The Noise Is The Message
I think it's past the time that Baby Boomers, of all races, ethnicities, and income levels (yes, black folks too) come to grips with the Hiphop culture. Although early in the Rap game it was predicted that this music would burn out, Rap (Hiphop) has not gone, and is not going, away. Rap has managed to twist, contort and develop a thick skin that has allowed it to withstand criticism and attacks for everyday societal ills such as immorality, violence peddling, and misogyny. This defensive mechanism has allowed Rap music to escape extinction. As an art form, the fact that Rap music has not always had, and still does not have, the full support of the community of its origin, the African-American community, is not a precedent. The lack of acceptance from the Black community puts Rap music in great company with some of the most revered musical pastimes of American history, namely Ragtime, Jazz, and Rock & Roll. Each of those musical genres, founded within the Black community, are cornerstones in the foundation of the American music identity. Rap music has swallowed pop culture and is now kicking in the door of mainstream America demanding to be heard. For those condemning Rap, the Nigers, the Stanleys, the Dolores’, and the Bills (you know who you are), you have missed the train. Acceptance by the Baby Boomers (Black Bourgeoisie and White Middle Class) is no longer needed and may not even be desired. Mainstream America has developed an appetite for Hiphop culture and Rap music is the standard bearer for Hiphop.
I was inspired to write this article because I had to listen to yet another African-American man tell me how Rap (Hiphop) had changed his life. This older, middle class gentleman explained to me how he had to take drastic measures to protect and preserve the environment that his children were living in. He had to protect them from Rap music. This required him to change jobs and take an active stand in his children’s upbringing. I commend him for his dedication to raising his offspring. No one can argue that they are not better off for having him in their life. Anytime a father, or mother for that fact, takes an active role in a child’s life it can be the most positive experience for all those involved, especially the child. Maybe instead of banning Rap music in his household altogether, this conscious African-American male could have redirected his daughter’s interest in Rap toward the positive and self-affirming lyrics of the conscious rappers. He could have used Rap music to teach his daughter the lesson of variance. That there is variation in all art forms and we have to be mindful of the choices that we make because sometimes those choices determine how we see ourselves and each other.
It just so happens that after hearing about the life changing affect Rap music had on the older gentleman, I attended a Hiphop concert at a local venue later that night. With the words of the older gentleman fresh in my mind, I entered the concert more observant than any other concert before that day. What stood out to me while watching all 3 performances was the range of issues addressed by the lyrics and the music. From street violence and police corruption to education and salvation, these artists represented the issues of Generations X and Y. People must understand that for a generation ignored (Generation X) and the generation that won’t be ignored (Generation Y), Rap music is our voice and Hiphop is how we live.
I will extend an olive branch at this point to establish a meeting place for dialogue. I will concede that there is some Rap music and artists that celebrate and revel in violence, sexism, misogyny, mayhem, and civil disobedience. I don’t blame anyone that would deny support for music that dehumanizes people for the sake of profit in any format. However, to vilify an entire genre of music, an entire array of entertainers, which represents such a large sector of our community, is inherently wrong. Just like any other medium of expression there are some very positive and very negative aspects of Rap music. While there are some in Hip Hop who use their words to tear down society, there are others whose lyrics are about responsibility, dignity, and self-reflection. All lyrics have the ability to make listeners think about their situation and position in life. Lumping the good with the bad and debasing all Hip Hop music is just too easy. It doesn’t require the critic to take a deeper look at the artists or their body of work. It is just another case of guilt by association, which is not new in the African-American experience.
Even though there will be notable disagreement, I must say that even Gangsta’ Rap has the potential to have a lasting positive affect on the listener. What can’t be ruled out is that Gangsta’ Rap is mostly street narratives, which are derived from truth in some way, shape, or form. If people are against the violent and destructive lyrics of Gangsta’ Rap, then banning or censoring the music is not the answer. The solution lies in quelling the violence and destruction in the neighborhoods and streets of America, especially urban America. It lies in creating space for everyone to have her or his voice heard and their issues addressed.
The young women and men of Hiphop have grown up in the time of violent action films, drug infested schools and neighborhoods, the ensuing war on drugs, explosion of the sex industry, the rise and prominence of street gangs, and militarization of the police. Is there any guess where this preoccupation with violence is rooted? Droves of people have come forth to report incidents of molestation, and yes even rape, by members of the clergy. In my lifetime I have known of more than a few religious congregations torn apart by their leaders stealing the tithes, telling lies, and sleeping with wives. These stories have had prominence in the news media. Yet, I don’t hear anyone advocating for the dissolution of religion, or any one religion, in America. Rap narrates the decay and destruction of the neighborhoods taking place in urban America because those stories are, many times, passed on by the mainstream news media.
According to those that malign Rap music, the inability to appreciate real music is the cause for our misguided love of Rap. They don’t see Rap as music; it is considered noise. Noise is an apt description for the issues that seem to always fall by the wayside when social, political and economic agendas are created. Noise is what your ears filter out when trying to hear what matters most to you. Yes, I would agree that Rap music is merely noise to the ears of those responsible for directing the social, economic and political agendas in America. In order to understand Generations X and Y all one has to do is retune their ears and hearts. The issues and concerns pertinent to today’s youth are in the noise just waiting to be heard.
For most of my life I have heard pundits and critics utter the line, “they rap because they can’t sing.” In some sense, I must agree with that stinging barb of shortsightedness. The Reagan era cuts to public funding are partially responsible for our inability to participate in the classical or mainstream forms of music appreciation and learning. These cutbacks in public programs adversely affected public schools. Combined with the massive unemployment and tied to trickle down economics, the drawbacks and cuts disproportionately affected the urban children and caused the dismantling of public school music programs, as well as other programs such as public recreation and summer youth employment.
Many urban youth were first introduced to music (history and appreciation) through the public schools systems. They presented historical and contemporary perspectives missing in radio and TV. These programs were crucial to providing a positive alternative for inner-city youth. When these programs were cut who was protesting, writing, and screaming for the rights of poor children? The middle class bourgeoisie had the money to pay for private lessons for their children. Thus affording them some of the separation so desperately needed for ascending the ladder of class.
Instead of denigration and criticism, Rap music (and Hiphop culture) should be given credit for keeping musical creativity alive in the urban areas. Rap should be applauded for providing the space for youthful creativity and expression to exist in an era of ‘go along to get along.’ Inner-city dreamers created a musical art form; using no instruments, they provided a way for the youth to maintain a connection to music.
The innovators of Rap created a viable, marketable, and profitable product complete with technological advances, where none had previously existed, using no more than their voice, Mom and Dad’s old records, turntables, mics, and their own life experiences. Most of all, they created space for their creativity, thoughts, and experiences to be shared, heard, and felt. In this world of ever-changing social, economic, and political alliances is there no room at the table for this voice to be heard? Can the leaders of our communities find no way to weave the messages of struggle, resistance, and success into the fabric of America?
