Does Hip Hop Really Need Lil' Wayne's Lollipop?
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I guess I am a prude. I was reviewing the Billboard charts this morning and checking out all the number one hits. I came to the hip hop listing and noticed that Lil' Wayne had secured the number one position with the song "Lollipop".
I wrote off hip hop years ago due to the thuggish attitude and hypocrisy as far as racism and social responsibility. Over the years, I occasionally go back to see if it has changed. Today was one of those days. I listened to the song, and gave "Lollipop" a fair shake. Lil' Wayne would be proud.After reviewing "Lollipop", and not being quite sure what I had heard, (Better still not wanting to believe what I heard), I then went to check the lyrics of the song. Sure enough, throughout the song it is talking about sex, degrading women, degrading men, and other various things our kids should not be hearing about. This song is not symbolic either. It puts the trash right out there, and does not try to be subtle. It also freely uses the phrase "nigga" several times.I wonder to myself if the hip hop community, and Lil' Wayne in particular, is proud of this trash? It makes me sick to my stomach to see the horrid effects that this type of drivel has on our kids. I worry for all of them. My kids too. Do not try to tell me that I am responsible for what my kids listen to. There are far to many opportunities to cover them all as a Parent. This is what artists like Lil' Wayne depend on. This is the best that hip hop has to offer? Not only was "Lollipop" sitting at the number one spot, but has been on the chart for nine weeks. This kind of crap is what leads to the social problems of absent Fathers, pregnant teens, and broken dreams in the minority communities. Certainly, it is far from the only reason, but it is a large part of the cultural problem. When kids hear this stuff, it affects them negatively. If you say otherwise you are certainly fooling yourself and making excuses. "Lollipop" and Lil' Wayne have ensured that the view of hip hop is not a respectable one for yet another listener in me. There are a handful of hip hop artists that I listen to regularly because they know how to be socially responsible, and there are other hip hop artists that I would like to listen to because of talent, but can not. If talent is not accompanied by social and cultural responsibility, then they are no better than the thugs they portray. I will not be an enabler of anything that takes advantage of our kids. I call on you to consider the same. Think about it. Gangs in America are at an all time high, and it is getting worse. When the thug life becomes a mainstream persona, and is emulated by singers that our kids look up to, then is this not the ultimate betrayal of our kids? How sick must one be to take advantage of such a sad and hard core lifestyle of death and dead ends? Who would portray the gang lifestyle as desirable to kids other than the gangs themselves? Nobody.Think it over Lil' Wayne. Is that number one record really worth your soul?CommentsLoading...
I am a huge hip hop fan, and have not decided to let it go because of him, I just change the radio station, LOL! I cannot stand any of Lil' Waynes newer stuff, It sounds like he's either drunk or drugged up whining and moaning in the mic, mumbling to the point of irratation because I can't understand a work he's saying. Oh, I especially can't stand Lollipop. Good hub about Wayne.
I definitely respect your opinion and I'm glad you understand that one artist doesn't define an entire genre of music. One thing I'd also like to add as far as the need for social consciousness in music is the need for social consciousness in t.v. and games i.e. any "reality" show and any Grand Theft Auto game.
";This kind of crap is what leads to the social problems of absent Fathers, pregnant teens, and broken dreams in the minority communities";
Ouch. Is this not a problem in the suburbs to? Just asking because I thought your hub was great. I appreciate you sharing your opinion and as a mother I feel absolutely responsible for the model to which my kids are provided; via t.v. radio even social interraction. I have to atleast try because as you said, its powerful stuff being presented to kids these days.
I personally like lil'wayne I have his " like father like son" cd and it was some of his best work. Your right Stylezink, what's up with the whispering thing?
I DO NOT however, play it in front of my kids. Oh and lil'wayne wasn't the first one to do the Lollipop song.... believe me if you had heard it from Three Six Mafia, you would have denounced rap music a long time ago.
PnP~It all makes sense until it doesn't.
Pen-N-Pad....
Yes, It is a problem in the suburbs as well, but because of the HEAVY influence in the minority communities, I highlighted that as one of the primary problems. I certainly made it clear that it was not the ONLY problem. I myself grew up in a minority community, though as an outsider. I witnessed first hand the growth of rap, hip hop, and the like, with 2liveCrew and others. I watched friends of mine embrace that stuff, and the lifestyle. I then watched a large majority of them go to prison because of living the thug lifestyle, and emulating what they hear. Was rap to blame? Absolutely not. Did it play a part. Certainly.
Bottom line, I would not want my kids listening to it. When they are old enough to listen and make their own judgements, then I am okay with that. But when they are young, it is just a really bad influence.
Thanks for the great comments and I agree with what you have to say. have a great day!
Intelligent hub, Rodney, and - I know it's stereotypical - but how open-minded of someone from NC to keep giving hip-hop a fair chance. I, personally, think most of it is crap, but they are the few exceptions, as with everything. I like bands that blend rock or metal with hip-hop like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Limp Biscit.
I have a co-worker whom I go out for drinks with occasionally, he's black. I mention his race because he thinks the kind of hip-hop this hub is about makes all black people look bad. He thinks this "crap-hop" tends to lead white people to see all black people in this negative way. And, for the most part, I think he's correct.
Great hub, and I agree. But of course the whole genre of music cannot be defined by one or two artists, alrthough I do believe that most of the lyrics in hip hop/rap songs do use the same words over and over, meaning derogatory words and names. It is very hard to keep children from hearing these songs as they are evrywhere and very mainstream. Maybe the message will change soon, I hope.
Lil Wayne is trash, if you want some real hip hip check out the new Craig G album.
lollipop is simply a track to make money
not his best work
a song for the pop listeners
Lollipop may not have the lyrics that is suited for the young ones but the rhythm is cool. Lil Wayne offers many other choices.
Denfinately I agree. As an advant Hip-Hop fan and artist it's sad to see where this music is heading. They don't spit knowledge anymore because they've convinced the audience that it's dull and corny. It's all about trends and false images that appeal to the masses. Great write!
I am a little late on this post, but it popped up on the related blogs. I like all kinds of music. I'll listen to anything really. Don't write off any one genre of music unless you know there is no song that you will ever like. I am sure you can find rap that has meaning. Check out my post on Aesop Rock's Daylight. I guarantee you it will change your mind or at least open your ears.
Tater2tot 3 years ago
Rodney, good hub. I enjoyed reading your opinion. And thanks for sharing it. I agree and disagree with you. I really like this song. Lil Wayne is an awesome artist. Although he doesn't always sing appropiate songs... they are really intriguing, in my opinion. I really hate when he uses racist terms. And that is why I haven't bought this song. I listen to this song just because I like the music and his voice, not because of the lyrics. :)
Good hub.
Tayler!