Social Issues In Hip Hop

One of the many truths of life that exist in relation to human interaction and functionality of the aggregate of people within communities is that change is necessary. Change is is vital part of the inevitable progression that occurs within society across the world. From the United States of America to Japan, forms of social reform: a movement by the “people” whom seek to transform, the political and social ideologies of the current ruling body or majority people, in regards to those who have been marginalized by society; have been implemented to aid in the progression of society and countries. The specific weapon of choice that seems to have the world’s youth/young adult population in rhythmic revolt is Hip Hop. Hip Hop in all its elements …show more content…
It was was created to show the limitation of movements and discuss the realities of life for the black society within ghettos. In “Worker City, Company Town” written by Daniel Walkowitz notes that, “the obliteration of over 60,000 homes and city jobs which displaced 60,000 employees greatly affected the African & African Diasporic communities of the South Bronx. With issues with housing, public services, the shrinking job opportunity due to the industrializing city, caused the Artist such as Dj Herc who learned specific trades and vocational skills to develop the means for artistic defiance and ingenuity. Hip hop became a means of expression for African Americans, from teens to adults, as a way to the cope with the hardships of the living in the United States America, instead of participating in gang culture and violence. In this current era, Hip Hop is a tool for the same reasons; an outlet to battle the “issues” that marginalized people seem to face during day to day experiences. It moves the masses, connects to people locally and globally, and spurs a desire to change. Evidence of this seen in the 1989 soundtrack “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy. The context of the song’s emergence is one of race relations, similar to the previous years 1989 was undoubtedly another lengthy year in a enduring struggle for equality sought by …show more content…
The issues that Hip Hop is typically used to bring attention to or change, across countries and culture are; poverty, racial stigmas, educational means and the lack of, political corruption, police misconduct and abuse, and a balance of power and respect between those who are marginalized and the governing majority. In Senegal artist involved in Hip Hop, often incorporate, Tasu and Kebetu the art of telling stories over the numerous drum beats to aide in the discussion of political manifestation of Senegalese crime and corruption. The evolution of the social role of griots has developed so that Senegalese rappers have become standing historians and social commentators. During the year 2000 Senegalese rappers protested through songs the corruption, and violence plague which plagued the country after the election of Abdoulaye Wade. In the film “Slingshot Hip Hop” directed, edited, and produced by Jackie Salloum, unravels the role of Hip Hop in Palestine. Within the film, an allusion is made in reference to Gaza being like Nazi Holocaust. A Hip Hop artist does this to make reference to the political, social, and economic conditions that led up to Hitler’s final solution of genocide; the same conditions that current plague Palestine. Marcy Jane Knopf Newman, writer of “Hip-hop education and Palestine solidarity." makes the statement