We enjoy summer hits and dance to Latino rhythms without thinking too much about the power of music or how it can easily reach millions of people. Music can be used as a strong weapon that sends messages about social injustice, violence, or political corruption among other things.
One topic balances the line between taboo and subject matter that can be conveyed through music, especially hip hop. We are talking about hip hop songs about racism and the artists who are not afraid to address this issue in their songs. Studying the history of hip-hop helps us study the history of racism too, as many famous musicians gradually used their songs to send a clear message about racial inequality.
Addressing Racism In Hip Hop
It is hard to imaging the humble beginnings of this genre compared with the multi-billion dollar industry that we witness today. If you want to know what is hip hop, you better start by listening to the first hits like Rapper’s Delight or artists like Kurtis Blow. It took a long time for rappers to mature or produce socially aware songs like The Message made by Grandmaster Flash.
We also had to wait until 1988 for NWA to really produce titles singing about racism or police brutality. It was a gradual process of hip-hop going mainstream, becoming part of a culture, or being featured in books, television, magazines, or even serious research essays and publications.
Today, we all know the lyrics of Tupac songs and we are so much more conscious about racism or examples of social injustice that we became familiar with through this music. Although racism is a complex issue, listening to racially aware songs isn’t the only thing one can do to educate himself on this issue. Reading some top-quality essays and summaries at https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/racism/ might raise your awareness about this issue if you are interested in learning more. These racism argumentative essays show examples of men and women who fought hard to destroy racial prejudices so we can live in a free world. After reading these essays, you will have a better understanding of hip-hop music as well.
Hit Songs And Controversial Topics
Through the decades of evolution, hip-hop became an equally important medium for inspiring people to stand for themselves or their rights. We can talk about black history rap but it is so mainstream today, that we even have caucasian rap stars singing about racism or other social issues. Students love this kind of music by default because it is rebellious and catchy, but it is also educative as it tells stories about people’s struggle for justice and equality.
Whether we talk about black lives matter songs or gangsta rap hits, these songs are one great way of getting people’s attention as their message easily stucks in everyone’s minds. This music genre is street poetry that reflects some everyday lives of ordinary people, their struggles, and all the contraversies they have to put up each day thus giving them a voice.
Music Will Set Us Free
Putting meaningful lyrics on paper is much harder than one might think, and making a hit song takes some special skills or verbosity. Learning about racism through music is effortless as much as it is educational, so hip hop can be used as a fun tool for studying a timeline of our struggle for human rights and freedom of speech. Immersing yourself in a hip hop culture will take you on a spiritual journey that will uplift and inspire you. It will make you feel more connected with people or their efforts and battles for equality. Maybe listening to Snoop Dog rapping about partying is not that educational but there is an array of artists like Lauryn Hill or Kendrick Lamar whose storytelling will inspire you to do great deeds.
Next time you listen to a hip hop song about fast cars, fine jewelry, or bags full of money, remember that the pioneers of this genre initially used music for raising public consciousness. That is why hip hop culture is much more than what we see today as it became commercialized like anything else in our consumerist society.
Remember old hits and artists who risked their careers by having the courage to talk about racism, police brutality, or other controversial topics. Without them, racism would still be taboo and much more present or tolerated than it is today. Good music was and always will be a medium that educates our public and tells the truth in times where everybody else is afraid to do so.