Ya Thing Monologue

This song is a wakeup call for America to set a better example for the next generation. People are hurting other people. Some are paranoid of what will happen next. Life should not be scary, but there are people afraid to walk out and be among the chaos. Everybody is against one another, and they are not willing to compromise. “It’s time we stop” and look at what we are doing and what has become of us. There are wars for ignorant reasons, there are people hurting, there are innocent children watching, WAKE UP AMERICA! The riots and wars are not worth all of this pain and suffering.

The connection that is drawn between the formerly economically challenged rapper and the child whose parent works two jobs, and can’t pay his child’s college tuition is paramount in making this point. The illusion of the American dream is set through many hip-hop songs. The picture of the evolution of the rags to riches story is set by many rappers in current hip-hop culture, this picture is the basic premise

“Rap is poetry” (xii). To any avid fan of the genre, it is a statement that seems obvious. The words could easily be the musings of a listener first introduced to the art form, not the focal point of an entire work of contemporary criticism. Yet in Book of Rhymes: The Poetics of Hip Hop, Adam Bradley’s primary focus is this very point, the recognition of traditional poetic elements within rap music. With the global cultural and economic phenomenon that hip hop has become, it is easy to forget that the style of music is barely thirty years old, that scholarly criticism of it has existed for only half of that time. When viewed within this relatively new arena of scholarship, the importance of Bradley’s text is

The study of hip hop music has been cited well throughout its growth over time. The purpose of this paper is intended to discuss hip hop culture and address cultural stereotypes associated with rap and hip-hop music, but also how its original lyrical intentions were forms of expression and art. It will begin by guiding the reader through how it originated, its influence with the African-Americans with its subculture and popularity in urban areas, its styles of evolving, the introduction of hip hop and rap to the public, the depiction it gave off with its criticisms from outsiders. An evaluation of hip hop artists songs by Sugar Hill and the Gang, Run DMC, Queen Latifah, and N.W.A. Including lyrics from the songs “Rappers Delight”, “King of Rock”, “Latifah’s Law”, and “Niggaz4Life”. In the conclusion it exposes how hip hop music is clearly for black Americans to express themselves freely and in fact did not cause violence.

The decade of hip-hop is what some may call it. Tupac, Naz, Biggie Smalls, as well as other artists, were major contributions. Not only for the people who are trying to find their footing, but Buck as well. Throughout the book various lyrics were embedded in order to create a better understanding for its readers. In addition, this book is based upon a 90s lifestyle within Philadelphia, which included drugs, gang activity, crime, hip-hop, and havoc. Malo was directly in the center of everything, the girls, the fights, the guns. His experiences shed light towards what it’s like to as an African American individual living in or near the hood. Not everyone realizes what people go through while living there, but now it gives some readers an image of what goes on. Though times have changed, not all previous feelings

1. Kelley, R. (1996). Kickin' reality, kickin' ballistics: Gansta rap and postindustrial Los Angeles. In W.E. Perkins (Ed). Droppi" science: Critical essays on rap music and hip hop culture (117-158) Philadelphia: Temple University Press.

Growing up in run-down neighborhood can have various effects on an individual. Getting involved in illegal activities, albeit easy and rewarding at the time, can lead an individual to a jeopardizing ongoing cycle. Illustrated in both Slick Rick and Black Stars “Children’s Story,” a young man has been led down a wrong path, where each of their lives were dominated by illegal acts. This was consuming to the individuals, and ultimately lead to tragic outcomes. Black Stars rendition of “Children’s Story” was an extension of Slick Rick’s original composition. Black Star expanded the track to incorporate the embezzlement often found within the music industry. Slick Rick and Black Star emphasize the fatal aftermath that often supersedes the preoccupied performance of thieving.

