The Black Voice

The growth of rap music coincided with a lot of other social phenomena, specifically the new awareness about HIV/AIDS, the rapid decline of urban neighborhoods, fueled in large part by what many referred to as the “crack epidemic” and the coinciding increase in gang presence and gang violence. During the Ronald Reagan administration and the beginning of the “War on Drugs” lots of media attention, congressional and senatorial debates were devoted to stamping out the perceived epidemic and all those things that contributed to it. Naturally, Hip-Hop culture and Rap music were the focus for a lot of the blame being dealt at this time. Many of those outside the communities to which Rap music appealed thought that this new type of music was a negative force towards promoting violence, drug use and sex among the youths. In 1992, the album “Body Count” that contained the most controversial rap song “Cop Killer” was released by Warner Bros. Records. This song promoted a lot of debates on freedom of speech. Many believe the lyrics in this song played a major role in the 1992 South Central Los Angeles riot.

The irony is that Hip-hop was and continues to be criticized for many of the same reasons rock music was criticized. People say Hip-hop music is too graphic, exploring in vivid detail a life of drugs, promiscuous sex, and brutal violence. Many people, parents especially, believe the messages these songs send to children are corruptive and demoralizing. These people have gone to great lengths to silence, and sometimes, even ban the music, using legal and sometimes furtive tactics. But what these people do not release is that Hip-Hop is not type of music, it is a culture. It is a culture full of positive elements. It is a way where black young men and women could speak out, entertain, and educate the world. Before the 1980’s most rap music contained light-hearted lyrics. Most of these songs were about people having a “good time” and “enjoying themselves”. It was not until when rap music started attracting larger audiences that rappers began writing socially conscious lyrics, addressing ghetto conditions, and economic inequalities. A 1981 song, “The Message,” by rap group “Public Enemy” marked the advent of political rap, which grew into a very popular way in which African-Americans could express themselves, and their political voice. In a talk-show discussion, rap activist Harry Allen argued that “black people are attempting to compensate for their lack of power under white supremacy, and it comes out in our art, it comes out in our music. They’re trying to make up for what’s missing. What’s missing is order. What’s missing is power.”