Neglected Responsibility in Hip-Hop

With the exceptions of Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey, the African-American community's most influential men and women are those of hip-hop stardom. Although there are more successful and powerful African-Americans than I can mention, selecting those who have the most influence in the community undoubtedly includes hip-hop artists. For example, if you give any young, Black individual the option of quoting either Lil' Wayne or Cornell West (not Kanye), the results are discouraging. Furthermore, if you give any young, White person that option, the results will be the same.

The two recognizable problems are misused influence of one's own community, or a kind of miseducation, and the misrepresentation of one's own community.

Typically, hip-hop artists are neglecting their responsibility: to inspire and represent the community, positively.

You may ask, when did Hip-Hop begin to hold so much significance in Black America? Let's take it back to the political Hip-Hop of the 80's amd 90's. Political and conscious hip-hop songs were hits with Blacks. Artists such as Public Enemy, Tupac Shakur, Talib Kweli, and Common are all responsible for socially conscious lyrics in hit songs. Currently, we have Lupe Fiasco and B.O.B keeping it mostly positive.

Gone are the days when consciousness dominated our radio airwaves. It has been replaced by the comedic and superficial hits of today. As long as we're consuming it, it is what will be produced. We're getting exactly what we are asking for, not what we need. However, the blame does not lie solely with the consumer. Today's hip-hop artists are aware of what the Black community needs, but are not providing the positive messages to uplift the people. When will we hold them and ourselves accountable?

Francisco-Luis White, Editor

Francisco-Luis White is a writer and spoken-word artist, who has performed at many events and venues, including Pride Charlotte and Organix Soul. White attends Springfield Technical Community College, where he is a Liberal Arts student, concentrating in Literature. He resides in Western Massachusetts.