Though the group was heavily criticized for glamorizing drugs, gang violence, and attacks on law enforcement. I appreciate the unique viewpoint that I wouldn't otherwise have had access to in a song like Fuck The Police. A song that at it's heart is about the racial profiling that was carried out by the LAPD during that era. An issue that was largely ignored by the greater population at the time. Keep in mind the song was released not long before the 1992 LA riots took place. Another artist that I respect, though obviously don't share the same viewpoints with is Gil Scott-Heron. The man had family ties to the Black Panthers and his early work has a very blatant anti-white tone in works like Comment #1 or Whitey on the Moon. The works come from the perspective of black poverty in an era where equality still had to be fought hard for. We live in an era where political and protest songs are looked down upon by a populace that wants to pretend everything is all hunky-dory, and shunned by an industry that is afraid of controversy and upsetting the apple cart. But these songs bred in poverty give us insight into important issues the lay beneath the mass media surface. It's to bad we never take them seriously until after an important and often violent event takes place.
I'm not familiar with Scott-Heron, but was a big fan of NWA. Growing up heavily influenced by the LA punk and hardcore scene, they fit right in with that in my opinion, although there were some racist hard core fans who were not so quick to notice that congruence. I don't think they were as polished as some other rap groups, but agree that the message was important and well focused.
Gil Scott-Heron had an interesting mix jazz, blues, and funk that was heavily influenced by his poetry days. I wasn't aware of him until sometime last year when I heard Home is Where the Hatred Is performed by Esther Phillips. I looked up the song found it was a cover of his. I dug a bit more into his catalog and found some other great songs like The Bottle, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, and Lady Day and John Coltrane. Definitely worth a listen if you're into that area of music. I firmly believe the greatest music tends to come from either a life of poverty or otherwise living on the social fringes. They seem to offer us something that the mainstream are unable to genuinely convey.
This is often true of good art. The artist has to see something the rest of us don't. Suffering in some way is a common path toward such creative vision. Those of us who are comfortable are less driven to question what is in front of us, or look for what is beyond.
First take on Scott-Heron: love the music, both in composition and instrumentation; not so enamored of his singing style, though. I'll probably listen to some more of it, though, see where it takes me.
I'm not up on music right now, much less hip-hop, but when I do listen Blackalicious has been my go-to for years. Recently started listening to Brother Ali. Yes, I am obviously white.
One of the more interesting responses I've heard to the US election is an expectation of some really good punk rock over the next few years.
Absolutely. Some of my friends still active in that scene are pretty thrilled by the creative possibilities. There will be anger, there will be humor, there will be poignant shit. And yeah, there will be some NAZI hardcore, too.
yup... we've actually noticed boots and braces making a reappearance here, coinciding with white nationalist handbills littering some areas of town. There's a legendary enmity between racist skins and TOHC, especially for those of us from BAB/BFG, so a bit of nostalgia mixed with anticipation of young assholes wanting to take on their dad's old adversaries.
Granted it's Canada, so not much beating eat other to death or fatally shooting each other like the musical conflicts in the US. It's violence "lite" so to speak.
heh-a lot less shooting, not so sure about the beatings though. sure, it wasn't an east/west coast rap beef, but allegiances across the country were often relevant.
Well, as far as rap/hip-hop music goes, there are definitely more talented artists than NWA. But in terms of impact on mainstream culture, not too many others come close.
