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Hip hop and the african american community
Hip hop and its effects on african americans
Culture influences on hip hop
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When most musicians become famous it is common that they lose touch with their culture, family, and become obsessed with making money. Many come in with a certain singing or rapping style but change what makes them unique for a record deal. In the hip-hop scene rappers start to dress themselves in many expensive designer clothing labels and diamond accessories, however, for Nigerian-American hip-hop MC Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, stage name Wale, this is a different story. Unlike many rappers, Wale is noteworthy and respected for the exact opposite: he embraces his culture and is interested in becoming famous for just simply being himself.
Wale was born in Northwest Washington, D.C. September 21, 1984 to Nigerian immigrants who first arrived five years prior. After 10 years, their family then moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland where Wale found himself attending seven different high schools in both the DC and Maryland area. "My first high school was a predominantly black school, [and] then I went to a predominantly white school, and then back again. I think that helped me cultivate an open mind about most things in life…I kind of understand the plight of all people, from understanding all those different environments," he says in his biography on his official website www.ralphfolarin.com. In 2001, Wale graduated from Quince Orchard High School and later attended Robert Morris and Virginia State University on football scholarships. However after transferring a third time to Bowie State University Wale decided to drop out and aspire on the journey for a potential recording career.
In 2003-2004, Wale got his first air time with his song, "Rhyme of the Century," on a local radio station which placed him in the "Unsigned Hype" column ...
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http://dimewars.com/Video/Wale-Talks-Nigerian-Pride---Fear-Of-Lightskinned-Girls.aspx?bcmediaid=2d817e9c-5618-42a5-9f65-e7402c28b65c
http://www.jprotege.com/wale-nigerian-day-parade/
http://www.getmusic.com.au/wale/biography
http://questionmarkmag.com/2011/08/wale-works-with-african-artistes-for-charity-gig/
http://www.rap-up.com/2009/08/08/wales-attention-gets-sidetracked/
http://afrofusionlounge.wordpress.com/2010/11/29/bunny-mack-interview-no-qualms-about-wales-sample-of-his-classic-song/
http://killerboombox.com/6485/audio/heaters/wale-no-one-be-like-you
http://www.migrationinformation.org/Profiles/display.cfm?ID=788
http://www.census.gov/population/international/
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/sub-saharan-africa/nigeria?profile=intRelations&pg=4
Every hip-hop/rap generation a lot new fresh upcoming aspiring rappers who wishes to go down in hip-hop culture as one of the greatest. Some of them are merely one hit wonders; others go on to silicify their mark in the Hip-Hop culture becoming great artists. In the year 2006 the hip-hop world was introduced to a future superstar by the named of Lupe Fiasco. Lupe Fiasco has become one of hip-hop fastest rising superstar ever since releasing his first album. Although many listeners find some of his music very controversial, yet Fiasco is one of the few artists whose music teaches people about current events that the world has turned the blind eye to, and Lupe lyrical trickster, story teller.
The problem that laid in his way, was the social stigma at the time. In the early 90’s rap was dominated by the “gansta” rap scene. People like Tupac, Biggie and Dr. Dre ran the industry at that point and there was no room for Kanye and his pink polo. Kanye was seen as a producer first and foremost, since that’s what he was so good at and that’s all he had done up until that point. It wasn’t until the year 2000 that Kanye was brought onto Roc-A-Fella records with Jay-Z where his producing really started to shine. Helping produce Jay-Z’s 2001 album The Blueprint, the album was a huge success and lead to the revitalization of Jay-Z’s career. Kanye didn’t get a chance to make his own record until the following year (even though he had been working on it for almost 3 years now) when Roc-A-Fella finally gave him the go ahead. Kanye started his production of The College Dropout. It was also around this time that Kayne started a relationship with a girl named Alexis Phifer. Their relationship would be on and off again for the next few
After his high school graduation he enrolled at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. There he "discovered his Blackness" and made a lifelong commitment to his people. He taught in rural Black schools in Tennessee during summer vacations, thus expanding his awareness of his Black culture.
Queen Latifah played a big role in the hip hop industry as a female MC, and still is relevant to this day. She influenced millions of people especially in the black community for equality between women and men. She’s an American song-writer, actress, fashion producer, model, female MC, feminist, television producer, record producer, and talk show hostess. The Hip-hop culture began around the 1970’s in Bronx, New York and it was mostly amongst the Black and Latino community at that time. Hip Hop emerged out of an atmosphere of disappointment, anger, hate, discrimination, and disillusionment which; made it easy for the audience to comprehend and enjoy the music not as a song, but as a public personal message for each person to understand. Hip-hop was born in numerous places: in the neighborhoods, in the parks, playgrounds, bedrooms, bathrooms, a broken home, and even on the street corners. MC-ing and DJ-ing were at the center of this emerging culture, but hip-hop was always bigger than just the music, it was also break dancing and graffiti. The hip-hop fashion was very popular back then and some materials are coming back in today’s fashion as well: kangol hats, big bright jackets, gold jewelry chains, brand name sneakers like Adidas, established sportswear, tracksuits, large eyeglasses, big waist belts, jumpsuits, and any kind of over-sized clothing. The graffiti was a new form of expression that employed spray paint as a story on walls as the canvas. The police called that vandalism; but the people of hip hop called it art: a form of self-expression. Hip hop has been largely dominated by male artists, but there have been some notable exceptions. Queen Latifah was one of the few early female exponents of the styl...
