ENGL 1101 - Fall 2020 - Hip-Hop Reader - PEASE

Cailee Odak

Dr. Aron Pease

English 1101

18 September 2020   

Trapped

  One of the most influential rappers of the 90's, Tupac rapped about systematic opression of blacks, police brutality and issues faced by minorities on the daily. "Trapped" is the solo debut that shed light on society's entrapment of African-americans and the police brutality that seemed inescapable. The video begins with Tupac in prison stating "You know they got me trapped in this prison of seclusion, happiness, living on the streets is a delusion". From this statement, he is negating any idea that paints the "thug life" in a glamorous aspect, as gang violence was high during the time of the song. Seconds later, it cuts to men outside, suddenly they drop all their belongings and run as someone yells "police". Although the police were just driving by, such a fear has been enstilled within them, causing them to automatically fear the worst. Tupac continues to state he's "trapped", which I feel like has two differnent meanings. Trapped in where he was brought up, the streets, as well as trapped in his own skin color. In the song he states, "can barley walk the city streets without a cop harassing me, searching me, then askin' me my identity".

   The video continuously transitions between 2pac being in jail, then life outside of jail, police constantly where they are. This goes to prove that life outside of prison, their "freedom" is still compromised by police brutality. Regardless of this being the case, we see that it is black and white in the jail scenes, then transitions back to color. This is to show the colorless, dull life it is when locked up vs the bright colors representing having your freedom. 

    This video serves as a prime example and representation of Trisha Rose "Rap Music", where she speaks on hip-hop music truly telling a story through their music. She states "Throughout the late 1980's, rap music's commercial status increased dramatically, rapper's began exploring themes with greater intertextual references and complexity, and hip-hop crews from urban ghettos in several major cities began telling stories that spoke of the specifics of life" (8). Through his music, the rapper created a story that shed light on the great amount of prejudice that surrounds communities of minorities in America. Trisha Rose also speaks on grafitti as an especially agressive display of counterpresence and voice. Throughout the music video, and as we see in the picture below,  grafitti is extremly evident and serves as a representation of atristic expression and voice. "Each asserted the right to write- to inscribe one's identity on an enviorment that seemed Teflon resistant to its young people of color..."(9) Through this, the rapper is expressing his life-story, allowing the grafitti to tell a story within itself. Trisha as well states "First, themes in rap and grafitti articulated free play and unchecked pulic displays; yet the setting for these expressions always represented existing confinement". (9).  As the video continue's, we come across more grafitti, which we see allowed people to express their imaginiation, yet, as Trisha details, this form of expression was simply another underlying form of entrapment. 

 

  As the video continues, we see an increase of the repetition of the word "Trapped", as the photo below depicts, he's in prision trying to convey through the phone to various people on opposite ends that he's essentially confined in this lifestyle. Rapper's will make use of repitition to enstill an idea or theme into listeners, as repetition stirs all three zones of memory at once. As he attempts to portray this message, he begins to state "then I said I had enough, there must be another way route, way out to money and fame, I changed my name and played a different game, tired of being trapped in this vicious cycle." Despite the life he was born into, the harsh reality he was surrounded by, he saw light in the darkness. Realizing he could do better for himself, he began to pursue his dreams and escape the lifestyle he was living. This relates back to the idea of rapper's telling a story through their lyrics, as he finishes out his story with resolution. With a growing popularity, as well as many others facing the exact hardship he did, the rapper did not fail to show there was light in the dark, there was a way out. 

   After listening and comprehending the song "Trapped", I truly felt as if I was being taken through the streets with him, as he posessed such a strong power of conveying a message. The rapper poetically painted a picture of social inequality, racism, and police brutality, a lifestyle he was born into, yet rose above. Through this incredible message and use of real-life sitauations faced, we as an audiance were able to truly connect and comprehend this theme, regardless of if we can personally relate. 

 

 

Cailee Odak

 

"Gangsta's Paradise" By Coolio

     Ranked one of the best Hip-Hop songs of all time, "Gangsta's Paradise" is Coolio's most successful single of 1995. Focused on violent and criminal behavior, we receive an insight on the mental processes of a representative street gangsta. However, "Gangsta's Paradise" may well be interpreted in a sarcastic manner, as Coolio depicts the hood life as everything but glamorous. Coolio attempts to convey his lesson- the gangster life is not a path to go down through personal thuggish life experiences."Gangsta's Paradise" illustrates the lifestyle men living on the streets aim to possess, and this is done through the use of figurative language.

