Coyote Watch: students address the hip-hop industry

By Britney Vargas |Staff Writer|

Rappers from 2 Chainz to Lil Wayne continue to be among the most successful rappers in the industry, not only because of their music, but by the image they present themselves in their lyrics.

Are these main stream rappers real life examples of what they rap about?

There are many underground rappers who rap for actual causes, and write to uplift instead of writing to victimize.

Rappers such as A$AP ROCKY promote these gender insensitive lyrics that prove that these demeaning songs tend to be the most popular on the radio, until the next well known artist creates another big hit.

I gathered four students and asked them what they thought about this issue of hip-hop lyricism in the main stream media.

Has our music loving society begun to correlate top charting music with demeaning gender
insensitive lyrics?

“It is all stereotypical, most artist are all about having women, money and status. They choose to talk about women as a trophy instead of talking about them in a positive light. The same goes for women in hip hop, they feel they have to live up to the men and prove their right as musicians by singing the same lyrics. They should stick to what they know as women, its a joke.” Sashay Brooks, Junior

“I feel its not needed in the music. I’m a huge music fan, especially hip-hop and I really think we can live with out the negative lyrics and still enjoy the strong beats, good flow of the songs. I’m always looking out for strong beats and good flow when I listen to hip-hop. The over the top demeaning tone of women in songs isn’t necessary for good music. That’s just what sells and that what some people want to hear, that’s just what our culture wants out of their music and rappers will give it to them. I’m not saying i condone everything that said, but its all business at the end of the day.” Brandon Williams, Junior

“I personally like all types of music, including hip hop. It is unfortunate that the lyrics are aggressively geared towards the opposite sex, but that’s what sells in the industry. Some probably are the singers real feelings, but for the most part I believe its just to make some money. I don’t at all agree with what is being said within the songs, but that’s what is going to make music popular.” Jonathan Herrera, Junior

“I love hip hop, but I think some of it is demeaning toward both male and female. A lot of people think that hip hip lyrics only bring down women, but its both genders. Misogyny exist in hip hop, the hip hop genre exploits, objectifies, and promotes derogatory terms and violence toward women. Sometimes I listen to songs and think ‘wow, this is not right’. The hip hop culture sets the path for our young black men, It labels men as pimps and gangsters who are seen to be after only money, but its just not always the case.” Iviana-kia Ridgeway, Senior