Rappers, is it Time to do Better?

Your music is killing our communities

Photo by Shane Rounce on Unsplash

While in the mist of a conversation regarding the state of hip-hop after hearing the newest violence-filled musical selection by one of the hottest rappers out and unsure if it should be my topic, Jaron Mays’s article about rap music killing our children popped up as soon as I logged in and was the confirmation to let the words roll.

“Yeah right, he has a song about that” I asked my companion rapping the lyrics to the newest release by his favorite hometown rapper. The lyrics were referencing a highly popular and disturbingly violent television series that gained popularity across countries. The bloody and gory show amassed 1.68 billion views in 28 days, making it the most viewed show in it’s platforms history. And the song is just as bad.

This young artist just entered his twenties, has more kids than the starting line up of a basketball team and his mouth is just as reckless. Every other song is about killing, gangs, street cred and drugs. Recently, his YouTube account-10 million subscribers and over 9 billion streams- was removed from the platform. His account has since been restored and though neither party really addressed the abrupt departure of his catalog, the artist’s manager had recently been outspoken about You Tube’s reluctance to support the music due to its content.

And rightfully so.

He is currently on house arrest and facing gun charges in two different states.

All of this from You Tubes biggest artist of the last three years. A young black man with seemingly little guidance making millions for an industry that preys on the demise of his community. He openly raps about his demons and struggles but sadly his art doesn’t reflect a change coming anytime soon. He sees nothing wrong with this behavior and that is the problem.

He’s from the bottom which he raps about often. And I don’t expect a kid who constantly raps about doing deeds that will land him behind bars or his willingness to die to be the model of society. Its just a sad reality that so many of our youth follow these same ideals.

I’m not without my own ratchet likeness of Snoop Dogg in the 90's, DMX, No Limit and Cash Money Records was definitely takin’ over for tha‘ ’99 and the…