 

      Coolio depicts his life as a path he is on, constantly bearing evil. He begins comparing streets he is home to through the use of a biblical allusion. He states,"As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death" (Line 1) . Psalm 23 is referenced, representing evil on one's "walk" of faith, and that this shall not be feared with the Lord's protection. It’s all in the name, as Coolio makes use of the recurring lyric and antithetical title “Gangsta's Paradise”, as “paradise” is the ghetto streets only a gangster would see as desirable. The rapper continues the pattern that his life is a path he is "walking", furthering the use of allusions, stating "and watch where ya walkin'...your homies might be lined in chalk". This references the line police draw around a murdered victim, further disregarding the predisposition of this lifestyle as a desired path to be on. 

    

     “Gangsta’s Paradise” represents social class as an aspect of identity, thus the lyrics focusing on the difficulties associated with this social class. Coolio recognises the pattern of youth looking up gangsters, aspiring to succeed in this lifestyle. Coolio states “I'm the kind of G that little homies wanna be like '' Likewise, there are few street gangster’s that have seen fame and success, such as Coolio, that inspired this trend for aspiration of criminal ways. However, this lifestyle isn't as glamorous as made out to be, as Coolio states “on my knees in the night saying' prayers in the street light”. Held at gunpoint, begging for his life- the price to pay that comes with this identity. The rapper makes use of situational irony through these two statements- when he truth contradicts an expected outcome. The unexpected twist comes with the ironic realization that for Coolio to maintain this life of money and fame, it is at the expense of his wellbeing and safety- attempting to enlighten the younger generation of. 

 

   The streets are all the rapper has ever known, thus furthering the idea he is unable to escape it. He expressed this stating, "Look at the situation they got me facing' I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the streets". (Line 17-18). This is a personification, as "the streets'' are not capable of raising and caring for a child. Coolio wants his message across that this lifestyle isn't one to choose if given the option, as he didn't pick this way of life, he was forced into it, proving to be deadly to escape. Being born into this lifestyle, he is accustomed to recklessness and seen as out of his mind. This is conveyed through the hyperbole, "That even my mama thinks my mind is gone" (Line 4). Exaggerating on his bad judgement, seen as no longer sane. The rapper recognises the pattern he is accustomed to, a habit he is unable to break.

 

      The rapper attempts to convey that death is seemingly around the corner. As he uses the personification, "Death ain't nothing but a heartbeat away" (Line 25), comparing death to a quick heartbeat. The gangster's life has threatened his well being, it has led him to unknowingly get caught up in danger that was risking his life. Though murder and death is in the nature of his situation, the rapper faced pittiful self-awareness. He states "As the croak, I see myself in the pistol smoke". As They Croak, referring to the summoning of death on someone. He uses this resemblance of himself in the pistol smoke, as a metaphor for an agonizing consciousness as a killer. Once accustomed to the dangerous game, you rarely have a way out, regardless of if this is what you desire.

 

      In conclusion, "Gangsta's Paradise" is the single debut that depicts the so-called glamorous lifestyle, as the ghetto, repulsive life it truly is. Life in the streets led rapper Coolio, as well as many others down an evil path that proved inescapable. Born into a life of crime, the rapper attempts to defer youth from this reality, as well as breakfree from his own chains. Through the use of figurative language, the rapper paints a mental picture of his own experience, bringing this reality to life.

Shawn Corey Carter a.k.a. "Jay-Z"  who was born on December 4, 1969 in Brooklyn, Ny, and Tupac Amaru Shakur a.k.a "2Pac", who was born on June 16,1971 in East Halrem, NY, are two male rappers that hold many differences, as well as similarities. Both rapper's are similar in the ways they grew up, and the lifestyle they both lived. Both rapper's grew up in New york, however different parts. Jay-Z was raised in a housing project in Brooklyn, NY, remembering always the danger he was exposed to. Tupac as well was constantly in and out of different shelters, untill the poetic rapper and his family moved to Baltimore where he enrolled in a prestigious school. Both rapper's are said to have grown up with a love of music from a very young age, using music as an escape of the situations they faced. Tupac used his lyrical skills and became a master storyteller. The rapper was known for his ability to communicate what was going on around him, making you feel like you were there seeing what he was seeing. 2Pac told stories that haden't been heard of, what life was like as a ghetto young black male. Likewise, rapper Jay-Z used his autobiographical songs to detail the rough adolecense he faced. Just as 2Pac did, Jay-Z turned to rap at a young age as an escape for the drug-infested, violent life that followed them. 2Pac is very well known for his respect of women, while Jay-Z has received backlash for some degrading lyrics that deal with women. The two rappers ended up in a fued over joining forces with different rappers on a collaboration. Both heavily dissed each other on many occasions, including diss tracks. The fued ended with the death of Tupac on September 13, 1996, as Jay-Z did not release his diss track out of respect.

