Hip Hop and Black Culture
Remy Choi
What is music? In the dictionary, music is a form of art and entertainment or other human activity that involves organized and audible sounds and silence. At least, music means to me sharing every emotion I got now all the time in my life. I can take comfort from the music and be cheered up from the message by hearing all different types of sound with lyrics. Music is not just background noise but it has played an integral part in our lives. Throughout listening the music, we can conjectures the trend of the time and grasp the situation in the changing world. Music can be one of the best ways to study the culture and the history of each other country. There are countless types of music around the world but I would like to focus on hip-hop related black culture and the effect of Eminem called "White Negro" on Rap and black culture.
There is an unforgettable story that I touched Hip-Hop for the first time, Black Culture, when I just got here, Canada. Everything seemed to me new and I was so excited to get a new world. Canada is a multiracial nation which means I can come in touch with all different cultures and different people at the same time. Not long ago, when I lived in Burnaby, I was having brunch in a restaurant with my family, sitting near five African-American boys. They looked aged about fifteen to seventeen. Five of them wore exactly same style, covered with huge size of black clothes and flashing jewelry. Those accessories looked a little bit too much for that young age. I had not started to go to school yet, but I knew it was on Monday afternoon and it's time for them to stay at school. I assumed they were skipping school and they were extremely loud and unruly. They didn't care rest of people in the restaurant at all. It was hard to see much healthy "black community" there. All of them were listening music and even I could hear what they were listening clearly.
After repeatedly warning the boys to stop keep quiet, the manager finally told them to leave. Of course, they ignored her until she called a male security guard. For me, it was the first time to see black people and it was not such a nice chance to get the first good impression from them. The boys were not monsters, but they seemed to consider themselves exempt from public norms of behavior. What struck me most was how the boys' music provided them with a continuing soundtrack to their antisocial behavior. At that time, English was totally new to me, but I could see the different ways to speak between those five of them and just people outside. I felt that rap was a decoration in their conversation. That was the first step to be interested in rap, Hip-Hop and Black Culture.
Hip-Hop is a cultural movement that began in the late 1970's in the United States that has mainly African-American roots. It is also, historically, an expression of an opposed race in the U. S. and an answer to their position in the larger, “White" public sphere. In my knowledge, Black slaves coming from Africa expressed their wish to be free and happy in their life by singing a song which is now called Hip-Hop. As lyrics cover with their hardships and pains, we could see their standard of living and understand their feeling by music, Hip-Hop. It could be possibly shown with a negative point of view when I saw the five of Africa-American boys because they have nothing to hide or affect to be faithful as Hip-Hop. Back in the bad old days, blacks often complained with some justification that the media too often depicted blacks simple as uncivilized. Today, even as television and films depict blacks at all levels of success, hip-hop sends the message that blacks are uncivilized. It has played a leading role to show a true perception of blacks.
In fact, Hip-Hop is not the kind of music which has elegant lyrics or romantic atmosphere such as Jazz or Classic, nothing pretty or sweet. It exploded into popular consciousness at the same time as the music video, and rappers were images the ugly world portrayed in rap lyrics. Video features rap stars flashing jewelry, driving luxurious cars, weapons, angrily gesticulating at the camera, scantily clad women and criminal behavior. Everyone will notice the difference even at first sight that Hip-Hop is special and distinct. However, how come do many rappers wouldn't have a powerfully negative effect upon whites' conception of black people? How do people break down even the invisible structures of society racism by dealing with Hip-Hop? I believe that Hip-Hop has resulted in an ironic reversal. People not only know the fact that it uses a harsh language to express the plainspoken message but they also concede that Hip-Hop does something which people could not do exploding their expression of dissatisfaction toward politics and the world daringly from rappers with words. It makes listeners to be pleased and gives feeling satisfaction throughout indirect experience by rappers. It could be one of reasons to excuse vulgar words and accept the success of Hip-Hop.
According to the research paper, Peterson states that rap is the racial, the gender/sexual, and social location. First, rap is black cultural expression, not co-opted whiteness. White rappers immediately generate questions of cultural property and appropriation. Next, rap is male dominated. Finally, rap is from the streets, the music of the underclass essentially opposed to enjoying a bourgeois suburban life. However, I do not agree with all three of them called central semantic dimensions of rap authenticity. First of all, it is an undeniable fact that rap and Hip-Hop were grown up in the black culture. However, some white artists for example Eminem, he breaks the rules and the boundaries of the influence and acceptance of Black Culture, and more specifically Hip-Hop , on White. He is not only influenced by Black Culture, but that he might as well be considered black as "White Negro", a white person who exhibits naturally Black qualities. The popularity of Eminem in today's rap culture is undeniable. He show selling 285,000 copies on first day. Since his entry into a predominately African-American art form, Eminem has been thrust into the spotlight and has done more than just live up to expectations, gaining countless loyal fans. He is noted for his ability to change his vocal pace and style multiple times within one song without losing the beat, and has been praised for his skill in alliteration and assonance. Eminem is a Hip-Hop head of the truest form. This still does not change the fact that race is a crucial question that exists in America today. White involvement in black art form is immediately problematic. Eminem's authenticity is disputable because he is white and rap is usually considered a black art form. I believe that people are not just white or black. If a white kid growing up in a predominantly Black neighborhood, he can feel more at home among Blacks simply because that is the environment with which they are familiar. Like all the things, Hip-Hop as a cultural movement is not static. It changes and the people are influenced by it. Hip-Hop is seen as synonymous with being black. The dominant force in the culture has been that African-Americans, but as the years have progressed, there have been others who have gotten involved and made the culture all inclusive by showing that it has touched them in some way. More to the point, Hip-Hop is not "Black" music, since most of its buyers are white. That whites buy more Hip-Hop recordings than blacks do is hardly surprising, given that whites vastly outnumber blacks nationwide. In my opinion, I believe that the reason why Black Culture could be introduced into Whites more rapidly and played an influential role for them was the power of White artists. People would be easily sympathized with what the White rappers try to say and what they want to express throughout it, because they are comrade.
