Analyzing Past And Present Hip Hop - 1590 Words

Examining past and present Hip Hop Lyrics: How has the culture of Hip Hop changed overtime How has the Hip Hop culture changed overtime? In looking at the dynamic in which music has changed by its usage of language and various forms of dialect and productivity it is clear that Hip Hop is a lot different in today s modern society then in the 80 s and in the 90 s. In dissecting the lyrics of the Modern day lyrical rapper J.Cole and High End rapper Nas in order to understand the level of distinction that has taken place within the Hip Hop Culture overtime. J. Cole is best known for his realism, and authentic truth displayed in his music. J. Coles and his songs No Role Model and It Won t Be long His song No Role Model focuses on†¦show more content†¦According to Scholar Maulana Karenga It means never having to turn their backs away from their blackness and truly embrace their cultural background and upbringing. Hip Hop can also be classified as a Hip Hop was a way of life, and having the freedom of expression and escape from the harsh reality of being black while havi ng to grow up in a society that seeks to dehumanize African Americans and that screams superiority. The purpose of this essay is to examine the theme of Superiority by exploring racism, classism and sexism through the eyes of contemporary artist J.Cole and lyrical legend Nas. The aggressive and emotional expression of superiority through racism in J.Cole s It Won t Be Long is demonstrated takes the time talk about his life growing up, and he burns with pain and fury to see his mother work tirelessly. Within the lyrics he acknowledges his mother and addresses all of the hardships that she had to endure while working for the white man. The primary source which provides real evidence of what once was his reality is shown in his lyrics by saying, Racism is alive, I see the disguise/ Mamma I know it hurts/ It hurts me to watch you go to work barely hanging on/ some rich man getting richer while you slaving for him. (J.Cole line 47-50) Racism is seen through J. Coles perception as being a form of oppression in the life of him and his mother. She is an African American Women who strains and struggles to make it. This serves as a pure example of racism