 

 

 

  Compare and Contrast Pt.2

 

The nature of degradation and objectification of women in rap songs has skyrocketed. This issue is far dominat through the form of rap music, and we mainly see this intended to women through male rapper's.  The issue of degrading and slut-shaming of women through the use of rap lyrics is a problem that dates far back.  As a society, we have normalized this issue to a extent that rapper's are flourishing from this type of content being rapped about. Rapper Drake may be reffered to as one of the greatest of all time, as his popularity continues to rise ad flourish. However, the content he raps about has gone from a loving, relationship standpoint, to rapping about women's bodies as well as his many sexual encounters. In his hit song "Hotline Bling", the lyrics "Cause ever since I left the city you, you started wearing less and goin out more... Used to stay at home be a good girl" The message being delivered is that if the rapper lacks control over the women and her choices, as a result, she will degrade her own self.    Similarly, rapper 6ix9ine follows the same misogynic and degrading mannor in his music.   The rapper's hit song "Gummo" is a fair representation of the glorification of this specific behavior. He states "Your girl on my phone/ she wanna fuck but....I only want the jaw/ thats really all I use her for as I kick her out the door"  This clearly  follows the pattern of sexualizing women and portraying them as some sort of toy open for use. This drills the idea that women are to be avaliable, and willingly giving themselves up. As we can see, is has become an acceptable norm for rapper's to act as if they're entitled to aspects women may have to offer. 

 

 

  The issue of the oversexualization and objectification of women is something we see in various forms of media- TV, the internet, as well as movies. However, this issue is far dominat through the form of rap music, and we mainly see this intended to women through male rapper's.  The issue of degrading and slut-shaming of women through the use of rap lyrics is a problem that dates far back. We mainly see this issue coming from rapper's sexualizing women's bodies, and what they believe women can offer. As a society, we have normalized this issue to a extent that rapper's are flourishing from this type of content being rapped about. This issue has aggravated in these past years, as men are being taught that women are objects here to please men. We constantly see males refering to females with immensly degrading names, such as "whore", "hoe", "slut", the list goes on, furthering the idea that men are entitiled to all aspects of a women they please. 

 

    Often reffered to as "Champagne Papi", the rapper Drake may be reffered to as one of the greatest of all time, as his popularity continues to rise ad flourish. However, the content he raps about has gone from a loving, relationship standpoint, to rapping about women's bodies as well as his many sexual encounters. The rapper has been more recently known for boasting lyrics that claim he is entitled to all aspects of women, as well as much degrading content. In his hit song "Marvin's Room", the rapper details his stray relationship with a former lover, and his obsession with all aspects of her current life. He states "Fuck that n*gga that you love so bad", and "Im just sayin' you could do better... and I'll start hatin" The rapper continues on how he has rang her phone continuously, promoting behavior that is considered stalking. From this song and these specific lyrics, the rapper is assuming he is forever entitled to all of her, and that she is the object of his affection. Songs such as these carry intention to promote romantic obsession, as well as posession of women, and we have allowed this to fall under normalcy. SImilarly, Drake's follows with the continues with lyrics that promote obsession and degradation of females. In his hit song "Hotline Bling", the lyrics "Cause ever since I left the city you, you started wearing less and goin out more... Used to stay at home be a good girl" The message being delivered is that if the rapper lacks control over the women and her choices, as a result, she will degrade her own self. The rapper continues with "...gettin' nasty for someone else...you dont need nobody else...right now you're someone else" The rapper is unable to break his obsession of what his former lover is doing without him, and stresses the fact that all she needs is him. The rapper claims he doesn't recognize this women, entailing she is some sort of product he has created. Not only does this talk down upon on females, this enforces that we as women are dependant on males.

