Letters To The Editor
Hip Hop Music
Dear Editor,
Rap music is something through which you can describe your feelings and emotions. Over the years Hip Hop artists such as Public Enemy and NWA have been able to describe their feelings with raps that were against the police, and the racist political system of the U.S.A.
Contrary to that you can violate someone's Civil Rights by rapping something that's totally insane, but if you're careful you can very easily convey your message to the general public.
What do you think?
— Mostansar Virk
Dear Mostansar Virk,
Although rap has a certain flavor for the youth, and much potential to become a positive force for change, it will never replace the Human Rights movement. Could it be that many of the young generation are simply afraid to defy the status quo? Could it be that the music is so heavily chained to move and groove, rhythm and rhyme antics that it is locked into a do your own thing individualism that's going nowhere fast?
Many questions come to mind that need answers like, why rappers don't respect their listening audience and come together with economic power to really do something constructive for the community, for instance: build a corporation that will take unwed mothers off the streets, and give them meaningful shelter, care, and attention? What would be wrong with that?
If Hip Hop culture would become less "I," "Me," "Mine" oriented, and could offer some viable alternatives that have community economics in mind, I would be more for it. At present it is too whimsical, madhouse, immature, and valueless for the better interest of both the African-American and Islamic communities. However, the potential is there. One wonders if rap isn't part of a vast Jacubite plot for brainwashing and controlling the unsuspecting minds of the younger generations.
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— Editor
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Dear Editor,
If the Black community is mirrored by Hip Hop, then it's more than obvious that Cardi B is a clone image of Generation Z's present dilemma. Her song "Money" is the problem in the nutshell. If life were all about money, then life for everybody would be complete pandemonium, and the epitome of misery. Therefore, I know that's an erroneous concept, because I can be happy with or without money.
This kind of music appeals to the unconscious, and the morally corrupt. 90% of present day rappers move to the same money-oriented, socially degenerate message. Apply the mirror hypothesis, and the aforementioned percentage applies to the art form’s fan base, meaning the listening audience.
— Conscious Listener.
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Dear Conscious Listener,
We could not agree more. There needs to be more consciousness in Hip Hop, and less commercialism, ego-tripping, and self serving. Perhaps we may offer this rap up for grabs:
Every Book (CD) has its moment.
Every idea has its time frame.
Go searching, traveling, and find!
Truth and love will fill your mind.
As you take flight into the night, can you remember when the sun shines bright?
Freedom again is to remember when true, strong, beautiful, and free is what you be.
No clothing of the mind is more precious than what you find in this Divine timeline.
Assurance, and never greed is all that you need; a harvest will grow for you once you plant that seed.
When you don't know the right thing to do, stop and think are you the one who makes all things new?
Truth will brighten up your day, no matter what people may find to say.
Let the songs you sing be as the music of the trumpet you play.
May God save us from your and my mischief, and the bitter day.
Allah is God and Muhammad is His Messenger, forever our treasure,
so break no one's peace, and do good to kith and kin is our measure.
In 98 you must move straight; in 99 you must make time.
Open the century to progress, close the door to regress.
Humanity is one from the people of the sun.
Some look and make fun; some hide and some run.
When you try your best to destroy me,
you can't see the forest for looking at the tree.
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— Editor
In the spirit of fairness, and honest discourse, DIGNITY Magazine welcomes all comments, feedback, and criticism.
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