Rappers Speaking on Social Issues

Recently, there has been a trend of cops using excessive force on African Americans.  Many people are speaking on the topic and using the hash tag #blacklivesmatter to bring awareness to the issue.  While the community has been playing a huge role to get justice in these cases, they have also called out rappers and artists of the black race as well.  Minister Louis Farrakhan did an interview with a popular radio station encouraging artists to use their voice as a tool.  He stated that now the artists are the ones with the most power due to their social media influence and it is up to them to make a change.  People in the black community are beginning to question the artists for not speaking on these sensitive issues and calling them out.

I have personally seen artists accept the challenge and bring the substance back in their music.  Specifically, the rappers Scarface and Rick Ross have stepped up to the challenge. 

Scarface released his new album “Deeply Rooted” which touches on the social issues and goes beyond glorifying money and women.  One of the more powerful songs on the album was “Mental Exorcism” (below), which is a heartfelt song that touches directly on the issues going on.  Rick Ross recently released a mixtape entitled “Black Dollar.”  Throughout the course of the mixtape, Rick Ross references the issues going on and encourages listeners to invest their money in more than just material things.  Although Ross still has the songs about women, I feel it was important that he touched on the issues going on. 

I recently had a conversation with one of my colleagues expressing my disappointment in rappers, specifically older ones.  I can understand the younger artists rapping with less substance due to their lack of experience in the world.  I do not agree with artists in their mid thirties following that trend.  Artists try too hard to stay true to their core fan base, which is not a problem.  I feel that they should continue to, but make the fan base grow with them.  Fans live through music or their favorite artists, give them positive hope and let them know what you truly feel instead of a fabricated lifestyle through music.  Let them know you truly care about the community and you are affected just as they are.

Hip-hop has its biggest influence ever.  It is time to get back to the essence and speak for the black community again.