 

     Similarly, rapper 6ix9ine follows the same misogynic and degrading mannor in his music.  Convicted sex criminal Tekashi 6ix9ine is notorious for slut-shaming and sexualization in all forms of women. The rapper's hit song "Gummo" is a fair representation of the glorification of this specific behavior. He states "Your girl on my phone/ she wanna fuck but....I only want the jaw/ thats really all I use her for as I kick her out the door"  This clearly  follows the pattern of sexualizing women and portraying them as some sort of toy open for use. This drills the idea that women are to be avaliable, and willingly giving themselves up. We see this behavior as well in the rapper's song with Nicki Manaj "FeFe", as he states "If she aint fuckin' me and Nicki, kick that ho right through the door"  This creates the standard that women are only valuable for what they're bodies can offer, and if this is denied, they are useless. This is furthered with the lyrics "I dont even know like "Why I hit that?"...all I know is that I just cant wife that". Carelessly taking advantage of a women's body, with no intent of pursuing anything further has become a normal. Women are expected to redily offer they're bodies, however, when done so, are deemed as unworthy. Furthermore, 6ix9ine's various songs such as "TROLLZ", "Get The Strap", and "BEBE" all follow the same form of objectificaton, women are only worthy in what they can offer for men.

 

   In conclusion, the genre of Rap has notoriously rose in popularity for all the wrong, inappropriate reasons. As we have observed so-called "Rap God's" Tekashi 6ix9ine, and Drake, we have seen firsthand the degrading of women, as well as extreme sexualization. Through continuious reinforcement that females are entitled to men, we have created a normalcy, even a desire for music in this form. Positive feedback on such negative actions has lead to women feeling as if they owe all of themselves to men, prohibiting the empowerment of women. Untill the rap music industry takes a different stand, we unfortuantly will see this trend skyrocket.

 The issue of the oversexualization and objectification of women is something we see in various forms of media- TV, the internet, as well as movies. However, this issue is far dominant through the form of rap music, and we mainly see this intended to women through male rappers, and more specifically male rappers that have recently emerged. The issue of degrading and slut-shaming of women through the use of rap lyrics is a problem that dates far back. We mainly see this issue coming from rapper's sexualizing women's bodies, and what they believe women can offer to them.  As a society, we have normalized this issue to an extent that rapper's are flourishing from this type of content being rapped about, this issue has aggravated in these past years, as men are being taught that women are objects here to please men. Today’s hit rapper’s such as Drake and 6ix9ine have gained popularity following the use of this degrading nature. On the contrary, we see rapper’s from times such as the 90’s, Tupac and Jay-Z for example, who were able to establish the same popularity, minus the use of objectifying women. In today’s time, we constantly see males referring to females with immensely degrading names, such as "whore", "hoe", "slut", the list goes on, furthering the idea that men are entitled to all aspects of a woman they please.  

 

    Often referred to as "ChampagnePapi", rapper Drake may be referred to as one of the greatest of all time, as his popularity continues to rise and flourish. However, the content he raps about has gone from a loving, relationship standpoint, to rapping about women's bodies as well as his many sexual encounters. The rapper has been more recently known for boasting lyrics that claim he is entitled to all aspects of women, as well as much degrading content. In his hit song "Marvin's Room", the rapper details his stray relationship with a former lover, and his obsession with all aspects of her current life. He states "Fuck that n*gga that you love so bad", and "I'm just sayin' you could do better... and I'll start hatin" The rapper continues on how he has rang her phone continuously, promoting behavior that is considered stalking. From this song and these specific lyrics, the rapper is assuming he is forever entitled to all of her, and that she is the object of his affection. Songs such as these carry the intention to promote romantic obsession, as well as possession of women, and we have allowed this to fall under normalcy. SImilarly, Drake's follows with the continues with lyrics that promote obsession and degradation of females. In his hit song "Hotline Bling", the lyrics "Cause ever since I left the city you, you started wearing less and going out more... Used to stay at home be a good girl" The message being delivered is that if the rapper lacks control over the women and her choices, as a result, she will degrade her own self. The rapper continues with "...gettin' nasty for someone else...you don't need nobody else...right now you're someone else'' The rapper is unable to break his obsession of what his former lover is doing without him, and stresses the fact that all she needs is him. This song is a prime example of men viewing women as objects or toys, that all parts of themselves fall under ownership of men. The rapper claims he doesn't recognize this woman, entailing she is some sort of product he has created. Not only does this talk down upon on females, this enforces that we as women are dependant on males.