There are several notable female artists that have most certainly contributed to the artistic growth of rap music and Hip-Hop culture in general. It is harder for women to get a voice within the world of rap music that their male counterparts. Thus their skills and talents were missed or invisible. Especially in Asia, women have been treated discriminatingly in the gender issue between man and woman in various ways until today. However, women everywhere are invading the spheres of men and women have always been a part of Hip-Hop culture and a significant part of rap music. Rap is not male dominated. Also Hip-Hop can be used as a bridge between the streets and the world of academics. I do not mean it is from the streets, but I'm saying now rap is used for everyone who wants to express or criticize or explode their feelings even from the streets. It also can say bridge between Hip-Hop and politics. Hip-Hop has been created by working class in the past, and now it is a music that can be shared with everyone. I think it is warmly welcomed in the lower class or working class rather than the person of high standing who do not understand how the world is unfair to lowly person. Up to present, commoners hold a large majority of population in the world so Hip-Hop could appeal to much more people these days. That is why I could say Hip-Hop is from the streets.
Every country has its own culture depending on many factors and it is the symbol of the State. Whether it could be Black or White Culture, the most important thing to remind is to comprehend the significance of their superiority and accept the reality with respect. This way of thinking would help the all countries to develop and make them wealthy both mentally and financially. Though origin of the Hip-Hop is Blacks, any other people in the all over the world can involve and participate for making it wealthier in order to share and learn awesome culture together. Also it would play an important role to make the world into one.
What is music? In the dictionary, music is a form of art and entertainment or other human activity that involves organized and audible sounds and silence. At least, music means to me sharing every emotion I got now all the time in my life. I can take comfort from the music and be cheered up from the message by hearing all different types of sound with lyrics. Music is not just background noise but it has played an integral part in our lives. Throughout listening the music, we can conjectures the trend of the time and grasp the situation in the changing world. Music can be one of the best ways to study the culture and the history of each other country. There are countless types of music around the world but I would like to focus on hip-hop related black culture and the effect of Eminem called "White Negro" on Rap and black culture.
There is an unforgettable story that I touched Hip-Hop for the first time, Black Culture, when I just got here, Canada. Everything seemed to me new and I was so excited to get a new world. Canada is a multiracial nation which means I can come in touch with all different cultures and different people at the same time. Not long ago, when I lived in Burnaby, I was having brunch in a restaurant with my family, sitting near five African-American boys. They looked aged about fifteen to seventeen. Five of them wore exactly same style, covered with huge size of black clothes and flashing jewelry. Those accessories looked a little bit too much for that young age. I had not started to go to school yet, but I knew it was on Monday afternoon and it's time for them to stay at school. I assumed they were skipping school and they were extremely loud and unruly. They didn't care rest of people in the restaurant at all. It was hard to see much healthy "black community" there. All of them were listening music and even I could hear what they were listening clearly.
After repeatedly warning the boys to stop keep quiet, the manager finally told them to leave. Of course, they ignored her until she called a male security guard. For me, it was the first time to see black people and it was not such a nice chance to get the first good impression from them. The boys were not monsters, but they seemed to consider themselves exempt from public norms of behavior. What struck me most was how the boys' music provided them with a continuing soundtrack to their antisocial behavior. At that time, English was totally new to me, but I could see the different ways to speak between those five of them and just people outside. I felt that rap was a decoration in their conversation. That was the first step to be interested in rap, Hip-Hop and Black Culture.
Hip-Hop is a cultural movement that began in the late 1970's in the United States that has mainly African-American roots. It is also, historically, an expression of an opposed race in the U. S. and an answer to their position in the larger, “White" public sphere. In my knowledge, Black slaves coming from Africa expressed their wish to be free and happy in their life by singing a song which is now called Hip-Hop. As lyrics cover with their hardships and pains, we could see their standard of living and understand their feeling by music, Hip-Hop. It could be possibly shown with a negative point of view when I saw the five of Africa-American boys because they have nothing to hide or affect to be faithful as Hip-Hop. Back in the bad old days, blacks often complained with some justification that the media too often depicted blacks simple as uncivilized. Today, even as television and films depict blacks at all levels of success, hip-hop sends the message that blacks are uncivilized. It has played a leading role to show a true perception of blacks.
