The Side Effects of Hip Hop, A thought for the next 50 years

For as long as I can remember, I have had a deep love affair with Hip Hop—an art form beloved by people worldwide, spanning all ages and walks of life. For many, Hip Hop isn't just a genre; it's a culture, a way of life, and the pulse of an entire race of people. Although not exclusive to only African Americans and Latinas, it is heavily influenced by the minority people who are the creators, yet everybody wants to be a part of it. I wonder if this impactful genre is creating a lasting detriment to the very people who have used it for so long to uplift their voices.

Looking back at an incredible 50 years of Hip Hop as we celebrate its anniversary this year, it's essential to note that Hip Hop is still in its infancy and has changed drastically throughout the last few decades. Beginning in the South Bronx of NYC, Hip Hop was not only about the lyrics and the rappers who articulated them but also included various pillars forming its complete picture: B-Boys, the DJs, Fashion, Art, and an overall message that spoke for millions of minorities. Today, some of those elements are still vital to the culture, but some have been lost within the mainstream expression.

In America, fashion and DJs are elements that have survived the many changes this genre has seen. When we look outside of America, B-Boys are still very much a part of the global conversation but not as much in the U.S. The element of movement still exists, but not in the same way. As for the art, it has become more of an underground expression through graffiti and airbrushing murals and clothing. An essential element that has emerged through the years, commonly overlooked, is women.

Women play an intriguing role in the lifespan of Hip Hop. From being rappers and trendsetters to serving as vixens in visuals and becoming a significant subject matter, we can't discuss Hip Hop without mentioning women. Notable figures like Missy Elliot, MC Lyte, and Queen Latifah initiated a conversation of unity and creativity, demonstrating a prowess that matched the men. However, it's important to highlight Lil Kim and other rappers like Salt-N-Pepa, who were among the first to create a space for sexual empowerment for women, something society wasn't entirely ready for. Although there was hardly as much pushback for a genre where women have always been heavily objectified and even violated in lyrics, these women gave new meaning to what it meant to be a woman and a rapper. Fast forward to the present day, and within the last decade, women have become frontrunners in Hip Hop, taking control of a new narrative.

For some, Hip Hop is a creative outlet; for others, it's therapy, and for many, it's hope for a way out of dark inner-city and impoverished neighborhoods many minorities are born into. Hip Hop and rap music give hope to many underprivileged youth and young adults who do not see a future in modern society. Their stories serve as the center of the culture, covering hard topics like poverty, violence, and resilience. Although not every successful rapper is part of that narrative, because Hip Hop is so vast in its expression, the common perception surrounding it mainly revolves around the hardships and the uglier sides of what it means to be from the "hood" and the power to transform that into something greater. It's's almost ironic how minorities desperately want to change their situation, but the world adopts everything from the aesthetic, mannerisms, and culture without wanting to live in such conditions. Now that Hip Hop is mainstream, it has infiltrated classrooms, the internet, and the subconscious of the world. My question is, how does that affect the self-image of the youth and the adults who repeatedly engage with these lyrics? How does it affect our everyday lives if we are in perpetual consumption of music that promotes drugs, violence, murder, objectification, individualism, and sexual perversion? As much as it is "just" music, it brings me to my next question: Is art imitating life, or is life imitating art? Can we truly uplift our culture at large while continuously glorifying a sound that vibrates on a lower level within mainstream media? As Sway would say, "I don't have the answers, but I am truly curious and concerned for the future of our culture at large."

Furthermore, as we delve deeper into a once male-dominated genre in a white male-dominated world, my most significant concern arises: Who owns Hip Hop? Who benefits the most? Who owns the music? Is there possibly a group that truly celebrates Hip Hop more than we do silently? Has Hip Hop lost its original purpose? Are rappers truly happy with their role in shaping the culture, and are they compensated properly? Or is Hip Hop another weapon used against the very people that created it? With the alarming rise of deaths and murders of so many rappers, has Hip Hop become a danger to itself? With the immense amount of free marketing given to so many white fashion luxury brands, has Hip Hop lost its power to create a culture and uplift black luxury and enterprise? Finally, through the constant division within the lyrics, is Hip Hop a tool for empowerment, or is it disguised as a weapon of mass destruction, and are we too enthralled to notice or even care?