Critique # 2- Chapter 2 "Hip Hop Reflects Black Dysfunctional Ghetto Culture"

Joel Milian                                                                                                                              12/5/12

Critique # 2: (Chapter 2) Hip Hop Reflects Black Dysfunctional Ghetto Culture

Critique:

In this Chapter of The Hip Hop Wars, Tricia Rose describes how Hip-Hop has negatively portrayed its community. These rappers who are idolized for their music by countless of fans portray an image where it is ok to live a life committing crimes, demeaning women, being violent, and doing drugs. Having these issues as the common topics in their songs makes their audience believe that these are the ways to live a successful life. Tricia Rose states that, “The power of these songs is not only reflective (mirroring the actions and points of view of those who are already invested in street culture and criminality) but seductive as well (in that they encourage young people to emulate the facets of underground street economies”) (71) Rose also makes note of how older forms of music generated by African Americans such as Jazz and Rock & Roll where precursors to many of the common forms of music today. During its introduction, Jazz was also seen as evil music although it is not nearly as seductive as Hip Hop. Importantly noted is also the fact that the topics mentioned in Hip Hop music come from the communities and lifestyles that are prevalent in practically every poor/urban African American community. Because of how common these communities are and how commercialized the songs that talk about these issues are, is causing the audiences to see these things as a normal part of life and not see anything wrong with the injustice taking place.