entry for Day 5 of The Long Walk Black History Month Prompt Week, run by my friend @collie-parkers-carbine!
The 'Music' prompt really got me thinking about what TLW characters' tastes would be for rap music.
This fandom is so painfully White, I've noticed that most character playlists tend to only include White artists and there's rarely any sort of rap or hip-hop songs associated with the cast... Despite half the notable characters being Black. Lots of untapped potential here!
To make things easily digestible, I tried to narrow down on just one rap artist to associate per character (and even down to the album I feel they might like the most).
Explanations and typed out Image ID under the cut!
...
Pete McVries: Megan Thee Stallion
Pete loves Megan’s tough attitude, sharp wordplay, and being unapologetically queer. He wishes nothing but good things in her future and that she finally gets both the recognition and peace she deserves. He also loves Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino.
Ray Garraty: Kendrick Lamar
Kdot’s the main rapper Ray knows. His dad showed him To Pimp a Butterfly and he’s been following Kendrick since. Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar is peak rap music to him. Once the Kendrick and Drake beef started, Ray wouldn’t stop talking about it to the Musketeers, much to Hank’s irritation and Art’s dread.
Hank Olson: Notorious B.I.G.
One wouldn’t think Hank knows rap, but he’s born and raised in Brooklyn. He grew up listening to Biggie Smalls, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, and Lil’ Kim. He’s a bit of an old man with his tastes. Listens to Sir-Mix-A-Lot in the car with his wife.
Art Baker: Drake
Art’s grandma doesn’t let him listen to rap music. Too crass, strays too much from God. She makes an exception for Drake since his hit songs are practically pop music, so that’s the only rapper Art knows. The Kendrick and Drake beef saddened him, mostly because of his disappointment in Drake’s less than stellar character.
Billy Stebbins: Missy Elliot
Raised by a single mother, Billy has just sort of absorbed all his mama’s tastes by accident. This includes popular Black 90’s acts like Brandy, Aaliyah, TLC, and Salt-N-Pepa. Truly no one expects him to name Missy Elliot when asked who his favorite rapper is, or think he’d have one whatsoever. He likes to keep people on their toes.
Collie Parker: Denzel Curry
Collie will support fellow Native Americans whenever possible, and even hip-hop and rap spaces have some notable figures. Collie loves going on Bandcamp or Soundcloud for his music, which is where he found Denzel Curry. He really likes Denzel Curry’s punchy rap style and versatility.
Richard Harkness: Cardi B
That’s his Latina queen! I Like It was a song that played nonstop in his household. When WAP dropped, he was fighting for his life to listen to it without blushing. Enjoys her new album, but still mostly attached to her old stuff.
Gary Barkovitch: Eminem
Gary is peak racist White guy who swears he’s not racist because he’s got Black friends. Eminem isn’t Gary’s favorite rapper just because he’s White, the man is one of the best rappers there is, okay! Unironically loves the Slim Shady persona.
Tressler: Tupac Shakur
Why mess with a classic? To Tressler, 2pac’s the best that ever was, and ever will be, when it comes to rap music. Everyone’s just trying to chase his magic.
Pearson: Nicki Minaj
Pearson is a Barb for sure. Onika can do no wrong to him. He’s bought all her albums and singles that feature her. He is out there defending her like he’s getting paid to do it. Pearson being a Barb is why Pete doesn’t fuck with him.
Zuck: Doja Cat
Zuck’s a simple guy. If he thinks the songs are fire and the beat’s good, he can get behind any rapper. Bonus points if they’re a beautiful girl like Doja Cat. He follows her on tiktok and thinks she’s funny as fuck, too.
Clementine Olson: Doechii
If her husband is an old timer with his taste, Clementine loves listening to new blood in the rap industry, especially female rappers. Doechii’s been on her radar for a while. After getting acclaim with Alligator Bites Never Heal, Clementine’s never felt more vindicated. Also loves Ayesha Erotica, Cupcakke, Sexyy Red, and GloRilla.
…
[Start Image ID:
A series of images of characters from The Long Walk paired with different rap album covers.
Pete McVries with Megan The Stallion’s album Megan (2024)
Ray Garraty with Kendrick Lamar’s album To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)
Hank Olson with The Notorious B.I.G.’s album Life After Death (1997)
Art Baker (Face Claim as Miles Caton) with Drake’s album Views (2015)
Billy Stebbins with Missy Elliot’s album Da Real World (1999)
Collie Parker with Denzel Curry’s album TA1300 (2018)
Richard Harkness with Cardi B’s album Invasion of Privacy (2018)
Gary Barkovitch with Eminem’s album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
Tressler with Tupac Shakur’s album All Eyez on Me (1996)
Pearson with Nicki Minaj’s album Pink Friday (2010)
Zuck with Doja Cat’s album Hot Pink (2019)
Clementine Olson (Face Claim as Ayo Edebiri) with Doechii’s album Alligator Bites Never Heal (2024)
