She compares dark skin to pearls, an important message considering the prevalent issue of colorism existing today. “ Brown Skin Girl ” released in 2019, celebrates women and girls of dark skin. Despite not being a new artist and working in genres outside of Hip-Hop, Beyonce is an example of an artist who has used her lyrics as a source of pride with a spot solidified in the Hip-Hop world. Although a common assumption, provocative lyrics do not speak for the Hip-Hop genre as a whole, and several artists have utilized their lyrics as a source of entertainment, and especially empowerment. When discussing the repercussions of Hip-Hop lyrics on young adults, many believe that they are a source of encouragement for young people to act in the ways described within popular songs. These contributions both play essential roles as to why Hip-Hop has been able to stay afloat today. Overall, Hip-Hop music continues to be closely connected and simultaneously relevant to activism and the representation of real experiences of a variety of listeners. These conditions hit close to home for many of his listeners, and may even act as inspiration for a future in which they will not be financially unstable (as Lil Yatchy is now worth 11 million). An example of this is his song titled “ Life Goes On, ” released in 2016, where he describes life as a poor college student with a 9 to 5 due to his mother being unemployed. Rapper from Atlanta, Georgia, Lil Yachty, has oftentimes used his music to speak on his experiences in poverty. Although it is said that Hip-Hop has illustrated a false representation of reality onto young adults due to its provocative language and glorification of materialism, such language does not negate the fact that the genre has allowed space for artists to reflect on the realities of life’s difficulties. Taking this into account, modern Hip-Hop has continued to hold relevance in activism and social change for the culture of music as well as outside of it. “ The most disrespected…unprotected…neglected person in America is the Black woman.”
The words “ Protect Black Women ” was the backdrop to her performance, alongside the recording of Malcolm X’s 1962 speech. While performing her hit song “ Savage ,” it became apparent that the performance was meant to be more than just a live show, but rather a call to political action on an issue that has been ignored for far too long. This realization did not just solely surround police brutality, but the effects of systemic racism on Black women as a whole. When her death occurred, many took note of how cases of police brutality towards Black women specifically are often overlooked and disregarded. An example of this was in 2020 when Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion’s performance on Saturday Night Live sent a powerful message about the death of Breonna Taylor, a medical worker shot in her home by police officers. Moreover, it has served as an outlet for them to speak upon unjust inconsistencies in society, the government, or the treatment that Black people receive in this country. Hip-Hop has had an undeniable impact on Black communities throughout the United States, especially when considering that the genre itself is dominated by Black artists. The activism and representation that derives from today’s Hip-Hop furthermore highlight its cultural relevance, even years after its creation. Most importantly, though, it has continuously allowed for growing artists to advocate for the issues occurring in their neighborhoods especially in those that had a minority population (where a lot of said issues were overlooked). Its versatility especially facilitated its spread, considering how Hip-Hop allowed people with diverse interests to participate in it, such as poets, philosophers, producers, photographers, and visual artists.
Because Hip-Hop became so popular in these impoverished areas, the genre itself emphasizes one’s creativity and how efficiently one can create a new sound utilizing the little resources available to them. Originating from the Bronx borough of New York City during the 1970s, lower-income areas within the United States were able to formulate new sounds using imagination and inspiration from other musically gifted individuals while still incorporating their styles. The genre of Hip-Hop has surpassed being just a music category, as it can now be considered a way of living due to its wider cultural impact. Current artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, or Megan Thee Stallion are oftentimes the representatives of a variety of cultures, whether they be challenging the status quo for social change or simply representing the underrepresented. Yamilka Moreno, Assistant Editor-in-ChiefĪs the genre of Hip-Hop in music continues to transpire and evolve, the influence of modern Hip-Hop is almost inevitable, especially for young people.
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