Quote:
Originally Posted by The_Judo_Jibboo
Uke, do you buy into the argument that it is the "explicitness" or "authenticity" that young people are attracted to? that was the only part of the analysis presented here that i thought was pretty half-assed. i see zero instances where that is the circumstance in the rest of popular culture. i think the opposite is much more likely true. i think it's more likely that fans, on some level, love the act
|
I agree with you to a degree on some things you wrote. I do think it has to do with authenticity. People want something that they feel is real and unadulterated ... A genuine expression, be it violent or peaceful, as long as its real. I think that people are attracted to displays of confidence and authenticity in the sense that people want to believe what is being said, and you can't believe in something that you sense is false or unsure. If nothing else, hip hop exudes confidence. That's why street credibility has become so important among gansta rap artists. Many feel that one shouldn't rap about something that he's never done or experienced. Afterall, that is what hip hop is and always was: A reflection of the street's perspective of what's going on.
I believe that has a lot to do with authenticity.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by The_Judo_Jibboo
they can identify with the desire to where masks. they like the affected persona of someone beyond the reach of society, and seek to affect it themselves.
|
Here we agree as well. Its not uncommon for rappers to take on names like Capone, Scarface, Noriega, Escobar, as well as other men who have been viewed as untouchable. Men who have, among other things, broke the rules and have had success doing it. These men rappers emulate were
REAL gangsters though, not musicians who glorify the life that these men actually led, but they are revered for having the balls to take risks and live dangerously despite what laws were passed to the contrary.
Fans today more than ever personify the old adage "Life imitates art". They do seek to affect those desires in themselves, as a means of authentication I think.
I think the majority of those who might be attracted to explicitness view it as another form of breaking the rules. Profanity isn't acceptable. Nor is carrying a gun or selling drugs. Believe it or not, there are a lot of kids that come from rich families that are out there selling drugs and carrying guns for the thrill. They don't need the money. They weren't raised to act like that. They simply seek to break away from how they feel they were viewed before, and now look to establish a new persona that commands respect from others that see that lifestyle as dangerous. They figure men fear other men who's identity is associated with violence, and women love it. And for the most part they're right.
But I must admit I was pleasantly suprised by your reply, The_Judo_Jibboo. You sought to have meaningful dialogue and I appreciate that. I truly didn't expect a single worthwhile response because I knew that when I threw the double standards back into the face of those who condemned hip hop for its violent messages but refuse to acknowledge that they are hypocrites who covet their Sopranos, Godfather and other gangster dvd collections, they would instantly find this article boring and not worth reading.
I guess rappers glorify the low life, ghetto ganster who has no class. People here on this site prefer the sophisticated gangster ... equipped with a pinky ring, political connections and a big house. Its acceptable then.
Just like dancing by shaking your ass in a rap video is supposedly degrading to women, but girls getting naked and showing their breasts in Girls Gone Wild videos is fine, and you can tell by the commercial coming on every 10 minutes.
Yours was the only reply that had to do with the article and not some pathetic attempt to seem uninterested for the sake of not discussing just how much the article hit home.
Thanks again, The_Judo_Jibboo
