Writing and rap music…two of my favorite things. Although I would probably be voted most likely to not enjoy rap music by people who know me on a collegiate level. As a 20 something with a father who works with the prison system as well as a childhood strewn with encounters of the “ghetto” kind, I’ve come to be intrigued, impressed, and inspired by the struggle and motivation of the “young ghetto stars.” A wise man once said, “most of this rap shit is just noise,” and I would have to say that no words ring more true in a watered down, money hungry, corporate corrupted rap “industry.” Yes, making money is the basis of hit records, but when that becomes the only basis…we hear soulja boy and company, after soulja boy and whoever else garbage filling the airwaves, which leads a young man like myself to write rhymes about murder and hatred…towards his radio.
Why won’t nothen be the same?/
Since garbage reigns, it changed the game./
Just ask a lame, how rap was slain/
by empty words and lazy brains./
That boy won’t tell ya why,/
and if he tried, he’d tell a lie./
That’s all it is, that’s the biz/
making rap without a try./
I do know there still is good, there still is creativity, there still is perseverance in this rap thang. I’m from Texas, I will love UGK 4 life (RIP the Pimp), and I will respect anyone else who strives to innovate and move the sound of rap in a progressive direction like those artists before them who knew rap was more than a dream of making millions. Getting rich off of making dumb white girls dance in a club is bad; getting rich off of making classics that lead to the creation of more classics if good.
Do yourself a favor…go buy every UGK/Bun B and Pimp C solo album. Listen to them, then listen to most of what popular rappers say in their “songs”…UGK said a majority of what these new “artists” are getting rich off of repeating without a whisper of recognition or original thought. Improving on a classic is great, butchering philosophy of the streets is blasphemy. Stupid people, make stupid music, which other stupid people listen to, who in response make more stupid music…vicious cycle of idiocy. That process applies in almost every aspect of life as well. Think for yourself, make your own decisions, and do your own thing: be an individual who offers something fresh to this stale-ass world.
God Bless Texas
