Original Piece #3

o.T.o.A.

Most mornings I'm feeling like Will Smith

Wake up, put a gun to my dome tell that ill shit

Get outta there, demons are eating my soul

Wonder how long it'll be 'fore I fuckin' fold

I feel like my life is a crash test

Somehow, it still hasn't flattened my ass yet

The sun is shining outside, but my skies are gray

Miss when my only responsibility was go out and play

I was given a foundation of Christianity but I chose the devil

When I get older I'll probly find out it was the dumbest decision ever

What I'm getting into has got my momma baffled

I don't wanna tell her that I'm sexually active

What kinda kid wants to see his mom cry?

Man, I know she'll get over it in time

But I always see the reasons to not

My mind is the biggest enemy I got

[hook]

OverThink, Over Analyze

What's the worst that could happen

(pause)

Shit, I don't want that to happen

So I just stay here and keep placid

...For now

Hip Hop Wars: Chapter 10 Critique

It’s tough not to critique both chapters, since commenting on the way hip hop demeans women and the fact that no ones talks about the positive messages given in the genre are both very appetizing subjects.  But since I must choose one, I will go with Chapter 10 – mostly since hip-hop demeaning women has been a recurring topic in the book already.  I haven’t really sided with the defenders in most of my chapter critiques, since most of the arguments for commercial hip-hop being the way it is are copouts.   

I must say I love the quote Rose uses by David Banner.  Because it not only outlines some problems with hip-hop’s critics, but it also outlines flaws in news media.  Rose once again gives a great viewpoint from both sides of the argument – it is completely true that people do not pay attention to the positive parts of hip-hop; that it “contributes to a one-sided and already negative portrait of artists, fans, and others associate with hip-hop.” 

At the same time, though, part of this is the artists’ own doing.  Most hip-hop artists contribute to their own infamy by using the negative images to gain their own wealth.  Like usual, the argument being presented is somewhat correct, but is flawed.  However, I’d rather speak of the argument credibly for the time being. 

I sympathize with the fact that people don’t see the positive side of hip-hop, whether it be artists giving back to their community or the literal sense that there are songs with positive messages.  This is because my mother can’t stand to listen as soon as she hears a swear word.  Kendrick Lamar recently released a fantastic, thought-provoking album.  In, “The Art of Peer Pressure,’ he begins with, “sit down and listen to this true mothafuckin’ story by Kendrick Lamar on Rosecrans ya bitch.”  She instantly became flustered and said this is not music.  Before she had even gotten through ten seconds of the song, she wrote it off. 

            Now, I’m sure that there’s a good amount of hip-hop critics out there that aren’t as conservative as my mom.  That is, they don’t view the biggest problem about hip-hop being the use of harsh language.  This especially must be true since there aren’t as many people showing outrage with television programs or movies, in which the same language is used just as often.  As I’ve said, Rose does expose those for and against this argument, but even given the fact that it is flawed, I still agree with it.  

Hip Hop Wars Chapter 9 Critique

In this chapter Rose looks at the rappers common deflections of their influence on young people as follows: “we’re not role models,” “parents are responsible for their own kids,” and, “if you don’t like what you see, turn it off.”  Per usual, these aren’t adequate responses when you are making someone believe the things you say to them.  One of the most annoying aspects of society I find is that you can’t trust the things people say.  It is really frustrating that I cannot take someone’s word without having to strain my brain into figuring out whether or not they’re telling the truth or masking something. 

Rose explains that while hip-hop does get an unfair rap (pun not intended), it is still problematic that hip-hop artists deflect responsibility off of themselves.  It is an appalling thing, since part of being an adult is owning the consequences that come with your actions.  Global companies are paying certain rappers to glamorize what they do, but it doesn’t change the fact that rappers are a part of the system that is hurting America’s youth. 

