Bragging in Hip Hop
Hip Hop’s culture has long been immersed in what seems like a masquerade of rappers parading around making outlandish claims about their swagger, money, or general ability to make things happen in the world. Most people that don’t listen to rap/hip-hop name this the number one suspect for the reason they dislike the genre and/or art, and stick religiously by the claim. They most times forget to mention the Eminem songs in their libraries, but that’s another story.
Is it really okay to classify these antics as just bragging? Let’s take a look at how and why this classic element of the average Hip Hop song has thrived for so long.
Before there was Hip-Hop, there was the Civil Rights movement. Along with this, came the adoption of a culture among blacks known as Zoot-Suiting. Zoot-Suting wasn’t always a black thing, but we’ll understand why they associated themselves with it in a minute.
- During the late 1940’s and early ‘50’s when black oppression was at it’s darkest, negros were finding all kinds of ways to lash out, act out, and straight up defy “Whitey."They dressed differently, talked differently, and began defining their own cultural lingo and dress code. That’s not as significant as what they were actually saying, and what it signified. This is where Zoot-Suiting among blacks becomes important. Putting on the weird heavily padded suits, and big pants, they started calling themselves man, (during low teen years, mind you) in direct defiance to their white oppressors calling them 'boy.’ A recent read, “Race Rebels” by Robin D. G. Kelley, dives into these very years, shedding light on a young Malcolm X, then Malcolm Little, or Detroit Red very much engaged in this culture
The main motif of the book draws attention on some of the ways and reasons blacks developed what is now “stereotypical” behavioral characteristics. And one of those is bragging, or over-condfidence. Decades of oppression led to decades of the same behavior, and…
Fast-forward.
1970s. Another culture has planted its seeds among the oppressed people of America. That culture will have become known to the rest of the world as Hip-Hop. Early practictioners and trend-setters, including a young Robin Kelley, were involved in a very specific kind of activity. This activity involved never before seen variations in the way one dressed, spoke, or carried themself. They spoke quite highly of themselves, and eventually this tradition trickled (flooded) into the budding lyricism. Rhymes were soon peppered with such phrases that likened the lyricist to a great king of the past, or their flow to that of cobra venom. It quickly evoled into a contest of who could season their rhymes with the highest form of braggadicio
Time-skip.
It’s 2012, and the genre itself is heavily saturated with rappers constantly succumbing to the urge to tell us why and how we’re the best thing to ever walk the planet. Even humble rappers outside of a mixtape or album fall victim. So why, do we ask? Is it possible that rappers are simply paying homage to the roots of this phenomenon? Some of my favorite rappers have used the “brag” angle to depict rising from less than humble backgrounds into praise-worthy cinemas for us all to watch unfold
In short — before Hip-Hop, during Hip-Hop, and probably after it, if the world decides it should no longer exist, oppressed people (whether as a whole or on a personal level) will use this kind of behavior to give themselves a sense of self-worth. From being told one would never amount to nothing, to claiming one owns or controls any grand amount is an obvious act of defying the odds.
Not as cool as this, though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4C3xS8wN3k
So, reader. Tell us, why does your favorite rapper brag?
J Cole Dreamville Hoodie Contest
J Cole Dreamville Contest
Who likes winning dope gear?
Our friends at Dreams University have partnered with RG to give away some dope gear. Prizes include 1 J Cole Dreamville Hoodie ($75 USD retail) and 1 J Cole Dreamville Shirt ($32 USD retail) for two lucky winners.
How do you become eligible?
Eligibility is as simple as 1-2-3:
- Tweet out and/or Facebook share this blog post.
- “Like” Dreams University on Facebook
- Subscribe to their newsletter at Dreams University (no worries….they only email 2-3 times a year)
Winners will be randomly chosen and revealed at the end of the contest (one week), so be sure to check back at the end to see if you’re a winner.
Good Luck!
An Open Letter from Donald Glover
With a comedy, television, and music career, Childish Gambino, Donald Glover, is undoubtedly a successful and popular man. Today, Gambino randomly took to Twitter to write a pagelong letter, spread over many tweets, aimed at fans and critics alike. Spelling out continual conflicts with the interpretation and handling of his talents and lyrics, GLover applauded his dedicated fans and embraced the “joke” of the Gambino profile, cryptically alluding to something new from the artist. A link to his website, I Am Donald, presented a painting of a young man looking at Drake’s Take Care album cover. When hovered over, a letter from joke blogger Ghostface appears, sharing one of his classic untitled music from the gods stories, where amazing music comes from the sky and is never seen again. This time, however, Gambino recorded a song, now live on his page.
