Please find a youtube video of an artist that you believe is using hip-hop in a more conscious matter and post it on your blog. Explain your reasoning behind choosing this video.
The video that chose was ”Diary” by Wale. I chose this video
because the artist is not talking about the things that are usual talked about
in hip -hop music , such as sex, and money. He is talking about a girl that has
been hurt in her life by other man , which causes her to think all men are the
same. The artist talks about how he wants to get to know her , but she will not
give him a chance because she learned all men are untrustworthy . The artist said,
“Every problem you ever had with
another man I gotta face”, which means he will always be considered a
cheater because he is a man. The artist
explains how he wants to give her everything she needs, and how she deserves to
be treated like a queen. However, the
girl is scared to be vulnerable again , because of her past heartbreak .
I also chose this video because the women are not being
degraded in it. Instead of having a lot of females dancing half naked in the
video, it is very respectful, and doesn’t objectify women as sex objects. I
feel this song is meaningful because the artist is actually expressing the way
he feels , which is what I think artist in hip hop , and in of other genres of
music should do. This artist is talking about treating women with respect, other
artists do not . Many other artists talk about how many girls they can get, or
got. They also talk all thing women do for them, but never what they do for
women. Also , in their music videos, women are presented as sex symbols. They are
seen in videos with reviling clothes on, and dancing inappropriately.
Even though this video is different compared to other , it
could be another way for the artist to get more fans. He could just be trying to
direct his music toward a different audience. The artist just might be rapping
what he thinks female want to hear, like being told they are beautiful , and
that they deserve everything . Although this may be true, the video isn’t as
problematic as the rest.
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I totally agree with you; not all hip-hop music and videos are degrading to women. I also listen to a lot of Wale's music and he talks a lot about real life situations, his feelings, and diffrent perspectives. It is something different that a lot of people wouldn't expect from rappers. I think a lot of people respect him and his music because he doesn't fall into the stereotypes of African American male rappers.
ReplyDeleteHi Hazel,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your analysis of Wale's music and video. I think it shows good critical thinking skills that you are able to question his motives- does he really feel this way, or is he doing this as a way to broaden his fan base? I think this relates to the consumption piece of hip-hop- as much as artists want to make music that is reflective of who they really 'are', they also wanna make some money, so they have to please the consumers.
--eas