Blame Self, not Rap Music

Rap music has become the punching bag for many ignorant people. It is blamed for the slightest misdemeanor in the society. But in the society, where folks want to blame everything else for their shortcomings, this is not surprising. The accusations on rap music are numerous and are now a dead horse, which need not be further beaten, but buried.

“Scarface the movie did more than Scarface the rapper to me,” the rapper Sean Carter (Jay-z) said in the song, Ignorant S***. “Still that ain't the blame for all the s*** that's happened to me. Are you saying what I'm spitting, is worse than these celebutantes showing they kitten [privates], you kidding? Let’s stop the BS-ing. Till we all without sin, let's quit the pulpit-ing,” Mr. Carter continued. He said it best.

“Scarface the movie did more than Scarface the rapper to me.” There are worse movies, games and websites out there. Under movies, Scarface, Godfather and Good fellows; under games, Grand Theft Auto, Resident Evil, and God of War are some examples that have arguably greater adverse effects on the youths. And only ignorance can lead to a claim of oblivion of the fact that there are numerous vile websites out there. Some are websites that contain racist, Anti-Semite, or just purely chauvinistic views. When you look at all the above examples, rap is the least of the society’s worries

“Are you saying what I'm spitting, is worse than these celebutantes showing they kitten [privates], you kidding?” Rappers share similar struggles as other celebrities; just different backgrounds. Zydeco musicians, as well as country, jazz, pop, rock, R&B all need love; politicians, and golfers too. They all need folks to treat them just like normal people. Celebrities across the fray struggle with alcohol, drugs, and infidelity issues. Also, majority express their backgrounds and present struggles in similar vocabulary, just on a different stage, beat or rhythm. Song themes and language choice are also similar; silver, status, sex, and substance use. Majority are profane, and demeaning to others unlike them. Rap was just birth from a movement; a voice for the disenfranchised. So, a different origin should not brand rap as evil.

“Let’s stop the BS-ing. Till we all without sin, let's quit the pulpit-ing.” A genre of music can’t be singled out as evil, and the others exonerated. Reggae music and those associated with it are not branded weed smokers. Neither is country music and those associated with it branded suicidal. Nor, the heavy metal folks branded with serial killings. So, why are the rap folks singled out, and branded with violence? There are good, edifying rappers, just are there are of other genres; Common, Talib, Jay Electronica, Mos Def…and on. They even have bad songs, if you search hard enough; just like any other musician.

And with Ludacris coming to town in April, some folks might pee on themselves out of extreme discomfort. Why? because a rapper is coming…Big deal. His words are dirty and offensive. He promotes violence. He’s this. He’s that. Calm down. The toilet is a better place to pee. How come similar concerns were not raised about the other non-rap artists that have been invited to ULM? Hmmm...

Its only ignorance or close-mindedness that would lead people to conclude that rap music is the society’s problem. It’s also thoughtless to victimize rap music, or those associated with it. Rap did not put the drugs, or guns, or knives in the possession of the abusers, they chose to acquire the previously mentioned items, and abuse them. Don’t be a fool. “Viewer’s [or in this case ‘listener’s’] discretion is advised.” Clear your mind of all that clutter. Go, and enjoy the concert. All the performers are sensible, I believe and know that there’s a place and time for everything. An album, mix-tape, or single of the general masses is different from a college performance. Even if they do, listener’s discretion is advised.