Imagery of Rap Music

I recently watched, Hip-Hop:Beyond Beats and Rhymes in another class of mine.  It looked at issues dealing with, depiction of men and women, lyrics, the culture, corporate owners of the music, homosexuality, heterosexuality, and many other topics.  One I would like to focus on is the representation of men.  We all know women are degraded and I could talk about that, but I believe discussing about male figures in rap music is rarely talked about.  Here we go….

I would like to address the issue of homosexual men in the industry.  It is an uncommon thing to see an open gay rapper performing in the game.  But why is this?  Why do rappers have to hide their sexuality?  

Check it, a book, “Hiding In Hip-Hop” by Terrance Dean looks at the current issue of homophobia in the rap industry.  He interviewed many rappers currently making music and wrote in his book that many rappers are literally hiding in Hip-Hop.  Many rappers believe they can not be open about their sexuality for they fear of losing fans.  It is sad that this day in age the majority of people who listen to Hip-Hop seems to be homophobic (to me at least after watching many videos and personal experiences).  But little do rappers and their “fans” know there is homoerotic images in Hip-Hop all of the time.  

In “Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes,” professor, Michael Eric Dyson, talks about some of the homoeroticism in music.  He mentioned the aspect that rappers are always talking about how he and his crew just had sex with this girl.  How he doesn’t want to have sex unless his “boy” can have sex too.  He talks about how it is as though rappers like to do everything with their “crew” or “boys” even when it comes to sexual relations with a girl.  Dyson goes on to say there is a “hidden” aspect of homoeroticism because of this notion of doing everything with groups of guys.

Also the book, “Hiding in Hip-Hop” brings up imagery of homoeroticism in Hip-Hop.  

It mentions that rappers flaunt all these gold chains and other types of jewelry.  Dean says that these are something that are associate with a girl, however, whenever it comes to Hip-Hop is seems “o.k.” for a man to cherish his jewelry.

He also explains how rappers always pose in magazines without shirts on.  Little do rappers know they are not only appealing to women but also men.  They have sexual appeal to homosexual guys.  

Another thing I would like to mention is the phallic symbolism of the microphone.  I mean holding it on stage while the other hand is holding your crotch has a lot to say about a man’s sexuality or homoeroticism in Hip-Hop.   

 

So next time you see your favorite rapper pose for a magazine just realize they could be hiding in Hip-Hop.  Magazines just show the “tough” guy image and never portray the rappers personality.  You never know how they really feel. 

 

“Rap Is Something You Do Hip-Hop Is Something You Live.”

I bet if I asked someone what the difference between rap and Hip-Hop were, the majority of people would not know the answer.  The words are used interchangeably, but little do people know there is a huge difference between the two words.  Rap and Hip-Hop are most relevant today, so I find it important to discuss gender stereotypes of each genre, but before I do, I need to define each category (rap/Hip-Hop) in order for people to understand the differences and culture of each.

First thing is first, hip-hop artist, KRS-One (aka “The Teacher”) once said, “Rap is something you do, Hip-Hop is something you live.”  That makes perfect sense, for Hip-Hop is a culture; it is literally a way of life.  The culture is expressed by 9 elements of Hip-Hop.  DJ Afrika Bambaataa came up with the first 4 pillars of Hip-Hop: MCing, DJing, Graffiti Writing, and Breaking (break dancing). Krs-One expanded the elements with 5 extra: Beatboxing, Street Fashion, Street Language, Street Knowledge, and Street Entrepreneurialism.  Sound confusing doesn’t it?  You probably have no clue what I am talking about if this is the first time hearing about elements of Hip-Hop.  Because Hip-Hop is never in visible form, people capture what Hip-Hop would be with those elements.  Each time you see graffiti on the wall or see someone break dance or any of the elements, you are actually witnessing Hip-Hop performing that act.  Hip-Hop has a positive message to the youth.  It is about making the world a better place for future generations.  Messages promoting women power, reading and gaining knowledge, staying off the streets, or having a positive outlook can be found in countless lyrics of true Hip-Hop.  Another aspect that had a huge influence of 90s rappers and still prevalent today is the Universal Zulu Nation.  It is a Hip-Hop awareness group that promotes wealth of self and others through many principles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Zulu_Nation

Here is a good description if you are interested in reading about it and more about the culture of Hip-Hop.

In the end, Hip-Hop is literally a way of life.  It is about equality, promoting positive messages, and leaving the world a better, less-corrupt, world for future generations.  I have never really written about Hip-Hop (it is a lot easier explaining in person) so here is a video that gives a good idea of what Hip-Hop is.  It is an interview of Krs-One himself.  You may find this very interesting…maybe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2cHCvYzY28  (It is a little long so skip to 3:50 to get past the intro to where he really talks about Hip-Hop)

Today rap is called “rap” because it does not have any elements that are a part of Hip-Hop.  Doing drugs, degenerating women, talking about money (the typical lyrics of a rap song) are not elements of Hip-Hop.  Rapping is just another word for MCing, however that is just one part of Hip-Hop and does not reflect the Hip-Hop culture as a whole.  Rap today has been over produced.  Companies market rap because it sell.  Even though it has catchy beats (I’ll give rap that) the lyrics are terrible.  What message does this give to the youth?  Do not get me wrong I don’t hate any type of music, all I am trying to say is that rap gives Hip-Hop a bad name (I still listen to rap music as well as Hip-Hop).  Basically rap is just music with little meaning, whereas Hip-Hop has a movement behind its music.

