Hip-Hop and activism have a strong connection, dating back to its use as a form expression for the African Americans, Caribbean immigrants, and Puerto Ricans in the South Bronx, who were left in a poverty-stricken ghetto after the construction of the Cross-Bronx, (Berrios-Miranda, Dudley, and Habell-Pallan, 209). These roots led the path for Hip-Hop to continue to be used as a platform, “which to voice marginalized people’s desires, opinions, and resistance to the conditions in which they found themselves,” (Gonzalez, 7). One of the players in Hip-Hop activism today is Jay-Z. From the start of his career, Jay-Z was aware of how record labels took advantage of their hip-hop stars, and instead of jumping on a record deal, he had to make it on his own. As an independent artist, he had to sell his music on his own, and make a name for himself from nothing. Considering how well he has done as an artist, as one of the first rappers to become a billionaire, Jay-Z’s tactics, talent, and drive have really paid off. Jay-Z is an alternate imaginary in every sense of the term stating, “Our ambition was never to just fit into the corporate mold, it was to take it over and remake that world in our image,” (Hogan). Jay-Z has not kept his success to himself though, and without the public eye even knowing, has bailed out numerous rappers from jail like 21 savage and Meek Mill, who have spoken out about their gratitude for him. Along the same lines, Jay-Z wired tens of thousands of dollars within minutes to bail Baltimore protesters, (Lewis). Jay-Z writes about police brutality, toxic masculinity, and a number of other social critiques in his music. Jay-Z is one of the most influential rappers who are continuing and even exceeding Hip-Hop’s history of activism, expression, and social movement.
“Wesley’s Theory” Kendrick Lamar
“The Story of OJ” Jay-Z
I picked these songs because of their social commentary, one as an example of Jay-Z’s social critique, and another addressing the exploitation of black artists by the entertainment industry. “The Story of OJ” has a very interesting music video which has many depictions of slavery, and America’s consumerist and capitalist society. He talks about racism, and sends a message that no matter how much money or status a marginalized person obtains, they will always be oppressed by racist people. “Wesley’s Theory” by Kendrick Lamar starts references African American Wesley Snipes, who went to jail for failure to pay taxes, using it as an example of how black artists are both targeted and exploited. He talks about rappers need to blow all the money they earn on material things, because that is what in valued in our culture, but can end up leaving people with nothing.
Works Cited
Martha Gonzalez, “Imaginaries,” Liner notes, co-authored with Russell Rodriguez for Quetzal, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. (PDF)
Marisol Berrios-Miranda, Shannon Dudley, Michelle Habell-Pallán. Chapter 4 in American Sabor: Latinos and Latinas in US Popular Music/American Sabor: Latinos y Latinas en La Música Popular Estadounidense.
Ashitey, Tiffany, and Taylor Lewis. “The 10 Not-So-Publicized Times Jay Z and Beyonce Gave Back.” Essence, ESSENCE, 28 Sept. 2018, http://www.essence.com/lifestyle/do-good-brothers/10-not-so-publicized-times-jay-z-and-beyonce-gave-back/.
Hogan, Marc, and Marc Hogan. “Every Corporate Deal That Brought JAY-Z Closer to Becoming Rap’s First Billionaire.” Pitchfork, Pitchfork, 27 June 2017, pitchfork.com/thepitch/every-corporate-deal-that-brought-jay-z-closer-to-becoming-raps-first-billionaire/.
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