What this means is more confusing. A more mature Donald could just now be embracing his impact, noting how fans now use his music to heal personal problems. Glover may also be outing his status as the real Ghostface blogger, something easily within the realms of possibility. Moreover, Glover may simply be creating a mystique for the new track, weaving a narrative into a catchy song and driving its Twitter popularity.The full transcript of his unedited Twitter letter is below
“Dear twitter people, I don’t like talking…stand up’s different. More like I don’t like explaining. I never feel like I’m saying what I wanna say or how I feel. I’m sure even parts of this will be quoted and taken out of context. And people will be mad or talk shit but won’t read the whole thing cause, honestly, we’re all busy. I get it tho. I think a lot people think I’m just doing shit to do shit. In a way, that’s true. But I like making things. I wanna do things well. I’m learning music theory, and taking lessons. Learning languages so I can write in other languages. I love making stuff. I really do. My boy Kendrick gives me props which is a really cool thing to do. Doesn’t need to do that at all, but he does cause he’s a good person. He shouted me out at Coachella for making the beat for "Look out for Detox” and I when I rapped over the beat at Coachella to bring him out, I saw people write “Childish, rips off Kendrick song”. Not in comment sections where people say shit all the time, like in actual articles. Like journalists. Writers. It was weird. I was in the studio with “B” and he was like “all the stuff on the internet about music, comedy, art, etc. is like parents watching children play on a playground and being like ‘look at Susie sliding on that slide…what an idiot’” I can’t sit down and talk to everyone about my beliefs, views, and intentions. I honestly would if I could. Also see a lot of white peeps coming to the “defense” of black peeps because they think I don’t like black people or myself, I guess? I really don’t get that. I don’t like that. I’ve also seen people act like they know me. Talk about how I grew up and my shit is perfect. And it’s true. I’m lucky. My parents were always there and were supportive for the shit I wanted to do. It’s dope. but I’m from Decatur GA. Like, “The DEC”. In the projects. Moved to Stone Mountain later. My first recital was in South Dekalb Mall. I lived on my grandma’s couch in the Bronx trying to pay her back for college. Me, my father, my mother, my two sisters, and (at the time) 3 brothers split one bedroom for a while. It feels like some sorta weird white overcompensation. Like when hipsters are like “Guess what…I hate Obama! That’s how unique I am”. Like that Trayvon Martin line in EYV. I saw some white peeps get upset. Which was a little funny to me cause it felt like no one cared about Oscar Grant or Kenneth Chamberlain or any of the other black kids shot in ATL or anywhere else when that shit happened. I’m the one getting texts from my mom every time that shit happens. And that shit happens a lot. Also, it wasn’t a joke. It was worldplay to highlight something that I thought was unfair. But, if it was a joke, I get to do that. Cause that could’ve been me. I’m a black dude. I’ve had bullets whiz by me cause I look like me. I get to deal with it the way I wanna deal. Cause it’s my deal. People will hate me/ my shit, but post my shit cause they want the web hits, cuz fans follow it. And I’m really lucky to have fans like that Mattafact, I wanna say thank you to fans. You guys are really the reason I’m even here or able to do this stuff. I’m not bullshitting around. I don’t think I’m the best. I don’t think being the best comes from having a lot of money or saying “I’m the best” all the time. But I’m also not looking to be “some dude”. I don’t do anything hoping to end it with being “some dude”. I don’t think anyone person on earth should strive to be “just some dude”. I don’t wanna be that. Or a coward. Those are the worst things you could be. Childish Gambino started as an inside joke that grew way faster than I ever thought it could. When people come up to me and are like “this got me through chemo” or “I came out to my parents” off of Childish, I almost feel guilty. Shit started as a joke, fun between writing with family and friends. But I kinda don’t have that scapegoat anymore…and I’m good with that. Word. Here’s a start: http://www.iamdonald.com "
Lil B, the Man Behind the Mask. Vol. 2
I won’t weigh you guys down with the cute introductions this time, being that this is the second time I’ve done this. But for a little background, I’ve compiled some of the greatest Lil B status updates for your entertainment and education. Lil B has developed an incredibly diverse and faithful crew of followers, who eat up his every word, even if those words make no sense. But occasionally, the man does drop some knowledge. I’ll let you figure out which is which below.
Lil B is sharing his bitches! Finally I have a chance! But still, Based God will fuck my bitches.
Good Morning Lil B!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well…you can’t argue with that logic. Lil B replies to a fan via youtube.
Lil B does his mitzvot for the day!
Based God obviously encounters a few grammatical struggles here, even though he drops some knowledge on us.
Natural birth mothers, fuck you.
Wait, I thought we were saying “fuck you” to natural birth mothers? Come on Brandon, you’re confusing us.
Lil B wishes to return to his natural habitat.
LOVE WILL PAY MY BILLS? OH REALLY? TELL THAT TO MY LANDLORD. WHO’S A NOT-VERY-ATTRACTIVE MIDDLE AGED MAN.
A #rare glimpse into Lil B’s past. Apparently he had confidence issues, if you can imagine that.
I’m almost positive he just shouted out an apartment complex?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk6u8DsENj4
BASED KAT. Also, you can hear Lil B watching Law and Order in the background. Scratch that, it’s probably Keke.
Can someone tell me what “and such” could possibly be referring to?
I finally feel accepted in this world.
“…because humans are mean and weird” — the man posting about an albino whale.
My family is happy Lil B. Thank you…..thank you.
I don’t understand this status. So I guess that makes me not different?
The fuck?
That concludes this weeks Lil B updates. If you like them, feel free to tweet me here and tell me about it. And if you want me to do this segment again, tweet me. I hope this has gotten you better acquainted with the man that is Lil B, you’ve learned a few things, and had a few laughs. Stay based