The two words are used interchangeably, however Hip-Hop has a positive message while rap on the other hand is just danceable or promotes violence and other degrading topics.  So my next blog I will discuss how women are portrayed in both and how men are as well.  I have some good ideas.

I could write an essay on the differences of rap and Hip-Hop and I feel like this blog was rushed since I don’t want it to be long, however if you have any questions just comment or email me and I will answer any concerns.

It was the Best of Times, It was the Worst of Times

The music we listen to in our middle/high school years is the most influential music in our entire lives.  We try to find music that speaks to us during our emotional swift of adolescence.  My middle school days started with punk – it was made by kids, for kids.  It was the high-energy 30 seconds songs speaking about problems with parents, school, kids, relationships, politics, or whatever was on their mind that caught my attention.

Besides the music, punk was something that unified teenagers who just wanted to get away from the realities of life.  The moment the music started all worries disappeared.  I am not lying when I say I have been to at least 200 (probably more) live concerts, whether it be a local band or touring national/world wide band (all types of music).  During this time I have seen many different people and genders.  It was during the punk scene where I witnessed the most diverse group of people, kids, and friends I have ever been a part of.

Engaged in a world of many combinations of gender (trans, homosexual, straight, bi) was something new to me at the age of 11.  I remember going to late night shows in Baltimore, DC, or my hometown watching vast amounts of different people getting along.  I watched as girls and guys held hands and dance all while having fun.  It was not a completely common thing to see transgender people at shows, however there were still many I remember seeing, probably more than other kids at my age.  The punk music scene was the most diverse scene I have every emerged myself in relating to music.  No matter your race, gender, orientation, sex, belief, lifestyle, religion, disability, how you looked, how your dress…it did not matter.  The bands and audience accepted everyone and you could easily go up to anyone and have a conversation with them without being judged.

My local punk music scene back home was not only very accepting of all people; they took action in their words.  From organizing free food programs, participating in protests, gathering bands to play, creating venues, and actively reading and expanding knowledge was a part of the lifestyle.

Once high school came around the punk scene seemed to disperse, and I began listening to other music.  However I cannot help to think each time I see a person labeled as a “punk” that they are open and accepting of people and ideas.  Since it was the music I listened to while in middle school, it definitely had a huge influence on my ethics and morals, some of which still play an important role in my life today.  People judge “punk” as being destructive, anarchists, disrespectful but I think if one really got to know them, they are the most nice and accepting people ever (at least that was how it was, I have been out of the seen for at least 4 years and not sure how things are today).

Here is a sample of what it was like to be at a punk show, I was not at this specific show (it was in the 80s), but it is by Minor Threat who started the “straight edge” scene.  Every punk show I attending involved, dancing, moshing, crowd surfing, punching, friends, family, and unity just like this video.

View on Music

Everyday people listen to music, whether it is from our manmade electronic speakers, or from the speakers of mother nature.  Music is the one thing that is inescapable in this world.

From the beginnings of time, men and woman have used music as a form of expression.  Music was used to past on stories of an unknown past to future generations.  Music was used to celebrate during ceremonies.  Music was used to express.  Music was used to create.

Today nothing has changed.  Humans still manifest the expression and capabilities music has to offer that once belonged to our ancestors.  This is why I am choosing to write my blog about music.  Having such an impact on the world around, I feel the urgency to address music as my main topic.

As I stated above music can be used to tell stories.  Today I find it most relevant to write a blog about the many stories music creates especially relating to gender.  I am not sure where I will go with this blog.  Whatever I do choose to post, just keep in mind that it is just my thoughts in that moment of time. Nothing is set in stone.  What I agree or think one day, I could disagree and not think another day.  No matter how you look at my post, it is just my opinion, an opinion that is a response to my memories and my experiences.  Do not take serious, nor take will lightness.  It is just one side to the argument.  Even though it is just one side, I am going to educate myself to all aspects on a certain topic.

Music is a word with infinite definitions.  If you think about it, music is such a powerful word with forceful meaning.  For as constant as a sound can be, it will impact each of us differently in it’s own unique way.  How is it that sound waves hitting our ears have such a huge and emotional impact?  In writing my blog, I plan to discuss and have actions taken to help understand how gender is portrayed in music.  The path of my blog is an unpaved one.  There is no telling where the blog will create new paths.  All I know is that there will be no ending to my path.  This is a topic that will always continue and as I write my blog I hope to contribute to the path as best as I can.

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