Ernad Beganovic
ENGL 1301
Has The Prevalence of Racism Decreased Because of Rap Music?
Rap, as defined in the modern era, began as “Proto-Rap” in the mid-1970s and originated from the east coast of the United States, specifically Manhattan. Its development was heavily influenced by spoken word jazz poetry as well as the Jamaican method of “toasting”, which is a term for talking or chanting over a rhythm or beat. The genre evolved to “Old School Rap”, which was identified by the genre’s simple and easily understood raps, to eventually reaching the “Golden Age”, where the lyricism went through a substantial and evolutionary transition. With Rap’s African American origins, the dilemma of Racism has always been a controversy throughout the genre’s …show more content…
During the late 20th century, as the Civil Rights movement was beginning to effectively provide equality to the African American population, there was still a sense of dehumanization as the general population slowly transitioned towards the equity the movement fought for. Violence and crime was still at a high in the much more poverty stricken African American communities because of the degradation still experienced. Even in the modern era of the Rap genre, the poor African American populations seek to escape troubles brought along with racial injustice, division, and indifference. With an increase in Rap’s general significance, events involved in and around the genre were able to develop larger connections within the community as well as provide a sense of union for those outside of the community that began to enjoy the genre itself. The deaths of both Tupac and Biggie, arguably two of rap’s most iconic artists, grouped the genre’s fanatics from all over the world to grieve together. The gruesome murder of both rappers brought to light the overlooked difficulties in the African American community and highlighted the importance of expression on a much larger scale for each individual person. Individuals were able to relate to the music of such mainstream artists, developing an indirect bond that motivated such individuals to attempt to create a similar impact within the community. With this said, the audience that the genre was able to reach was so diverse, a racial divide was slowly becoming forgotten and the prevalence of crime and violence was declining due to the genre being a motivator for the somewhat neglected black
ENGL 1301
Has The Prevalence of Racism Decreased Because of Rap Music?
Rap, as defined in the modern era, began as “Proto-Rap” in the mid-1970s and originated from the east coast of the United States, specifically Manhattan. Its development was heavily influenced by spoken word jazz poetry as well as the Jamaican method of “toasting”, which is a term for talking or chanting over a rhythm or beat. The genre evolved to “Old School Rap”, which was identified by the genre’s simple and easily understood raps, to eventually reaching the “Golden Age”, where the lyricism went through a substantial and evolutionary transition. With Rap’s African American origins, the dilemma of Racism has always been a controversy throughout the genre’s …show more content…
During the late 20th century, as the Civil Rights movement was beginning to effectively provide equality to the African American population, there was still a sense of dehumanization as the general population slowly transitioned towards the equity the movement fought for. Violence and crime was still at a high in the much more poverty stricken African American communities because of the degradation still experienced. Even in the modern era of the Rap genre, the poor African American populations seek to escape troubles brought along with racial injustice, division, and indifference. With an increase in Rap’s general significance, events involved in and around the genre were able to develop larger connections within the community as well as provide a sense of union for those outside of the community that began to enjoy the genre itself. The deaths of both Tupac and Biggie, arguably two of rap’s most iconic artists, grouped the genre’s fanatics from all over the world to grieve together. The gruesome murder of both rappers brought to light the overlooked difficulties in the African American community and highlighted the importance of expression on a much larger scale for each individual person. Individuals were able to relate to the music of such mainstream artists, developing an indirect bond that motivated such individuals to attempt to create a similar impact within the community. With this said, the audience that the genre was able to reach was so diverse, a racial divide was slowly becoming forgotten and the prevalence of crime and violence was declining due to the genre being a motivator for the somewhat neglected black