Being both a contributor to the Hip Hop culture and a fan, I’ve always known that race played a role in the successes of some artist. Hip Hop, which is a culture birth, in the late 60’s, from poverty and the struggles of middle class minorities, has been embraced by the world, undoubtedly. Hip Hop which was once just a way for middle class kids to express and enjoy themselves has transformed into a multi- billion dollar business. Hip Hop has since then became impactful in many ways influencing things such as politics, fashion, language and the norms of society.
As a musician in Hip Hop, it is wishful thinking to believe that how successful you are within the culture, is based on your quality of work and skill level, in my opinion. Whether your an Artist, Producer, or Dj awards shows such as the “Grammys,” or “VMA’s,” or magazines that bring artist validation such as “The Source,” or “Rolling Stone,” hold great value to Hip Hop musicians. In the last couple of years, the presence of minority musicians ( Hip Hop musicians who are not of Hispanic or Black background) has increased in popularity and presence. We have been introduced to Hip Hop acts such as Eminem, Vanilla Ice, Mark Walhberg, Paul Wall, Riff Raff, Lady Sovereign, Chanel West Coast, Asher Roth, MGK, and as of most recent, Iggy Azalea. Hip Hop I would like to believe welcomes all races and ethnicities to participate in the culture, to spite the fact there are some that believe that it should remain just a “Black thing,” or minority thing.
Those who believe that Hip Hop should remain a “Black Thing,” at first I thought, “What assholes!,” but then I started to maybe see their reasons on why. Just hear me out!
It is no secret that most record label owners and most people involved with the business aspect of Hip Hop, are white. It is also no secret that most media outlets that provide entertainment and viewing for Hip Hop culture participants, are owned by people that are white, as well. Now I will be the first to stop a black person from using the race card, because I feel white people expect us to use it as a excuse on why we can’t progress or grow as a people, which in many cases I believe is not true. When it comes to Hip Hop consumers statistics will tell you that most sales come from non-minority individuals whether they be Asian, Polish, German, or Russian they fund most projects produced within the Hip Hop culture. This tells us not only do they own majority of the business they also, support it financially, which to me is interesting because you would think people from Black and Hispanic descent would be the most involved, but, instead they are not and if they are it’s on a small margin.
You want a example of white privilege? Sure, no problem.
Eminem who has been argued for decades in the debate of who is the best rapper alive is a perfect example of white privilege.
If you were to ask me if I believed Eminem is talented? I would have to agree that yes he is. So what does him being white have to do with anything? It has to do with everything!
Hypothetically speaking let’s make Eminem a black rapper from 8 mile, go listen to some Eminem but the whole time envision a black man, does he still “Wow,” you the same way? For me not so much, Eminem is talented but his talent is trumped by the fact he is white. If Eminem was black I don’t feel like the world or Hip Hop community would have been so eager to accept him. Not to take away from anything that he’s accomplished but Eminem did not deserve the Best Rapper Alive title he was given by non-minority owned magazine “Rolling Stone.”
Now maybe they truly felt like he deserved that title or maybe him being white made for a better cover.
Everytime there’s a new white rapper who surfaces “Rolling Stone” is quick to give them the highest title possible.
Need another example?
Recently at the VMA’s half black half white rapper “Drake,” won Best Hip Hop Video, shocking because he won it for his ballad “Just Hold On Were Going Home,” which is not considered a Hip Hop record. It went as far as him to speak about the win at a concert saying, “And I’d also like to say, I know this is a hip hop award and I know a lot of you out there are frustrated like, ‘this is not a hip hop song’ and you know what you’re right. I tricked you all. Rappers, better luck next year. Thank you!”
Not even Drake thought he deserved that award. I would also like to note that only two black entertainers one that whole night Beyonce and Lil Jon.
The most recent white rapper to surface has been Iggy Azalea, who originates from Aussie, she has most recently just matched the Beatles with two number ones consecutively. She has caused lots of controversy with her arrival, from dating New York rapper ASAP Rocky to being rumored to having beef with Young Money artist Nicki Minaj. She has been praised for so many things by the media but is the praise because she’s extremely talented or more for the fact that she’s white? She’s not a great artist and her music is extremely sub par but still the media pushes her as if she’s something we have never seen before.
I consider these things examples because I truly believe that Hip Hop is corrupted and not fair in the way it appropriates it’s praise. I feel like white rappers are presented with way more opportunities and accepted way faster by the world because their white. Not to say they are not talented or can’t rap because their white, but I do believe that should not be the basis of how they are praised or pushed in the media. Every white rapper to ever make it at least on a semi level gets titles like The Best blah blah blah thrown around without even having to work as hard if they were to say be black.
I do believe that all artist should be judged solely on their music but like I said before, that is wishful thinking. Hip Hop now being a business has took the skill out of Hip Hop and made it more so a beauty contest. Of course white rappers can’t help the fact that they are white obviously, but we as Hip Hop supporters and consumers can definitely somewhat regulate who is considered the best and why.
I love Hip Hop and it is infuriating when Pop songs win Hip Hop categories or ballads win over actual Rap songs. If your going to display the culture display it right! Take the time out to research and get a honest understanding of the culture. It is more then just who looks the best, who has the bigger butt, or what color their skin is, it’s about what they represent, how they represent it and how creative they can be while doing it. I wrote this article to bring awareness to the reality that their is unfairness that takes place in this culture that if not fixed at least needs to be spoke upon.
I now understand why some people would like to keep Hip Hop a “Black thing,” it evens out the playing field and makes it easier to be judged on skill instead of how fascinating it is that a person who rap’s is also white. The only “Wow,” factor should be the lyrical content spoken.
Thanks for your time.