| The critics have already jumped at the opportunity to voice
their opinion on the so called violent messages given to the public by
the genre of rap music. The media, whose main objective is to move newspapers,
have capitalized on the sensationalism of th e East coast-West coast dispute.
Intertwined within the revelry is the Bad Boy Entertainment-Death Row struggle.
When all these elements are boiled down, you're left with Tupac Shakur,
gunned down on September 13, 1996 (Friday the 13th no less) verses B iggie
Smalls.
The word alleged is the scapegoat for sensational journalism and true
to form the press has taken full advantage of this seven letter get out
of jail free pass. When they sit at their computer stations, struggling
for that perfect lead, they mull over al l the controversies of the situation.
Many, not well versed in the rap game, go directly for the Tupac/Biggie
angle despite any concrete conformation. Copy Editors at the New York Post
displayed their ignorance of the rap industry. An article appearing in
the Tuesday March 11 edition of the paper, written by Mary Huhn, titled
Biggie's sophomore effort "Life and Death," rather than the correct "Life
after Death".
Back to the term repercussions. Record companies will not escape
the situation without criticism. With their bottom line mentality, they
have been accused of capitalizing on the rap wars for profit.
Enter, the black leaders and politicians. Nation Of Islam Minister
Conrad Mohammed said according to the New York Daily News, "We hope the
record companies who promote and profit from black-on-black crime and negative
lyrics will help rectify the virus t hey have created."
If you're looking for radical change in the music of hip-hop,
I suggest you change your musical interest. Profits are profits. The formula
sells albums and at this time companies will continue to accommodate the
rap audience with what they obviously wan t.
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| There's principle's that can be argued and we've heard them from day
one. The poplar criticism, artists should take responsibility for their
material. The rebuttal, artists are simply narrators. This is not subliminal
messages sent over air waves. If you play the CD backwards you will not
be hit with a smoke weed and "hustle" for survival command. The Notorious
one told stories, he was not Hitler.
Another argument, a company might be reluctant to sign a gangster
artist because of the potential for controversy. The answer, NWA were radicals
and we still experienced Tupac Shakur, nuff said. Companies see dollars
and cents. Trends will continue unt il the public cries out, "This shit
is wack." With Tupac's untimely passing, Notorious B.I.G. was arguably
rap's biggest attraction. The rap game, without Bad Boy's main chess piece,
leaves the industry without its top "Flosser". Although the Fugees, Nas
and several other platinum artists have show n they have the ability to
move albums in volumes, they lack the pizzazz that Biggie brought to the
stage.
This is not to say that the music is dead by any means of the
imagination. There's a lot of money involved in the game of rap which coincides
with the increase popularity the music. Yes, criticism will come, but Rock
and Roll went through it and survive d. After Tupac's death, the music
continued, it will do the same after Biggie's passing.
Biggie said, "When I die, fuck it I want to go to hell. Two children
later and enough "cake" to escape the struggle, you get the feeling that
his views might have changed. The picture is clear as day. This comical
"Willy" is sitting on a throne like ch air up in Heaven awaiting the release
of "Life After Death". Don't get it twisted! |
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