In fact, Hip-Hop is not the kind of music which has elegant lyrics or romantic atmosphere such as Jazz or Classic, nothing pretty or sweet. It exploded into popular consciousness at the same time as the music video, and rappers were images the ugly world portrayed in rap lyrics. Video features rap stars flashing jewelry, driving luxurious cars, weapons, angrily gesticulating at the camera, scantily clad women and criminal behavior. Everyone will notice the difference even at first sight that Hip-Hop is special and distinct. However, how come do many rappers wouldn't have a powerfully negative effect upon whites' conception of black people? How do people break down even the invisible structures of society racism by dealing with Hip-Hop? I believe that Hip-Hop has resulted in an ironic reversal. People not only know the fact that it uses a harsh language to express the plainspoken message but they also concede that Hip-Hop does something which people could not do exploding their expression of dissatisfaction toward politics and the world daringly from rappers with words. It makes listeners to be pleased and gives feeling satisfaction throughout indirect experience by rappers. It could be one of reasons to excuse vulgar words and accept the success of Hip-Hop.
According to the research paper, Peterson states that rap is the racial, the gender/sexual, and social location. First, rap is black cultural expression, not co-opted whiteness. White rappers immediately generate questions of cultural property and appropriation. Next, rap is male dominated. Finally, rap is from the streets, the music of the underclass essentially opposed to enjoying a bourgeois suburban life. However, I do not agree with all three of them called central semantic dimensions of rap authenticity. First of all, it is an undeniable fact that rap and Hip-Hop were grown up in the black culture. However, some white artists for example Eminem, he breaks the rules and the boundaries of the influence and acceptance of Black Culture, and more specifically Hip-Hop , on White. He is not only influenced by Black Culture, but that he might as well be considered black as "White Negro", a white person who exhibits naturally Black qualities. The popularity of Eminem in today's rap culture is undeniable. He show selling 285,000 copies on first day. Since his entry into a predominately African-American art form, Eminem has been thrust into the spotlight and has done more than just live up to expectations, gaining countless loyal fans. He is noted for his ability to change his vocal pace and style multiple times within one song without losing the beat, and has been praised for his skill in alliteration and assonance. Eminem is a Hip-Hop head of the truest form. This still does not change the fact that race is a crucial question that exists in America today. White involvement in black art form is immediately problematic. Eminem's authenticity is disputable because he is white and rap is usually considered a black art form. I believe that people are not just white or black. If a white kid growing up in a predominantly Black neighborhood, he can feel more at home among Blacks simply because that is the environment with which they are familiar. Like all the things, Hip-Hop as a cultural movement is not static. It changes and the people are influenced by it. Hip-Hop is seen as synonymous with being black. The dominant force in the culture has been that African-Americans, but as the years have progressed, there have been others who have gotten involved and made the culture all inclusive by showing that it has touched them in some way. More to the point, Hip-Hop is not "Black" music, since most of its buyers are white. That whites buy more Hip-Hop recordings than blacks do is hardly surprising, given that whites vastly outnumber blacks nationwide. In my opinion, I believe that the reason why Black Culture could be introduced into Whites more rapidly and played an influential role for them was the power of White artists. People would be easily sympathized with what the White rappers try to say and what they want to express throughout it, because they are comrade.
There are several notable female artists that have most certainly contributed to the artistic growth of rap music and Hip-Hop culture in general. It is harder for women to get a voice within the world of rap music that their male counterparts. Thus their skills and talents were missed or invisible. Especially in Asia, women have been treated discriminatingly in the gender issue between man and woman in various ways until today. However, women everywhere are invading the spheres of men and women have always been a part of Hip-Hop culture and a significant part of rap music. Rap is not male dominated. Also Hip-Hop can be used as a bridge between the streets and the world of academics. I do not mean it is from the streets, but I'm saying now rap is used for everyone who wants to express or criticize or explode their feelings even from the streets. It also can say bridge between Hip-Hop and politics. Hip-Hop has been created by working class in the past, and now it is a music that can be shared with everyone. I think it is warmly welcomed in the lower class or working class rather than the person of high standing who do not understand how the world is unfair to lowly person. Up to present, commoners hold a large majority of population in the world so Hip-Hop could appeal to much more people these days. That is why I could say Hip-Hop is from the streets.
Every country has its own culture depending on many factors and it is the symbol of the State. Whether it could be Black or White Culture, the most important thing to remind is to comprehend the significance of their superiority and accept the reality with respect. This way of thinking would help the all countries to develop and make them wealthy both mentally and financially. Though origin of the Hip-Hop is Blacks, any other people in the all over the world can involve and participate for making it wealthier in order to share and learn awesome culture together. Also it would play an important role to make the world into one.
posted by Studies in Audio Culture at 10:30 a.m.
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