He speaks with such emphasis when delivering these raps, leaving no doubt as to the purpose or meaning of his lyrics. Throughout both verses, Mos Def pulls no punches while speaking about pertinent issues in modern urban society. Things such as drug use, police behavior, and government spending are critiqued with an almost confrontational vocal tone, as if his experiences and opinions have formed and anger about the current direction our society is headed in. Mos Def’s rapping about socioeconomic problems are very controversial, because some people have not been exposed to the things that he raps about and thus may not understand (Perry). However, he raps them so confidently and with such stress that no one can deny how strongly he feels about the subject matter. Similar to the beat of “Mathematics”, Mos Def’s lyrics also bring about a sense of conflict. His flow is certainly not structured perfectly- as the pace speeds up and his words become more serious and pronounced as the song progresses. This was done intentionally to give the piece its harsh tone and send a clear challenge to its listeners- to stop sending society in the wrong

I feel worthless cause my shirt wasn’t matching my gear/ I’m just scratching the surface/ cause what’s buried under there/ is a kid torn apart once his pop disappeared/ I went to school/ got good grades/ could behave when I wanted/ but I had demons deep inside/ that were raised when confronted/…Now all the teachers couldn’t reach me/ and my momma couldn’t beat me hard enough/ to match the pain of my pop not seeing me so/ with that disdain in my membrane/ got on my pimp game/ f*** the world/ my defense came/ (December 4th)

Ode to Meek Mill Been with you since the straight backs and classics, But your money only attracts the crazy girls and ratchets. Lord Knows, you were going to make to the top, But everyone knows the Meek Milly grind don’t stop.

It is a given that when people hear the term “hip-hop” the first image that comes to mind is that of an uneducated, jobless, violent thug with a gun control issue. This stigma is embedded in today’s society because of artist such as Young Jeezy, 50 Cent, Ice Cube, etc. that glamorize the calling of picking up a gun and “hustling” to sell drugs on the streets. This can be seen in a number of songs, but one song that can be picked out of the lineup is Young Jeezy’s Soul Survivor. “But if you lookin' for me I'll be on the block / With my thang cocked possibly sittin' on a drop, now/ 'Cuz I'm a rida/' Cuz er'ybody know the game don't stop/ Tryin' to make it to the top 'fore your ass get popped, now/ If you a rida” There is not much depth to this song, the story behind this song is that most youths that belong to the streets of ghetto usually get into the business of selling drugs to get quick cash. When he mentions “sittin’ of the drop” he is referring to the drug deal location, which shows how most rap has a criminal element to it. Through all of the “gangsta” glorification throughout “hip-hop” from to the gun slinging and alcohol consumption Lupe took a different

I have something I need to tell you. It feels weird announcing this, because nothing has changed. I feel exactly as I’ve always felt, and I’m still the same person I’ve always been, I’ve just accepted a few things. It  almost feels pointless to say, because it seems so obvious to me, but I think I should tell you anyway. I don’t know how exactly to explain myself, because it’s how I’ve always felt, but I’ll try help you to understand without writing down every thought I’ve ever had.

After this experience all of his friends and family told him that his opportunity is over, and to give up his dreams of becoming a successful rapper. He knew he has his chance and he blew it, but he never gave up. A few months later he gets another opportunity to rap in front of a crowd. He knew he had to seize the chance, and to prove everyone wrong. The song comes on, and it describes how he’s feeling before he goes on stage. He uses sentences like, “his palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy. He’s nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready to drop bombs…” He is telling himself that if he blows this, his dream is over, and that “you only get one shot so do not miss your chance to blow, because this opportunity once in a lifetime”. When he finally goes on stage, he’s feeling nervous, but he’s so ambitious to get what he wants, that he starts to rap like no one has ever heard. The crowd was astonished, and knew that his rap was the best they’ve ever listened to, which kick started his career as a rapper. The song starts out with a piano playing, and then the piano stops, and very fast music comes in, and the rap starts right away. The rapping is intense, because when you’re hungry to achieve something you have to act intense about it.

This small lyric describe Eminem’s life and his background story when he’s a child and taking drugs. Eminem does not want anyone to end up like him but if you are then he is asking “if you’re trying to get out, just follow me”, If you’re in a situation close to what he went through just follow his guidance, he’ll help you through his lyrics of this song. This song is written depression all over it. Eminem had a rough childhood and background and want to share to the world to show his life was not easy too and want

Kendrick Lamar is famous for his unique West Coast style and dynamic rhymes that unapologetically discuss “political issues”. In his song, “The Blacker The Berry”, Lamar uses a striking amount of end rhyme and metaphors to deliver his message to listeners. As Lamar begins to tell how others view him, or the black body, he maintains a flow using multiple lines with end rhyme. Areas in the song, such as lines 13 and 14, provide an example of keeping the flow throughout the song by using