 

     Similarly, rapper 6ix9ine follows the same misogynic and degrading manner in his music.  Convicted sex criminal Tekashi 6ix9ine is notorious for slut-shaming and sexualization of women in all forms. The rapper's hit song "Gummo" is a fair representation of the glorification of this specific behavior. He states "Your girl on my phone/ she wanna fuck but....I only want the jaw/ thats really all I use her for as I kick her out the door"  This clearly  follows the pattern of sexualizing women and portraying them as some sort of toy open for use. This drills the idea that women are to be available, and willingly giving themselves up. We see this behavior as well in the rapper's song with Nicki Manaj "FeFe", as he states "If she aint fuckin' me and Nicki, kick that ho right through the door"  This creates the standard that women are only valuable for what they're bodies can offer, and if this is denied, they are useless. This is furthered with the lyrics ``I don't even know like "Why I hit that?"...all I know is that I just can't wife that". Carelessly taking advantage of a woman's body, with no intent of pursuing anything further has become a normal. Women are expected to readily offer their bodies, however, when done so, are deemed as unworthy. Furthermore, 6ix9ine's various songs such as "TROLLZ", "Get The Strap '', and "BEBE" all follow the same form of objectification, women are only worthy in what they can offer for men.

 

 

       On the other hand, 90’s rappers such as Tupac and Jay-Z saw a rise in fame through taking a “story-telling” standpoint. One of the most prominent rapper’s of the 90’s, Tupac Shakur is known for telling  the stories of police brutality, oppression, entrapment, etc through his music. The rapper was born into a life of poverty, gang’s, and violence, which inspired a life of setting an example for youth based on the struggles he endured. Tupac’s solo debut “Trapped” is a prime example of the story-telling of what he faced daily. Tupac begins with "You know they got me trapped in this prison of seclusion, happiness, living on the streets is a delusion". Formerly known for his street life of the streets, the rapper attempts to negate any idea that paints the thug life as glamorous, with gang violence being at an all time high. Constantly caught up in trouble, the rapper faced himself in and out of jail, until he was able to break his entrapment. The rapper composed many songs of the same nature such as “Changes”, and “So Many Tears” which depict the only life he knew growing up. This serves as a prime example of the difference of olden day rapper’s vs upcoming rappers. Rarely would we come across the rapper making music that details women’s bodies, or sexual meaning, unlike we see today. Raised in a housing project in Brooklyn, NY, rapper Shawn Corey Carter aka “Jay Z”, was immune to the upbringing of poverty and a lifestyle of danger. Jay-Z used his autobiographical songs to detail the rough adolescence he faced, and the rapper’s hit song “Hard Knock Life” shows just this. He states “fleein’ the murder scene...I’m from the school of the hard knock’s”, and “From nightmares of my lonely cell, my only hell”. His autobiographical debut tells the story of the mistreatment he faced through his younger years, never letting his guard down. Many of the rapper’s other hits tell a lifetime of violence, prejudice, and issues faced as a minority, the same pattern we saw from Tupac’s music. It is evident the genre of rap has seen drastic change from this story-telling, to constant shaming and objectifying. 

 

   In conclusion, the genre of Rap has notoriously risen in popularity for all the wrong, inappropriate reasons. As we have observed so-called "Rap God's" Tekashi 6ix9ine, and Drake, we have seen firsthand the degrading of women, as well as extreme sexualization. On the other hand, we have dove into the life of hardship through the testimony of 90’s rappers such as Tupac Shakur and Jay-Z. We have seen an abandonment in the positive nature that has come through the music produced that was aimed to prevent future generations from this hardship. Instead of enforcing work ethic and an attitude to overcome, we have drilled the idea that women are to be degraded in the minds of men. Through continuous reinforcement that females are entitled to men, we have created a normalcy, even a desire for music in this form. Positive feedback on such negative actions has led to women feeling as if they owe all of themselves to men, prohibiting the empowerment of women. Until the rap music industry takes a different stand, we unfortunately will see this trend skyrocket.