Still Keepin' It Real?

“I don't want black people to be disappointed in me for putting that [message] out there... It's a complete moral dilemma." – Dave Chappelle, The Oprah Winfrey Show

Music and comedy distort our sense of reality. It’s easily arguable that this is exactly what entertainment is supposed to do, but the age-old question remains: At the root of art is truth, so what is its effect on actual life? In particular, how does art’s depiction of race affect its target demographic – us, the college community?

In comparison with America’s early history, this generation was born into a relatively equal playing field. It’s not completely even, but we’ve come a long way; views of equal value are encouraged, and equal opportunity is possible. Unfortunately, as our generation grew up – like those before us – we were informed of the facts of our past. But why do we continue to carry the burden of our ignorant history?

Simultaneously, we are confronted with conflicting images and influences from the arts and the media. For whatever reason, we start to compare ourselves and doubt our self-worth. We search for what we’re supposed to be, and unite with others who seem to be just like us on the surface.

The Music Machine

Hip-hop artists like Curtis Jackson (a.k.a. 50 Cent) provide what may be the relatable image some people are looking for. They understand the hardships some people are going through, and have managed to make a successful, appealing lifestyle – with money, women, and undefeated spirit.

For those not living with hardships, they still create a fantasy that can easily be adapted to other situations- every time they play the artists' music while getting ready to go out for the night, to a place where the music will then follow you.

In May of this year, in an interview with EURweb, Jackson explains:

“Music is a mirror, and hip hop is a reflection of the environment that we grew up in. It’s the harsh realities that end up in the music. If I ask you to paint a picture of the American flag and not use the color red, you’re gonna have a difficult time. To capture what we try to capture in the art form, I’m sure some conservative Americans can’t [identify] with it because of their lifestyle and the way they’ve actually been brought up, and they haven’t been exposed to those realities.”

But what is his goal; why wouldn’t he want social improvement?

The continuous misrepresentation of an entire race is at stake. Those at a young age searching for what they should be will think this is it. This is the way to make a life. Other options are not cool. Other options are not widely accepted for me.

And what about socially conscious rappers, like Common and Mos Def? Is their view of life really less appealing? In a letter to Curtis Jackson, hip-hop mogul Master P. admitted that he was once part of the problem, but that he saw it was time for a change.

Originally, racial-oriented music was used as an uplifting tool. Think of the great works of the early jazz and blues artists. They were telling of their hardships, but were also trying to inspire and rise above. “A man…He wants a chance to give his kids a better life, Well hello brother, hello,” sung Louis Armstrong. The rappers of today are purely exploiting the situation.

Rutgers student Vince Bruno notes, “The businessmen are savvy…It's revolting how they could be so selfish as to prevent their own race's advancement in the wake of their greed.”

Bruno has also created a Facebook group “Students Against Racist Groups.”

“Thankfully, there are people who are intelligent enough to say, ‘Listen, this isn't what my race values’,” he says.