To be clear, the global companies are just as much, if not more, at fault for what is going on in hip-hop that is destructive.  It is truly disgusting that they make their money by overly glamorizing drug dealing and gangster life.  And it really is unfair that rappers are targeted more than any other form of music or popular mediums such as movies and tv shows.  There are lots of other forms of media in the world for young people to find just as negatively influencing forces.  Yet, it will never change the fact that rappers need to own their responsibilities instead of acting like they don’t exist. 

Hip Hop Wars: Chapter 8 Critique

 In chapter eight Rose discusses rappers’ use of the “bitches and hoes.”  Now, there really is no other place in society where these terms are used so exclusively.  Rappers can try and argue against it all they want, but when you refer to women as a ‘bitch’ or a ‘ho,’ you are doing all women a disservice.  It’s a wonder how these type of men get as many women as they claim to when they treat women as objects for sex.  This has long been a staple of the hip hop genre, and artists like Queen Latifah have tried to expose this problem.  But it just keeps on going regardless.

The ‘keeping it real’ argument intertwines here, but it really is just a cop-out.  Dudes don’t want to take responsibility for their actions and the fact that they are influencing young people.  It’s sickening, really, to see such instances. Women have fought for a long time for equality, and this just degrades them.  Yet, there are a lot of women who relish in these terms.  Or at least it must be since rappers have female fan bases and obviously have female admirers. 

To open the chapter Rose showed some examples of songs in which rappers openly demean women, especially the song “Bitches Ain’t Shit.”  If it’s not obvious these guys are degrading women, I really don’t know what to say.  I love hip hop but this is one of the trends that needs to stop, and it exists in commercial and underground venues.  

Hip Hop Wars: Chap #1 Overview/Critique

In the first chapter, Tricia Rose outlines the argument that hip hop causes violence.  This is, of course, nonsense.  People have brains, and usually are smart enough to use them.  Just because someone says they shot someone else, that doesn’t mean you should do that too.  Rose opens the chapter with a quote from Bill O’Reilly that basically outlines why so many people dislike him and don’t respect his opinions.  He takes an extremely conservative look at hip hop, and denounces it as something that has horrible influences on young people.  While certain parts of hip hop may not be the best influence, there are many other types of media that advocate violence just as much.  Ever heard of movies, video games, tv shows, books, or pretty much any form of entertainment we have today?  Even childrens cartoons like Tom & Jerry are based on a story where one is trying to kill the other.  For fun, kids pretend to shoot guns and have swordfights with other kids.  This includes kids of all ethnicities and cultures.  It’s not directly because of hip hop.  People have been violent since we became a species.  Our ancestors hunted animals for food and we’ve had wars with each other since the beginning of time.  Violence is a part of everyday life; it is completely and utterly inescapable.  Therefore, there is no way that hip hop can cause violence.  Unless we no longer believe people are responsible for their own actions, that is.

Original Piece #2

You Got 16 Bars(How I'm Feelin')

I can’t really give a reflection of my life in 16 bars. 

It would take too long, and I would go too hard. 

I'd probably be rhyming for 15 minutes. 

And blow ur top off cuz I’m so sickly wit it. 

I’m a menace to the rappers tryna destroy the game,

I’m defending the real ones, but that’s awfully vague. 

Well, I don’t mean Snoop Dogg, Big Sean or ‘Ye

See, I’m already rambling and coming off the page.  

These days it’s all whiskey and bjs,

we act like we ain’t been thru three grades. 

Playing with our penis and wonderful witch Sabrina’s,

fuck around and make a fetus who grows up wit no leaders.

See, if I want I can talk a lot.

But if I keep going some faces‘ll get awful hot.

I’m not here to tell u what u always hear.

I’m here to tell u what u already know and fear.

[Hook]

Like, damn I got a itch right now!

Damn, I need a bitch right now!

Excuse me, just sit right down

And here’s a pen and some paper u can just write down

Everything that your feeling

Man, everyday I’m feelin’ like I could just make a killin’

Get high enough I could probably touch the ceilin’

Yeah…that’s exactly how I’m feelin’