Let us say `Ughhh — Long live rap music'
Todd Callais
Scene music critic
When I read Andrew Jones' article two weeks ago about music at ND dances and on the radio, I was shocked and dismayed by the inconsistency of his opinions. It seems hypocritical to criticize rap while praising the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Dave Matthews Band and Phish. He stated that while he can occasionally listen to rap, we, as a campus, can not actually consider it music. He claimed that rap was only about ridiculous or unoriginal topics like prostitution, drugs or "ghetto life in general." Finally he stated that rap is overplayed at dances and that it turns us into mindless zombies flailing our bodies around to random beats and profanities put forth by rap icons.
Mr. Jones' solution — listen to solid musical groups like Dave Matthews Band and Phish — both of which he feels are great as dance music I suppose. Well if I can't be made to say ughh at a party, I am glad that I am not invited. I will respond to Jones' arguments in the short amount of space that The Observer has blessed me with.
Rap music is music, plain and simple, and this is the only point on which I am not flexible. Going back to its roots in the late `70s and early `80s, rap came about as an evolution of blues and jazz. Many struggling artists lacked the resources to buy instruments or DJ equipment so they created styles like beat box to enable them to still make music. From the laid-back grooves of Q-Tip and Mos Def to the in-your-face style of Master P and Spice 1, rap has shown a diversity and brilliance that places it alongside all other genres of music. With perfect harmony of lyrics and beats that make people want to dance and learn every word, rap has the ability to take hold of people and draw them in. Despite what Mr. Jones believes, it does not take a 15-minute guitar solo to make music good. Music is what drives people, what puts them in different moods, what makes them want to dance and celebrate. Rap is not only music, but great music to many people.
Jones next tries to point out that rap music is only about ridiculous and unoriginal topics like drugs and prostitution. Groups like Public Enemy created beats and lyrics that expressed the plight of a race that was still struggling despite efforts of the civil rights era. NWA and KRS1 gave a voice to the thousands of Americans that face police brutality while no one listens, and answers the people that think discriminations in the criminal justice system are only isolated incidents.
In the '90s, Tupac, Puff Daddy, No Limit Records, DMX, Eve, Jay-Z and many others have provided testimony of the problems and enjoyments in the lives of rappers and the people that they feel close to. Read The Source Magazine and you will find articles about rap but also about the situation in South Africa, the death penalty, Health Insurance for the underclass, and effective programs for urban renewal.
In a year of subscribing to the Phish newsletter in high school, the most interesting thing I read about was whether or not one of the members should cut his hair. Can we honestly criticize rap for its "silly" topics while promoting Phish? Consider the numerous "serious" Phish topics. This group has a ten-minute song where they endlessly repeat the name David Bowie. Another popular song is about a weasel named Fee that just wants to be free. There's yet another song where the most intelligible statement is "a picture of nectar." Can Andrew Jones criticize the misogyny, drug culture and pulsating rhythm in rap while advocating "Give it Away" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, a song that itself promotes promiscuity from a band that talks about or alludes to drug culture in half of their songs? And the drug use of groups like Phish and Dave Matthews is a matter of public record. I would say that all music has its imperfections, but no one should venture to say that rap is the least cultured form of music because it doesn't tone down its lyrics.
There is the issue of rap music being overplayed as well as Jones' request to stop hearing it (he also talks about pop and 80's music but focuses mostly on rap). Jones makes a bold statement by saying that maybe we listen to rap so much because of diversity issues on campus. This is pretty much insulting and non-sensical because it ignores the fact that many people actually like rap music. He gives no reason why the racial composition of campus would prompt us to listen to more rap. Jones speaks on our behalf by saying that although the Dave Matthews Band is overplayed, we would rather hear that at dances than rap. I, however, wholeheartedly disagree. I think Dave Matthews produces great music, but from the people I have talked to and by my own opinion, a real party would not last four songs into any "Dave" album without a large portion of people leaving the floor. Furthermore, I disagree that rap is played over half the time at any party. I would say that it is pop and random stuff like the Grease megamix, which I will unite with Andrew Jones in defeating.
Finally Jones states that Phish concerts prove that people can dance to the music, but I would point out that flailing around in a pot-induced semi-slumber is no more dancing than what people supposedly do when they hear rap music.
In conclusion, I am a fan of all the groups mentioned above and feel that you accept all musicians' flaws and brilliance. One should not point out the shortcomings of a genre they do not like while ignoring the problems with their own taste.
I close with one question. How can you enjoy dancing in a large group of people if everyone is worried about stepping on someone's Birkenstocks?
All Scene Stories for Tuesday, March 7, 2000
