Critique #4: We're Not Role Models

This chapter defends hip hop artists with the fact that the youth should be influenced elsewhere, such as by parents. Music shouldn't hold such a large impact in their lives and they should learn to be entertained by the music and maybe even moved, but to shouldn't affect their daily lives or actions. Artists should not be looked at as role models just because they have become famous and grabbed media attention. Some have started as rebels and they use their music to express themselves. This outlet of expression is what gave them fame, so by no means does it make them role models. A role model is a reference for others of the same social group, and although some believe hip hop artists fit this description, the media-saturated and market-driven hip hop that has developed alters the classification of a hip hop artist being a role model. Parents are the main cause of how a child turns out. Artists rap about negative aspects of life, drugs, and violence but they are usually accompanied by the common theme of not having a father, having a careless mother, or other parental related issues. Again, music is their outlet of expression, and for parents to blame the behavior of their kids on the music they are not listening to the actual message of the lyrics. These kids that are growing up to mimic the music they listen to are not getting the proper guidance from their parents and then looking elsewhere for it. The hip hop defenders are not underestimated the time and work it takes to be a parent, but the artists should not get the blame.

Critique #3: Hip Hop Hurts Black People

This chapter claims that there are many arguments made against hip hop, such as it fuels a self-destructive attitude amongst the youth, it promotes violence, and it degrades black women. But the strong argument that it hurts black people is claimed by other blacks. They also claim that hip hop as it was once known is dead. The promotion of drugs, gang activity, abuse, and homophobia is thrown onto the listeners and is not helping anybody. Three majors issues os hip hop listed in this chapter are "1) unfair generalization made through sweeping claims and over blaming; 2) the tone of disdain and disregard that is smuggled in under 'outrage' and gets misunderstood and tough love; and 3) what's left out...the absence of collective responsibility for what's happened to hip hop and the silence among many critics about structural racism and its heightened impact on the black poor." This chapter emphasizes the destruction of rap and hip hop music because it devalues education for the youth. Even the best learning environments will not do much for a young black child if he is listening to destructive music.

Imitation #7 (2010/2011): Lupe Fiasco, Words I Never Said

I think that all the silence is worse than all the violence

Fear is such a weak emotion that's why I despise it

We scared of almost everything, afraid to even tell the truth

So scared of what you think of me, I’m scared of even telling you

Sometimes I’m like the only person I feel safe to tell it to

I’m locked inside a cell in me, I know that there’s a jail in you

Consider this your bailing out, so take a breath, inhale a few

My screams is finally getting free, my thoughts is finally yelling through

In this song, Lupe is speaking of governmental and global issues including 9/11 and the War On Terror. It is about violence and the lack of speaking out against what is wrong. He is speaking for those who are against government actions and want to stand up for the people. This piece is a critique directed at bystanders who don't do anything to stop what the American government is doing. The first line uses an internal rhyme. Lines 3-8 include slant rhymes, identical rhyme, and end rhyme. He uses figurative meaning when stating "I'm locked inside a cell in me, I know that there's a jail in you." "Fear us such a weak emotion" could be looked at as personification because an emotion cannot be weak itself.