His master sent him to Neosho, Missouri for an early education and graduated from Minneapolis High School in Kansas. He eventually mailed an application to Highland University in Kansas and was not only accepted but also offered a scholarship. Happily, George traveled to the school to accept the scholarship but upon meeting George, the University president asked, "why didn't you tell me you were a Negro?
To say it lightly, Stanley Crouch does not like the hip-hop genre of music. The dreadlocks, the clothing style, and the "vulgar": gold chains are just a few things he does not approve of at all. (Crouch, 1 ) It astounds him to see how far African-American music has fallen since the days of the Motown. Stanley was quoted as saying this about rap, "It is rudeness, vulgarity, and pornography disguised as ‘keeping it real.'" (Crouch, 1) He also went on to say the hip-hop music genre has the worst impact of all music genres on our culture today. (Crouch, 2) Crouch believes one does not need much talent to become a successful rapper unlike the jazz greats he listens to all the time.
When looking at the landscape of Hip-Hop among African Americans, from the spawn of gangsta rap in the mid 1980s to current day, masculinity and an idea of hardness is central to their image and performance. Stereotypical to Black masculinity, the idea of a strong Black male - one who keeps it real, and is defiant to the point of violence - is prevalent in the genre. This resistant, or even compensatory masculinity, encompasses: the hyper masculinity rife in the Western world, misogyny, and homophobia, all noticeable in their lyrics, which is in part a result of their containment within the Black community. The link of masculinity and rap music was established due to this containment, early innovators remaking public spaces in their segregated neighbourhoods. A notion of authentic masculinity arose from the resistant nature of the genre, but the move to the mainstream in the 90s created a contradiction to their very image - resistance. Ultimately, this in part led to the construction of the masculinity defined earlier, one that prides itself on its authenticity. I’ll be exploring how gender is constructed and performed in Hip Hop, beginning with a historical framework, with the caveat of showing that differing masculine identities in the genre, including artists
As hip hop culture became prevalent in pop culture, so did black culture. Hip hop stems from black struggle. Their vernacular, songs, and spiritual ways were different from what whites were used to. Their different lifestyle of “living on the edge” was intriguing yet inaccessible for the whites living among them. Thus, this initiated America’s fascination with the culture. It became about what people assume and perceive about black people rather than what they actually are. In essence, an essential to cool is being on the outside, looking in. In the media and celebrities today,
These articles depict the controversies of the hip hop industry and how that makes it difficult for one to succeed. Many of these complications and disputes may be invisible to the population, but these articles take the time to reveal them.
Kanye Omari West was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 8, 1977. He left college to pursue a musical career, producing tracks for Jay-Z while polishing his demo. He released The College Dropout in 2004. It sold 2.6 million copies and won Best Rap Album. His follow-up releases have been equally successful and West has become a celebrity famous for his outrageous
Kanye West has been an icon in American hip-hop culture for over a decade. His music, fashion line, producing skills, and flamboyant personality has influenced many people for generations to come. Coming out of Chicago, many people in the music industry didn't even think Kanye had a chance to become a figure in hip-hop, but his hard work and persistence paid off. Kanye started off his music career as a producer. He produced music for the likes of major artists such as Common and Jay-Z. His first major breakthrough came from producing Jay-Z’s “The Blueprint”— which is certified 2x platinum. Kanye believed he could be a successful rapper as well, but music executives didn't believe he had it in him. That all changed when Roc-A-Fella records signed Kanye to their label, and gave him a chance to shine as a rapper. Kanye’s background, critical analysis, and importance all shows that he has become one of the most important characters in American hip-hop culture to this day.
After reflecting more on my experiences and knowledge of popular culture, I have come to focus on specific questions and concerns that open up and explore a methodological path into my own viewing, listening, dancing and other creative encounters with hip-hop culture. Specifically, I engage the following questions:
Since its emergence in the South Bronx in the 1970’s, hip hop has spread to both urban and suburban communities throughout the world. Once an underground genre of music, it is seen in commercials, movies, television shows, etc. It has transformed from music and expanded into a full culture. It has even made its way into fashion and art. Men have always been on the front line of Hip Hop. However, the lyrics and images have changed tremendously. Lyrics and images that once spoke upon the injustices and empowerment for the African American people is now filled with money, cars, jewelry, and of course women.
Similarly to other industries, females are unequally represented within Hip Hop culture across the board. From the start, emcees were traditionally males, proving the struggle for a woman to pursue a career in Hip Hop difficult. In modern society, it seems the culture is obsessed more with how a woman is portrayed rather than if she is a talented artist. For advertising and recognition, it is almost imperative that a female artist wears tight, skimpy clothes and “give the audience a show” with provocative dancing and lyrics. For women, beauty is basically expected by society. Keyes might refer to most of today’s female artists as “fly girls” (2016). Salt N Pepa and TLC are prime examples of prominent female figures within Hip Hop culture that dressed in a way to attract attention. For these women, the outfits merely grab the attention of the audience so they can then focus on the message behind their lyrics. While women are already underrepresented in the field, they also have to work harder for the same success that male counterparts
Hip- hop is a standout amongst the most compelling musical sorts on the globe. There are rappers everywhere that know what amount of an impact their music can have. Some entertainers attempt to utilize that force of impact to do great (Ruiz INT).