My Love Hate Relationship with Hip Hop. For me, Hip Hop music has always been the elephant in the room. I hardly listen to it, or follow any Hip Hop artists regularly. The knee-jerk reaction would be to label me ancient, stuck up, or worse still, a “hater.” Nothing is further from the truth. I am appreciative of the overwhelming influence of Hip Hop. I am not decrepit either, as I was a just out of my teens when it started becoming mainstream.
Thapson
So why does Hip Hop not hold a prominent place in my music collection and conscious thoughts? I want to let you in on a secret. I actually do enjoy some Hip Hop! Okay, it was a long time ago, when I was younger. Was it just a passing fad? Actually no.
The Origins of Rap and Hip Hop
My interest in Hip Hop was actually very real and I enjoyed some artists. But it never played a prominent part of my playlist. Now why is that?
Hip Hop music first came in my radar in the early 80s. I don’t remember where or when, but I remember it was an African American phenomenon. Primarily out of the inner cities of the United States.
This population group used poetry and song to give vent to their frustration aka “rapping.” Rapping, with its roots in African poetry and song involved fast talking in prose. Elements of it were used in the early Rhythm and Blues, and Jazz. But Rapping on its own is likely the purest form of original African music. An urban phenomenon, it came to the fore in the 70s.
My Intro to Rap and Hip Hop
So, for me the earliest form of Rap and Hip Hop appeared on the radar in the early 80s. It was basically music I couldn’t identify with. At the time, I had no idea why I couldn’t identify with it, just that it was furthest from the music I was used to. I lived in Africa, but this was like no African music I knew.
In my early teens, with strict parents, any music had to pass by their censors. I knew Rap with it’s “in your face” attitude would not cut it for them. So I caught it on the radio occasionally or if someone played it on their boom box.
As I said, it was still not “my kind” of music. But there were some early artists who I do remember, whose music I remember liking all the same. Let’s check them out.
Whodini
“Whodini” is among the groups that brought Hip Hop music to the mainstream commercial realm. In doing so, they made it appealing for the likes of me.
Somebody in the dorm had the cassette tape. One day I stopped outside his room and couldn’t help appreciating the beat and found myself bobbing my head with the music. The guy was as “WASP” as they come and he looked at me and smiled like I was completely into it. I pretended I was, and to be honest, it wasn’t bad at all!
The tape in question was their second album “Escape” from 1984. Let’s check out the tracks that caught my ear. Classic 80s style Hip Hop.
“The Freaks Come Out at Night”
Whodini – Topic / YouTube
”We Are Whodini”
WhodiniVEVO / YouTube
There were other Hip Hop artists, but I let them find me instead seeking them out. Because I was still not a Hip Hop guy.
And here are some of the ones that “found me.”
Tone Loc
With his raspy voice, catchy lyrics, and cool music videos, who could resist his music? I definitely couldn’t. What caught my attention to “Wild Thing” was the music video. One would be crazy not to notice the hilarious take on Robert Palmer music videos of the period.
Delicious Vinyl / YouTube
And he followed it up with another favorite for me in “Funky Cold Medina.” The fact that Tone Loc was played on the Top 40 radio stations, was proof that Hip Hop had was definitely mainstream.
Ryder276 / YouTube
Digital Underground
This was another alternative Hip Hop group that came on my radar with their outrageous lead “Shock-G,” who died in 2021. I had to overlook my distaste for explicit lyrics to appreciate their otherwise humorously creative stuff. A prime example being “The Humpty Dance.”
Tommy Boy / YouTube
Wreckx-n-Effect
I did not know this group by name, but loved their super hit “Rump Shaker” to the max. Such a fun song, this became one of my favorite Hip Hop songs. Love the uplifting beat that immediately brightens up your day.
The Get Down Records / YouTube
TLC
Then we have some cool women Hip Hop artists too. Here’s a monster hit which found me appreciating it for its catchy beat. TLC’s “Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg” are fun to brighten up any party, as long as you can get over the lyrics.
TLC / YouTube
Ice Cube
That was the light side of Hip Hop. Let’s check out this serious offering from Ice Cube. One of my all-time favorites. The lyrics are telling, and the music video captures the theme wonderfully. From 1993, it’s “It Was a Good Day.” Beautiful all round production!
Ice Cube / Cubevision / YouTube
Actually, I’m surprised as to how Hip Hop actually won me over back in time. These are only some of the many I can remember. I probably need another post appreciating the tons of other Hip Hop artists I’ve left out here.
So why do I claim to not like Hip Hop, when it seems I likely do?
Why Do I Think I Don’t Like Hip Hop?
So, why does Hip Hop / Rap not form a major part of my music collection is a question that has nagged me for decades. The answer lies in what I suspect as fake appreciation for the genre.
There are instances on shows when a Rap artist comes on stage, and I’m surprised at what I witness. People who I am sure never listen to Hip Hop getting up and waving their arms around and bobbing like they listen to it all the time! They don’t fit the age, artistic, or ethnic demographic that loves Hip Hop. Their appreciation is respectful, but feels motivated by political correctness.
They don’t seem to have any of what it takes s to truly appreciate this genre of music.
I Don’t Have What it Takes Either, But …
I’m a nerdy kind of guy without any true angst. Okay, there is some, but never enough to break out into rap and “get down” with it. While my folks weren’t rich, I was never left for wanting either. I’m not privileged, nor entitled, and have my helping of bad luck. I don’t have any generational wealth, and while my ethnic background has been subject to hate, I’ve let it slide.
The African American population have had it far worse, and hence it’s only natural for Hip Hop and Rap as the perfect medium to give vent to their feeling of angst.
Hip Hop Is More Varied
As an art form, Hip Hop / Rap has grown far beyond the confines of its ethnic background, and cultural roots to a much more diverse population mix, and commercial environment. That’s where my love for Hip Hop / Rap comes in. I appreciate it for speaking to me on some levels, while failing to appreciate the element of anger in it.
Hip Hop is so varied, and sophisticated on some levels, I can’t but love it. Hence my Love and Hate relationship with it. Okay “hate” is too extreme a term, but “indifferent” would be far worse. Hip Hop and Rap: a genre of music that’s moved from American inner cities to a worldwide following around the world. We’ll visit some more of my favorites another time. Feel free to share your comments.
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